Articles tagged with Mechanical Systems
A team of researchers at MIT has identified and modeled a major reason for poor performance in electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion systems, which is caused by a local depletion of CO2 gas near the electrodes. By pulsing the current off and on, they can replenish the gas levels, allowing the process to continue efficiently.
Researchers at Durham University have developed a sugar-containing polymer coating that can repair damaged artificial joint implants by mimicking the way cartilage works to lubricate human joints. The coating uses water to create a slippery surface, protecting the surfaces from wear and tear.
The University of Huddersfield's Institute of Railway Research has won a prestigious prize from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for its 'Low Adhesion Braking Dynamic Optimisation for Rolling Stock' (LABRADOR) simulation tool. This tool allows for the study of specific brake control features and prediction of train brak...
The study found that applying an electrical potential can stabilize high-temperature superconducting superhydrides at much lower pressures than previously thought. This new method could lead to the creation of new materials with broad applications in consumer and industrial sectors.
Researchers at University of Missouri and University of Chicago develop an artificial material that can respond to its environment, make decisions, and perform actions not directed by humans. The material uses a computer chip to control information processing and convert energy into mechanical energy.
The University of Central Florida has received a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Defense award to develop high-performance fuels for hypersonic propulsion. The project aims to create new solid fuels that can provide wider flammability limits and longer range while constraining volume.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen have discovered a novel type of ordering effect generated and sustained by steady shear deformation. They found that under sufficient driving force, an interesting ordering effect emerges, revealing a hidden order in the force directions.
A UK team developed a portable ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients in developing countries. The Field Ventilator can be used beyond COVID-19 to treat various respiratory diseases and patients needing respiratory support.
Researchers developed simple, low-cost legged robots that can link and unlink to accomplish tasks like gap traversal and stair climbing on uneven terrains. The robots use easily acquired off-the-shelf technology and a magnetic connector for docking and cooperative behaviors.
Kamesh Subbarao, a UTA engineering professor, has been honored by the American Astronautical Society (AAS) for his technical contributions in estimation and control. He is also recognized for his leadership in AAS technical activities.
Researchers have developed a compact and high-performance 3D LiDAR imaging system using a silicon photonic component and CMOS electronic circuit in a single microchip. The prototype achieves accurate imaging and mapping, essential for autonomous cars, robots, drones, and healthcare applications.
Researchers developed a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) optical scanner that enables better road safety by adjusting the driver's visibility based on speed and traffic environment. The system provides improved visibility, especially for pedestrians, and reduces glare from oncoming vehicles.
Researchers at MIT have developed a friction-boosting material that can be used to coat shoe bottoms, increasing grip on ice and other slippery surfaces. Laboratory tests showed a 20-35% increase in friction with the kirigami-coated shoes.
QUT researchers have designed a new carbon nanostructure made from diamond nanothreads that can store mechanical energy when twisted or stretched. The structure has an energy density 4-5 orders higher than conventional steel springs and up to 3 times compared to Li-ion batteries.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered how induced defects in metamaterials produce radically different consistencies and behaviors. The study has far-reaching applications, including protecting fragile components in car crashes and manipulating distant objects using minimally invasive surgery.
A team led by Prof Swati Singh is exploring the use of quantum systems to study astrophysical phenomena. They are developing smaller detectors that can be used to detect weak forces exerted by dark matter and gravitational waves, which could provide new insights into these mysteries.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics announced technical excellence awards to recognize outstanding contributions in space automation, robots, and propulsion. Winners include DARPA, NASA, and top aerospace professionals for their pioneering work and innovative achievements.
Scientists study quantum interference in a three-level quantum system and demonstrate complete control over individual electron spins. The researchers extend coherence time by a hundredfold, providing protection for fragile quantum states and opening new perspectives for sensor technology.
Scientists encode information on a cylindrical elastic shell with stable dimples, enabling reprogrammable storage and erasure. The system could serve as the basis for small-scale mechanical memories.
A recent study by ICFO researchers found a hybridization effect at high energies that could manipulate vibrational states and engineer hybrid states with mechanical modes. This discovery has the potential to open up new possibilities for manipulating vibrational states, studying collective motion of highly tunable systems.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed a novel bio-inspired nonlinear anti-vibration system that significantly reduces vibration in various mechanical systems. The innovation boasts superior performance and cost-efficiency compared to existing devices.
J.-C. Chiao, a UTA electrical engineering professor, has been recognized by SPIE as a Fellow for his work on micro medical devices and systems. He has secured $5 million in research funding and holds 11 US patents in MEMS technologies.
A novel control scheme is proposed to control unknown nonlinear systems without exact knowledge of system dynamics. The method uses an observer-based approach with a neural network to observe the system at multiple time scales and update its information.
Researchers from DTU Physics demonstrated how quantum-engineered states of light can improve the efficiency of feedback cooling beyond classical bounds. They successfully cooled a mechanical oscillator's temperature by more than 140 degrees below room temperature using a novel technique involving squeezed light.
Researchers at MIT have developed a computational model that analyzes ambient vibrations to detect signs of building stability. The model may help monitor buildings over time for potential damage or stress, providing a database like a health book for the structure.
The new motor uses a precisely machined hollow iron ball to move in any direction using electronic controls, reducing mechanical failures and maintenance. SIMbot can maintain its balance while moving at speeds of up to 1.9 meters per second, making it capable of navigating through doorways and furniture.
Researchers at NIST measured the transfer of motion through a microelectromechanical system at nanometer and microradian scales. The study found that play in the joint between links was crucial for the motion's precision, making these systems more reliable. However, adding electrical noise or atmospheric humidity degraded performance.
Researchers at NC State University have used 'Avatar' experiments to study locomotion and discovered that resonance tuning is a key mechanism behind springy leg behavior. By understanding how the nervous system interacts with the leg, they aim to design more efficient exoskeletons for humans.
Researchers have successfully coherently manipulated an electron spin embedded in a diamond resonator using a mechanical oscillating system. The discovery enables fast spin oscillation and precise measurement, making it suitable for highly sensitive sensors and potentially revolutionizing quantum computing.
Researchers have successfully applied topological insulator principles to mechanical systems, creating edge states that exhibit robust, 'topologically protected' properties. These properties make them suitable for applications in sound and vibration insulation, as well as focusing sound like a lens.
Researchers have developed an innovative cooling scheme for massive mechanical resonators, overcoming the limitation of quantum backaction. By utilizing destructive quantum interference in a cavity optomechanical system, they achieve ground state cooling beyond three orders of magnitude.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have traced the brain processes that occur during learning of technical concepts. They found that new knowledge is built up in the brain through multiple stages, involving different parts of the brain, and that appropriate instruction can bring out fundamental understanding at a deep level.
Researchers at University of Malta develop a mathematical model to explain the unusual behavior of auxetic materials, which grow wider when stretched. The model has potential applications in biomedicine, catalysis, and smart materials for healthcare and beyond.
Researchers cool membrane vibrations to less than 1 degree above absolute zero, opening up possibilities for novel studies of quantum physics and precision measurement devices. The technique harnesses the unique features of ultracold atomic gases, enabling fundamental quantum physics experiments with macroscopic mechanical systems.
A team from the University of Illinois developed a novel, tunable nanoantenna that enables plasmonic field enhancement to actuate mechanical motion. The researchers demonstrated tunability down to 5nm and showed that an electron beam can be used to deform individual p-BNAs or groups with velocities as large as 60 nm/s.
Maurizio Porfiri, an associate professor at NYU-Poly, has been named the ASME Dynamic Systems and Controls Division Outstanding Young Investigator Award winner. His research on biomimetic robotic fish contributes to understanding animal collective behavior.
The Keeneland Full Scale System is a 615 TFLOPS HP Proliant SL250-based supercomputer with 264 nodes, offering sustained performance of over a quarter of a PetaFLOP. This system enables researchers to run higher resolution simulations than ever before.
Researchers at Caltech have successfully cooled a miniature mechanical object to its lowest possible energy state using laser light, paving the way for the development of exquisitely sensitive detectors and quantum experiments. The achievement uses optical light to extract phonons from the system, creating an efficient optomechanical t...
A new study in HortScience found that mechanical harvesting creates up to 250% more debris than hand-harvested controls, resulting in increased costs for citrus producers. The research also highlights the importance of tree management practices in preventing debris from entering the harvesting stream.
Researchers at Caltech propose a new approach to observe quantum behavior in small mechanical systems by levitating the object with intense laser beams. This allows for dramatic reduction of environmental noise, enabling observation of diverse manifestations of quantum behavior even at room temperature.
A team of physicists from Innsbruck, Austria, have proven that it is not possible to explain quantum phenomena in non-contextual terms. They used techniques designed for building a quantum computer and performed a series of measurements on a pair of laser-cooled calcium ions.
The Virginia Tech-CIMSS-PAC team develops a suite of new technologies to monitor bridge structural integrity. The proposed 'Bridge Prognostic System' uses piezoelectric materials and acoustic emission sensing to detect cracks, providing real-time data for decision-making.
A new mathematical model developed at Duke University could help robots navigate strange surroundings to find hidden explosives. The model, inspired by the popular board game CLUE, uses a strategy of selecting movements and optimizing information incorporation to achieve success.
Scientists have developed a new form of stretchable silicon integrated circuit that can wrap around complex shapes, such as spheres and aircraft wings. The new design allows the circuit to be folded and stretched without reducing electrical performance.
Researchers at the University of Illinois created a mixed reality state in a physical system by coupling a mechanical pendulum with a virtual one. The resulting state showed correlated motion between the two pendulums, even when their lengths were dissimilar.
The NIST imaging system uses custom software and electronics to map mechanical properties of materials, enabling scientists to see variations in elasticity, adhesion, or friction. The system can produce high-resolution images in minutes, offering greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness than competing approaches.
The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Engineering has been awarded a grant to build and support new research laboratories in manufacturing engineering. The center aims to attract federal funding and assist local communities in building up their manufacturing businesses.
Researchers at NIST created a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cell-stretcher to measure living cell mechanical properties like adhesion and elasticity. The device can study bulk mechanical properties of single cells while they spread and adhere to substrates.
A computer-driven system can reduce mechanical ventilation time by 50% and ICU stay by 20% compared to traditional physician-controlled weaning. The system uses automated gradual pressure support reduction, spontaneous breathing trials, and incentive messages to ensure patient readiness.
Purdue engineers have created a new method to analyze the components of automotive suspension systems, aiming to improve performance, reduce weight, and increase durability. The approach represents a potential change in how suspensions are designed, with potential benefits including lighter and more efficient suspension systems.
Researchers created a system to convert 3D CAD parts into a simplified skeletal graph, enabling easier part reuse and saving companies time and money. The new system uses complex software algorithms to convert voxels into the skeletal graph, representing the bare bones of a part's shape and features.
A study on dynamic systems could lead to fewer falls and smoother rides by developing a method to predict the effects of discontinuities on stability. The research aims to create design criteria that can reduce or prevent unintended collisions, resulting in improved safety and comfort.
Purdue University researchers have created a 'pumpless' liquid-cooling system that removes nearly six times more heat than existing miniature pumpless systems. The system uses microchannels and dielectric liquids to form smaller bubbles, which flow easily through the channels and carry heat away from computer chips.
Researchers develop a condition-based monitoring system using radar-like signals to detect material damage in aircraft and vehicles. The system can accurately determine the location and severity of damage, even when temperature changes affect material behavior.
The Purdue University engineers' modified office chair uses software algorithms to interpret pressure sensor data and determine the user's seating posture. The system demonstrated an overall accuracy of 96% in distinguishing between different postures, with a special dynamic system being worked on for real-time tracking.
The Manatee Protection System uses acoustic sensors to detect manatees in the Port Canaveral locks, preventing collisions and saving their lives. The system's advanced technology, developed by ONR-supported scientists, has already saved five manatees during installation and early testing.
The US Air Force has upgraded its test facility to conduct wideband bistatic imaging and radar cross-section measurements of full-sized aircraft. The Bistatic Coherent Measurement System (BICOMS) provides a mobile system for bistatic as well as monostatic tests, improving efficiency and accuracy.
A Johns Hopkins University engineer has developed a microchip-based robotic vision system that enables toy cars to follow lines while avoiding obstacles. The technology could also be used in medical systems, manufacturing plants, and surveillance systems.
A new automobile exhaust system reduces pollution and boosts engine power at the same time. The design increases overall engine performance by 5 percent while also cutting emissions by 15 percent, making it a significant improvement over standard auto exhaust assemblies.
A new MIT software has significantly improved the accuracy of a robotic system used in cancer treatment, reducing errors from 7-8mm to under 1/3mm. This breakthrough technology has potential applications beyond cancer therapy, including inspection and repair work in nuclear power facilities.