When attempting to design engines to be more fuel-efficient and emissions-free, automotive manufacturers have to take into account all the complexity inherent in the combustion process. With the help of supercomputing resources, researchers are now refining their computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to better capture the real-world behavior of these engines. As part of a…
De-Icing the Streets with New Technology
The City of Knoxville public service crews demonstrated a new de-icing device made possible by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The technology aims to more efficiently and effectively regulate brine distribution on the road during snowy weather. The novel approach features a variable control mechanism designed…
Machine Learning to Develop Safer Batteries
Electronics are essential to everyday life. What would our lives be like without our cell phones or computers? From toys to laundry machines to electric cars, electronics continue to populate our daily routines. Many of these electronics are powered by high energy density lithium-ion batteries. But two factors in these batteries can lead to dangerous…
Engineering Fun and Function at JPL Invention Challenge
Whether via bungee cord, half-inch chain, servo motors, torsion springs, electronics or just plain gravity, 20 middle- and high-school student teams used a range of equipment to compete in this year’s JPL Invention Challenge at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. The teams – mainly from Southern California but including ones from as far…
Spring Choice Matters: What it Means for Equipment Manufacturers and Device Makers
Springs may not be at the top of a designer’s mind when working on an application, but they are essential in many applications. The sizes and types available vary greatly and their choice is influenced by application parameters and industry requirements. Manufactured from many different materials that must often meet international standards, they can be…
Make it Extreme Creates Homemade Drone Catcher
Although drones are a trending technology, some can find them a tad annoying buzzing around. Make it Extreme has created a solution to the annoying drone problem in private places with its homemade, anti-drone gun. Make is Extreme chose to use two bottles of oxygen, of one use only, that are durable up to 150…
Building a Self-Sustainable Robot from e-Scrap Using Renewable Energy
Electrical and electronic scrap (e-scrap) is now one of the fastest growing types of waste. E-scrap includes a wide array of old electronic devices that includes large household appliances such as refrigerators or air-conditioning systems, smartphones, computers and other consumer electronics. Finding interesting and cost-effective ways to reuse e-scrap could have many advantages for the…
Students 3D Print Rocket Engine
On November 17, the student-run USC Liquid Propulsion Lab (LPL) gathered in Southern California’s Mojave Desert to execute the world’s first test fire of a student-built 3D printed rocket engine made entirely on campus. The engine performed perfectly, proving their design and manufacturing methods are capable of withstanding the immense pressures of a combustion. This engine in…
Mission Possible: Building a Submersible Robot that Finds Treasure
Greg Twiss’s students have tested liquid-fueled rocket motors, designed colorful jets of water to dance through fountains, and sent high-altitude balloons soaring 20 miles into the atmosphere to meet the central design challenge he creates for EGR 190 Applied Engineering Design, a mechanical engineering class that continues to build upon the design and ideation skills…
Designs that Make a Difference
Projects from three NUS Design and Environment graduates were selected from more than a thousand applications to be featured at this year’s Global Grad Show in Dubai from 13 to 17 November. One of the NUS projects was an axe, a common implement to which Mr Tony Chui, who graduated with Honours (Highest Distinction), has given a…
The Great Technology Contest for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Development
Twelve teams have applied to take part in the Up Great “First Element” contests. The contests are being held as part of the National Technology Initiative and are aimed at overcoming the most complex global technical barriers. The contests are asking participants to develop hydrogen fuel cells, which can be used to power means of transport both…
How Engineers are Straightening the Leaning Tower of Pisa
“It’s still straightening,” said engineer Roberto Cela, gazing at the Leaning Tower of Pisa gleaming in the autumn sunshine of northern Italy. “And many years will have to pass before it stops.” The gravitationally-challenged landmark is leaning less after years of ambitious engineering work. Fortunately for the millions of tourists who come here every year,…
Hold on Tight! Students Design Twists and Turns of Roller Coaster
Bethany Mruzik admits that engineering principles were the last thing on her mind every time she climbed aboard a roller coaster at Six Flags St. Louis. But with the popular park only 15 minutes from her home, Mruzik – now a senior civil engineering major at Purdue – soon realized her interest in a theme…
Foldable, Origami Canoe Gets Updated
The original Onak “origami” canoe could easily unpack and assemble at any water site, and seat up to three people. Now, Onak 2.0 offers a similar experience, but comes with a few updated moderations, according to New Atlas. When the Onak is in full-size and ready for paddling, it measures 183 by 33.5 inches and…
Iron Man, DIY Jet Bike Takes Test Drive
After Tech Ingredients took apart a hybrid jet engine, they realized they had some extra parts to tinker with, so they decided to create an add-on for e-bikes, according to New Atlas. With their extra parts, Tech Ingredients workers created a DIY Jet Bike where the hub motor is powered by a pair of battery-powered…
Antique Tractor Gets Students’ Gears Turning
Heads turned and a few students stopped and stared as a farm tractor growled its way up the campus roadway behind Krieger Hall, then sputtered to a stop in front of Merrick Barn. “Um, now what?” asked driver Tatiana Pereira, laughing a little as she stepped on the clutch and tried unsuccessfully to turn over…
Call for Engineers to Help Optimize the Design of VIP Latrines
Neven Subotic Foundation—founded by international footballer Neven Subotic, together with SimScale—provider of the world’s first SaaS application for engineering simulation, have announced a competition for engineers to contribute to a newly-launched project to design and build safer sanitary facilities for schools in Ethiopia and other African countries. The goal is to develop a latrine that…
Predictive Maintenance Avoids Downstream Machine Failures
It’s long been agreed that reactive maintenance isn’t effective. Instead of allowing equipment to reach the point of failure, issues can be spotted much earlier by detecting subtle changes in the machinery over time. With this insight, predictive maintenance is enabled and parts can be replaced before a total breakdown occurs. A predictive maintenance…
The Future of Flight is Now
Many experts agree the future of flight will rely on zero-emission and/or renewable energy technology. That is, aircraft will be propelled by ions—electrically charged molecules—that create thrust in their wake. But Northeast Ohio inventor Ethan Krauss says the technology is already here. In fact, he’s invented an aircraft that flies silently, with no moving parts,…
Unique Method to Reduce Aircraft Weight
Russian scientists and engineers from NUST MISIS have managed to find a way to reduce the weight of aircraft engine parts by 20 percent. According to experts, this weight reduction is fundamental for the aircraft, becoming a ton lighter. This weight reduction was made possible with the introduction of a new manufacturing technology-a bionic bracket…
First-Ever Titanium 3D-Printed Wheel
Recently, HR Wheels teamed up with GE Additive’s AddWorks team to create the first-ever titanium wheel that will be 3D-printed via Electron Beam Melting, according to New Atlas. The finished wheel is being called the HRE3D+, and was revealed at the Formnext trade show in Frankfurt, Germany. The Electron Beam Melting process is apparently more…
Making Composite Electrical Aircraft a Reality
Researchers with the EU-funded EPICEA project are developing computer tools that will help aircraft manufacturers better understand electromagnetic coupling mechanisms on composite electrical aircraft. Today’s aircraft manufacturers, along with their supply chain, are focused on decreasing energy consumption, improving safety, and reducing emissions. “To optimize the performance of both existing and future generations of aircraft,…
Engineers Fly First-Ever Plane with No Moving Parts
Since the first airplane took flight over 100 years ago, virtually every aircraft in the sky has flown with the help of moving parts such as propellers, turbine blades, and fans, which are powered by the combustion of fossil fuels or by battery packs that produce a persistent, whining buzz. Now MIT engineers have built…
‘Robo-Nose’ Could Give K9 Officers a Break
Every day, thousands of trained K9 dogs sniff out narcotics, explosives and missing people across the United States. These dogs are invaluable for security, but they’re also very expensive and they can get tired. Duke researchers have taken the first steps toward building an artificial “robot nose” device made from living mouse cells that officers…
Development of Humanoid Robot Prototype, HRP-5P, Capable of Heavy Labor
Researchers have developed a humanoid robot prototype, HRP-5P, intended to autonomously perform heavy labor or work in hazardous environments. As a 182 cm, 101 kg humanoid robot, HRP-5P was built on HRP series technologies by incorporating new hardware technologies. Within the series, it has unsurpassed physical capabilities. Its robot intelligence comprises environmental measurement and object recognition,…