Technical Briefs, Design Engineering News

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Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Technology Leaders: Industry Renaissance Transforms Invention, Learning, Production, and Trade

Digital technologies are enabling an "Industry Renaissance" of virtual experiences.

Briefs: Aerospace

Fine-Pointing Optical Communication System Using Laser Arrays

This technique for optical data transmission from satellites uses laser arrays to provide fine pointing capability.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Aircraft Thermal Heat Conduction Method

The thermal management technology could also be used for server farms and spacecraft.

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

2020 Create the Future Design Contest Grand Prize Winner: RepelWrap — A Nature-inspired Surface Technology for Repelling Contamination

Read all about this year's "Create the Future" winner: A transparent flexible film called "RepelWrap."

Briefs: Imaging

High-Resolution X-Ray Camera System

The system has applications in X-ray spectroscopy, pump probes, and molecule imaging.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Multirotor Aircraft Noise Reduction

NASA's phase-locked rotors reduce noise.

Articles: Unmanned Systems

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Aerospace & Defense Category Winner — NiobiCon™

The NiobiCon™ underwater connector will not short out, corrode, or cause an electrical shock if touched while powered in harsh environments like saltwater.

Briefs: Automotive

3D Camera Merges Depth and Spectral Data

The camera collects the spatial and spectral information required for self-driving cars, machine vision, corrosion detection, and other applications.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Terahertz Receiver for 6G Wireless Communications

The device enables ultra-fast wireless communications at low cost.

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Consumer Product Design Category Winner — The Ring Prosthetic Leg

The conceptual Ring prosthetic leg ensures that individuals do not need an entirely new device every time they have a growth spurt.

Articles: Test & Measurement

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Automotive/Transportation Category Winner — Low-Noise Laser for Lidar

Compact lasers now offer precise colors.

Briefs: Lighting

Atomically Thin Light-Emitting Device for Invisible Displays

Invisible displays on walls and windows would be bright when turned on but invisible when turned off.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Vortex Radiometer for Wireless Communications

Any high-performance communication systems operating in RF or optical frequencies may benefit from this system.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Glove-Like Device Mimics Sense of Touch

The soft, wearable device simulates the sense of touch and has wide potential in medical and industrial applications.

Articles: Electronics & Computers

Facility Focus: Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California San Diego

Jacobs' scientists are helping to make contract-tracing apps, emergency-use ventilators, and even squid-bots.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Nanoscale Thermal Switches

These switches are key to thermal management of nanoscale devices, refrigeration, data storage, thermal computing, and heat management of buildings.

Briefs: Imaging

Using Computer Tomography Images to Simulate Heart Function

Rather than using supecomputers, heart function simulation can be performed at the CT scanner.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

3D X-Ray Imager for 3D Object Retrieval

Applications include characterizing additively manufactured components and baggage screening.

Briefs: Wearables

Device Camouflages Wearer from Heat-Detecting Sensors

Researchers developed a wearable technology that can hide its wearer from heat-detecting sensors such as night vision goggles, even when the ambient temperature changes. The technology can...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

SpaceCube 2.0 Flight Card Mechanical System

Applications include mechanical aerospace manufacturing and thermal structure manufacturing.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Programmable Balloons for Shape-Morphing Devices

Kirigami balloons could be used in shape-changing actuators for soft robots, minimally invasive surgical devices, and macro structures for space exploration.