Tech Briefs - January 2022 - Vol. 46 No. 1

Overview

The January 2022 issue of Tech Briefs, Volume 46, No. 1, presents a diverse array of articles and features that highlight the latest advancements in technology, engineering, and innovation. This edition focuses on several key themes, including supply chain resilience, robotics, materials science, and emerging technologies in various fields.

Key Features:

1. Supply Chain Resilience: The issue opens with a feature on the agile response to supply chain disruptions, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in manufacturing and logistics. It discusses strategies that companies can implement to enhance their supply chain resilience, ensuring they can withstand unexpected challenges and maintain operational continuity.

2. Products of Tomorrow: A section dedicated to "Products of Tomorrow" showcases innovative technologies that are set to shape the future. This includes advancements in robotics, materials, and sensors, providing a glimpse into the potential applications and impacts of these technologies across various industries.

3. Robotics Innovations: The magazine highlights several groundbreaking developments in robotics. Notable mentions include:

   • Living Robots: These self-training robots demonstrate the potential for biological integration in robotics, allowing for adaptive and responsive behaviors.
   • Smart Artificial Hand for Amputees: This technology aims to improve the quality of life for amputees by providing a more functional and intuitive prosthetic solution.
   • Cheetah-Inspired Soft Robots: These robots mimic the agility and speed of cheetahs, showcasing advancements in soft robotics that prioritize flexibility and lightweight design.
4. Materials Science: The issue delves into innovative materials that are transforming engineering and manufacturing. Highlights include:

   • Self-Healing Elastomers: These materials possess the ability to repair themselves, which could significantly extend the lifespan of products and reduce waste.
   • 4D Bioengineering Materials: These materials can bend and curve like natural tissue, opening new avenues in medical applications and tissue engineering.

5. Sensors and Measurement Technologies: The magazine features advancements in sensor technology, including tiny quantum sensors capable of observing material transformations under pressure. These sensors have the potential to revolutionize various fields, including materials science and engineering.

6. NASA and Space Innovations: A significant announcement from NASA is covered, detailing the funding of three Space Act Agreements totaling 0 million to companies like Blue Origin, Nanoracks, and Northrop Grumman. This funding aims to advance the development of commercial space stations that could succeed the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of the decade, marking a pivotal step in the commercialization of space.

7. Podcast and Community Engagement: The issue promotes a new episode of the Tech Briefs podcast series, which explores the impact of micro-technology on medicine, particularly in vaccine delivery through microneedles. This initiative encourages community engagement and feedback from readers.

8. Upcoming Features: The February issue is teased with an Executive Roundtable featuring insights from leading sensor manufacturers on industry trends, new technologies, and popular applications. This promises to provide valuable perspectives for professionals in the field.

Conclusion: The January 2022 issue of Tech Briefs serves as a comprehensive resource for engineers, designers, and technology enthusiasts. It not only highlights current innovations but also addresses the challenges and opportunities within the industry, particularly in the context of supply chain resilience and the ongoing evolution of robotics and materials science. With its blend of technical insights and forward-looking perspectives, this edition is a valuable contribution to the discourse on technology and engineering advancements.