Magazine

Nanofibers Yield Stronger, Tougher Carbon Fiber Composites

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed an innovative new technique using carbon nanofibers to enhance binding in carbon fiber and other fiber-reinforced polymer composites — an advance likely to improve structural materials for automobiles, airplanes and other applications that require lightweight and strong materials.

Ferroelectric Material Adapts to Light Stimuli by Reorganizing Atomic Connectivity

With this groundbreaking discovery of time-dependent changes in networked nanodomains, developers are on the path to building adaptive networks for information storage and processing. Read on to learn more.

Developing Durable Solar Panels Without Silicon

Using a new technology, Juan-Pablo Correa-Baena's lab has found a way to stabilize perovskite solar cells, which are built like a battery. Read on to learn more.

Capturing Water from Thin Air

Engineers from Australia and China have invented a sponge-like device that captures water from thin air and then releases it in a cup using the sun’s energy, even in low humidity where other technologies such as fog harvesting and radiative cooling have struggled. Read on to learn more.

How a Startup Is Reducing Carbon from Building Operations with Drones

A new startup is paving the way for dramatic reductions in carbon from building operations. Lamarr.AI has perfected the process of using drones, thermal imaging, and artificial intelligence to diagnose the health of building exteriors and roofs. Read on to learn more.

Converting Waste Streams into Biofuel

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have developed a novel technology that creates a cost-competitive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that could reduce GHG emissions in the aviation industry by up to 70 percent. Read on to learn more.

New System Enables Robots to Solve Manipulation Problems in Seconds

Researchers from MIT and NVIDIA Research have developed a novel algorithm that dramatically speeds up a robot’s planning process. Their approach enables a robot to “think ahead” by evaluating thousands of possible solutions in parallel and then refining the best ones to meet the constraints of the robot and its environment. Read on to learn more.

Tri-Rotor Steering Wheel Yields Programmable Vehicular Control

Innovators at NASA Johnson Space Center have developed a programmable steering wheel called the Tri-Rotor, which allows an astronaut the ability to easily operate a vehicle on the surface of a planet or Moon despite the limited dexterity of their spacesuit. This technology was originally conceived for the operation of a lunar terrain vehicle (LTV) to improve upon previous Apolloera hand controllers.

Mid-Air Transformation Helps Flying, Rolling Robot to Transition Smoothly

Specialized robots that can both fly and drive typically touch down on land before attempting to transform and drive away. But when the landing terrain is rough, these robots sometimes get stuck and are unable to continue operating. Now a team of Caltech engineers has developed a real-life Transformer that has the “brains” to morph in midair, allowing the dronelike robot to smoothly roll away and begin its ground operations without pause. Read on to learn more.

New on the Market

See what's new on the market, including a solution for actuating choke and other valves in subsea applications; Sumida's new CEP1311F Flyback Transformers, designed for use with “no-opto” isolated flyback circuits; SPIROL's range of 2024 aluminum Press-In Inserts; Instron's AVE3, an advanced non-contacting video extensometer that delivers precise strain measurement with unparalleled, micron-level accuracy; and more.

Products of Tomorrow

See the products of tomorrow, including a compact, low-power receiver for 5G-compatible smart devices that is about 30 times more resilient to a certain type of interference than some traditional wireless receivers; a flexible, conductive skin, which is easy to fabricate and can be melted down and formed into a wide range of complex shapes; and tiny batteries that vanish after use inspired by Mission: Impossible.

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: Weidmuller USA's CUBESERIES Industrial Relay Modules, which, due to their durability and robust design, can reliably switch a multitude of small loads, decouple systems, and multiply signals. Read on to learn more.

Additive Manufacturing Enables Advanced Thermal Control Systems for Next-Generation Space Missions

3D Systems is collaborating with researchers from Penn State University and Arizona State University on two projects sponsored by NASA intended to enable groundbreaking alternatives to current thermal management solutions.

3D-Printing Method Makes Two Materials from One Resin

Isabel Arias Ponce and her team at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have demonstrated a new resin that simultaneously creates solid objects and dissolvable structural supports, depending on what type of light it is exposed to.

Intelligent Machines Remove Humans from the Loop

As international trade is beginning to digitize its documentation and transactions, an AI technology born with the help of NASA’s Ames Research Center offers an automation solution.

5Ws of an All-Electric Delivery Drone

An all-electric drone developed by Blueflite with vertical take-off and landing capabilities and advanced maneuverability for faster and more cost-effective deliveries.

Why Going Back to the Moon Powers Humanity Forward

Exploration of the Moon and Mars is not only a scientific pursuit; it is also a driver of technological advancement and global cooperation. Deep space missions compel us to address fundamental questions — about life beyond Earth, resilience in extreme environments and the origins of our solar system. Read on to learn more.

Orion: Paving Humanity’s Path to the Moon

Launching atop NASA's Space Launch System rocket, Orion will carry four astronauts to lunar orbit and safely return them to Earth on Artemis missions. Read this interview with Debbie Korth, Orion Deputy Program Manager, NASA Johnson Space Center, to learn more about the lessons learned from the first mission, improvements, and the key milestones the Orion team is working on to achieve this year.

NASA Marks Artemis Progress with Gateway Lunar Space Station

The Gateway lunar space station is a multi-purpose platform that offers capabilities for long-term exploration in deep space in support of NASA’s Artemis campaign and Moon to Mars objectives. Gateway will feature docking ports for a variety of visiting spacecraft, as well as space for crew to live, work, and prepare for lunar surface missions. Read on to learn more.

Engineering the Blue Ghost: From Idea to Moon Landing

In this interview, Joseph Marlin, Deputy Blue Ghost Chief Engineer at Firefly Aerospace, delves deeper into how their first mission is establishing an improved awareness of the lunar environment ahead of future crewed missions and how it will help plan for long-duration surface operations under Artemis.

A Next-Generation Space Suit for Artemis III

In October 2024, Axiom Space and Prada revealed the flight design of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit spacesuit that will be used for NASA's Artemis III mission. The outer-layer design and materials work was jointly developed starting when the two industry leaders came together, blending creativity and engineering to enhance the next-generation spacesuit design. Read on to learn more.

“I Told You the Moon Was Made of Cheese”

If the title grabs your attention, you're going to have to read on. We promise you there is an explanation, but you must first read the article.

Unfurling Antennas Let Tiny Satellites Do Big Things

Satellite builders now have the option of using small, collapsible dish antennas made by Tendeg LLC of Louisville, CO, which developed them with funding and cooperation from NASA, along with the patented technology developed at JPL. Read on to learn more.

Testing Times: Understanding the Impact of Climatic Conditions on EV Charging Times

Charging times have become a hot topic among automotive OEMs and consumers. Premium cars, in particular, are increasingly defined by their technology. A slick charging experience is one of the ways that premium manufacturers can distance their high-value luxury offerings from more mundane machinery. Read on to learn more.

48V Electrical Systems: A Key to Meeting Evolving Industry Demands

The commercial vehicle industry is at a turning point, facing increasing pressure to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and meet changing global standards. As vehicle electrification advances and power demands rise, manufacturers are exploring innovative solutions to enhance performance while optimizing fuel consumption. One promising technology trend leading this transition is the adoption of 48V electrical systems. Read on to learn more about them.

A Path to Safer, High-Energy Electric Vehicle Batteries

This research has far-reaching implications, offering a path to safer, more efficient batteries that can support the growing demand for electric vehicles. As the world moves towards cleaner energy solutions, these advancements are crucial for making EVs more viable and attractive for consumers. Read on to learn more.

Researchers Develop Efficient Lithium Extraction Method, Setting Stage for Sustainable EV Battery Supply Chains

In the race to meet the growing global demand for lithium, a team of researchers from Rice University’s Elimelech lab has developed a breakthrough lithium extraction method that could reshape the industry. Read on to learn more about it.

Leading the Charge to Better Batteries

A team led by Kelsey Hatzell, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, has uncovered insights that could help power a new type of battery, called an anode-free solid-state battery, past lithium-ion’s limitations.

A Successful Catalyst Design for Advanced Zinc-Iodine Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries have attracted extensive attention due to their high safety, abundant reserves, and environmental friendliness. However, the low electrical conductivity of iodine hinders the redox conversion for an efficient energy storage process with zinc. Read on to learn how a research team addressed the existing issues in Zn-I2 batteries.