Billy's Blog

Blog : Packaging & Sterilization

Medical Robots' Role Expands as COVID-19 Outbreak Continues

Robots are in high demand as medical professionals seek hands-free ways to disinfect environments and contain the spread of coronavirus and COVID-19.

Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping

FIU to 3D-Print 1,000 Face Shields for Baptist Health Workers

Bridget Pelaez spoke to Tech Briefs about the 1,000 face shields being printed for Florida hospitals.

Blog : Sensors/Data Acquisition

Answering Your Questions: Who is Responsible for the Level 5 Autonomous Car (and Its Sensors)?

A reader asks our expert.

Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping

How One Engineer is Supporting the Coronavirus Response with a Hands-Free Door Opener

See how Prof. Olaf Diegel built a hands-free door opener.

Blog : Transportation

Answering Your Questions: How Do A.I. Engineers Address Data Security Concerns with Self-Driving Cars?

As autonomous cars collect data on passing pedestrians, cyclists, and license plates, what privacy measures are in place? A reader asks.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

How 3D Printing is Helping the Response to Coronavirus

3D printing is being used to quickly create life-saving parts and prototypes like masks, shields, and ventilator valves.

Blog : Electronics & Computers

Answering Your Questions: What Will Drive Growth of Class 8 Electric Trucks?

A reader asks, "What market drivers need to occur for electric vehicles to be considered an acceptable replacement for vehicles with internal combustion engines?"

Blog : Robotics, Automation & Control

Collaborative Robots vs. Traditional Robots: What's Right for Your Manufacturing Applications

Massive manufacturing bots have evolved into something new — collaborative robots.

Blog : Aerospace

NASA Langley Launches $20,000 UAV 'Safeguard' Competition

NASA wants small businesses to help the safe operation of UAVs in airspace.

Blog : Aerospace

NASA 2024 Moon Mission Calls for CubeSats

NASA’s big return to the Moon by 2024 will call for the support of small technologies – specifically, the miniature spacecraft known as CubeSats.

Blog : Data Acquisition

Readers Select 2019 Products of the Year

The votes are in. Our readers selected top products in data acquisition, software, and ultrasonic sensing.

Blog : Aerospace

The Next Mars Rover Name? 'Perseverance'

The new Mars Rover Name is Perseverance, thanks to a suggestion from Virginia 7th grader Alex Mather.

Blog : Propulsion

Researcher Finds Promising Patterns in ‘Explosive’ Rotating Detonation Engine

University of Washington engineer James Koch observed patterns in a promising, but often-unpredictable rocket part: The rotating detonation engine.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Inspection and Simulation Methods: Metal 3D Printing vs. Casting

How does testing a metal 3D-printed part compare to testing a casted one? That's the elephant in the room, says industry pro Kevin Brigden.

Blog : Energy

Rain Power: Droplet-Based Energy Generator Lights Up 100 LEDs

An energy breakthrough from the City University of Hong Kong finds power in a single drop of water – up to 140 volts, in fact.

Blog : Test & Measurement

NASA's SuperCam Set to Look for Evidence of Life On Mars

See what the SuperCam will do when it arrives on Mars in 2021.

Blog : Imaging

New Discoveries, From Just a Grain of Moon Dust

“We’re analyzing rocks from space, atom by atom,” says researcher Jennika Greer.

Blog : Photonics/Optics

SPIE Photonics West 2020, Day 2: Sensing LiDAR's Rise

Editor Bruce A. Bennett shares his observations from SPIE Photonics West, including the emergence of LiDAR.

Blog : Photonics/Optics

SPIE Photonics West 2020 – Sights from Day 1

See what caught Bruce A. Bennett's eye during Day 1 of Photonics West 2020 in San Francisco.

Blog : Software

How to Design an Airless Car Tire? Start with Simulation

Researchers from the University of Illinois are looking at all the different ways to create a non-pneumatic automotive tire.

Blog : Robotics, Automation & Control

A Soft Robot That Can Maintain Its Temperature? No Sweat!

Cornell researcher T.J. Wallin explains what's so cool about a robot that sweats.

Blog : Green Design & Manufacturing

The Next Building Material for Mars: Fungi?

When astronauts arrive on the Moon, their habitat may be one made out of fungi.

Blog : Electronics & Computers

New Coating 'Confuses' Infrared Cameras by Hiding Temperature Changes

"View it as an infrared privacy shield," says Professor Mikhail Kats.

Blog : Electronics & Computers

A Boost for Aqueous Lithium Ion-Batteries: Adding an Oxide

To improve the aqueous lithium-ion battery, RPI researchers tried out niobium tungsten oxide.

Blog : Sensors/Data Acquisition

3D Printing and Space Exploration: How NASA Will Use Additive Manufacturing

NASA is using the International Space Station as a testbed for 3D printing.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up

NASA came to CES with a message: We're going back to the Moon, and we'll need help from industry to do it.

Blog : Transportation

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

Stuck in traffic? The Pegasus flying car can get you out of there.

Blog : Sensors/Data Acquisition

CES 2020: A High-Tech Wine Dispenser and More Arrivals to the Smart Home

Here are five technologies that aim to add intelligence to the most surprising household objects.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives

A fun way to show the robustness of a soft robot? Swat it.

Blog : Test & Measurement

Answering Your Questions: How to Confirm Metal 3D Printing Accuracy and Quality

As additive manufacturing supports the creation of critical metal parts, designers need to know that the parts are high-quality.