Billy's Blog

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

'Magic' Software Makes Complex DNA Robots, Faster

New software being developed at Ohio State University will allow creation of more complex DNA robots, at much faster speeds.

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Wearable Sensor Detects Toxic Gases, With a Hologram

Wearable gas sensors being developed at the Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) display an instantaneous visual holographic alarm.

Blog: Materials

What Role Will Plastics Play in Battery Electric Vehicles?

Tech Briefs readers ask a series of questions about the future of plastics in battery electric vehicles.

Blog: Aerospace

A First Step for Humans on Mars: NASA's Rover Makes Oxygen

The technology demonstration is a first step in showing that humans could someday live (and breathe) on Mars.

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

A Sustainable Support for 3D Printing: Moving Metal Pins

A new, sustainable take on the 3D printer reduces waste by eliminating the need for printed supports.

Blog: Electronics & Computers

A Super-Thin Element Offers 'Positive' Potential for Transparent Electronics

Researchers from RMIT have introduced an ultra-thin material for semiconductors that could lead to transparent electronics.

Blog: Electronics & Computers

A New Aluminum Anode Leads to Error-Free Rechargeable Batteries

Researchers from Cornell University have redesigned the battery so that aluminum more easily integrates into a battery's electrodes.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Photonic 'Sunflower' Offers New Ideas for Light-Driven Systems

Taking inspiration from the insect, Tufts researchers created light-activated composite devices that execute precise, visible movements and form complex three-dimensional shapes, like a "photonic sunflower. "

Blog: Data Acquisition

A Warning System for Self-Driving Cars Learns from Failures

The A.I. system learns from thousands of real-traffic situations, when a self-driving car stopped unexpectedly.

Blog: Test & Measurement

Readers Select 2020 Products of the Year

This year's winners included industrial-automation software, simulation tech, and digital storage oscilloscopes.

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

With A.I., Robotic Exoskeletons Gain Self-Control

Robotics researchers are developing exoskeleton legs capable of thinking and making control decisions on their own using sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Blog: RF & Microwave Electronics

How Much Dynamic Range Do You Need from a Radar Sensor?

Long-range radar is used in air-traffic control. Short-range radar supports automotive applications like collision avoidance. How do you know what range you need for your application?

Blog: Electronics & Computers

A 'Wearable Microgrid' Powers Your Devices

You have the power. That's the idea behind a "wearable microgrid" from the University of California San Diego that harvest and stores energy from your body to power electronics.

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

The 2021 ‘Create the Future’ Contest Begins!

The 2021 “Create the Future” Design Contest is open, and we want to hear your big ideas.

Blog: Automotive

As Vehicles Becomes More Complex, What Should Be Tested First?

Software and electrical engineering is converging in today’s vehicles. A reader asks our expert: “How do you decide which items to test first?”

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

A Robot ‘Hears,’ Using Ear from a Locust

A robot being developed at Tel Aviv University "hears" electrical signals, thanks to a natural sensor: the ear of a dead locust.

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

A Robot Walks — No Electronics Needed

To move, a new UCSD robot just needs a constant source of pressurized air.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

How to Build and Test a Robotic Remote-Control for Ventilators

Dr. Axel Krieger from Johns Hopkins University explains how he is getting a robotic system ready for the fight against COVID-19.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Former NASA Mission Manager Reflects on a 'Flawless' Mars Landing

Darin Skelly spoke with Tech Briefs about how he felt during the landing of the Perseverance rover, and what he's most looking forward to finding out about Mars.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A New Kind of Soft Pump, The Size of a Credit Card

What can you do with a credit card sized pump? "Power clothing!" Prof. Jonathan Rossiter tells Tech Briefs?

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

Watch Live: Mars Perseverance Rover Touches Down on Jezero Crater

Watch as the Perseverance rover lands on Mars.

Blog: AR/AI

Q&A: For Engineers, Is Mixed Reality...A Reality?

Design engineers should be cautious in how they design and deploy mixed-reality technologies, says an industry expert.

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Answering Your Questions: Laser Radar...Or a CMM with a Laser Scanner?

Should you replace your big coordinate measurement machine with laser radar? Or should you just add a laser scanner with a CMM? A reader asks our expert.

Blog: Materials

How Smashing Nanoparticles Together Led to Super-Strength Metal 'Coins'

The hard “coin,” could be used to make super-strength metal coatings or larger industrial components.

Blog: Materials

A Recycling Breakthrough: Researchers Discover a Molecule That 'Zips Up'

The "polymer of squares” could one day enable the use of plastic products many times over.

Blog: Electronics & Computers

Self-Heating Battery Addresses Key Barrier to Electric-Vehicle Adoption: Range Anxiety

If you're concerned that electric vehicles don't have the reliability to get you where you need to go, Penn State engineers are working on a battery for...

Blog: Photonics/Optics

A Squid-Like 'Muscle' Senses Light and Changes Shape

Inspired by the squid's color-changing chromatophore, Rutgers engineers set out to create an artificial one.

Blog: Materials

A New Way to Cure Adhesives on Demand? Magnets.

The non-contact method of curing leads to adhesives that can be activated on demand.

Blog: Transportation

CES 2021: How COVID-19 Turned the Car into a Personal 'Second Space'

In a roundtable presentation at the virtual CES 2021, panelists said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed driving patterns and consumer preferences – and that those shifts are here to stay.