Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Briefs : Motion Control

Multifunctional Structure Stabilizes and Rotates Satellites

This technology cancels out the vibrations of a satellite by vibrating the solar panels in the opposite direction.

Briefs : Electronics & Computers

Relaxor Piezoelectric Single-Crystal Multilayer Stacks for Energy Harvesting Transducers (RPSEHT)

Applications include powering portable electronic devices and sensors, and harvesting waste mechanical energy for aircraft, automobile, and other transportation equipment.

Briefs : Semiconductors & ICs

Model Predicts Breaking Point of Conducting Material

This work could accelerate the development of flexible electronics.

Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

High-Reliability Radio Frequency MEMS Switch

Applications include homeland security, vehicle anti-collision systems, telecommunications systems, and industrial instrumentation.

Briefs : Test & Measurement

Researchers Create Nanoscale Sensors to Better See How High Pressure Affects Materials

Researchers have developed new nanoscale technology to image and measure more of the stresses and strains on materials under high pressures.

Briefs : Sensors/Data Acquisition

New Solution to Elderly Falls: Drones, Smartphones and Sensors

Drones, smartphones, and sensors could provide a lifeline to the world’s growing elderly population at risk of falls.

Briefs : Motion Control

Low-Inductance DC Power Bus

The bus is designed for high-frequency, high-temperature operation in electric drive systems and next-generation power electronics.

Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Layered Composite Insulation

This cost-saving piping insulation has uses in refrigerated containers that protect food, medicine, and other perishables.

Briefs : Aerospace

Flap Device for Airframe Noise Reduction

This trailing edge flap device reduces noise without compromising cruise efficiency or landing lift and stall characteristics.

Briefs : Aerospace

High-Performance, Piezoelectric, Hybrid Synthetic Jet Actuators

These actuators provide active flow control for airfoil surfaces and supersonic inlets of wing-borne vehicles.

Briefs : Test & Measurement

Trunk Support Assists Those with Spinal Cord Injury

The device retrains patients with spinal cord injury to sit more stably and gain an expanded active sitting workspace.

Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Spring Drive Fitting

Applications include valves, tubes, and other gas and fluid system components.

Briefs : Motion Control

Bio-Inspired Mechanics to Make Robots More Effective

This technology could impact new directions in robotics design.

Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Electrically Non-Conductive Ladder Fall Protection

This system protects workers on lightning and telecommunications towers, and on oil and gas platforms.

Briefs : Aerospace

Sensor Uses Microwaves to Determine Real-Time Ice Accumulation

The sensor makes it easier to detect and manage ice accumulation on aircraft wings.

Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Multi-Objective Flight Control Optimization Framework

This framework can be used by commercial and military aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Briefs : Sensors/Data Acquisition

Low-Energy Device Rapidly Reroutes Light in Computer Chips

The switch is a major new step toward building a computer that uses light instead of electricity to process information.

Briefs : Transportation

Insect-Inspired Motion Sensing

This mechanical gyroscope can advance motion sensing capabilities in consumer-sized applications.

Briefs : Automotive

Dynamic Gripper Mimics Adjustable Grip of the Human Hand

Such grippers would be suited for human-robot partnership in assembly lines in the automotive, electronic packaging, and other industries.

Briefs : Automotive

Flexure for Self-Assembly

Conventional fastening mechanisms like nails, bolts, and welds are subject to manufacturing and inspection tolerances, differential thermal growth, and other sources of error that lead to over-constraint, among...

Briefs : Transportation

Soft, Skin-Like Structures for Robotic Locomotion and Transportation

These soft robots can be rolled up and carried in a pocket.

Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Portable Sample Preparation for Chemical and Biological Analysis

This system autonomously prepares samples for online automated analysis.

Briefs : Photonics/Optics

Welding Ceramics with Lasers

This technology could be used to create smartphones that don't scratch or shatter, metal-free pacemakers, and electronics for space and other harsh environments.

Briefs : Manufacturing & Prototyping

Robots Assemble Large Structures from Little Pieces

Systems of tiny robots could build high-performance structures, from airplanes to space settlements.

Briefs : Electronics & Computers

Thermally Conductive Polymer Films

These materials may replace metals as lightweight, flexible heat dissipators in cars, computers, cellphones, and refrigerators.

Briefs : Robotics, Automation & Control

Intelligent Microrobots

Such machines, only a few tens of micrometers across, could be used in the human body to perform small operations.

Briefs : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Flow Disruption Devices for the Reduction of High Lift System Noise

This technique lowers airstream noise generated at the side edges of deployed flaps, elevons, or slats.

Briefs : Energy

Shape Sensing Innovations Dramatically Improve Structural Design Tools

These advances are useful for transportation, infrastructure, and aerospace.