Materials & Manufacturing

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Browse innovative developments in materials and manufacturing that significantly impact military, medical devices, automotive, and industrial manufacturing. Advances in plastics, metals, and composites are transforming 3D printing and rapid prototyping.

White Papers: Design
Before You Specify a Connector, Read This.

Connectors play a significant role in ensuring that devices can reliably resist the elements – so it’s critical that engineers specify the right connector for particularly challenging...

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
How the Scalable 'Coventor' Stacks Up to a Traditional Ventilator
Learn how a low-cost machine known as the 'Coventor' stacks up to a traditional ventilator.
White Papers: Transportation
Mastering Tolerances for Machined Parts

Mastering CNC tolerances can be challenging, even for experienced engineers, designers, and machinists. Are general tolerances good enough? When does it make sense to call out for tighter tolerances?...

White Papers: Automotive
Mechanical Testing of Electric Vehicle Batteries

Electric vehicle (EV) sales are soaring, and EV battery technology is constantly evolving. What does this mean for you? An ever-growing list of new components and materials that require...

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics
Infrared Imaging by Ultrathin Nanocrystal Layers

The demand for detecting infrared (IR) light, invisible to human eyes, is constantly growing, due to a wide variety of applications ranging from food quality control and remote sensing to...

Question of the Week: Energy
Will ‘Mass-Less’ Energy Storage Finally Catch On?

A July Tech Brief highlights a “structural battery” from the Chalmers University of Technology that uses carbon fiber as a negative electrode and a lithium iron phosphate-coated aluminum foil as the positive electrode. The battery works as both a power source and as part of the main...

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A Robot That Moves Like a Bug (and a Cheetah)
UC Berkeley engineers have created a lightweight and durable robot that achieves exquisite control and agility by modulating the electrostatic forces between its feet and surfaces.
White Papers: Materials
Peek and Beyond - Properties and Differences in High Performance Polymers

With decades of experience in extrusion manufacturing, Spectrum understands the challenge of successfully processing high performance and high heat polymers. In select...

Question of the Week: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Should Cities be More Strategic with Reflective Surfaces?

Cities around the world are adjusting – and in some cases overhauling – their infrastructure in an effort to cool temperatures in their areas. Los Angeles and New York City, for example, have adopted “grey infrastructure” efforts, like applying coatings to roofs and roads so that...

Briefs: Imaging
Ultra-Thin, Energy-Efficient Photodetector Integrated with Gorilla Glass
This could lead to the commercial development of smart glass, with applications ranging from imaging to advanced robotics.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
In-Line, Automated CT Scan Data Inspection of Electronic Connectors
A production-based X-ray solution performs product quality evaluation directly on the manufacturing line.
Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Green Method for Producing Hydrogen Peroxide
This portable method could enable hospitals to make their own supply of the disinfectant on demand and at lower cost.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
International Space Station Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED)
Terrestrial uses include physical therapy, clinical diagnosis, athletic training and performance, and robust exercise equipment.
Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
Light-Based “Tractor Beam” Assembles Materials at the Nanoscale
The size and shape of the nanostructure can be controlled as it is assembled piece by piece.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Nature-Inspired, Manufactured, Non-Cuttable Material
The material could be used in security, health, industrial, and safety applications.
Briefs: Materials
Liquid Metal Lattice
The new metal lattice material can be used to create models that regain shape after being crushed.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Magnet-Controlled Bioelectronic Implant for Relieving Pain
This could make possible embedded devices like a spinal cord-stimulating unit with a battery-powered magnetic transmitter on a wearable belt.
Articles: Imaging
What Does Resolution Mean in 3D Printing?
Resolution is an often discussed but seldom understood value in the world of 3D printing and additive manufacturing.
Articles: Software
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Getting Specific About Where 3D Printing Hits the Mark
Learn how to reuse more material without recycling.
Briefs: Materials
Eco-Friendly Technique Upcycles Metal Waste into Multipurpose Aerogels
Potential applications include lightweight building materials and growing cells for biomedical purposes.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Overhang Support Designs for Powder-Based Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM)
The supports enable the production of higher-quality, less-expensive parts via additive manufacturing.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
System Provides Robots with Context Awareness
The system enables robots to predict what their human coworker will do next.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
System for In-Situ Defect Detection in Composites During Cure
This system enhances processing via real-time, non-destructive defect tracking.
Facility Focus: Electronics & Computers
Facility Focus: Duke University Pratt School of Engineering
Duke Engineering supports clinical ultrasound imaging, restoration of hearing by cochlear implant, megapixel photography, and metamaterials.
Products: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Product of the Month: July 2021 Tech Briefs
Stratasys introduced three 3D printers for additive manufacturing of end-use parts.
Briefs: Motion Control
Servo Motion Improves Robot Operations
Servo motion control delivers powerful, fast, and precise movement onboard robots and for associated equipment.
Briefs: Packaging & Sterilization
Alkaline Hydrogel Advances Skin Wound Care
A novel method was developed to produce an alkaline hydrogel that could improve wound healing.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Generation of Polystyrene Latex Spheres with Incorporated Fluorescent Dyes
Microspheres are used in wind tunnel experiments to monitor airflow, to stain biological samples, and in time-delayed drug release.
Briefs: Energy
Carbon Fiber Structural Battery for “Mass-Less” Energy Storage in Vehicles
The carbon fiber serves as the electrode, conductor, and load-bearing material.

Top Stories

Blog: Software

How to Bring Digital Twins to 'Any System'

Blog: Automotive

Self-Driving Model Navigates a Tough Traffic Problem: Narrow Streets

INSIDER: Motion Control

“Sound Tweezers” Pick Up Objects Without Contact

Blog: Electronics & Computers

How to Contain Thermal Runaway

Videos: Materials

Bendy Ice Uncurls Without Breaking

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

How the Scalable 'Coventor' Stacks Up to a Traditional Ventilator

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Electronics & Computers

Maximizing Power in High-Reliability Applications – Applying...

Upcoming Webinars: Medical

The Pathway to Successful Device Development

Upcoming Webinars: Test & Measurement

How to Protect Your Projects from Moisture and Pressure: 5 Common...

Upcoming Webinars: Motion Control

Crucial Considerations When Choosing the Right Enclosure for Your...

Upcoming Webinars: Photonics/Optics

Advanced Components to Enhance Laser System Performance

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Innovations and Techniques for Joining Dissimilar Materials

Trending Stories

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Finned Carbon-Carbon Heat Pipe With Potassium Working Fluid

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

What Does Resolution Mean in 3D Printing?

NASA Spinoff: Materials

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

Technology Leaders: Energy

Supercapacitors Go Hybrid for Increased Performance and Efficiency

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Gas Biosensors “See” Through Soil to Analyze Microbial Interactions

NASA Spinoff: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Conducting the Heat

Videos