Mechanical/​Mechatronics

Mechanical & Fluid Systems

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Access the latest news and technical advancements impacting Mechanical and Fluid systems. Explore articles and technical briefs about fastening, joining, mechanical components, fluid handling, and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMs).

Blog: Energy
A 'Charging Room' Powers Devices Through the Air
Technology Leaders: Electronics & Computers
The Problem of Obsolete Avionics
Products: Materials
New on the Market: September 2021
Briefs: Energy
Centimeter-Long Snail Robot Powered with Light
Facility Focus: Electronics & Computers
Facility Focus: The Pennsylvania State University School of Engineering
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Top Stories

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A 'Charging Room' Powers Devices Through the Air

Blog: Aerospace

A 3D-Printed 'Fish Fin' Offers New Ideas for Morphing Aircraft

INSIDER: Energy

More Efficient Electricity Distribution Thanks to New Insulation Material

Blog: Aerospace

A New Way to Launch Rockets: Microwave Power

Blog: Aerospace

Go for Launch: Scientists Explore Radiation Risks to Mars-Bound Astronauts

INSIDER: Energy

Better Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Latest Briefs & News

Articles: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Products of Tomorrow: September 2021
Water-sensing smartphone screens, a NASA-developed RF switch, and an ultrasound patch.
Technology Leaders: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Optimizing 5G Fiber Optic Filament Production
Ball screws are helping manufacturers meet the growing demand for fiber optic cables generated by 5G communications.
Products: Electronics & Computers
New Products: September 2021 Battery Technology
Lithium batteries, compartment gaskets, chargers, and more.
Special Reports: Propulsion
Medical Robotics - September 2021

Self-propelled nanobots that deliver drugs inside the human body...novel sensors that improve the safety and precision of industrial robots...a dynamic hydrogel material that makes building soft robotic...

Articles: Software
Executive Roundtable: Cloud Software
Tech Briefs asked 5 execs: What should a user consider before moving to the cloud?
Question of the Week: Electronics & Computers
Would You Use a ‘Cold Tube?’

Our August issue of Tech Briefs highlighted a technology that offers an energy-efficient alternative to the air conditioner: The Cold Tube.

White Papers: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Digitalization of New Product Development

Today’s New Product Development (NPD) projects are mechatronic with a tremendous amount of electronics and software. In fact, data shows that 20-50% of warranty issues in vehicles include...

Blog: Electronics & Computers
An Electronics Recycling Approach Gets the Most Out of Nanowires
Researchers at North Carolina State University demonstrated a low-cost technique for retrieving — and then reusing — nanowires from electronic devices.
White Papers: Motion Control
Direct Drive Motor vs. Rotary Gear Motor

For decades, geared servo motors have been one of the most common tools in the industrial automation toolbox. Offering excellent performance for positioning, velocity matching, electronic camming,...

White Papers: Motion Control
Symmetric Multiprocessing or Virtualization

The continuous advance in multicore technologies is the catalyst for software innovation that is spawning a new generation of embedded systems that are less costly to develop, higher performing,...

Articles: Motion Control
Making High-Duty-Cycle Industrial Automation Affordable
A new generation of long-life electric linear actuators has emerged to give designers more flexibility.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
NanoGear Molecular Gear
Oscillatory and rotational motions of different parts are combined to pave the way to developing super-miniaturized mechanical devices.
Products: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
New Products: August 2021 Motion Design
Linear motion bearings, magnetic angle encoders, isolation valves, and more.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Coiled Linear Actuators for Soft Robotics
This artificial muscle technology enables more human-like motion.
Application Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Giving Robots Better Moves
RightHand Robotics combines machine vision with an intelligent gripper design to make more adaptable robots.
Articles: Motion Control
Basic Pneumatic Circuits
These common pneumatic circuits can be used alone or as building blocks in larger pneumatics systems.
Briefs: Propulsion
Soft Mate Lifting Device
This below-the-hook device enables gentle crane placement to decrease the risk of property damage.
Briefs: Unmanned Systems
Shape Memory Alloy Tubular Structure
Applications include vehicle and aircraft tires, sports helmets, military equipment, and seals and couplings.
Products: Materials
New on the Market: August 2021
Epoxies, reverse-engineering software, temperature loggers, and more.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Standard Water Treatment Eliminates Enveloped Viruses Including Coronavirus
This treatment has the potential to remove from drinking water nearly all viruses that have an “outer fortress.”
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Spacecraft Atmosphere Carbon Dioxide Capture via Deposition
Applications include manned deep space exploration and terrestrial CO2 removal systems.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
New Spraying Method for Producing Ceramic Coatings
High-quality coated components can be integrated into complex systems in a sustainable way.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
“Cold Tube” Cools Without Air Conditioning
Chilled panels use less energy than conventional A/C and work in open spaces.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Soft Robotic Gripper Based on Twining Plants
The robot firmly but gently grasps objects as small as 1 millimeter in diameter.
Briefs: Materials
Nanoparticle Gel Unites Oil and Water in Manufacturing-Friendly Approach
This novel gel-creation method could open applications in water filtration, batteries, and smart windows.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Pre-Treatment Solution for Water Recovery
The solution increases water recovery, prevents mineral scaling, and cuts the volume of brines in half.
Briefs: Propulsion
Tension Element Damping (TED) with Hydraulics for Large Displacements
Applications include wind turbines, solar arrays, commercial space mobile launchers, and industrial process stacks and equipment.
Briefs: Materials
Fine-Tuning Alloys for High-Temperature Use
Superalloys that withstand extremely high temperatures could be finely tuned for specific properties such as mechanical strength.
Briefs: Transportation
Periodic Wave Disc Brake Rotor
The lightweight brake rotor design with high heat dissipation uses novel surface cooling technology.

Webcasts

Tech Talks: Medical

Transforming Catheter Design with Advanced Performance Materials

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

The Role of Multi-Angle Spectrophotometers in Color Measurement

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Advanced High-Peak-Power Semiconductor Laser Transmitter...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Software Reuse in Automotive Engineering

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Don’t Let the Future of High-Voltage Cables Shock You

Upcoming Webinars: Aerospace

Artemis: Back to the Moon

Trending Stories

NASA Spinoff: Materials

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

INSIDER: Energy

More Efficient Electricity Distribution Thanks to New Insulation Material

INSIDER: Energy

Better Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Contacts for Hi-Rel Connectors: Comparing Technologies

NASA Spinoff: Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

Q&A: RF & Microwave Electronics

Q&A: Flexible, Printable, Tunable Microwave Resonator Arrays

Videos