Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Mechanical Components

Find multimedia resources and technical briefs covering complex mechanical components and technologies. Find the latest applications that design engineers are using to meet their design challenges.

White Papers: Aerospace

Magnet Valves for Rapid Decompression

When transporting sealed containers by air, protecting against rapid decompression is a constant concern. Traditionally, spring-actuated valves have been used to address this design challenge....

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

A Robotic 'Digger Finger' Senses Buried Items

The technology uses tactile sensing to identify objects underground.

Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

New Hybrid Concept for Actuating Subsea Valves

A valve actuator has deep-sea applications.

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Linear Bearings: What You Need to Know

Learn the distinct forms that linear bearings take, and where the bearings are being used today.

Articles: Photonics/Optics

Options Abound When Selecting a Sensor for Motor Feedback

Designers who must sense motor position, speed, or acceleration have a lot of choices, including resolvers, optical encoders, and Hall-effect devices.

Products: Sensors/Data Acquisition

New Products: June 2021 Motion Design

Encoders, quick disconnects, automation systems, and more.

Briefs: Motion Control

Chemically Driven Wheels “Morph” Into Gears

A catalytic reaction causes a two-dimensional, chemically coated sheet to spontaneously morph into a three-dimensional gear.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Nanosized Foldable Robots

The machines fold themselves within 100 milliseconds and can flatten and refold thousands of times.

Briefs: Motion Control

Air-Powered Robot Needs No Electronics

The walking quadruped is controlled and powered by pressurized air.

Application Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Next-Generation MEMS IMUs — High Performance, Scalable

Editor Ed Brown explores what’s ahead for MEMS automobile navigation systems.

Products: Sensors/Data Acquisition

New Products: June 2021 Sensor Technology

High-precision medical sensors, battery-cell mappers, signal conditioners, and more.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Better Way to Measure Acceleration

Researchers have developed a millimeter-thick accelerometer.

Products: Data Acquisition

New on the Market: June 2021

Vision systems, signal generators, AC-DC converters, and more.

Facility Focus: Photonics/Optics

Facility Focus: University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley’s academic research reflects pressing global challenges in the areas of health, energy, and the environment.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

High Bus Voltage Stepper Motor Systems

New high bus voltage stepper motor systems avoid the complexity and expense of servo motors.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Mode I Fracture Testing Apparatus

The device uses load frames to test bonded structures in aerospace, automotive, defense, and energy storage applications.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Square Structural Joint with Robotic Assembly Tool

Applications include portable aerospace structures and terrestrial structures such as cleanrooms and field hospitals.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Transport of Mechanical Energy, Even Through Damaged Pathways

This work could lead to much more robust devices that continue to operate in spite of damage.

5 Ws: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

5 Ws of the Sunlight-Powered Water Filter

The invention could help solve the problem of providing clean water off the grid or where low-cost, non-powered water purification is needed.

Briefs: Energy

New Process Breaks Down Polystyrene

Due to the chemical stability and durability of industrial polymers, plastic waste does not easily degrade in landfills and is often burned, which produces carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases. In...

Application Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Designing Large Diameter Aspheres

What you need to know before you incorporate large diameter aspheres into your optical systems.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Accelerometer and Gyroscope Designs Based on Carbon Nanotube Tape

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed designs for two micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) motion and position sensors: a single-axis accelerometer and a gyroscope....

Facility Focus: Robotics, Automation & Control

Facility Focus: Princeton University School of Engineering and Applied Science

Notable graduates of the school include Amazon CEO and founder Jeff Bezos, Google executive Eric Schmidt, Internet pioneer Bob Kahn, former Chrysler head Lee Iacocca, and six NASA astronauts.