MEMs

What’s New in MEMS Sensors for Wearables

MEMS sensors have been around for a long time, but requests from the market for new applications are driving upgrades in the technology.

Nanosized Foldable Robots

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

Air-Powered Robot Needs No Electronics

The walking quadruped is controlled and powered by pressurized air.

A Better Way to Measure Acceleration

Researchers have developed a millimeter-thick accelerometer.

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....

Cord Tension Measurement Device

Potential applications include parachutes, hot air balloons, weather balloons, blimps, sails, and parasails.

Pollen-Based Paper Bends and Curls in Response to Humidity

The paper-like material could be useful in soft robots, sensors, artificial muscles, and electric generators.

New Products

Servo drives, magnetic angle sensors, draw wires, and more.

High-Torque Light-Powered Actuator

These actuators can compete with electrical and pneumatic systems.

Lightweight Crane Technology for the Moon

A prototype version could be demonstrated on a large cargo lunar lander.

Laser-Light-Based Accelerometer

The tiny device accurately measures acceleration in smaller navigation systems and other devices.

Kodiak 3D LiDAR

This system provides low-cost, reliable 3D LiDAR images in nearly any lighting condition.

New Capabilities for Grasp-Assisting Gloves

Applications include aiding patients with impaired hand muscle strength and in manufacturing for operating tools for extended periods of time.

Online Tools Reduce Time and Expense in Selecting, Configuring, and Ordering Motion Control Components

New online tools — coupled with online libraries of pre-selected and tested component specifications — simplify machine design.

A Spiraling Robotic Gripper 'Twines' Like a Plant

As engineering professor Mable Fok saw how the pole beans in her garden wrapped tightly around any objects nearby, she had an idea: What if a robotic gripper could do the same thing?

Raising the Ergonomics Bar with Smart Electric Actuators

Smart electric actuators not only enable fine position adjustments, but they also provide real-time feedback on the extent of those adjustments.

Programmable Balloons for Shape-Morphing Devices

Kirigami balloons could be used in shape-changing actuators for soft robots, minimally invasive surgical devices, and macro structures for space exploration.

Human-Like Hands with Flexible, Hybrid Pneumatic Actuators

These hands, with a large grasping force, enable safer human-robot interactions.

New Products

Accelerometers, actuators, hexapods, and more.

New Products

Safety-critical MEMS, absolute pressure sensors, thermal imaging cameras, and more.

Valve Leakage Detection in Industrial Pumps

As an integral part of onshore and offshore drilling, mud pumps circulate drilling fluids to facilitate drilling oil and natural gas wells. Mud pumps stabilize pressure and support the well during the...

New Products

Positioning devices, vibration transmitters, brushless DC motors, and more.

New on the Market: August 2020

Data storage boards, modular plugs, equipment enclosures, and more.

Process Creates Soft Actuated Objects Using Commercial Knitting Machines

This approach could be used to cost-effectively make soft robots and wearable technologies.

New on the Market: July 2020

Photoelectric sensors, cable connectors, power monitors, and USB3 cameras.

SMART Solar Sail

The miniaturized, autonomous, reconfigurable solar sail is capable of very fine maneuvering by small surface deformation.

Soft Prosthetic Hand Feels Surroundings via Stretchable Optical Waveguides

Sensors in the hand can actually detect forces being transmitted through the thickness of the robot.

New Products

Positioning System H2W Technologies (Santa Clarita, CA) offers the SRT-030/360-026-01 two-axis X-Theta positioning system for motion control applications that require coordinated linear and rotary positioning. The system consists...