Mechanical/Mechatronics

Propulsion

Explore the key advances impacting propulsion technologies and applications involved in aircraft propulsion, turbo-electric distributed propulsion, and hybrid electric aircraft propulsion systems.

Briefs: Aerospace

Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Medium Entropy Alloy

Briefs: Propulsion

High-Power Microwaves for Launching Space-Bound Rockets

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D-Printed Nanosatellite Thruster Emits Pure Ions

Briefs: Aerospace

Rotating Detonation Engines for Rocket Propulsion

Briefs: Energy

Hybrid Propellant Formulation Uses Graphene Foams

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Latest Briefs & News

Question of the Week: Power

Will 'Zero-Impact' Planes Take Off?

Our May issue of Tech Briefs highlighted a hybrid-electric aircraft design from MIT that, according to its creators, could reduce global nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions by 95 percent.

Briefs: Aerospace

Hybrid-Electric Plane Concept Could Reduce Air Pollution

The proposed design could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent.

Articles: Aerospace

Cleaner, Faster Flight is on the Horizon

These 6 advancements are leading us to cleaner, faster aircraft.

Briefs: Propulsion

Rocket Thruster Exploits the Mechanism Behind Solar Flares

Thrusters based on magnetic reconnection could complete long-distance missions in a shorter period of time.

Question of the Week: Propulsion

Will Turboelectric Aircraft Take Off?

A recent video on Tech Briefs TV highlighted NASA’s new idea for aircraft: the STARC-ABL. The concept under development aims to bridge the gap between current jet fuel-powered aircraft and future all-electric vehicles.

Articles: Transportation

SAE WCX™ Digital Summit Preview

Live discussions will explore electric vehicles, propulsion, advanced electronics, and more.

Facility Focus: Imaging

Facility Focus: NASA Langley Research Center

See how NASA Langley tests a variety of advanced aircraft concepts. including ways to make flying both cleaner and quieter.

INSIDER: Imaging

High-Speed Infrared Reveals Safer Hypergolic Propellant

When SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule splashed down off the Florida coast in August following its first crewed mission, the two astronauts inside could not exit the capsule...

Facility Focus: Software

Facility Focus: Stanford University School of Engineering

Stanford University’s School of Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a century

NASA Spinoff: Energy

Water-Powered Engines Offer Satellite Mobility

The technology could allow deep-space exploration without running out of propellant.

Articles: Test & Measurement

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Automotive/Transportation Category Winner — Low-Noise Laser for Lidar

Compact lasers now offer precise colors.

Articles: Imaging

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Aerospace & Defense Category Winner — NiobiCon™

The NiobiCon™ underwater connector will not short out, corrode, or cause an electrical shock if touched while powered in harsh environments like saltwater.

Application Briefs: Propulsion

Wave Energy Modeling for Safer Space Travel

What does wave energy have to do with space exploration? Plenty, it turns out.

White Papers: Power

Measuring Torque Ripple and Its Effects on Electric Power and Noise & Vibration

Torque ripple can create challenges in electric motors including control, power output, noise, vibration, and durability. Torque ripple can be described as the...

Facility Focus: Propulsion

Facility Focus: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center

Stennis now is testing RS-25 rocket engines for the Space Launch System (SLS) that will carry humans back to the Moon.

Question of the Week: Power

Will Electric Aircraft Take-Off in Everyday Aviation?

In May of 2020, the “eCaravan” aircraft, powered by a 750-horsepower electric motor and more than 2000 pounds of lithium-ion batteries, flew to a height of over 2500 feet, at over 100 miles per hour. The all-electric airplane was built by magniX, Seattle-based electric propulsion...

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Answering Your (Mars 2020) Questions: Will the Perseverance Rover Carry Around NASA's Mars Helicopter?

The Mars rover Perseverance has a helicopter. Will the rover have to carry it around?

Special Reports: Transportation

Vehicle Electrification - July 2020

The global transition to electric vehicles presents new design, manufacturing, and infrastructure challenges. To help you keep pace with the rapid changes in vehicle electrification technology, we present...