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: Photonics/Optics
Centimeter-Long Snail Robot Powered with Light
Briefs: Energy
Tension Element Damping (TED) with Hydraulics for Large Displacements

Top Stories

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

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

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Intelligent Robots Pick, Prune in the Peach Orchard

INSIDER: Energy

More Efficient Electricity Distribution Thanks to New Insulation Material

Blog: Electronics & Computers

A 'Charging Room' Powers Devices Through the Air

Blog: Aerospace

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

INSIDER: Power

Better Batteries for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

Latest Briefs & News

Articles: Propulsion
Inside Story: Keith Moore, CEO of Pickering Interfaces
CEO Keith Moore tells Tech Briefs about the unique challenges facing testing engineers in aerospace.
Blog: Propulsion
A New Way to Launch Rockets: Microwave Power
A team at the University of Tsukuba used a beam of microwave radiation to a launch a drone into the air. Can this type of propulsion take off?
Special Reports: Motion Control
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...

Briefs: Motion Control
Soft Mate Lifting Device
This below-the-hook device enables gentle crane placement to decrease the risk of property damage.
Question of the Week: Propulsion
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 (NOx) emissions by 95 percent.

Briefs: Energy
Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Medium Entropy Alloy
This additively manufactured alloy is tailored for high-temperature applications.
Briefs: Propulsion
High-Power Microwaves for Launching Space-Bound Rockets
Using microwaves reduces the cost of launching rockets.
Briefs: Power
3D-Printed Nanosatellite Thruster Emits Pure Ions
The thruster provides a low-cost, extremely efficient propulsion source for miniature satellites.
Briefs: Aerospace
Rotating Detonation Engines for Rocket Propulsion
These engines will allow upper stage rockets for space missions to become lighter, travel farther, and burn more cleanly.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Hybrid Propellant Formulation Uses Graphene Foams
This method increases burn rate of solid propellants.
Briefs: Energy
Hybrid-Electric Plane Concept Could Reduce Air Pollution
The proposed design could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent.
Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Cleaner, Faster Flight is on the Horizon
These 6 advancements are leading us to cleaner, faster aircraft.
Briefs: Power
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: Aerospace
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: Internet of Things
SAE WCX™ Digital Summit Preview
Live discussions will explore electric vehicles, propulsion, advanced electronics, and more.
Facility Focus: RF & Microwave Electronics
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: Electronics & Computers
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: RF & Microwave Electronics
2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Automotive/Transportation Category Winner — Low-Noise Laser for Lidar
Compact lasers now offer precise colors.
Articles: Robotics, Automation & Control
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: Energy
Wave Energy Modeling for Safer Space Travel
What does wave energy have to do with space exploration? Plenty, it turns out.
Facility Focus: Test & Measurement
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: Aerospace
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: Propulsion
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...

Briefs: Energy
Electrohydraulically Actuated Valve Train
The new technology demonstrates a 20 percent savings in fuel in typical passenger car low-load operating conditions.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
SMART Solar Sail
The miniaturized, autonomous, reconfigurable solar sail is capable of very fine maneuvering by small surface deformation.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Machine Learning Enables Rapid Rocket Engine Design
This method provides a fast way to assess rocket engine performance in a variety of operating conditions.

Webcasts

On-Demand Webinars: RF & Microwave Electronics

Advanced High-Peak-Power Semiconductor Laser Transmitter Solutions for LiDAR

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

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Managing the Complexity of Sealing Battery Housings in Electric...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Engineered Fillers for Vehicle Lightweighting: Doing More With...

Trending Stories

NASA Spinoff: Propulsion

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

NASA Spinoff: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

Technology Leaders: Photonics/Optics

Optimizing 5G Fiber Optic Filament Production

Podcasts: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Here's an Idea: A Morphing Airplane Wing Built by Tiny Robots

Blog: Aerospace

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

Blog: RF & Microwave Electronics

A New Way to Launch Rockets: Microwave Power

Videos