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.

Articles: Transportation
SAE WCX™ Digital Summit Preview
Facility Focus: Aerospace
Facility Focus: NASA Langley Research Center
INSIDER: Imaging
High-Speed Infrared Reveals Safer Hypergolic Propellant
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Top Stories

Articles: Electronics & Computers

Nano Diamond Battery Provides Universal Applicability

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

A Warning System for Self-Driving Cars Learns from Failures

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Photonic 'Sunflower' Offers New Ideas for Light-Driven Systems

INSIDER: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Transistors Built from Ultra-Thin 2D Materials Take a Step Forward

Blog: Motion Control

With A.I., Robotic Exoskeletons Gain Self-Control

Blog: Electronics & Computers

A New Aluminum Anode Leads to Error-Free Rechargeable Batteries

Latest Briefs & News

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.

Facility Focus: Imaging
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: Test & Measurement
Water-Powered Engines Offer Satellite Mobility
The technology could allow deep-space exploration without running out of propellant.
Articles: Photonics/Optics
2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Automotive/Transportation Category Winner — Low-Noise Laser for Lidar
Compact lasers now offer precise colors.
Articles: Unmanned Systems
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: Aerospace
Wave Energy Modeling for Safer Space Travel
What does wave energy have to do with space exploration? Plenty, it turns out.
Facility Focus: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
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: Aerospace
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: Manufacturing & Prototyping
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: Transportation
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: Software
Machine Learning Enables Rapid Rocket Engine Design
This method provides a fast way to assess rocket engine performance in a variety of operating conditions.
Briefs: Motion Control
Bio-Inspired Propulsion
Frequencies and passive dynamics of vehicles moving in air or water help enhance propulsion performance.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Supersonic Spike Diffuser
This diffuser provides double the pumping efficiency in one-quarter the space.
Blog: Software
A Faster Way to Design Rockets: Scientific Machine Learning
To speed up the design process, researchers from the University of Texas are finding more efficient ways to predict, or "learn," a rocket's behavior.
Articles: Photonics/Optics
Fiber Lasers for Powertrain Welding Applications
Altering the traditional intensity distribution of fiber lasers improves weld quality.
Application Briefs: Propulsion
Multiple Sensors Aid in Development of an Electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft
Beta Technologies is putting their Electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft (eVTOL) prototype through the wringer.
Briefs: Energy
Green Jet Fuel Additive Made from Acetone Plus Light
The additive creates fuel from biomass while improving engine performance.
Articles: Connectivity
What’s Next in Mobility: WCX 2020 SAE World Congress Experience
Your preview of one of the largest technical mobility events of the year.
Blog: Aerospace
Researcher Finds Promising Patterns in ‘Explosive’ Rotating Detonation Engine
University of Washington engineer James Koch observed patterns in a promising, but often-unpredictable rocket part: The rotating detonation engine.
Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Power System for Hybrid Heavy-Duty Trucks
Electric motors and gas-alcohol engines could slash pollution levels and greenhouse gases from long-haul trucks.
Briefs: Propulsion
CubeSat Form Factor Thermal Control Louvers
These louvers provide passive thermal cooling for CubeSats.
Special Reports: Motion Control
CONEXPO/IFPE - January 2020

Coming to Las Vegas in March, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE are North America's largest events for the construction/commercial vehicle, fluid power, power transmission, and motion control industries. In this Special...

Special Reports: Propulsion
Vehicle Electrification - January 2020

Demand for electric vehicles is accelerating, presenting new design, manufacturing, and infrastructure challenges. To help you keep pace with the rapid changes in vehicle electrification technology, we...

Briefs: Materials
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): Methylotrophic Microorganisms Expressing Soluble Methane Monooxygenase Proteins
This technology enables methane metabolism by yeast.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Superconductivity in a Nickel Oxide Material
Made with “Jenga chemistry,” the material could help in understanding how high-temperature superconductors work.
Briefs: Propulsion
Metallization for SiC Semiconductors
This technology provides simultaneous ohmic contacts and the process to make them.
Facility Focus: Electronics & Computers
Facility Focus: NASA John H. Glenn Research Center
Glenn's research facilities have contributed to decades of technology advances.

Webcasts

Webinars: Medical

Advances in Medical Imaging

Upcoming Webinars: Test & Measurement

Secrets to Efficiently Sustaining Your Automated Test System

Upcoming Webinars: Medical

Designing with Medical Grade Silicone: Considerations for Medical...

Upcoming Webinars: Robotics, Automation & Control

How Critical Are Localization and Perception Technologies for...

Upcoming Webinars: Transportation

Design Challenges for Ethernet Adoption in Commercial...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Total Appearance Measurement System for Automotive Applications

Trending Stories

Articles: Software

Disrupting the Automobile Design Process

Articles: Electronics & Computers

Secure Software Flashing

NASA Spinoff: Materials

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Piezo-Operated Shutter Mechanism Moves 1.5 cm

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Capacitive Sensor for Measuring Level of Liquid Nitrogen

Articles: Electronics & Computers

Techniques for Cooling Power and Other Electronic Devices

Videos