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: Energy
2021 Create the Future Design Contest: Automotive/Transportation Category Winner — Afreecar E-kit
Articles: Robotics, Automation & Control
2021 Create the Future Design Contest: Aerospace & Defense Category Winner — How to Keep Drones Flying When a Motor Fails, without GPS
Articles: Materials
ARTEMIS II: Astronauts on Board
Articles: Aerospace
ARTEMIS: Back to the Moon
Articles: Propulsion
ARTEMIS I: Our Return to the Moon Begins
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Top Stories

Blog: Materials

Biocompatible Adhesive Gel Works Underwater

INSIDER: Motion Control

Autonomous Robot Opens Doors, Finds Wall Outlets

INSIDER: Research Lab

Researchers Determine Optimum Pressure to Improve the Performance of...

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Can Material Choices Impact Gear Noise in a Vehicle?

Blog: Materials

With Help from Heat, A Carbon-Fiber Composite Self-Heals

Application Briefs: Imaging

Designing Advanced IR Optical Assemblies for UAVs

Latest Briefs & News

Blog: Transportation
Are In-Wheel Motor Systems Catching On?
One EV design is bring power out toward the wheel. But is the design here to stay? A Tech Briefs reader asks an expert at SAE.
Blog: Aerospace
Answering Reader Questions: NASA Prepares for Return to the Moon
A NASA expert answers your questions about the upcoming Artemis mission that will send astronauts back to the Moon.
Special Reports: Electronics & Computers
Space Technology - October 2021

A new era of space exploration is set to begin with Artemis 1, the first in a series of increasingly complex NASA missions that will take humans back to the moon and then on to Mars. Read all about it in this...

Application Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Eddy Current Displacement Sensors for Industry
Eddy current displacement sensors can make measurements in harsh Industrial environments, even where pressure, dirt, or temperature fluctuations occur.
Application Briefs: Propulsion
Improving Overhead Equipment Devices for a New Era of Railway Transportation
See how COMSOL is supporting upcoming modifications to railway infrastructure in India.
Blog: Energy
NASA Going Back to the Moon: What are the Biggest Technology Challenges for Artemis?
Before human explorers can head to the Moon and beyond, they need to tackle these three important tasks.
Articles: Electronics & Computers
Inside Story: Keith Moore, CEO of Pickering Interfaces
CEO Keith Moore tells Tech Briefs about the unique challenges facing testing engineers in aerospace.
Blog: Aerospace
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?
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Cladding and Freeform Deposition for Coolant Channel Closeout
This method is a faster way to manufacture combustion chambers and nozzles for aerospace propulsion as well as heat exchangers in oil and gas applications.
Briefs: Materials
Technology Converts Waste Plastics to Jet Fuel
The reaction converts 90% of plastic to jet fuel and other valuable hydrocarbon products within an hour at moderate temperatures.
Briefs: Propulsion
Fuel Cell Boosts Electric-Powered Vehicles
This fuel cell could power a variety of transportation modes such as unmanned underwater vehicles, drones, and eventually electric aircraft.
Briefs: Materials
Origami Solves Challenge of Storing and Moving Rocket Fuel
A folded plastic bladder could store and pump the fuel.
Briefs: Motion Control
Centimeter-Long Snail Robot Powered with Light
The soft robot harvests energy from a laser beam and can crawl on horizontal surfaces and climb vertical walls and an upside-down glass ceiling.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Service Valve for In-Orbit Cooperative Satellite Fueling
The valve enables telerobotic resupplying of media such as propellant and pressurant.
Special Reports: Medical
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: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Tension Element Damping (TED) with Hydraulics for Large Displacements
Applications include wind turbines, solar arrays, commercial space mobile launchers, and industrial process stacks and equipment.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
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: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Medium Entropy Alloy
This additively manufactured alloy is tailored for high-temperature applications.
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
High-Power Microwaves for Launching Space-Bound Rockets
Using microwaves reduces the cost of launching rockets.
Briefs: Nanotechnology
3D-Printed Nanosatellite Thruster Emits Pure Ions
The thruster provides a low-cost, extremely efficient propulsion source for miniature satellites.
Briefs: Imaging
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: Energy
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: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Cleaner, Faster Flight is on the Horizon
These 6 advancements are leading us to cleaner, faster aircraft.
Briefs: Energy
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: Sensors/Data Acquisition
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.

Webcasts

On-Demand Webinars: Energy

Effective Power Management: Minimizing Downtime and Maximizing Efficiency

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Transforming CAD Data Management: How Companies Improve Access to...

Upcoming Webinars: Electronics & Computers

Microchip AI & Machine Learning Basics and Solutions

Upcoming Webinars: Medical

New Liquid Silicone Rubber with Primerless Adhesion to...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Simulation and Testing: The Driving Forces for Engineering the...

Upcoming Webinars: Materials

Metal-to-Composite Conversion with Injection-Molded Long Fiber...

Trending Stories

Briefs: Aerospace

Self-Healing, Recyclable, Shape Memory Polymers

NASA Spinoff: Materials

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

INSIDER: Robotics, Automation & Control

Autonomous Robot Opens Doors, Finds Wall Outlets

Application Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Sensing Hazardous Gases Can Save Lives

INSIDER: Semiconductors & ICs

Smaller, Cheaper, and More Dynamic Computer Chips

INSIDER: Motion Control

Non-Contact Tip/Tilt Sensor

Videos