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: 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?
Briefs: Materials
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: Aerospace
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: Aerospace
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: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Origami Solves Challenge of Storing and Moving Rocket Fuel
A folded plastic bladder could store and pump the fuel.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & 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: Aerospace
Service Valve for In-Orbit Cooperative Satellite Fueling
The valve enables telerobotic resupplying of media such as propellant and pressurant.
Special Reports: Design
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: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
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: Aerospace
Soft Mate Lifting Device
This below-the-hook device enables gentle crane placement to decrease the risk of property damage.
Question of the Week: Aerospace
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: Photonics/Optics
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: Aerospace
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: 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: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
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: 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: Propulsion
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: Materials
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: Manufacturing & Prototyping
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: 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: Energy
Wave Energy Modeling for Safer Space Travel
What does wave energy have to do with space exploration? Plenty, it turns out.

Top Stories

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

Intelligent Robots Pick, Prune in the Peach Orchard

Blog: Aerospace

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

INSIDER: Lighting Technology

Pivotal Discovery of Nanomaterial for LEDs

Videos: Automotive

Charge Your Vehicle by Changing Lanes

Blog: Aerospace

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

Briefs: Lighting

Rechargeable Cement-Based Batteries

Webcasts

On-Demand 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...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Getting ePowertrain NVH Right the First Time with Simulation-Led...

Webinars: Medical

Getting to Market Faster: How to Select Pumps for Clinical...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Commercial Vehicle Electrification: Batteries or Fuel Cells?

Trending Stories

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Rechargeable Cement-Based Batteries

Briefs: Energy

Wearable Sensor Helps ALS Patients Communicate

INSIDER: Energy

More Efficient Electricity Distribution Thanks to New Insulation Material

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Phase-Conjugate Receiver for Gaussian-State Quantum Illumination

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Lightweighting in Aerospace Component and System Design

NASA Spinoff: Automotive

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

Videos