Mechanical/​Mechatronics

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Stay updated on advancements in mechanical components and mechatronics systems. New technologies in MEMs, fluid systems, and propulsion are driving breakthroughs in transportation, electrification, autonomous driving, and manufacturing.

Special Reports: Internet of Things
ADAS/Connected Car - June 2020

Today's Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and connected cars are paving the way for tomorrow's automated vehicles. To help you keep pace with the latest technology developments, we present this...

Special Reports: Photonics/Optics
Advances in Optics - June 2020

From Automotive LiDAR to Cubesats & space communications to smart cameras for robots, optics technology is enabling exciting new applications across a range of industries. Read all about it in this Special...

Blog: Electronics & Computers
How to Keep Batteries from Catching Fire? Nanotech Energy Goes with Graphene and New Electrolyte
The Los Angeles, CA-based company Nanotech Energy is using graphene to prevent thermal runaway and create a non-flammable battery.
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The Next Challenge for Soft Robots? Beat the Cheetah
A proof-of-concept soft robot has a cheetah-like gait that avoids the usual crawl.
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Starting In the Garage, NASA Engineer Makes Oxygen Helmet for COVID-19 Patients
See how NASA engineer Mike Buttigieg is creating a device that will free up ventilators for patients with COVID-19
Blog: Medical
NASA's 'VITAL' Ventilator Gets FDA Approval

A low-cost, low-complexity ventilator developed by NASA engineers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Supersonic Spike Diffuser
This diffuser provides double the pumping efficiency in one-quarter the space.
Briefs: Materials
System Provides Cooling with No Electricity
This passive device relies on a layer of material that blocks incoming sunlight but lets heat radiate away.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Microfluidics Device Detects Cancer Cells in Blood
This device could enable rapid, inexpensive liquid biopsies to help detect cancer and develop targeted treatment plans.
Products: Test & Measurement
New on the Market: May 2020
Sealing connection tools, oscilloscopes, snap-action switches, and more...
Briefs: Aerospace
Autonomic and Apoptotic Highly Distributed System
Applications include distributed computer systems, computer security, and commercial satellite systems.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Wi-Fi-assisted Inertial Odometry (WIO) Measures Speed and Distance of Indoor Movement
The technique could be used to improve navigation for robots, drones, or pedestrians.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Lab-on-a-Chip Enables “Liquid Biopsy” of Cancer Cells
This diagnostic device allows doctors to detect cancer quickly from a droplet of blood or plasma.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Polymer Twists and Bends in the Presence of Light
A liquid crystal elastomer can be programmed to exhibit controllable, dynamic behavior without the need for complex electronic components.
Briefs: Energy
Shape Memory Alloy Mechanisms for CubeSats
This lightweight and efficient mechanism enables retention, release, and deployment of solar arrays and antennas.
Briefs: Aerospace
Guiding and Harnessing Transition Waves in Multi-Stable Mechanical Structures
The domino effect is used to design deployable systems that expand quickly with a small push and are stable and locked into place after deployment.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Foldable Mechanical Devices
These “developable mechanisms” are built into the surfaces of structures.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Injectable Gel Helps Heart Muscle Regenerate
This gel releases short gene sequences into the heart muscle to heal it following a heart attack.
Articles: Aerospace
Products of Tomorrow: May 2020
A cryptographic ID tag, a high-reliability NASA switch, and a stretchable thermoelectric generator...
Facility Focus: Aerospace
Facility Focus: NASA Ames Research Center
This NASA center hosts the world’s greatest collection of wind tunnels and flight simulation facilities
Products: Test & Measurement
New Products: May 2020 Photonics & Imaging Technology
Photodetectors, ultrafast lasers, energy sensors, and more.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
New Graphene-Based Metasurface Capable of Independent Amplitude and Phase Control of Light
Researchers described a new strategy of designing metamolecules.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Device Tests Drugs on Tumor Tissue
An inexpensive 3D-printed microfluidics device could be used to personalize cancer treatment.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Low-Cost Detection of Thin Film Stress During Fabrication
This method uses fiber optic probes for measurement of semiconductors, optical coatings, magnetic read/write heads, and precision machines.
Products: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Product of the Month: May 2020 Tech Briefs
The ADISRA SmartView 4.0 HMI allows builders to see what's going on in their machines.
Briefs: Transportation
Machine Learning Method for Battery Development
The method slashes battery testing times — a key barrier to longer-lasting, faster-charging batteries for electric vehicles.
Briefs: Materials
Analyzing Wear and Tear of Metal
A new method could enable vehicles and equipment to better withstand high temperatures, loads, and speeds.
Articles: Semiconductors & ICs
AI-Based Machine Vision & the Future of Automotive In-Cabin Technologies
Xilinx is now applying AI to the in-cabin environment.
Special Reports: Robotics, Automation & Control
Medical Manufacturing and Outsourcing - May 2020

How are advances in automation/robotics, welding, 3D printing, and other fabrication technologies shaping the future of medical device manufacturing? Find out in this Special Report – a...

Top Stories

Blog: Materials

Biocompatible Adhesive Gel Works Underwater

INSIDER: Motion Control

Autonomous Robot Opens Doors, Finds Wall Outlets

INSIDER: Materials

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

Blog: Materials

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

Blog: Materials

A New Idea for Cleaning Up Space Debris: Magnets

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Can Material Choices Impact Gear Noise in a Vehicle?

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Aerospace

Aircraft Noise Emissions Certification/Reduction

Upcoming Webinars: Materials

High-Reliability Coating Solutions for Demanding Environments

Upcoming Webinars: Energy

Effective Power Management: Minimizing Downtime and Maximizing...

Upcoming Webinars: Software

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

Upcoming Webinars: Electronics & Computers

Microchip AI & Machine Learning Basics and Solutions

Webinars: Medical

New Liquid Silicone Rubber with Primerless Adhesion to...

Trending Stories

NASA Spinoff: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Three-Phase Sine-Wave Generator

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Organic Semiconductor Thin-Film Sensors Detect Disease Markers in Breath

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Wide-Angle-Scanning Reflectarray Antennas Actuated by MEMS

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Thermal Properties of Microstrain Gauges Used for Protection of Lithium-Ion Cells of Different Designs

Briefs: Imaging

CCD Camera Lens Interface for Real-Time Theodolite Alignment

Videos