Motors & Drives

Briefs: Motion Control

16-Atom Molecular Motor

The tiny motor can be powered by both thermal and electrical energy.

Briefs: Motion Control

Multirotor Aircraft Noise Reduction

NASA's phase-locked rotors reduce noise.

Articles: Photonics/Optics

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Automotive/Transportation Category Winner — Low-Noise Laser for Lidar

Compact lasers now offer precise colors.

News: Materials

New Composite Material Revs Up Pursuit of Advanced EVs

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have used new techniques to create a composite that increases the electrical current capacity of copper wires, providing a...

Blog: Aerospace

What Role Will Motors Play in Mars 2020 Missions?

The great tasks of retrieving samples and flying a helicopter on Mars requires a number of small parts — specifically motors and drives.

Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Custom Gimbal for JHU-APL Shows Promise for Others

See how Blue Joule developed and delivered the Mini Mount (MM) Gimbal to Johns Hopkins University.

Products: Test & Measurement

New Products: October 2020 Motion Design

Accelerometers, actuators, hexapods, and more.

Articles: Motion Control

Torque Limiters 101: Benefits, Types, and Comparisons

Torque limiters protect against damage and downtime caused by machine overloads.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Hummingbird Robot Uses AI to Maneuver in Tight Spaces

The robots could fly silently for covert operations and stay steady through turbulence.

Briefs: Materials

Thermally Conductive, Stretchable Rubber Material

This material could be used for artificial muscles that power bio-inspired robots.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Aerogels Protect Against Electromagnetic Interference

Aerogels based on cellulose nanofibers can effectively shield electromagnetic radiation over a wide frequency range.

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

How to Guarantee Autonomous Driving Levels — When Vision is Obstructed

A reader asks: How can self-driving car manufacturers guarantee safety when snow, ice, or mud impair a vision system?

Podcasts: Robotics, Automation & Control

Here's an Idea: A Jumping 'SpaceBok' Robot Makes Giant Leaps Toward the Moon and Mars

Hendrik Kolvenbach sees the best way to get around on the moon as less of a step and more of a giant leap. Learn how Hendrik created a jumping space robot called Spacebok.

Application Briefs: Materials

Traverse System Enables Vertical Farming

See how a system feeds plants, delivering about 5,417 gallons of water per hour.

Articles: Electronics & Computers

Wiegand Wire: Energy Harvesting and More

With the emergence of a new generation of ultra-efficient electronic chips, the Wiegand technology is showing significant promise, especially in the exciting area of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT).

Briefs: Motion Control

Gripper Handles Freely Moving Cables

The gripper’s soft, sensitive fingers could enable robots to help with tying knots, wire shaping, or surgical suturing.

Briefs: Materials

Wireless Aquatic Robot Cleans Water

Inspired by a coral polyp, this plastic mini robot moves by magnetism and light.

Briefs: Motion Control

Planetary Exploration Rover Avoids Sand Traps with “Rear Rotator Pedaling”

Complex locomotion techniques enable the rover to climb hills covered with soft granular material.

Briefs: Motion Control

Flexible Feet Help Robots Walk Faster

This technology can help robots walk up to 40 percent faster on uneven terrain such as pebbles and wood chips.

Products: Electronics & Computers

New Products: August 2020 Motion Design

Positioning devices, vibration transmitters, brushless DC motors, and more.

INSIDER: Motion Control

Smallest Motor in the World

The smallest motor in the world — consisting of just 16 atoms – measures less than one nanometer or about 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. The rotor rotates on the surface of the...

Application Briefs: Software

Magnetic Transmissions Increase Lifespan of Offshore Wind Farms

In places of limited accessibility and harsh conditions, replacing failed transmissions is a challenging and tremendously costly task.

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Advanced Sensing Solutions for Cost-Effective Machine Building

The right sensors can cut machine building costs, improve flexibility, and boost customer satisfaction.

Products: Robotics, Automation & Control

New Products: June 2020 Motion Design

Positioning System

H2W Technologies (Santa Clarita, CA) offers the SRT-030/360-026-01 two-axis X-Theta positioning system for motion control applications that require coordinated linear and rotary...

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Soft Tactile Logic Distributes Decision-Making Throughout Stretchable Material

Inspired by the octopus, the structure senses, computes, and responds without any centralized processing.

Products: Test & Measurement

Product of the Month: June 2020 Tech Briefs

The K6PM provides continuous, remote thermal monitoring of critical components such as high-voltage control panels, transformers, and hydraulic equipment.

Briefs: Aerospace

Square Structural Joint with Robotic Assembly Tool

Square trusses replace round for enhanced strength and robotics compatibility.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Multifunctional Structure Stabilizes and Rotates Satellites

This technology cancels out the vibrations of a satellite by vibrating the solar panels in the opposite direction.