Researchers have devised a way to use acoustic levitation to enable metal additive manufacturing in microgravity environments in space, where metal powders can be fused together to create accurate parts and components.

Researchers have devised a way to use acoustic levitation to enable metal additive manufacturing in microgravity environments in space, where metal powders can be fused together to create accurate parts and components. 

Space Manufacturing Could Need Acoustic Levitation 

When a ballistic shield is struck with a heavy object, it can actually bend backward toward the shield holder. Researchers want to know if these shields do enough to protect against arm injury.

How Well Do Shields Protect? 

Yes, says Bechel&rsquo;s John Gülen, but probably not in some of the carbon-neutral applications that have received attention over the past decade.

Yes, says Bechel’s John Gülen, but probably not in some of the carbon-neutral applications that have received attention over the past decade.

Does the Energy Transition Have a Place for Gas Turbines?

Electronics has its microtransistors. Now a research team has created a microscale valve for controlling fluid flows.

Fluid Valve Turned On By Heat

April-June 2025

To improve the communication between patients and bioelectronic devices, the interface between the two should follow the curve of the body. Researchers have developed a curvature-matching design strategy that can enhance wearability during skin motion.

Contact is Key to Bioelectronics

A combo of wireless sensors and computer models reveals bridge integrity issues unseen by conventional inspections.

Diagnosing Bridge Health

Engineers are finding a growing number of applications for mechanical metamaterials, which feature unique mechanical properties that are determined by their structure.

Engineers are finding a growing number of applications for mechanical metamaterials, which feature unique properties that are determined by their structure.

Fabricating Mechanical Metamaterials

The horizontal-axis wind turbine has become an efficient and economical means to produce electricity. Some of the largest machines can produce as much as 15 MW when running at full capacity. But such turbines can be too complicated for small-scale operations or for capturing wind power in urban settings.&nbsp;

The horizontal-axis wind turbine has become an efficient and economical means to produce electricity. Some of the largest machines can produce as much as 15 MW when running at full capacity. But such turbines can be too complicated for small-scale operations or for capturing wind power in urban settings.

A Better Shape to Catch the Wind

October-December 2024

The technology has uses beyond the aviation and manufacturing sectors. A new study found all three phases of civil engineering projects&mdash;planning/design, construction, and operation and maintenance&mdash;can find value in digital twins.

The technology has uses beyond the aviation and manufacturing sectors. A new study found all three phases of civil engineering projects—planning/design, construction, and operation and maintenance—can find value in digital twins.

Digital Twins Can Support Civil Engineering Projects

Researchers at the University of Bologna in Italy have developed a method of dry grinding for automotive gears&mdash;without using oils and other lubricants.

Researchers at the University of Bologna in Italy have developed a method of dry grinding for automotive gears—without using oils and other lubricants.

A More Sustainable Way to Make Automotive Gears

Manufacturers rely on heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to provide optimal environments for their equipment&mdash;and workers. University of Alabama researcher Forooza Samadi describes ways companies can optimize these systems.

Manufacturers rely on heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to provide optimal environments for their equipment—and workers. University of Alabama researcher Forooza Samadi describes ways companies can optimize these systems.

Q&A: Improving Efficiency in HVAC Systems

It&rsquo;s not all about power&mdash;a robotic arm needs the right technique and architecture to hurl an object efficiently.

It’s not all about power—a robotic arm needs the right technique and architecture to hurl an object efficiently.

Robot Throwing

January-March 2025

A proof-of-concept computer model points to a way to reduce the drag effects of ultra-long tethers on underwater kites. Such kites could be used to generate electricity in deep-marine conditions.&nbsp;

A proof-of-concept computer model points to a way to reduce the drag effects of ultra-long tethers on underwater kites. Such kites could be used to generate electricity in deep-marine conditions.

Reducing Drag from Power Kites

Researchers who developed an electrothermal pulse deicing system say it could provide energy-efficient and rapid removal of ice from the wings of electrified aircraft.&nbsp;

Researchers who developed an electrothermal pulse deicing system say it could provide energy-efficient and rapid removal of ice from the wings of electrified aircraft. 

Deicing Planes One Pulse at a Time

The growing demand for AI and other computational tools has created a challenge for engineers tasked with keeping largescale data centers cool. Perhaps the solution is not dumping the waste heat, but reusing it productively.

April-June 2025

In This Issue

Space Manufacturing Could Need Acoustic Levitation

How Well Do Shields Protect?

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Does the Energy Transition Have a Place for Gas Turbines?

Fluid Valve Turned On By Heat

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