Browse Topic: Smart materials
ABSTRACT Thermal management systems (TMS) of armored ground vehicle designs are often incapable of sustained heat rejection during high tractive effort conditions and ambient conditions. The use of a latent heat energy storage system that utilizes Phase Change Materials (PCMs) is an effective way of storing thermal energy and offers key advantages such as high-energy storage density, high heat of fusion values, and greater stability in temperature control. Military vehicles frequently undergo high-transient thermal loads and often do not provide adequate cooling for powertrain subsystems. This work outlines an approach to temporarily store excess heat generated by the transmission during high tractive effort situations through use of a passive PCM retrofit thereby extending the operating time, reducing temperature transients, and limiting overheating. A numerical heat transfer model has been developed based around a conceptual vehicle transmission TMS. The model predicts the
Researchers have now developed the first hydrogel implant designed for use in fallopian tubes. This innovation performs two functions: one is to act as a contraceptive, the other is to prevent the recipient from developing endometriosis in the first place or to halt the spread if they do
University of Waterloo Chemical Engineering Researcher Dr. Elisabeth Prince teamed up with researchers from the University of Toronto and Duke University to design the synthetic material made using cellulose nanocrystals, which are derived from wood pulp. The material is engineered to replicate the fibrous nanostructures and properties of human tissues, thereby recreating its unique biomechanical properties
Shinshu University, Matsumoto City, Japan
Researchers from North Carolina State University have demonstrated miniature soft hydraulic actuators that can be used to control the deformation and motion of soft robots that are less than a millimeter thick. The researchers have also demonstrated that this technique works with shape memory materials, allowing users to repeatedly lock the soft robots into a desired shape and return to the original shape as needed
A new approach has allowed researchers at Aalto University to design a kind of metamaterial that has so far been beyond the reach of existing technologies. Unlike natural materials, metamaterials and metasurfaces can be tailored to have specific electromagnetic properties, which means scientists can create materials with features desirable for industrial applications
Researchers at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) have created software and hardware for a 4D printer with applications in the biomedical field. In addition to 3D printing, this machine allows for controlling extra functions: programming the material’s response so that shape-changing occurs under external magnetic field, or changes in its electric properties develops under mechanical deformation
A new washable wireless smart textile technology has potential uses in virtual reality and American Sign Language
A single strand of fiber has the flexibility of cotton and the electric conductivity of a polymer, called polyaniline. The newly developed material showed good potential for wearable e-textiles. Researchers tested the fibers with a system that powered an LED light and another that sensed ammonia gas
Imagine a concrete surface that, if cracked or in need of repairs, can “heal” itself. Well, that’s exactly what a team at Drexel University in Philadelphia has engineered with BioFiber — a polymer fiber encased in a bacteria-laden hydrogel and a protective, damage-responsive shell with the entire assembly a little over a half-millimeter thick
Researchers at the EPFL have achieved a breakthrough in the treatment of tracheomalacia, a condition characterized by weak tracheal cartilage and muscles that normally keep the airway open for proper breathing. The team, composed of EPFL engineers and CHUV pediatric airway surgeons, has successfully developed a novel adhesive hydrogel patch that can effectively alleviate tracheomalacia, providing hope for improved treatment options for this challenging condition. The proof of concept was recently published in iScience
Using a new type of dual-polymer material capable of responding dynamically to its environment, researchers have developed a set of modular hydrogel components that could be useful in a variety of soft robotic and biomedical applications
Conventional magnetorheological dampers (CMRD) generate damping force through the flow of magnetorheological fluid in a narrow passage. However, due to the fixed geometry of the passage, the damping force is linearly proportional to the velocity. This structural limitation results in significant damping forces at high speeds, severely impacting the energy dissipation efficiency of the damper. This flaw poses a substantial threat to both occupants and mechanical structures. In response to this limitation, this research endeavors to engineer a novel impact-resistant MR damper (NMRD) by augmenting the traditional MR damper’s architecture with an innovative internal channel furnished with an embedded circular permanent magnet. During instances of high-velocity impacts, this specialized channel selectively opens to attenuate impact forces. This augmentation serves to significantly heighten the soft landing impact resistance of flying cars while concurrently enhancing passenger comfort. A
As an important way of energy saving and environmental protection, the lateral stability of straddle-type monorail vehicle (STMV) has attracted more and more attention. In order to solve this problem, a semi-active lateral control strategy of STMV dynamic model based on magnetorheological fluid damper is proposed. The inverse model of magnetorheological damper is constructed by neural network. An adaptive neural fuzzy algorithm for STMV dynamic model based on body acceleration and velocity feedback is designed, and its feasibility is verified by Kalman filter method. Through the simulation comparison of lateral acceleration and yaw angular acceleration, the control method has good measurement accuracy and can meet the needs of practical engineering measurement. It provides a method and basis for the stability and effectiveness of STMV swing semi-active control
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (2D-TMDs) have been proposed as novel optoelectronic materials for space applications due to their relatively light weight. MoS2 has been shown to have excellent semiconducting and photonic properties. Here, we report the effect of gamma irradiation on the structural and optical properties of a monolayer of MoS2. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon material made of carbon by covalent bonds, where carbon atoms are arranged in a honeycomb lattice. Graphene has promising electronic and mechanical properties. There are many processes available for the formation of the graphene. CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process for the formation of graphene over the metal surface is most compatible. Graphene is being investigated for its application in space electronics. In space, there are many irradiation particles and waves like x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles. Single
Graphene is a two-dimensional carbon material made of carbon by covalent bonds, where carbon atoms are arranged in a honeycomb lattice. Graphene has promising electronic and mechanical properties. There are many processes available for the formation of the graphene. CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) process for the formation of graphene over the metal surface is most compatible. Graphene is being investigated for its application in space electronics. In space, there are many irradiation particles and waves like x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, and beta particles. Single particle like neutron can create single event upset in electronic devices. Graphene can work as a radiation shielding material. Graphene-metal, graphene and epsilon near zero metamaterials structure can be used for electromagnetic wave absorbent
Drawing inspiration from how spiders spin silk to make webs, a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore, together with international collaborators, has developed an innovative method of producing soft fibers that possess three key properties (strong, stretchable, and electrically conductive), and at the same time can be easily reused to produce new fibers
Semiconductor chips, micropatterned surfaces, and electronics all rely on microprinting, the process of putting precise but minuscule patterns millionths to billionths of a meter wide onto surfaces to give them new properties. Traditionally, these tiny mazes of metals and other materials are printed on flat wafers of silicon. But as the possibilities for semiconductor chips and smart materials expand, these intricate, tiny patterns need to be printed on new, unconventional, non-flat surfaces
A new smart material developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo is activated by both heat and electricity, making it the first ever to respond to two different stimuli
A new smart material developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo is activated by both heat and electricity, making it the first ever to respond to two different stimuli
An injectable biomaterial with significantly improved adhesive strength, stretchability, and toughness could enable improved surgical sealing. This chemically modified, gelatin-based hydrogel has attractive features, including rapid gelation at room temperature and tunable levels of adhesion. This custom-engineered biomaterial is ideal as a surgical wound sealant, with its controllable adhesion and injectability and its superior adherence to a variety of tissue and organ surfaces
A team of UCLA engineers and their colleagues have developed a new design strategy and 3D-printing technique to build robots in one single step. The breakthrough enabled the entire mechanical and electronic systems needed to operate a robot to be manufactured all at once by a new type of 3D-printing process for engineered active materials with multiple functions (also known as metamaterials). Once 3D printed, a “meta-bot” will be capable of propulsion, movement, sensing, and decision-making
Innovators at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) have developed an Impact and Trajectory Detection System that is capable of determining the time and location of the projectiles impact as well as the trajectory of the projectile. The system can indicate the time and location of an impact and the trajectory of that projectile using piezoelectric polymer film and sensors
Smooth camber morphing aircraft offer increased control authority and improved aerodynamic efficiency. Smart material actuators have become a popular driving force for shape changes, capable of adhering to weight and size constraints and allowing for simplicity in mechanical design. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are growing in popularity for both civilian and military applications, which makes improving their efficiency and adaptability for various aerial environments an attractive objective. Many studies pursue this goal using morphing techniques that incorporate shape changes not typically seen in traditional aircraft. Due to weight and volume constraints consistent with smaller flight vehicles, smart materials, such as macro fiber composites (MFCs), have been used to achieve the desired shape changes. Macro fiber composites are low-profile piezoelectric actuators which have gained substantial attention within the morphing aircraft community
Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are growing in popularity for both civilian and military applications, which makes improving their efficiency and adaptability for various aerial environments an attractive objective. Many studies pursue this goal using morphing techniques that incorporate shape changes not typically seen in traditional aircraft. Due to weight and volume constraints consistent with smaller flight vehicles, smart materials, such as macro fiber composites (MFCs), have been used to achieve the desired shape changes. Macro fiber composites are low-profile piezoelectric actuators which have gained substantial attention within the morphing aircraft community. Piezoelectric actuators operate by generating strain when voltage, and hence an electric field, is applied to the electrodes. Piezoelectric actuators are also well known for their capabilities to produce high force-output and a highspeed actuation response. Unlike traditional piezoelectric actuators, which are composed of
Researchers produced a soft, mechanical metamaterial that can “think” about how forces are applied to it and respond via programmed reactions. The metamaterials feature flexible, conductive polymer networks that can compute all digital logic computations. The process creates decision-making functionality in engineered materials in a way that could support future soft, autonomous engineered systems that are invested with the basic elements of lifeforms yet are programmed to perform helpful services. These include helping maintain sustainable and robust infrastructure, monitoring of airborne and waterborne contaminants and pathogens, and assisting with patient wound healing
This specification covers general requirements for the apparatus, material, and procedures to be used in the processing of magnesium base alloys for the purpose of increasing their corrosion resistance and by producing surfaces suitable for organic paint finish systems
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