MET at Work: The Top Mechanical Engineering Innovations in Recent Past
Mechanical engineering innovations have made life easier, faster, and more fulfilling for every one of us. Imagine life today without great innovations like the computer, the automobile, or cell phones, just to mention a few. Our lives are surrounded by amazing technological gear we usually take for granted. Yet, each unique innovation has left an indelible mark on our lives, improving our lives.
Here are some of the latest innovations from today's mechanical engineers and their teams:
March 31, 2016
According to the National Science Foundation nanotechnology is being used to improve water treatment by creating affordable water treatment plants where they are needed. NEWT (Nanotechnology Enabled Water Treatment) is being developed at Rice University by Pedro Alvarez, an environmental engineer. These treatment plants can offer clean water around the world for millions of people.
March 22, 2016
FloDesign Sonics, with funding from the National Science Foundation, has developed a uniquely effective patented technology called Acoustic Wave Separation (AWS) that separates or cleans water or other liquids from other contaminants. Acoustic waves were the secret behind this breakthrough technology that divorced all foreign substances such as radioactive material, hydrocarbons, bacteria, chemical additives, salt, and more, without the use of chemicals or filters. Their immediate goal was to be able to process 100,000 gallons a day for the gas and oil industry. This same technology could also be used to cleanse blood during surgery, to reclaim proteins from the cells of mammals, as well as many uses in gene and cell therapies. This groundbreaking AWS technology will have innumerable potential uses in the future.
March 15, 2016
Several recent advances in technology will attack the ever looming threat of cancer. One such advance was made by Amy Rowat who developed an innovative parallel microfiltration technology (PMF). Rowat believes PMF will make dangerous cancer cells harder, less threatening, and less resistant to drugs. Another outstanding technology worthy of mention came from University of Michigan. Mechanical engineer David Blaauw's miniscule electronic biosensors were implanted into cancerous tumors. Blaauw believes they will help to determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy being administered. In turn, caregivers will have a better gauge for any additional treatment that may be needed for positive results. Another University of Michigan engineer, Nicholas Kotov, developed a breakthrough nanomaterial that will be used in screening cancer cells with the unique light it produces.
February 11, 2016
From Stanford University, mechanical engineer, Liz Comenencia Ortiz developed robotic technology using magnetized micro-catheters in the brain. These glean information that will help to treat a variety of brain diseases. Her cutting edge technology should give light to the answers the medical field is seeking for dementia, Alzheimer's, brain tumors, and more.
December 14, 2015
From the University of Michigan, Jessy Grizzle, a robotics engineer, specializes in bipedal robots. Recent devastating earthquakes around the world with thousands of missing people are a cruel reminder that Grizzle is on the right track in utilizing his robots for search and rescue in dangerous environmental situations. The algorithms he and his team are creating focus on controlling the balance, and maneuvering these walking robots. Current robotic technology falls short in giving robots the ability to navigate over and around debris and uneven surfaces. Grizzle seeks to conquer these obstacles through his amazing breakthrough with MABEL who can run 6.8 miles per hour with incredible balance. MABEL can also freely step over, off, and around obstacles with ease while switching gaits from walking to running. Next on the agenda will be designs to transfer abilities from one robot to another using an army of robots to perform tasks.
October 21, 2015
Engineer Michael Escuti developed a uniquely designed direct write laser scanner (DWLS) that can print 4-D. This printer prints light, not ink, in four dimensions. The DWLS can print like a typical printer both horizontally and vertically and can create geometric phase holograms. These will also allow them to build advanced coronagraphs or telescopes to see the stars and other wonders beyond our galaxy. Besides astronomy, the DWLS can use its holographic technology for everything from cameras to satellites.
Want to Be a Mechanical Engineering Tech?
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got accepting to start my mechanical engineering class for ECPI . gotta go Tuesday
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