A research team from the mechanical engineering department at Polytechnique Montréal has designed a new parachute concept inspired by kirigami, the Japanese art of paper folding and cutting. Possible applications range from new ways for humanitarian missions to deliver food, water and medicine to space exploration. Frédérick Gosselin (pictured above, at left) , a professor … [Read more...] about Engineers develop radical new parachute design based on kirigami
Technology
NASA selects Proteus Space for novel rapid spacecraft conceptual design study
Proteus Space, a leading innovator in rapid satellite design, digital modelling, assembly, integration and test, flight and operations solutions, has been selected by NASA for a ground-breaking rapid spacecraft conceptual design study. The 45-day effort will encompass systems engineering, bus and subsystem analysis, mechanical and structural design, orbital operations and … [Read more...] about NASA selects Proteus Space for novel rapid spacecraft conceptual design study
First multi-layer, reconfigurable batteries that can bend, adapt and tune their own voltage
For the first time, scientists have fabricated multi-layer, reconfigurable batteries that can bend, adapt and tune their own voltage – offering a potential power source for future wearable devices, sensors and soft robotics. A research team led by Professor Lin Gui at the Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, fabricated the multi-layer flexible … [Read more...] about First multi-layer, reconfigurable batteries that can bend, adapt and tune their own voltage
3D-printed fuel cells may power future aerospace technologies
A team of researchers at Technical University of Denmark (DTU) may have cracked one of the toughest nuts in sustainable energy: how to make fuel cells light and powerful enough for aerospace applications. In an interdisciplinary collaboration between DTU Energy and DTU Construct, the researchers have developed a radical redesign of the so-called solid oxide cells (or SOCs) … [Read more...] about 3D-printed fuel cells may power future aerospace technologies
Georgia Tech team designing robot guide dog to assist the visually impaired
A research team in Georgia Institute of Technology’s School of Interactive Computing is developing a robotic guide dog designed for visually impaired people who can’t afford or care for a service animal. Before launching its prototype, the research team, led by Professor Bruce Walker and Assistant Professor Sehoon Ha, is working to improve its methods and designs based on … [Read more...] about Georgia Tech team designing robot guide dog to assist the visually impaired