Material Fabrication

Faster Microfiber Actuators Mimic Human Muscle

IEEE Spectrum: Robotics, prosthetics, and other engineering applications routinely use actuators that imitate the contraction of animal muscles. However, the speed and efficiency of natural muscle fibers is a demanding benchmark. Despite new developments in actuation technologies, for the most past…

Kirigami offers simple approach to building complex 3D structures

Materials Today: A new approach to producing metamaterials draws on kirigami techniques to make three-dimensional, reconfigurable building blocks that can be used to create complex, dynamic structures. Because this design approach is modular, these structures are both easy to assemble and…

The Next Big Challenge for Lunar Astronauts? Moon Dust

Wired: NASA is trying out sonic waves, electrostatic devices, and extra-slick coatings as ways to repel pesky space dirt.As NASA and private space companies prepare to send equipment—and eventually astronauts—back to the moon, they are facing a nearly invisible threat…

MicroLEDs Moving From Lab to Fab

Semiconductor Engineering: Every disruptive technology has its “aha” moment — the time when everyone from engineers to investors realizes that, yes, this technology is the real deal and it won’t be scrapped on the R&D floor. For many, it was Samsung’s recent announcement of a 110-inch microLED TV that irrevocably…