3-D printing, or rapid prototyping, makes use of additive manufacturing to produce a 3-D object. Additive manufacturing is the transformation of a virtual design into a physical object by creating suc...
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Many commonly used machines require moving and stationary parts to generate electricity. Conventional rotating electrical machines utilize magnetic fields and/or a change in inductance between moving ...
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The finite nature of fossil fuels along with rising oil prices has prompted a need for alternative fuel sources. One alternative involves the conversion of biomass materials into biofuel. But current ...
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Diesel engines, also known as compression ignition engines, are among the most energy-efficient engines available, with high power output per fuel consumption. Unfortunately, they are also among the �...
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A carburetor is used to generate the air/fuel mixture in engines by drawing air through a venturi during the intake stroke of an engine. The influx of air lowers the pressure, drawing fuel from a smal...
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Electromagnetic radiation may be generated by the acceleration or deceleration of charged particles such as electrons. Synchrotron radiation occurs when the trajectory of high-speed electrons is curve...
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Existing power machines provide the ability to capture power from a mechanically rotating source, such as a wind turbine. One example of such power machines is the synchronous motor, which contains a ...
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Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) provide torque through the interaction of a magnetic field generated by one or more armature coils and one or more permanent magnetic elements. These motors ...
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Diodes are two-terminal electrical devices that only allow electrical current to flow in one direction. Diodes are used often in electrical circuits to extract a direct current from an alternating cur...
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Robotic systems have many industrial and research applications, such as in the automotive industry.  These robotic systems generally require six degrees of freedom (DOF), which can be broken up into ...
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Over the past decade, polymer composites have emerged as a new class of high performance materials with unique and desirable material properties such as strength, weight and rigidity. These composites...
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As electronic gadgets continue to get smaller, tiny metal silicide nanowires may one day be used as fundamental building blocks in devices from cell phones to lasers.  Metal silicides already are int...
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Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) have been used to create mechanical resonators for switching, filtering and other purposes in electrical systems. NEMS/ME...
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Concrete normally is a brittle material until reinforcement bars, or rebar, are incorporated to create a stronger and more flexible material referred to as “reinforced concrete.”  Many concrete s...
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Silicon-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) work well for optical- and physical-sensing applications, and can be fabricated very precisely by using standard integrated circuit technology. Howe...
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A continuing need exists for compact, efficient, inexpensive electrical machines with high torque capability over a large speed range and the ability to control machine speed. This need is particularl...
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Embedding sensors into a mass of material allows them to assess the material in a way that is not often possible with surface-mounted sensors. In addition, it is frequently necessary to embed sensors ...
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Internal combustion engines are a major contributor to atmospheric pollution, emitting carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.  Federally mandated emission regulations effective in 2010 are...
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Thermoelectric materials can turn heat into electrical power or remove heat by applying a voltage. They are used in many applications, ranging from a simple, electrically cooled ice chest, to high-tec...
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Sensors currently used for detecting the presence of a given analyte, such as a toxin, in solution or in air require direct contact with a power supply. Distributed sensing systems or “sensor networ...
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Distributed energy resources (DER), which include small-scale, distributed power generators, energy storage devices and renewable sources of energy, are frequently located near the consumer’s “loa...
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Wind-powered generators are an increasing source of power for many countries. However, before their use can become widespread, they must be able to work effectively with the existing utility grid. Vol...
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Distributed energy resources (DER), the combination of distributed power generators, energy storage devices and renewable sources of energy, are frequently located at customer sites where the energy r...
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Conventional integrated circuits, such as complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuits, allow large numbers of transistors to be combined into electronic gates. These gates control the flow...
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Micro-end mills are tools with tips just 10 to 500 micrometers in diameter. As part of emerging micro- and meso-scale machine tool systems, they are used for high-precision machining of miniature part...
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