mechanical and aerospace engineering
The Next Generation of Greenhouses May Be Power Plants
Researchers from NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill are launching a project to develop next generation greenhouses with built-in solar cells that make use of the entire spectrum of solar light.
Researchers Devise New Tool to Measure Polarization of Light
NC State researchers have developed a new tool for detecting and measuring the polarization of light based on a single spatial sampling of the light, rather than the multiple samples required by previous technologies.
Bioactive Film Improves How Implants Bond With Bone in Animal Study
NC State researchers have developed a technique for coating polymer implants with a bioactive film that significantly increases bonding between the implant and surrounding bone in an animal model.
Engineered for Speed
NC State-trained engineers are an integral part of North Carolina's Speed Month, when NASCAR comes to its native ground for big races at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Drivers and race teams rely on advanced science and the mechanical and aerodynamic engineering principles.
Metal Foam Obliterates Bullets – and That’s Just the Beginning
Composite metal foams are tough enough to turn an armor-piercing bullet into dust on impact. But armor is just the beginning of its potential uses.
Metal Foam Protects From Fire and Heat Twice as Well as Plain Metal
Light-weight composite metal foams (CMFs) are significantly more effective at insulating against high heat than the conventional base metals and alloys that they’re made of, such as steel. The CMF is especially promising for use in storing and transporting nuclear material, hazardous materials, explosives and other heat-sensitive materials, as well as for space exploration.
Engineering Researchers Help NASA Learn More From the Stars
Telescopes created in the Precision Engineering Consortium (PEC) in NC State’s College of Engineering will help NASA scientists gain a better understanding of the process by which dense regions within molecular clouds in interstellar space, referred to as stellar nurseries, collapse to form stars. The region of interest is stars that are 2,500 light years away from the earth – meaning the light reaching the telescope left the star 2,500 years ago.
New Metamaterial Manipulates Sound to Improve Acoustic Imaging
Researchers have developed a metamaterial made of paper and aluminum that can manipulate acoustic waves to more than double the resolution of acoustic imaging, focus acoustic waves, and control the angles at which sound passes through the metamaterial.
Hassan’s Giving Takes Flight
Mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Hassan A. Hassan has spent most of his career at NC State and recently established the Hassan Family Fellowship to provide two-year stipends for master’s candidates and four-year stipends for Ph.D. candidates in the College of Engineering.
Dielectric Film Has Refractive Index Close to Air for Photonics Applications
Researchers have developed a dielectric film that has optical and electrical properties similar to air, but is strong enough to be incorporated into electronic and photonic devices – making them both more efficient and more mechanically stable.