Mechanical Engineering

New discovery shows how molecules can mute heat like music

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:37:50 +0000

New discovery shows how molecules can mute heat like music Alexander Jame… Tue, 05/06/2025 - 09:37

Assistant Professor Longji Cui and his team in the Cui Research Group have developed a new technique that allows them to measure phonon interference inside of a tiny molecule. They believe one day, this discovery can revolutionize how heat dissipation is managed in future electronics and materials.

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Engineer nabs prestigious grants to design insect-inspired, shapeshifting robots

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 21:52:07 +0000

Engineer nabs prestigious grants to design insect-inspired, shapeshifting robots Alexander Jame… Wed, 04/30/2025 - 15:52

Assistant Professor Kaushik Jayaram of the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering is the recipient of a $650,000 CAREER award from the U.S. National Science Foundation. The funding will help Jayaram make advancements in robots by drawing from what might seem to be an unlikely source: insects and other small creatures.

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Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by ��ͯ��Ů Engineering students

Michelle Wiese — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:45:18 +0000

Engineering Projects Expo 2025: Explore new inventions and technologies created by ��ͯ��Ů Engineering students Michelle Wiese Mon, 04/21/2025 - 09:45

On Friday, April 25 at the University of ��ͯ��Ů Boulder, engineering students will present their capstone design projects at the annual Engineering Projects Expo. This year's event will feature projects from mechanical engineering; computer science; electrical, computer and energy engineering; biomedical engineering; and civil, environmental and architectural engineering.

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PhD alum spent 45 days isolated in space. Well, kind of

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 20:35:17 +0000

PhD alum spent 45 days isolated in space. Well, kind of Alexander Jame… Wed, 04/02/2025 - 14:35

Robert Wilson (PhDMechEngr'20) spent 45 days locked inside NASA’s HERA facility, a high-tech simulation designed to test the limits of human endurance in deep space. His mission could help shape the future of space exploration—and life back on Earth.

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Xiao earns prestigious membership in the National Academy of Inventors

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:03:49 +0000

Xiao earns prestigious membership in the National Academy of Inventors Alexander Jame… Fri, 03/14/2025 - 11:03

Associate Professor Jianliang Xiao is a “mechanics of materials” expert launching innovations in soft materials and flexible electronics who has been selected as a senior member in the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The program recognizes rising innovators who have had success securing patents, licensing and commercialization for developed technologies that showcase real impact on the welfare of society.

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Diamond in the rough: Research could help better detect, target cancer cells

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:57:05 +0000

Diamond in the rough: Research could help better detect, target cancer cells Alexander Jame… Fri, 02/14/2025 - 09:57

Associate Professor Xiaoyun Ding and his team in the Biomedical Microfluidics Laboratory (BMMLab) stumbled across an interesting anomaly during a cell sensing project that used different forms of acoustic waves to measure cell mechanics. The group discovered a new wave mode never seen before that can unlock a new level of cell manipulation capabilities.

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Rentschler, Aspero Medical awarded $4.5M for endoscopy advancement

Alexander James Servantez — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 21:43:46 +0000

Rentschler, Aspero Medical awarded $4.5M for endoscopy advancement Alexander Jame… Tue, 02/11/2025 - 14:43

With the help of a $4.5 million award through the Anschutz Acceleration Initiative, they are working to bring two new products to the market that will transform procedures in the small bowel region.

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Tiny compasses could improve navigation, brain imaging and more

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 17:26:46 +0000

Tiny compasses could improve navigation, brain imaging and more Alexander Jame… Fri, 02/07/2025 - 10:26

Associate Research Professor Svenja Knappe is apart of a team of physicists and engineers studying quantum technology. In a novel study, the group has discovered a new way to measure the orientation of magnetic fields using atoms. Their findings could one day lead to the creation of new quantum sensors that can map the activity of the human brain or even help airplanes navigate the globe.

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5 ��ͯ��Ů Boulder startups to watch in 2025

Michelle Wiese — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 17:12:41 +0000

5 ��ͯ��Ů Boulder startups to watch in 2025 Michelle Wiese Mon, 02/03/2025 - 10:12

From July 2023 to June 2024, ��ͯ��Ů Boulder helped to launch 35 new companies based on research at the university. The new businesses are embracing technologies from the worlds of healthcare, agriculture, clean energy and more. Here’s a look at how engineers and scientists, with the help of the university’s commercialization arm Venture Partners, seek to use discoveries from the lab to make a difference in peoples’ lives.

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Pioneering sodium-ion batteries: a sustainable energy alternative

Charles Ferrer — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:12:55 +0000

Pioneering sodium-ion batteries: a sustainable energy alternative Charles Ferrer Mon, 11/11/2024 - 10:12

Charles Ferrer

Kangmin working in the battery glovebox under the direction of Dr. Ban.

��ͯ��Ů Boulder researchers are exploring the use of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-based energy storage.

While sodium is abundant and could help address supply chain issues linked to lithium scarcity, current sodium-ion batteries have not performed as well as lithium-ion batteries due to their lower energy density and shorter lifespans.

To tackle these challenges, Chunmei Ban, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, and her research team are developing new electrolytes and studying how they interact with battery electrodes to enhance performance and longevity.

Funded by the ��ͯ��Ů Office of Economic Development and International Trade, this work aims to improve the overall effectiveness of sodium-ion batteries making them a more viable energy storage option.

Ban notes that sodium, widely distributed in the Earth’s crust, is an appealing candidate for large-scale energy storage solutions and is an emerging market in the United States.

“The sodium-ion battery market provides significant opportunities for new companies and a pathway to domestic manufacturing dominance,” said Ban. “Sodium may offer a potential remedy to concerns over resource scarcity with lithium-ion batteries.”

Researching battery alternatives

Kangmin Kim, a fourth-year chemical engineering student and BOLD Scholar, participated in the research project through ��ͯ��Ů SPUR gaining hands-on experience in hopes to further his research interest in battery technologies for graduate school.

“Lithium battery technology is reaching a point where improvements are becoming more incremental than transformative,” said Kim, “so we need alternative renewable technologies that we can rely on.”

Kangmin completes a summer research experience on sodium-ion batteries.

He believes improved battery technology is essential for advancing society and fostering a more sustainable energy future.

“We will need these improved battery technologies for everything from electric vehicles to drones and cell phones,” he said.

Through Kim’s research experience, he developed battery fabrication skills and learned the importance of precision and attention to detail in creating high-quality batteries.

“The lab work was actually quite similar to cooking, which is an activity I love to do,” said Kim. “Knowing what ingredients we need, what precautions must be taken, what tools and techniques are used are just like working in the lab.”

In mentoring students like Kim, Ban highlights how fulfilling it is to work with students who demonstrate a strong passion for science and technology and eagerness to learn.

“It has been a rewarding experience to witness undergraduate students like Kangmin grow their research and scientific skills in helping to solve some of our major global challenges.”

��ͯ��Ů Boulder researchers are exploring the use of sodium-ion batteries as an alternative to lithium-based energy storage.

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