Posted on June 7th, 2011 by jxh
An artist’s rendering of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft touching asteroid RQ36
When the Earth was young, asteroids bombarded the planet and possibly deposited compounds that later formed the first molecules of life.
In an attempt to learn more about the formation of the solar system and the origins of life, NASA is preparing a billion-dollar mission that will send a probe to collect dust from the surface of a nearby asteroid.
Read More
Filed under: Aerospace, e-News | 1 Comment »
Tags: Aerospace
Posted on June 2nd, 2011 by axb
Every once in a while, an engineer comes along whose work combines different disciplines in a way that is both fascinating and inspiring. Natalie Jeremijenko is one such engineer. A modern-day Renaissance woman, Jeremijenko challenges traditional approaches to problem solving with such initiatives as zip-lines to speed kids to school or The Environmental Health Clinic, where “im-patients” come in with environmental health concerns and leave with creative prescriptions to help solve these issues:
Read More
Filed under: Biomedical, e-News, Environmental, Mechanical, Trailblazers | 1 Comment »
Tags: Art, Biomedical, Environmental, Mechanical, Trailblazers
Posted on May 31st, 2011 by axb
Planning a road trip this summer? Whether en route to a beach, lake, or national park, there are plenty of engineering landmarks to admire along the way — including the interstate highway system along which most travelers must pass. Here are some designated engineering destinations worth braking for:
Hoover Dam: More than a million visitors a year tour this National Landmark (pictured at the top) that towers 725 above the Colorado River 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, NV. Read ASEE’s Prism magazine columnist Henry Petroski on the dam’s 75th anniversary.
Read More
Filed under: Architectural, Civil, e-News, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Transportation | 1 Comment »
Tags: Architectural, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Transportation
Posted on May 27th, 2011 by jxh
People in the United States consume 400 million cups of coffee per day, and many often face the dilemma of either scalding one’s mouth with coffee that is too hot or waiting… and waiting… for it to cool to proper temperature.
In order to keep coffee at a perfect 140 degrees Fahrenheit, two 20-something mechanical engineers who were childhood friends have designed bean-shaped steel shells called Coffee Joulies that cool down coffee and keep it at a warm, drinkable temperature for up to five hours.
Read More
Filed under: Chemical, e-News, Materials | 3 Comments »
Tags: Chemical, Materials
Posted on May 22nd, 2011 by jxh
Despite how annoying dandelions may be for homeowners who take pride in their lawns, the weed’s roots have shown potential in making a new, green source of rubber.
Ford and Ohio State researchers are using the milky-white goo that seeps from dandelion roots to make a type of rubber that could be used in the plastics of cup holders, floor mats, and interior trim of cars.
Read More
Filed under: Agricultural, e-News, Environmental, Materials | 1 Comment »
Tags: Agricultural, Environmental, Materials
