A group of researchers at MIT cooperated with partners at NASA to develop a new concept for a microscope which relies on particles to create high-resolution images. The fact they decided to use neutrons instead electrons allows the neutron-based microscope to probe inside metal objects — such as fuel cells, batteries, and engines, even when… »
University of Washington researchers and scientists at MSNW, a Redmond-based space-propulsion company, are building components of a fusion-powered rocket that could accelerate interplanetary traveling. The researchers claim that once perfected, fusion-powered rockets could enable 30- and 90-day expeditions to Mars. That could lead to significantly lower traveling time, costs, as well as crew’s health risks…. »
NASA decided to make a diversion from designing and operating robots full of scientific gear used to study other worlds, and came up with Regolith Advanced Surface Systems Operations Robot (RASSOR) – a prototype of a robot which is developed for mining in outer space. At the moment, is far from being space-ready, but the… »
Ever since we published the article about the lightest microlatice structure last year, I wanted to cover another interesting and light material which was created back in 1930s, and perfected in last 30 years. Aerogels (also known as solid smoke) are currently the world’s lightest solid material with astonishing insulating properties that could find their… »
During the GM and NASA collaboration Robonaut 2 (R2) development, they had to engineer a dexterous hand that could use tools built for humans. That development served as groundwork for Human Grasp Assist device – a robotic glove that can be used to lower the fatigue in hand muscles after long use of tools, and… »
With support from the Department of Defense and NASA, MIT undergraduates built five volleyball-sized free-flying satellites, and three of those have been on the International Space Station since 2006 to test a set of well-defined instructions for spacecraft performing autonomous rendezvous and docking maneuvers. Recently, the satellite got an upgrade that enables its remote operation… »
Researchers from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are cooperating in order to develop a technology that could be used as the first nuclear power plant for production of electricity on potential future extraterrestrial bases. Although far different from the familiar terrestrial nuclear power stations, they are… »
A scientific method developed by researchers at NASA’s Glenn Research Center uses atomic oxygen to save and restore works of art that would have been irreparably damaged. It can also completely sterilize surgical implants intended for human bodies, improve glucose monitoring devices for diabetic patients, and texture the surfaces of polymers to invite bone cell… »
