Articles tagged with "engineering"
7 of the world’s most futuristic bridges that redefine engineering
The article highlights seven of the world’s most futuristic bridges that exemplify the fusion of advanced engineering and artistic design, transforming bridges from mere functional structures into iconic symbols of innovation. It begins by outlining the main types of modern bridges—suspension, cable-stayed, arch, beam, truss, cantilever, and movable—each with distinct structural principles and examples like the Golden Gate Bridge, Øresund Bridge, and Sydney Harbor Bridge. This foundational knowledge sets the stage for appreciating the featured bridges’ engineering marvels. Among the highlighted bridges, the Millau Viaduct in France stands out as a multi-span cable-stayed bridge towering 343 meters above the Tarn Valley, surpassing the Eiffel Tower in height. Designed by Norman Foster and Michel Virlogeux, it incorporates aerodynamic features inspired by aircraft to resist high winds and was constructed using innovative hydraulic techniques over three years at a cost of €394 million. Another example, the Henderson Waves Bridge in Singapore, showcases steel pedestrian bridge design
materialsengineeringbridge-designsuspension-bridgescable-stayed-bridgesarch-bridgesstructural-materialsHumanoid robot Oli performs classical Chinese dance alongside humans
The article highlights a unique cultural and technological fusion in Shenzhen, China, where LimX Dynamics’ humanoid robot Oli performs classical Chinese dance alongside human dancers at prominent cultural sites. The one-minute video showcases Oli moving gracefully with traditional dancers against backdrops such as Shenzhen Bay, Talent Park, and the historic Gankeng Hakka Town, blending centuries-old heritage with cutting-edge robotics. The performance emphasizes Oli’s fluid, ballet-like movements and its ability to harmonize with human performers, symbolizing a seamless integration of art and technology. Oli stands 165 cm tall, weighs 55 kg, and features 31 degrees of freedom, enabling highly natural and precise motions. Its design focuses on agility, modularity, and perception, incorporating advanced sensors—including Intel RealSense depth cameras and a 6-axis IMU—and supporting external sensors like LiDAR for 3D environment mapping and object recognition. The robot’s modular architecture facilitates rapid reconfiguration for research and development, while connectivity options and compatibility with platforms
robothumanoid-robotroboticsdance-performancemotion-controlengineeringShenzhenPhotos: World's first hollow concrete guitar is surprisingly playable
Rob Scallon and Mike from Modustrial Maker have successfully created the world’s first semi-hollow body concrete guitar, modeled after a Gibson ES335. Unlike earlier concrete guitars that were heavy and solid, this instrument features 3/8-inch thick walls and weighs under 20 pounds, making it surprisingly playable. The build showcased exceptional precision, achieving perfect intonation without any post-build adjustments. The guitar’s body was engineered to prevent cracking by using a self-leveling concrete mix with plasticizers, reinforced with glass fiber scrim, PVA fibers, and embedded wood components. CNC-machined and 3D-printed molds ensured accurate neck alignment, while careful wet sanding preserved the integrity of the thin concrete walls. The construction process was challenging due to the quick curing time of concrete and the material’s properties, requiring meticulous machining and finishing. The project cost about $400, including hardware, electronics, and a Schecter neck. The finished guitar functions well as a musical instrument, with no fret
materialsconcreteguitar3D-printingfabricationengineeringcomposite-materials9 strongest materials that help push the limits of engineering
The article highlights nine of the strongest materials that have significantly advanced engineering and industrial applications due to their exceptional hardness, strength, and durability. It explains key measures of material strength, including tensile strength, compressive strength, yield strength, and impact strength, emphasizing that hardness alone does not equate to toughness. These materials range from natural elements to engineered alloys, each playing a crucial role in various demanding environments. Among the materials discussed, boron stands out with a Mohs hardness of 9.5, notable for its brittleness but valuable in glassmaking, nuclear applications, and ceramics. Tungsten carbide, with a hardness between 9.0 and 9.5, is a man-made compound essential for cutting tools, mining equipment, and wear-resistant coatings, prized for its toughness and near-diamond hardness. Chromium, the hardest pure metal at 8.5 on the Mohs scale, is primarily used to enhance corrosion resistance in stainless steel and for decorative chrome plating. Tungsten itself
materialsengineeringhardnesstungsten-carbideboronalloysindustrial-applicationsEngineering the impossible: Conquering the frontier of power tool design
The article highlights the groundbreaking engineering achievements of Nemo Power Tools, a company that revolutionized power tool design by creating professional-grade tools capable of operating underwater at depths up to 50 meters (164 feet). Initiated by a 2010 military request, mechanical engineer Nimo Rotem developed a patented pressurization technology that actively balances internal air pressure with external water pressure, enabling tools to function reliably where traditional waterproofing fails. These tools feature robust die-cast aluminum bodies, rotating seals inspired by boat drive shafts, and dual 18-volt lithium-ion batteries designed to withstand the mechanical stresses and thermal challenges of underwater use. Nemo Power Tools’ rigorous testing protocols ensure 100% sealing integrity and durability, earning trust across military, marine construction, and commercial sectors. Their product line now includes underwater drills, rotary hammers, angle grinders, reciprocating saws, impact drivers, hull cleaners, and high-lumen floodlights. The tools’ reliability was publicly demonstrated on Discovery Channel’s Gold Rush
energymaterialsengineeringunderwater-technologypower-toolslithium-ion-batteriespressure-resistant-designJeddah Tower: The skyscraper taller than three Eiffel Towers
The Jeddah Tower, set to be completed by 2028, aims to become the world’s tallest skyscraper, surpassing Dubai’s Burj Khalifa by approximately 180 meters. Standing over 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) tall—equivalent to stacking three Eiffel Towers plus a 40-story building—it will dominate the Saudi Arabian skyline along the Red Sea. The tower is the centerpiece of the $20 billion Jeddah Economic City project and symbolizes Saudi Arabia’s push toward modernization and economic transformation. Designed by Adrian Smith, who also designed the Burj Khalifa, the tower features a unique Y-shaped, three-petal footprint inspired by desert plant fronds, optimizing aerodynamic efficiency to withstand intense winds at unprecedented heights. Construction faced a significant halt but resumed in January 2025 under new management, with progress reaching the 70th floor by September 2025 and a pace that supports the 2028 completion goal. Engineering the Jeddah Tower involves groundbreaking
materialsconstructionskyscraperengineeringarchitecturestructural-designfoundation-technologySweden's Kiruna Church makes 5 km journey to avoid mining subsidence
Sweden’s Kiruna Church, a 713-tonne wooden architectural treasure built in the early 1900s and once named the country’s most beautiful building, was relocated five kilometers to a new site in August 2025. This extraordinary engineering feat was undertaken to protect the church from subsidence caused by the expansion of the world’s largest iron ore mine beneath the town. The move, led by heavy-lift specialist Mammoet with support from Veidekke and timber experts, involved elevating the church onto steel beams and transporting it on self-propelled modular transporters with precise tilt controls to ensure structural integrity. The relocation took place over two days during optimal Arctic conditions, with thousands of residents and King Carl XVI Gustaf witnessing the event, which locals called “the great church walk.” The church’s move is part of Kiruna’s broader urban transformation, where entire neighborhoods and civic landmarks are being shifted to safer locations due to mining-induced ground instability. This process reflects a balance between
materialsminingengineeringstructural-preservationurban-transformationheavy-liftingconstruction-technologyChinese YouTuber builds mini subway with working train for cats
Chinese YouTuber and engineer Xing Zhilei has created a fully functional miniature subway system designed specifically for his cats. The project, which took four months to complete, features realistic elements such as tunnels, synchronized train and platform doors, a moving train, and a working escalator connecting different levels. Xing overcame significant engineering challenges, particularly synchronizing the doors and building the escalator on a small scale, through persistent testing and adjustments. The final setup includes charming details like a “Cattown Station” and a welcome announcement, making the subway feel like a living, miniature transit system. This subway is part of a larger “mini world” that Xing has been developing over the years for his pets, which includes elaborate structures such as a Cybertruck, spa, supermarket, and theater. His projects combine engineering expertise with creativity and a deep affection for animals, aiming to provide imaginative and functional environments for cats, dogs, and hamsters. Xing’s work not only showcases his technical skills but also reflects
robotengineeringmini-subwayautomationescalatorsynchronizationpet-technologySo you want to be an engineer? Here's where you start
The article "So you want to be an engineer? Here's where you start" serves as an introductory guide to the core engineering disciplines, aimed at helping aspiring engineers navigate the vast and diverse field. It highlights engineering as a dynamic and problem-solving profession with over 40 main disciplines and numerous subfields. The piece focuses on five fundamental engineering disciplines that form the backbone of the profession: mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering (with the remaining two disciplines presumably covered in subsequent parts of the series). Mechanical engineering is described as the broadest and most versatile field, involving the design and development of mechanical systems from small sensors to large machinery, including robotics and medical devices. Electrical engineering centers on electricity, electronics, and electromagnetic systems, with key areas such as power systems, telecommunications, and renewable energy. Civil engineering focuses on designing and maintaining infrastructure like buildings, bridges, transportation systems, and environmental projects. Each discipline is paired with typical job functions, potential employers, and salary ranges in the US, providing practical insights
engineeringmechanical-engineeringelectrical-engineeringroboticsenergy-systemsautomationrenewable-energySemiconductor, EV autonomy testing becomes more efficient with Nigel AI
Emerson has developed Nigel AI Advisor, an AI-powered tool designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of engineering innovations, particularly in complex test and measurement applications across industries such as semiconductors, transportation, and electronics. Integrated into Emerson’s flagship NI LabVIEW and NI TestStand software, Nigel leverages advanced large language models trained specifically on NI software to provide engineers with contextual advice, automation assistance, and detailed recommendations for improving code and test execution. The tool allows users to interact via natural language prompts, delivering precise engineering-format responses like tables and graphs, thereby enabling faster and more informed decision-making while safeguarding user data on a secure cloud platform. Nigel AI Advisor is tailored to test application development, distinguishing it from general-purpose AI assistants by being built on decades of trusted test knowledge and data. It can answer questions about programming and automation concepts, help users develop complex automated sequences, and even modify and execute test runs through interaction with the TestStand API. First unveiled at the NI Connect conference, Nigel represents
robotautomationAIsemiconductortestingengineeringsoftwareInside the $400m global rush to save pharaoh temple from drowning
The article details the extraordinary international effort to save the Abu Simbel temples in Egypt from being submerged by the creation of Lake Nasser following the construction of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. The temples, built by Pharaoh Ramesses II around 1265 BCE, are renowned for their colossal rock-cut statues and precise solar alignment that illuminates the sanctuary twice a year. The dam’s reservoir threatened to flood the entire Nubian valley, including these culturally and historically significant monuments. In response, UNESCO launched the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia in 1960, rallying global support and funding to preserve over twenty endangered sites, with Abu Simbel as the centerpiece challenge. Engineers ultimately decided to dismantle the temples into 1,035 blocks weighing a total of 265,000 tons, then transport and reconstruct them on a new site 65 meters higher and 200 meters inland. This complex operation involved building cofferdams to hold back the rising waters
energyarchaeologycultural-heritage-preservationdam-constructionUNESCOengineeringhydropowerLow-grade clay turned into powerful cement for green construction
materialscementsustainable-constructionenvironmental-impactclayconcreteengineeringPeral's battery factory and Waterkeyn's Atomium still inspire modern tech culture
energybattery-technologyelectric-vehiclesinnovationengineeringhistorical-technologypower-plantsNew human spine-inspired neck could revolutionize humanoid robots
robothumanoid-robotsanimatronicsengineering3D-printinglinear-actuatorsartificial-spineUS scientists make rubber 10x tougher, more resistant to cracking
materialsrubberdurabilitysustainabilitypolymerengineeringresearchSnake and insect-inspired robots team up to do what humans can't
robotinspectionmicrorobotssoft-roboticsautomationengineeringtechnology3x boost: US scientists increase bridge lifespan with corrosion-resistant steel
materialscorrosion-resistantinfrastructurestainless-steelrebarconstructionengineeringNhững robot thay người làm việc tại Trung Quốc
robotautomationtechnologyengineeringroboticsChinaapplicationsRecapping Robotics Summit & Expo 2025
robotroboticsautomationRobotics-SummitengineeringprecisiondesignRobot Talk Episode 113 – Soft robotic hands, with Kaspar Althoefer
roboticssoft-roboticsrobotic-handsKaspar-AlthoefertechnologyengineeringRobohub