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Mechanical Engineering

All articles tagged with #mechanical engineering

technology2 years ago

Zenith's Original "Clicker" Remote: A Mechanical Marvel

The Zenith Space Command, one of the first wireless television remotes, featured a mechanical design that used sound instead of light or batteries. By pressing a button, a spring-loaded hammer struck an aluminum rod, emitting an ultrasonic frequency that triggered a circuit in the television. This design allowed the remote to work without being pointed directly at the receiver and eliminated the need for batteries. While modern remotes have become more complex, the minimalist aesthetic of the Space Command is making a comeback with the rise of streaming devices.

science-and-technology2 years ago

"Breakthrough: Physicists Create Counting Metamaterial"

Physicists from Leiden University and AMOLF Amsterdam have developed a mechanical metamaterial made of rubber that can count up to ten and remember the order in which it is pressed. The material consists of beams that bend in a specific pattern when pushed, allowing it to perform simple computations. The researchers also discovered that different levels of force can elicit different reactions in the material, creating a lock-like mechanism. This inexpensive and robust metamaterial has potential applications in various fields, such as counting cars on a bridge or creating customizable pedometers. The team plans to explore more complex structures for advanced information processing.

technology2 years ago

Lego Chevy 454 V8 Runs on 8-Bit Hardware.

Evan Koblentz built a life-size replica of the Chevy 454 big block V8 engine using only Lego parts from the 1970s and 1980s. The build weighs about 40 pounds and stands 4 feet long with its transmission attached. It's complete with crankshaft, pistons, pushrods, camshafts, and sixteen valves. Koblentz sourced a functioning Lego Control Center kit from the 8-bit era, complete with its interface card for the Apple II home computer, to run the engine with a pair of Lego Interface A controllers that operate the build's 4.5-volt motors. The engine was nominated for the Best Mechanical category at Brickworld Chicago in 2022 and won the award this year after Koblentz added a working four-speed transmission.

sports2 years ago

"FAU's 'Mr. March Madness' misses practice for unbelievable reason"

Michael Forrest, the senior guard for Florida Atlantic University, missed most of the Final Four practice due to attending a mechanical engineering class. Forrest, who is the school's all-time leader in three-pointers and the fourth-leading scorer, is a mechanical engineering major and has been dubbed "Mr. FAU." Despite missing practice, Forrest is a big reason FAU is headed to the Final Four and is hoping to win the national championship.

automotive2 years ago

AWD-Converted S550 Ford Mustang GT: The All-American GT-R

Mechanical engineer Tim Roman is converting a 2017 Ford Mustang GT S550 into an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle. Roman has previously converted a Merkur XR4Ti to AWD and put a 5.0-liter turbocharged Ford V8 into the car. The Mustang project is a grind to find all the right parts to get power to the front wheels. Roman has documented the entire process on his YouTube channel. He plans to add twin turbos or a supercharger to the Mustang once the AWD conversion is complete.