Civil, Mechanical, & Industrial

Latest Innovations
Micro Pinch Valve for Soft Robotics Dr. Zhang has developed a flow regulator that is light and small enough to be built into every actuator. The micro pinch value specifically controls the cross-section area... Read More Dr. Zhang has developed a flow regulator that is light and small enough to be built into every actuator. The micro pinch value specifically controls the cross-section area of the flow channel according to the voltage applied to it. The flow regulator reduces the number of tubes typically needed for fluid-driven soft robots and reduces need for sealing components. It also simplifies design to actuator pressure supply, resolving the scalability problem of fluid powered robots. The embeddable component facilitates onboard control and modularity to enable soft robots to have many degrees of freedom of motion. Increased degrees of freedom of motion equips soft robots the capability to preform complex tasks. Applications Primary uses for soft robotics are within medicine and agriculture. Benefits of using the flow regulator include augmented capabilities of agricultural robots to enhance safe co-working among human labor and increased efficiencies of careful handling of soft crops. Rendering of the micro pinch valve Onboard controls for the micro pinch valve Modularity enabling many degrees of freedom
360 Degree Attitude Control of Satellites 360 degree attitude control of satellites is an aerospace technology that allows satellites and spacecraft to achieve arbitrarily large (360°+) rotations in a low- and no-... Read More 360 degree attitude control of satellites is an aerospace technology that allows satellites and spacecraft to achieve arbitrarily large (360°+) rotations in a low- and no-atmosphere environment. This hardware technology achieves attitude adjustment without the use of a consumable propellant or constantly spinning flywheels. Use of propellant exacerbates jitter interferes with satellite function, while spinning flywheels requires failure-prone sliding contacts. The invention instead features variable-length appendages that utilize transverse oscillations and moment of inertia adjustments to achieve both fine and arbitrarily large rotations. By lengthening the appendage for an “up-stroke” and shortening it for the “down-stroke,” an angular momentum differential is created to allow the satellite or spacecraft to return to its original position/state, but reoriented in a different direction (with respect to a static “space” frame of reference). Repeating the “strokes” allows for arbitrarily large net rotations. The technology was presented at the ASME Conference in September 2019. Application 360 degree attitude control is applicable to spacecraft and satellite manufacturers that serve primarily consumer industries such as TV, radio, broadband, mobile, and earth observation services. Prototype model of 360 Degree Attitude Control of Satellites This rotational mechanism for attitude control is repeated as many times as necessary to achieve the desired orientation.
Self-Compacting Geopolymer Concretes This geopolymer was developed through a collaboration between Professor Waltraud Kriven at the University of Illinois and the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory... Read More This geopolymer was developed through a collaboration between Professor Waltraud Kriven at the University of Illinois and the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (an entity of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). The concrete alternative is made from a geopolymer-based flowable binder, the supplementary cementitious materials fly ash and blast-furnace slag, alkali metal silicate, and added water. Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion, while slag is a byproduct of steel manufacturing. Repurposing fly ash and slag, which are considered raw waste materials, reduce emissions of CO2 by reducing the proportion of clinker produced in the Portland cement manufacturing process. Use of fly ash and blast-furnace slag in this concrete alternative is environmentally friendly and enhances the performance of key concrete properties including strength, set time, and workability. The geopolymer concrete mixture is ideal for applications requiring a short set time and high strength development, including roadway repair and general construction within warmer climates. This invention is patent pending (application number 16/255,131). The flowable geopolymer binder may be deployed and mixed in a drum for increased flexibility in a range of applications. The flowable mortar is distributed over a bed of coarse aggregate, curing rapidly to create a stronger, more environmentally-friendly concrete alternative.
Software for Analysis of ASTM C457 Air Void Parameters Dr. Lange from the University of IL has developed a deep learning algorithm that can analyze scanned images of concrete samples in order to determine traverse lengths in... Read More Dr. Lange from the University of IL has developed a deep learning algorithm that can analyze scanned images of concrete samples in order to determine traverse lengths in the aggregate, paste, and void contents on the polished surface of a concrete sample This approach ensures the freeze-thaw parameters of concrete meet the required ASTM C457 standards. Benefit This method allows one to perform an ASTM C457 analysis in a quick and cost proficient manner. Applications Manufacturing, construction, highways/roads
Precast Prestressing Plate (PPP) for Local Repairs of Civil Structures Dr. Andrawes at the University of Illinois has developed a unique method for localized concrete repair and strengthening. A precast plate of concrete or mortar, which... Read More Dr. Andrawes at the University of Illinois has developed a unique method for localized concrete repair and strengthening. A precast plate of concrete or mortar, which contains a curved, self-anchored SMA wire, can be attached to an area of concrete in need of repair. Upon heating or passing electric current through the exposed ends of SMA wire, the restrained wire induces compressive force in the center of the plate. Since the SMA wire is self-anchored, there is no need for an external anchorage system. Additionally, since the prestressing is activated by the application of heat or electricity, there is no need for hydraulic jacking. These characteristics make this technology a flexible, and cost-saving method for localized structural repairs. Primary application: Precast/prestressed concrete products
Energy efficient intelligent structure for attitude control of satellite James Allison and researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a technology that provides fine pointing and large slew attitude control for... Read More James Allison and researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a technology that provides fine pointing and large slew attitude control for satellites and spacecraft with a power electronics driver circuit that improves the power efficiency of the system by at least one order of magnitude. The invention features a dedicated compliant actuator on a vehicle to produce the torques to achieve arbitrarily large rotations around all axis without the jitter limitation of other attitude control system. Primary application: accurate and precise attitude control for satellites/spacecraft Related Technology: 360 Degree Attitude Control of Satellites
Strategy for Rotary Wing Design for Blade-Vortex Interaction Noise Reduction Researchers have developed a novel design strategy that mitigates the formation of vortices across the rotor near-wake region. The unique design aims to reduce thrust... Read More Researchers have developed a novel design strategy that mitigates the formation of vortices across the rotor near-wake region. The unique design aims to reduce thrust distribution across the tip region in order to mitigate the formation of energetic, coherent vortices at the blade tip. The invention features a unique geometrical rotary wing design that creates zero vortices at the wingtip allowing noise reduction generated by blade-vortex interactions. This invention could be used for lifting rotors or propellers on standard helicopter flight vehicles, other vertical lift aircraft, and turbines with minimal effect in total rotor efficiency.
A Low-Cost Multi-Camera Star Tracker for Small Satellites Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed an accurate, low-cost star tracker system for deployment in small satellites. The system combines multiple low-... Read More Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed an accurate, low-cost star tracker system for deployment in small satellites. The system combines multiple low-cost image sensors with proprietary software to achieve superior performance from a simple, lightweight star tracking solution. With its easy implementation and component costs at just hundreds of dollars, this device can dramatically increase the accessibility of quality attitude determination for CubeSat, NanoSat, and other missions. The star tracker may also be adapted as a positioning system for select terrestrial vehicles that would benefit from greater security and reliability than conventional GPS. Benefit A cheaper, and more compact method to make star trackers for satellites. Easier to make than current methods which makes the tracker more broadly applicable for different satellites. Market Application Best used for CubeSats which have difficulties determining their orientation
Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting Device An energy harvester and displacement transfer system that converts mechanical energy from vehicles passing over system to electrical energy, using a rack-and-pinion... Read More An energy harvester and displacement transfer system that converts mechanical energy from vehicles passing over system to electrical energy, using a rack-and-pinion mechanism and displacement plate. The system harnesses energy at highway speeds. The size of the system is relatively small to ensure its embedment within 4 inches (two asphalt lifts). Hence, it can be integrated in a pavement with minimal modifications. Benefits Allows energy harvesting from high-speed driving Minimizes the necessary construction and modification to the existing pavement Market Application Energy production to power roadside infrastructure Highway/road construction