mechanical engineering Archives
Class of 2018: Elizabeth Lee explores identity through an original web comic
Apr. 18, 2018—Elizabeth Lee identifies as many things. She’s a mechanical engineering major, a proud Asian American, and a woman working in the STEM fields. To give a clearer voice to these identities, Lee created a web comic called “Existing Quietly, Living Loudly.”
Rocket team’s novel two-part design addresses NASA challenge; launch is April 7
Mar. 29, 2018—Engineering students in the Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Laboratory will demonstrate their solution to a common rocket dilemma at the 2018 NASA Student Launch Competition on April 7.
Design competition aims to assist laryngectomy patients
Mar. 29, 2018—The first annual LaryHacks, a competition to design innovative devices, apps or methods to assist laryngectomy patients who have had their voice boxes removed, has been set for Thursday, April 12, 5 to 8 p.m., in the Wond’ry, 2414 Highland Ave. in the Vanderbilt University Engineering and Science building.
‘Smart cane’ could one day help flag gait problems, falling risks more quickly
Feb. 12, 2018—Falling is no joke when you're a senior citizen or have other balance issues. Vanderbilt engineers are working on a 'smart cane' that could help physical therapists spot and treat problems sooner.
The 20 most popular research stories of 2017
Dec. 15, 2017—New clues to Alzheimer's disease, helping kids deal with stress, understanding why our universe is three-dimensional and—of course—electric eels all appear in this year's look back on the research stories that were visited the most frequently on Vanderbilt's website in 2017.
Hyperlens crystal capable of viewing living cells in unprecedented detail
Dec. 11, 2017—A fundamental advance in the quality of an optical material used to make hyperlenses makes it possible to see features on the surface of living cells in greater detail than ever before.
Meet Vanderbilt’s first Academic Pathways fellows
Oct. 27, 2017—Seven outstanding Ph.D.’s with diverse backgrounds and experiences have come to Vanderbilt to pursue postdoctoral training with an eye toward academic careers.
Team to develop steerable robotic needle for biopsies
Oct. 26, 2017—Collaboration between a mechanical engineer at Vanderbilt University and a pulmonologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has resulted in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant that will be used to develop a steerable robotic needle to safely biopsy hard-to-reach lung nodules.
Smart underwear prevents back stress with just a tap
Aug. 1, 2017—"Performance-boosting super suit" hidden under clothing can be activated by a double tap to save users' backs.
Ultrathin device harvests electricity from human motion
Jul. 21, 2017—A new energy harvesting system developed at Vanderbilt University can generate electrical current from the full range of human motions and is thin enough to embed in clothing.
Retired mechanical engineering professor, sailing team coach remembered for patience with students
Jun. 28, 2017—Johnny Hall Dunlap, a Vanderbilt University alumnus and professor emeritus of mechanical engineering known for his devotion to students, died June 17 in Nashville. He was 85.
Cotton candy capillaries lead to circuit boards that dissolve when cooled
Jun. 26, 2017—Leon Bellan made a dissolving circuit board that, so far, just turns on an LED light. Its potential applications are far more promising.