Study demonstrates ‘cavatappi’ artificial muscles, based on shape of Italian pasta, exhibit specific work and power metrics ten and five times higher than human skeletal muscles, respectively, and up to 45 percent efficiency
NAU mechanical engineer Michael Shafer and graduate student Diego Higueras-Ruiz conducting a visual inspection of their… Read more
Many faculty researchers at Northern Arizona University invent new technologies that are granted patents—in fiscal year 2020 alone, NAU inventors were issued 19 patents, filed 41 new patent applications and submitted 43 new invention disclosures. Because of the effort and investment involved, however, not many researchers have the resources needed to commercialize… Read more
As part of a five-year research agreement, the Phoenix-based Salt River Project (SRP) is funding several Northern Arizona University projects in 2020-2021 that look into forest health and restoration, renewable energy sources and increasing diversity in STEM fields. These projects build on several studies SRP was already funding.
This five-year partnership, which funds research focusing on applied research activities related to SRP’s core businesses of power and water, is… Read more
Not convinced yet that keeping your distance and wearing a mask is worth the trouble? Perhaps scientific evidence to the contrary will help.
Amir Arzani, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is director of the Cardiovascular Biomechanics Lab, which studies the mechanisms behind initiation and progression of different cardiovascular diseases, developing computational models that… Read more
Tim Becker, an associate professor of practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at… Read more
Biologists and ecologists monitor wildlife to learn more about their behaviors, but tracking small creatures can be challenging, time-consuming and costly. Through a National Science Foundation grant, a multidisciplinary team at Northern Arizona University—led by Michael Shafer, associate professor of mechanical engineering; Carol Chambers, professor of wildlife ecology; and Paul Flikkema, professor of electrical engineering—has developed technology… Read more