Because mechanical engineers are constantly trying to produce safer, cheaper, and more efficient machines and mechanical systems, they are constantly pursuing new avenues of research. Micron-scale mechanical components, made from silicon, glass, and polymers, are being investigated for use in accelerometers. This includes car airbag sensors, gyroscopes for precise positioning, and devices used in biomedical applications.
Composite material research focuses on designing stronger or more rigid materials while attempting to reduce weight, susceptibility to corrosion, and other undesirable factors. An example of new composites designed by mechanical engineers is carbon fiber, which is used in specialized applications such as spacecraft design, but is also becoming more common in everyday objects such as bicycles.
Mechanical engineering research is also focuses on nanotechnology. Using the principles of molecular biology and engineering, researchers are coming up with new nano-scale materials that exhibit novel properties. This includes carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, which have practical applications in display technology, lighting, solar cells, computer chips, and biological imaging.
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