#3D application development for engineering

[prototechsolutionsblog]

How 3D CAD Helps Engineers Perform Thermal Analysis for Spacecraft

The extreme conditions of space pose significant challenges for spacecraft design, particularly in thermal management. Spacecraft experience fluctuating temperatures, intense solar radiation, and the vacuum of space, all of which can impact performance. Thermal analysis is a critical step in spacecraft engineering, ensuring that systems remain operational under these harsh conditions. One of the most transformative tools in this process is 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design). By integrating CAD with thermal analysis software, engineers can efficiently simulate, analyze, and optimize spacecraft designs.

The Role of Thermal Analysis in Spacecraft Design

Thermal analysis involves predicting how a spacecraft will behave thermally under various conditions. Engineers use simulations to evaluate heat transfer mechanisms such as conduction, convection (if applicable), and radiation. This process ensures that components stay within their operational temperature limits and identifies the need for heaters, radiators, or insulation layers to maintain thermal balance.

Spacecraft thermal analysis typically includes:

Modeling energy exchange factors: Calculating absorbed energy from orbital sources like the Sun and reflected planetary radiation.

Simulating heat dissipation: Predicting how internal components generate and transfer heat during operation.

Designing control systems: Determining heater power requirements and radiator sizing to regulate temperatures.

How 3D CAD Enhances Thermal Analysis

3D CAD tools revolutionize thermal analysis by enabling engineers to create detailed models of spacecraft geometry. These models serve as the foundation for simulations and allow engineers to visualize complex systems under varying environmental conditions. Here’s how 3D CAD contributes to thermal analysis:

1. Accurate Geometry Representation

Spacecraft designs often involve intricate geometries with multiple subsystems. 3D CAD software allows engineers to create highly detailed models that account for every component's size, shape, and orientation. Tools like NX Space Systems Thermal simplify the modeling of large assemblies without requiring manual geometry conversions. This level of detail ensures accurate predictions during simulations.

2. Integration with Thermal Analysis Software

Modern CAD tools are seamlessly integrated with thermal analysis software such as Thermal Desktop or Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal. These integrations enable engineers to import CAD models directly into simulation environments without losing fidelity. For example:

Thermal Desktop uses AutoCAD-based models to compute radiative exchange factors and orbital heating via Monte Carlo methods.

Simcenter 3D synchronizes CAD data automatically, reducing errors and improving efficiency during iterative design processes.

3. Material Property Assignment

Thermal performance depends heavily on material properties like conductivity, emissivity, and specific heat capacity. CAD-based tools often include databases of thermophysical properties, allowing engineers to assign realistic materials to spacecraft components. This capability ensures that simulations reflect real-world behavior.

4. Visualization and Post-Processing

Engineers can use CAD-integrated tools to visualize temperature distributions across spacecraft surfaces in 3D. Features like contour plots or scatter plots make it easier to identify hotspots or areas requiring additional thermal control measures. Visualization enhances collaboration among teams by presenting complex data in an intuitive format.

Applications of 3D CAD in Spacecraft Thermal Analysis

Orbital Simulations

Orbital mechanics significantly influence a spacecraft's thermal environment due to changing positions relative to the Sun and Earth. Engineers use 3D CAD models to simulate these dynamics and predict temperature fluctuations over time. For instance, NX Space Systems Thermal enables orbital simulations with synchronized geometry updates for evolving designs

Component-Level Analysis

Thermal analysis extends beyond the spacecraft as a whole—it includes evaluating individual subsystems like electronics or propulsion units. Tools like Solaria Thermal specialize in finite element analysis (FEA) for detailed component-level simulations. Engineers can model copper layers in PCBs or heat dissipation from rocket engines using these tools.

Iterative Design Optimization

Thermal analysis is an iterative process involving multiple design revisions. With CAD-integrated software, engineers can quickly update models based on simulation results without starting from scratch. This agility accelerates development timelines while improving accuracy.

Benefits of Using 3D CAD for Thermal Analysis

The integration of 3D CAD with thermal analysis software offers several advantages:

Efficiency: Automated synchronization between CAD models and simulation tools reduces manual effort.

Accuracy: Detailed geometry and material property assignments result in more reliable predictions.

Cost Savings: Virtual testing minimizes the need for expensive physical prototypes.

Collaboration: Intuitive visualizations enhance communication among engineering teams.

Conclusion

In the realm of spacecraft engineering, thermal analysis is indispensable for ensuring mission success under extreme conditions. The integration of 3D CAD tools with advanced simulation software has streamlined this process, enabling engineers to design more robust systems efficiently. From orbital simulations to component-level evaluations, these tools provide unparalleled accuracy and visualization capabilities.

As space exploration continues to push boundaries, the role of 3D CAD design services in thermal analysis will only grow more critical, empowering engineers to tackle increasingly complex challenges with confidence. Whether designing satellites for Earth's orbit or interplanetary missions, leveraging these technologies ensures that every spacecraft is prepared for its journey into the unknown.

[mobileappdevelopments]

Unity is the most popular game engine that allows developers to create a wide range of games. That’s why companies choose to hire Unity developers for their game development. In this blog, we have provided 15 reasons why companies should hire Unity developers. We have also provided a list of skills they need to look for while hiring. To understand Unity game development, let’s first look at the definition and why you should choose Unity over Unreal game engine for game development.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Engineer reinvents ceramics with origami-inspired 3D printing

In a breakthrough that blends ancient design with modern materials science, researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new class of ceramic structures that can bend under pressure—without breaking. Potential applications for this technology range from medical prosthetics to impact-resistant components in aerospace and robotics, where lightweight—but tough—materials are in high demand. Traditionally known for their brittleness, ceramics often shatter under stress, making them difficult to use in high-impact or adaptive applications. But that may soon change as a team of UH researchers, led by Maksud Rahman, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Md Shajedul Hoque Thakur, postdoctoral fellow, has shown that origami-inspired shapes with a soft polymer coating can transform fragile ceramic materials into tough, flexible structures. Their work was recently published in Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials.

Read more.

[mindblowingscience]

In a leap forward for materials science, a multi-institutional team of researchers has developed a pioneering method of 3D printing cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), enabling complex, color-changing responsive materials and paving the way for novel applications like smart textiles and advanced robotics. Using a cutting-edge method known as Coaxial Direct Ink Writing (DIW), the team of engineers and scientists from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), Harvard University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) invented 3D-printed, multi-stable structures capable of changing colors in response to stress, with a goal of combining the unique materials and techniques to help redefine smart materials. The research was published in the journal Advanced Materials.

Continue Reading.

[wanderingmakers]

Watchers and wanderers,

we are now RECRUITING with a brand-new Recruitment Form!

Please read below for more info and access to the forms.

We're looking to greatly boost our team size to handle the scope of the project, so we say it's the best time for applying - even if you've already applied in a previous form.

The form will remain open for an indefinite amount of time, during which we'll view and review applications and recruit new team members periodically.

Check below which team roles we are looking to fill and their respective forms. If you believe you fit more than one role, apply to them all!

Disclaimers:

Pantheon of the Discarded is a non-profit passion project. There is no remuneration involved in the development of this fangame.

The Wandering Makers will not tolerate bigotry, leaking, or any form of disreputable behavior or public unethical activity for team members within the development environment. In order to uphold this, we may perform background checks on applicants' social media presence.

The Wandering Makers reserve the right to utilize your submitted works exclusively for private evaluation, and will not use them in current or future projects nor disclose them to public view. Exceptions will be thoroughly discussed with respective authors, if applied.

CONCEPT DESIGN

Visual art to explore and solidify designs, fundament spritework, and improve upon ideas. We especially welcome 3D models and/or promotional artwork for our accounts, but it's not a requirement.

SPRITEWORK

Static or animated pixel sprites for characters, backgrounds & environments, tilesets, UI, VFX, or what more. We also value 3D models, as well as the ability to reproduce other pixel art styles (namely DELTARUNE's).

WRITING

Lore and narrative details - entails writing and revising scripts and ideas with directors as well as proposing some of your own. We appreciate an understanding of Toby's writing, but WM also values different angles into writing a story.

COMPOSING & MIXING

Assembly of the game's soundtrack and SFX, either mixing songs and/or sounds, or actively helping with them. We value both reproducing Toby's style of composition and blending your own style into the mix.

PROGRAMMING

Construction of the game's code with implementation of scripts, sprites, and songs, as well as assembling cutscenes, attacks, and gameplay features. Pantheon of the Discarded is developed in the Kristal engine with the Lua programming language. We want to install a strong coding foundation for the game, and are open to any and all direct help.

[askagamedev]

Summer 2025 Game Development Student Internship Roundup, Part 2

Internship recruiting season has begun for some large game publishers and developers. This means that a number of internship opportunities for summer 2025 have been posted and will be collecting applicants. Internships are a great way to earn some experience in a professional environment and to get mentorship from those of us in the trenches. If you’re a student and you have an interest in game development as a career, you should absolutely look into these.

This is part 2 of this year's internship roundup. [Click here for part 1].

Associate Development Manager Co-op/Internship - Summer 2025 (Sports FC QV)

Game Product Manager Intern (Summer 2025)

Music Intern

EA Sports FC Franchise Activation Intern

Associate Character Artist Intern

Client Engineer Intern

Visual Effects Co-Op

Associate Environment Artist Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Game Design Intern (Summer 2025)

Game Design Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Concept Art Intern - Summer 2025

UI Artist Intern - Summer 2025 (Apex Legends)

Assistant Development Manager Intern

Global Audit Intern

Creator Partnerships Intern - Summer 2025

Technical Environment Art Intern - Summer 2025 (Apex Legends)

Intern, FC Franchise Activation, UKI

Tech Art Intern - Summer 2025 (Apex Legends)

Software Engineer Intern

UI Artist Intern

Game Designer Intern

FC Franchise Activation Intern

Software Engineer Intern

Product UX/UI Designer

Software Engineer Intern

Enterprise, Experiences FP&A Intern

Game Designer Intern

Software Engineer Intern

Development Manager Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Software Engineer Intern

PhD Software Engineer Intern

Character Artist Intern

2D Artist Intern - Summer 2025

Software Engineer Intern (UI)

Entertainment FP&A Intern

Game Design Co-Op (Summer 2025)

Data Science Intern

Production Manager Intern

Software Engineer Intern

Channel Delivery Intern

FC Pro League Operations Intern

World Artist Intern

Experience Design Co-Op

Media and Lifecycle Planning Intern

Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2025

Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2025

Intern, FC Franchise Activation, North America

Creative Copywriter Intern

Game Design Intern

Social Community Manager Co-Op

Business Intelligence Intern

Software Engineer Intern (F1)

Total Rewards Intern - MBA level

Intern - Office Administration

Digital Communication Assistant – Internship (6 months) february/march 2025 (W/M/NB)

International Events Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

Intern Cinematic Animator

Research Internship (F/M/NB) - Neural Textures for Complex Materials - La Forge

Research Internship (F/M/NB) - Efficient Neural Representation of Large-Scale Environments - La Forge

Research Internship (F/M/NB) – High-Dimensional Inputs for RL agents in Dynamic Video Games Environments - La Forge

Research Internship (F/M/NB) – Crafting NPCs & Bots behaviors with LLM/VLM - La Forge

3D Art Intern

Gameplay Programmer Intern

Intern Game Tester

Etudes Stratégiques Marketing – Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Localization Assistant– Stage (6 mois) Avril 2025 (F/H/NB)

Fraud & Analyst Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Payment & Analyst Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Media Assistant – Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

IT Buyer Assistant - Alternance (12 mois) Mars 2025 (H/F/NB)

Event Coordinator Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

Communication & PR Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

Brand Manager Assistant - MARKETING DAY - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/N/NB)

Manufacturing Planning & Products Development Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

Retail Analyst & Sales Administration Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (H/F/NB)

UI Designer Assistant - Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/M/NB)

Esports Communication Assistant

Machine Learning Engineer Assistant – Stage (6 mois) Janvier/Mars 2025 (F/H/NB)

Social Media Assistant – Stage (6 mois) Janvier 2025 (F/H/NB)

[ptseti]

Valerie Thomas started at NASA in the mid-1960s. From her early days in data analytics to her contributions to image processing systems, Dr Thomas likened it to a rocket, launched into greatness and career success. She is renowned for her patent of the 3D Illusion Transmitter(1980), an invention that revolutionised our interaction with 3D imagery. This groundbreaking technology uses a video recorder to take a picture of a floating image and remains in use and development at NASA. Recent applications of the 3D Illusion Transmitter have been television technology and surgical imaging (SPIE, 2022). While advancing her career, she pursued further education, completing her Master’s in Engineering Administration from George Washington University (1985). A curious mind from a young age, Valerie Thomas shared in an interview with Oprah Daily, how her early interest in electronics and mechanics received little attention from her father and encouraged her to redirect her focus towards sewing and hairdressing. This narrative persisted within the education system, where schools at the time did not accommodate STEM(Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) -related subjects for female students. Despite the odds stacked against her, her passion and curiosity propelled her towards pursuing a physics course at Morgan University, where she was one of only two female students in her class. Text via: Chocolate Tribe / LinkedIn

[kingme1002]

RADICAL LIFE EXTENSION:

### Key Areas of Research and Approaches:

1. **Genetic Engineering**:

- **CRISPR and Gene Editing**: Technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 allow scientists to modify genes associated with aging and age-related diseases. By editing or repairing genes, it may be possible to slow down or reverse aging processes.

- **Telomere Extension**: Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with age. Research is exploring ways to extend or maintain telomere length to delay cellular aging.

2. **Senescence and Cellular Repair**:

- **Senolytics**: These are drugs designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells, which accumulate with age and contribute to tissue dysfunction and chronic diseases. Removing these cells can improve health and extend lifespan.

- **Stem Cell Therapy**: Stem cells have the potential to regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Research is ongoing to harness stem cells for repairing age-related damage and restoring function.

3. **Metabolic and Dietary Interventions**:

- **Caloric Restriction**: Studies have shown that reducing calorie intake without malnutrition can extend lifespan in various organisms. Researchers are investigating the mechanisms behind this and developing drugs that mimic the effects of caloric restriction.

- **Rapamycin and mTOR Inhibition**: Rapamycin, a drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway, has been shown to extend lifespan in animal models. It is being studied for its potential to delay aging in humans.

4. **Regenerative Medicine**:

- **Tissue Engineering**: Creating replacement tissues and organs using bioengineering techniques can address age-related degeneration and organ failure.

- **3D Bioprinting**: This technology allows for the creation of complex tissues and organs layer by layer, potentially providing replacements for damaged or aging body parts.

5. **Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology**:

- **AI in Drug Discovery**: AI is being used to accelerate the discovery of new drugs and therapies for aging-related conditions.

- **Biomarkers of Aging**: Developing accurate biomarkers to measure biological age and the effectiveness of anti-aging interventions.

6. **Cryonics and Mind Uploading**:

- **Cryonics**: The practice of preserving bodies or brains at extremely low temperatures with the hope that future technology can revive and rejuvenate them.

- **Mind Uploading**: A speculative concept where a person's consciousness is transferred to a digital substrate, potentially allowing for indefinite existence in a virtual environment.

### Ethical and Societal Considerations:

- **Equity and Access**: Ensuring that life-extending technologies are accessible to all, not just the wealthy.

- **Overpopulation**: Addressing the potential impact on global population and resources.

- **Quality of Life**: Ensuring that extended life is accompanied by improved health and well-being, not just prolonged existence.

### Current Status:

While significant progress has been made in understanding the biology of aging, most radical life extension technologies are still in the experimental stages. Human trials are ongoing for some interventions, but widespread application is likely still years or decades away.

Radical life extension remains a highly interdisciplinary field, combining insights from genetics, biotechnology, medicine, and computational science. The ultimate goal is to not only extend human lifespan but to ensure that those additional years are lived in good health and vitality.

[talongames]

TALONGAMES Controller Grips Tape Compatible with FLYDIGI Vader 4 PRO/Vader 3 PRO/Vader 2 PRO, Anti-Slip, Sweat-Absorbent, Textured Skin kit, for Controllers Handle Grips 

🎶INNOVATIVE MATERIAL - TALONGAMES FLYDIGI VADER 2 PRO / FLYDIGI VADER 3 PRO / FLYDIGI VADER 4 PRO Controller Grip Skin is optimized for the different touch-points of your fingers. It is a multi-textured grip created for optimized feel and control. Our Controller Grip is made with an ultra-comfortable slip-resistant polymer material.🎉

🐱‍🚀UNRIVALED QUALITY - Our Controller Grips are very durable. Its unique integrated molding structure not only ensures product performance, but also prolongs life! Provide full protection for your controller and save your money! Controller Grips allows you to enjoy the fun of the game! [Note: To eliminate odor, please expose the grip sticker to air for 48 hours.]🎁

😍EXCELLENT FEEL,PERFECT CUTTING - Provides maximum grip ! It is manufactured by advanced equipment, using 3D stereo scanning and professional laser instruments to develop models accurately. Our engineers have created a perfect shape to achieve maximum coverage, which can fit perfectly with your controller! The professionally designed 0.6mm thickness can provide a more comfortable grip and support for your palm!🌹

🤞EASY TO APPLY - Our Controller Grips are pre-cut, and users can complete the application within 3 minutes according to the instructions. It uses the removable adhesive technology of 3M in the United States, which can be re-sticked and removed without leaving residue, which is easy to clean and replace. Taking into account the different needs of users, we provide a variety of kinds to choose.✨

[sarahbduck]

Subscription for a Paintbrush

A painter might feel like a paintbrush is an extension of themselves, developing muscle memory and skill to create beauty. But what happens when that tool is owned by someone else, and they charge rent? What if they've decided to take it away from you? What if they've decided your art isn't yours?

As a 3D artist, I was professionally trained in using Autodesk Maya, a 3D modelling and animation application. I became really good with it, and grew to love it! I used it at work and at home for my own projects. It became muscle memory, an extension of myself, an organ for expression.

The full version of Maya is ludicrously expensive at CA$2,500 a year! So I had to settle for a cheaper version called Maya LT. It was missing some features, but I wasn't using them at the time so it worked out. I paid CA$360 a year for 3 years.

COVID struck, and I lost my job. I had to use savings to continue paying my license for an additional 2 years, yet in that time they provided no updates. I was just paying for access.

In 2022, Autodesk announced that Maya LT was being discontinued, replaced by a new version called Maya Creative. Instead of a subscription, you'd buy "tokens", spending one token for 24 hours of use. You could only buy tokens in bulk, the cheapest being 100 tokens for CA$405, and they expire after one year.

I've never seen such a predatory, disgusting pricing model for a piece of software. It's like an arcade machine! I thought subscriptions were bad enough! I refused to participate.

Despite spending nearly two grand, the tool I love is going to deactivate itself soon, and I don't have any say in it. It's bytes will still be on my computer, but it'll refuse to launch. Maya LT had a proprietary file format, so all of my projects will be unusable.

It feels like I'm losing a part of myself.

I feel like a fool for even letting this happen in the first place. I let myself become attached to a tool I didn't even own, run by a faceless corporation! My own art is being held hostage! How unfair! Should it even be called a tool, or a service?

I've been avoiding 3D art lately, focusing on programming and game development. My friends and I started working on a game in the Unity Game Engine. A couple months in, Unity's owners were saying and doing some unsavoury things, so we swapped to the Godot Engine. I feel incredibly lucky that we did because of the Unity drama that followed.

Unity wanted to start charging a fee for every user that installed your game. They wanted this to apply to every Unity game retroactively. This is obviously a stupid idea, and they walked it back, but it begs the question: Do you even own the game you developed? It seems like you don't.

I don't want to let myself fall into this trap again. I feel like we as artists form a personal relationship with our tools, and it shouldn't have to be an abusive one! I want to own my art and tools! That shouldn't be difficult as a digital artist! I've been recommended some proprietary subscription based "tools" by friends recently, and I refuse to use them. I won't let this happen to me again.

I'm going to use as much open source software as I can. Open source software is the only software you can truly "own". You have access to the code, and you can do with it as you please! It's often democratically run by the community! You can distribute it to your friends, and it's not piracy! There's a ton of excellent open source art software out there, and I encourage you to check it out!

Autodesk broke my heart. When I get back into 3D art, I'm going to be learning Blender.

[prototechsolutionsblog]

Elevate Your 3D Engineering with ProtoTech Solutions

Introduction

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, 3D engineering applications are becoming increasingly essential across various industries. Whether you're in manufacturing, architecture, healthcare, or any other field, 3D engineering applications can streamline processes, enhance visualization, and improve decision-making. However, creating these applications requires expertise, experience, and innovation. This is where ProtoTech Solutions comes into play. In this blog, we'll explore why ProtoTech Solutions should be your top choice for 3D engineering application development.

About ProtoTech Solutions

ProtoTech Solutions is a leading provider of custom software solutions, specializing in 3D engineering applications. With over a decade of experience, ProtoTech has gained a reputation for delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower businesses to harness the full potential of 3D technology. Their team of skilled professionals includes software developers, engineers, and designers who are passionate about creating innovative solutions tailored to your unique needs.

1. Expertise in 3D Technology

ProtoTech Solutions stands out because of its unparalleled expertise in 3D technology. They have a deep understanding of various 3D file formats, including CAD files like STL, OBJ, and STEP, as well as 3D graphics technologies such as OpenGL and WebGL. This expertise allows them to develop 3D engineering applications that are not only visually stunning but also highly functional and compatible with a wide range of platforms.

2. Customization and Tailored Solutions

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to 3D engineering applications. ProtoTech Solutions understands this and takes a highly customized approach to meet the specific needs of each client. They work closely with you to understand your business goals, challenges, and requirements, ensuring that the final product aligns perfectly with your objectives.

3. A Proven Track Record

ProtoTech Solutions has a long list of successful projects across diverse industries. Their portfolio includes applications for 3D modeling, visualization, data analysis, and simulation. By choosing ProtoTech, you benefit from their extensive experience and proven track record in delivering high-quality 3D engineering applications.

4. Cutting-Edge Technology

To stay at the forefront of 3D engineering application development, ProtoTech Solutions invests in the latest technologies and tools. They keep up with industry trends and are constantly exploring new ways to enhance their solutions. This commitment to innovation ensures that your 3D applications are always equipped with the latest features and capabilities.

5. Seamless Integration

ProtoTech understands that your 3D engineering applications need to work seamlessly with your existing systems and workflows. They have a strong focus on integration, ensuring that their solutions can easily integrate with your ERP systems, PLM solutions, or any other software you use.

6. Responsive and Supportive Team

One of the key differentiators of ProtoTech Solutions is their dedicated and responsive team. They maintain open lines of communication throughout the development process, providing regular updates and addressing any concerns promptly. This level of support ensures a smooth and collaborative development experience.

7. Commitment to Quality

Quality is a top priority at ProtoTech Solutions. They follow industry best practices, conduct rigorous testing, and adhere to strict quality control processes to ensure that your 3D engineering applications are robust, reliable, and bug-free.

Conclusion

In today's competitive business environment, leveraging 3D engineering applications can give you a significant advantage. ProtoTech Solutions, with its deep expertise, commitment to quality, and proven track record, is the ideal partner to help you harness the power of 3D technology. Whether you need a custom 3D modeling application, a visualization tool, or a simulation platform, ProtoTech Solutions can deliver a tailored solution that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. Choose ProtoTech Solutions for your 3D engineering application development, and unlock new possibilities for your business.

Get Started Now

[jcmarchi]

The tenured engineers of 2024

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-tenured-engineers-of-2024/

The tenured engineers of 2024

In 2024, MIT granted tenure to 11 faculty members across the School of Engineering. This year’s tenured engineers hold appointments in the departments of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS, which reports jointly to the School of Engineering and MIT Schwarzman College of Computing), Mechanical Engineering, and Nuclear Science and Engineering.

“My heartfelt congratulations to the 11 engineering faculty members on receiving tenure. These faculty have already made a lasting impact in the School of Engineering through both advances in their field and their dedication as educators and mentors,” says Anantha Chandrakasan, chief innovation and strategy officer, dean of engineering, and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

This year’s newly tenured engineering faculty include:

Adam Belay, associate professor of computer science and principal investigator at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), works on operating systems, runtime systems, and distributed systems. He is particularly interested in developing practical methods for microsecond-scale computing and cloud resource management, with many applications relating to performance and computing efficiency within large data centers.

Irmgard Bischofberger, Class of 1942 Career Development Professor and associate professor of mechanical engineering, is an expert in the mechanisms of pattern formation and instabilities in complex fluids. Her research reveals new insights into classical understanding of instabilities and has wide relevance to physical systems and industrial processes. Further, she is dedicated to science communication and generates exquisite visualizations of complex fluidic phenomena from her research.

Matteo Bucci serves as the Esther and Harold E. Edgerton Associate Professor of nuclear science and engineering. His research group studies two-phase heat transfer mechanisms in nuclear reactors and space systems, develops high-resolution, nonintrusive diagnostics and surface engineering techniques to enhance two-phase heat transfer, and creates machine-learning tools to accelerate data analysis and conduct autonomous heat transfer experiments.

Luca Carlone, the Boeing Career Development Professor in Aeronautics and Astronautics, is head of the Sensing, Perception, Autonomy, and Robot Kinetics Laboratory and principal investigator at the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems. His research focuses on the cutting edge of robotics and autonomous systems research, with a particular interest in designing certifiable perception algorithms for high-integrity autonomous systems and developing algorithms and systems for real-time 3D scene understanding on mobile robotics platforms operating in the real world.

Manya Ghobadi, associate professor of computer science and principal investigator at CSAIL, builds efficient network infrastructures that optimize resource use, energy consumption, and availability of large-scale systems. She is a leading expert in networks with reconfigurable physical layers, and many of the ideas she has helped develop are part of real-world systems.

Zachary (Zach) Hartwig serves as the Robert N. Noyce Career Development Professor in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, with a co-appointment at MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center. His current research focuses on the development of high-field superconducting magnet technologies for fusion energy and accelerated irradiation methods for fusion materials using ion beams. He is a co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a private company commercializing fusion energy.

Admir Masic, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, focuses on bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern material technologies. He applies his expertise in the fields of in situ and operando spectroscopic techniques to develop sustainable materials for construction, energy, and the environment.

Stefanie Mueller is the TIBCO Career Development Professor in the Department of EECS. Mueller has a joint appointment in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and is a principal investigator at CSAIL. She develops novel hardware and software systems that give objects new capabilities. Among other applications, her lab creates health sensing devices and electronic sensing devices for curved surfaces; embedded sensors; fabrication techniques that enable objects to be trackable via invisible marker; and objects with reprogrammable and interactive appearances.

Koroush Shirvan serves as the Atlantic Richfield Career Development Professor in Energy Studies in the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering. He specializes in the development and assessment of advanced nuclear reactor technology. He is currently focused on accelerating innovations in nuclear fuels, reactor design, and small modular reactors to improve the sustainability of current and next-generation power plants. His approach combines multiple scales, physics and disciplines to realize innovative solutions in the highly regulated nuclear energy sector.

Julian Shun, associate professor of computer science and principal investigator at CSAIL, focuses on the theory and practice of parallel and high-performance computing. He is interested in designing algorithms that are efficient in both theory and practice, as well as high-level frameworks that make it easier for programmers to write efficient parallel code. His research has focused on designing solutions for graphs, spatial data, and dynamic problems.

Zachary P. Smith, Robert N. Noyce Career Development Professor and associate professor of chemical engineering, focuses on the molecular-level design, synthesis, and characterization of polymers and inorganic materials for applications in membrane-based separations, which is a promising aid for the energy industry and the environment, from dissolving olefins found in plastics or rubber, to capturing smokestack carbon dioxide emissions. He is a co-founder and chief scientist of Osmoses, a startup aiming to commercialize membrane technology for industrial gas separations.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

KAIST innovates mid-infrared photodetectors for exoplanet detection, expanding applications to environmental and medical fields​

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) utilizes mid-infrared spectroscopy to precisely analyze molecular components such as water vapor and sulfur dioxide in exoplanet atmospheres. The key to this analysis, where each molecule exhibits a unique spectral "fingerprint," lies in highly sensitive photodetector technology capable of measuring extremely weak light intensities. Recently, KAIST researchers have developed an innovative photodetector capable of detecting a broad range of mid-infrared spectra, garnering significant attention.

< Photo 1. (from the left) Ph.D. candidate Inki Kim (co-author), Professor SangHyeon Kim (corresponding author), Dr. Joonsup Shim (first author), and Dr. Jinha Lim (co-author) of KAIST School of Electrical Engineering. >

KAIST (represented by President Kwang-Hyung Lee) announced on the 27th of March that a research team led by Professor SangHyeon Kim from the School of Electrical Engineering has developed a mid-infrared photodetector that operates stably at room temperature, marking a major turning point for the commercialization of ultra-compact optical sensors.

The newly developed photodetector utilizes conventional silicon-based CMOS processes, enabling low-cost mass production while maintaining stable operation at room temperature. Notably, the research team successfully demonstrated the real-time detection of carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas using ultra-compact and ultra-thin optical sensors equipped with this photodetector, proving its potential for environmental monitoring and hazardous gas analysis.

Existing mid-infrared photodetectors generally require cooling systems due to high thermal noise at room temperature. These cooling systems increase the size and cost of equipment, making miniaturization and integration into portable devices challenging. Furthermore, conventional mid-infrared photodetectors are incompatible with silicon-based CMOS processes, limiting large-scale production and commercialization.

To address these limitations, the research team developed a waveguide-integrated photodetector using germanium (Ge), a Group IV element like silicon. This approach enables broad-spectrum mid-infrared detection while ensuring stable operation at room temperature.

IMAGE: (from the left) Ph.D. candidate Inki Kim (co-author), Professor SangHyeon Kim (corresponding author), Dr. Joonsup Shim (first author), and Dr. Jinha Lim (co-author) of KAIST School of Electrical Engineering. Credit KAIST 3D Integrated Opto-Electronic Device Laboratory

[materialsscienceandengineering]

3D printing method creates color-changing materials for smart textiles

In a leap forward for materials science, a multi-institutional team of researchers has developed a pioneering method of 3D printing cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs), enabling complex, color-changing responsive materials and paving the way for novel applications like smart textiles and advanced robotics. Using a cutting-edge method known as Coaxial Direct Ink Writing (DIW), the team of engineers and scientists from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), Harvard University and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) invented 3D-printed, multi-stable structures capable of changing colors in response to stress, with a goal of combining the unique materials and techniques to help redefine smart materials. The research was published in the journal Advanced Materials.

Read more.

[softrobotcritics]

Photoresponsive Shape Morphing

Movement with light: Photoresponsive shape morphing of printed liquid crystal elastomers

Michael J. Ford1 ∙ Dominique H. Porcincula1 ∙ Rodrigo Telles3 ∙ … ∙ Shu Yang2 ∙ Elaine Lee1 lee1040@llnl.gov ∙ Caitlyn C. Cook1,5 krikorian3@llnl.gov … 

Progress and potential

Soft matter that can adapt in response to a stimulus like light holds immense promise for various applications, such as biomedical devices and soft robotics. One example of adaptive soft matter is liquid crystal elastomer composites, which incorporate a functional additive and change shape through a phase transition. The combination of the material composition, the printed geometry of the material, and the localization of the stimulus can enable novel movement and reaction to light, as we demonstrate in this paper. Our results mark a significant advancement toward creating complex, 3D-printed, intelligent materials that pave the way for developing next-generation adaptive machines and devices that can transform in response to specific stimuli.

Highlights

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Optimized inks for additive manufacturing of a liquid crystal elastomer composite

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Developed spatiotemporal control during printing for complex three-dimensional structures

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Demonstrated unique combinations of complex three-dimensional photoresponsive actuation

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Controlled novel modes of actuation with computer vision techniques

Summary

Soft machines will require soft materials that exhibit a rich diversity of functionality, including shape morphing and photoresponsivity. The combination of these functionalities enables useful behaviors in soft machines that can be further developed by synthesizing materials that exhibit localized responsivity.

Localized responsivity of liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), which are soft materials that exhibit shape morphing, can be enabled by formulating composite inks for direct ink writing (DIW). Gold nanorods (AuNRs) can be added to LCEs to enable photothermal shape change upon absorption of light through a localized surface plasmon resonance.

We compared LCE formulations, focusing on their amenability for printing by DIW and the photoresponsivity of AuNRs. The local responsivity of different three-dimensional architectures enabled soft machines that could oscillate, crawl, roll, transport mass, and display other unique modes of actuation and motion in response to light, making these promising functional materials for advanced applications....

Soft machines could enable new breakthroughs in technologies related to human-machine interactions, remote exploration in difficult-to-reach spaces, and individually tailored health care. These machines will require soft materials that exhibit a diverse range of functionalities, including actuation for movement, conductivity for sensing and signal processing, stimuli-responsivity, self-healing, and reprocessability.1,2,3The demonstration of such a diverse range of functionalities results in a profound outcome where “the material is the machine.”4,5 That is, by taking advantage of behaviors like self-assembly and phase transitions, these materials as machines can replace traditional sensors, transducers, gears, levers, and electromagnetic motors to enable perception, responsivity, and motion without engineered complexity.2,4

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) that are pre-programmed to change shape in response to external stimuli are considered useful for soft machines.6,7 The shape morphing is induced by heat, electricity, and light.8,9Light may be useful to stimulate localized actuation and does not require physical contact with the shape-changing material, as wires that transmit electrical power might require.10,11 Localized actuation using light could also allow for unique modes of actuation.12 For example, asymmetric illumination of photoresponsive LCEs led to twisting and rolling motions.13 Peristaltic motion that resembles the movement of biological organisms has been demonstrated by using localized impingement of different patterns of light upon an LCE.14 To extend this work, the programmed order of the liquid crystal (LC) domains could be controlled and modified....

[darkstarofchaos]

came for the juicy and rare prowl posts discussing things in his perspective, all the shit done to him, the unfairness done to his characterization (they are beautiful i LOVE it op). stayed for the 3d things. as an aspiring 3d artist and wanting to be a game developer too, should i try to practice in blender first? i mean, i did have 3ds max but the free one i got is only for a 1-year student plan thing, and i am gonna graduate so, is like blender the safe way to practice? i don't know if i make sense op but i just wanna know if investing my time in learning blender would go somewhere 😭 because i kept hearing that companies don't use blender that often? idk huhuhu

Glad you like the Prowl posts! They've definitely become something of a staple on my blog, lol.

As far as 3D goes, my perspective is that as long as you're learning modeling (or rigging, or animation, or whatever) and not just learning a program, it really doesn't matter what you use. Yeah, different programs have different strengths, and some are more widely used than others, but most of what you need to learn as a 3D artist has nothing to do with software.

Like, you could just learn some basic tools and then make whatever you want. It might not be easy, but you could do it. But if you just jumped in and started moving vertices around, it would be a mess. You need to take the time to learn good topology so you can make models that are easy to edit, deform properly when they're animated, and look right when they're rendered. And the more you learn, the more you realize good topology is hard. But it's also a skill you only need to learn once: once you know what good topology looks like and how to achieve it, learning to model in a new program is just figuring out a different path to the same results.

In your case, 3ds Max is up there with Maya as far as being used by a lot of AAA studios, so if you still have it, I would definitely say use it while you can. It doesn't hurt to get a head start on learning how it works. But you can also absolutely use Blender to learn skills that are applicable regardless of the program. Plus, a lot of small studios use Blender, so if you're interested in joining indie teams or doing freelance work, you actually could end up using it on a project.

A couple tips and suggestions, since modeling for game dev is also one of my end goals:

Not everything you can do in Blender can be exported into a game engine. You're probably fine with basic models and rigs, and you can create animations in Blender and export those, but engines handle stuff like textures and shaders differently. It's a good idea to export models periodically while you're working on them and see how they behave in your engine of choice. Bendy bones are also a Blender exclusive and can't be used in other programs - you might see people say the same about geometry nodes, but there are now ways to convert them to mesh so they can be exported (although when I tried this with Godot, the objects were untextured. This may or may not have been because of my export settings).

You might also see people say that whatever gets you the results you want is the right way to do things: I would suggest ignoring that advice unless you know what rule you're breaking and why you're breaking it. For example, N-gons (faces with 5 or more sides) are generally something you want to avoid, but sometimes you need them.

People also say that computers have gotten powerful enough that poly count doesn't matter anymore. It's still a good idea to use as few polys as you can, both to make models easier to work with and as a kindness to those of us who don't own a gaming computer.

Basically, if someone suggests taking the easy way out and their reasoning amounts to "don't worry about it", they probably don't know what they're talking about.