stuck in a tunnel? (1) (1)
Hey folks, Joey here from The Engineer's Espresso, and welcome to this not-so-nerdy (but nerdy) newsletter.
Before jumping in, answer this:
What's your go-to engineering snack?
Nuts and bolts (just kidding, give me those chips).
Anything I can eat with one hand so I can keep typing.
I chew on problems, does that count?
Wheels that think on their feet
Picture this: you're cruising on a smooth highway and suddenly, the road gets bumpy. But instead of you adjusting, your car's wheels adapt on their own—like a smoooooth operatorrrr!
What's the Big Idea?
This isn't your average wheel upgrade. Researchers at Science Robotics have developed a wheel that can change its stiffness depending on the terrain—Flat roads? It goes hard for speed. Rocky paths? It softens up to glide over obstacles.
Inspired by how a water droplet holds its shape, these wheels can switch from rigid to flexible in a snap, making your ride smoother and more adaptable than ever before.
How Does It Work?
It's all about the tension in the spokes and a smart chain around the rim.
By adjusting the tension, the wheel can either maintain a perfect circle for speed or morph to meet the messy roads.
It's thrilling to see these wheels twist and turn, adapting in real-time.
Explore the science behind these wheels
What do you think about wheels that adapt as you ride?
Finally, a wheel that catches up with the rest of my tech!
Cool concept, but I'll stick to traditional until I see them in action.
Wheels that adapt? Now if only they could fix potholes too!
Trivia for the Tech-Obsessed
Test your engineering prowess and maybe learn a thing or two with our quick-fire trivia challenge.
Q1. Which ancient engineering marvel is composed of a series of aqueducts, used to transport water across mountains and valleys, and still stands in parts of modern-day Iran?
Select correct answer
c) The Shushtar Hydraulic System
What groundbreaking material, stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum, was first created in a lab in 2004 using a simple piece of tape?
Select correct answer
In which country can you find a bridge that uses glass panels with liquid crystals to display patterns and images when electric current passes through, acting as both a bridge and an art installation?
Select correct answer
The Next-Level Subway Tunnel Flood Alert
If you're like me, every time you ride the subway there's always a lingering thought: "What happens if I get stuck?"
And to make those fears even worse—what happens if the tunnel floods?
Maybe we all could just…
Thanks to a crack team led by Wenxuan Dong and Hong Huang, there's now a smarter way to dodge the drip!
Their latest study models subway flooding… but even goes further to PREDICT floods in a high-tech way.
The Triple Threat Strategy: Pre-soak, Soak, and Post-soak
This system does more than just watch the water levels rise.
Why It’s a Game-Changer
This system cuts through the guesswork and gives us a flood defense that’s proactive, not reactive. It’s designed to be easy on the budget while keeping our subways running smoothly—minus the unexpected pools.
No fuss, no muss, just a dry ride to your destination.
Fresh from the oven
Your next adventure?
