stuck in a tunnel?

August 21, 2024

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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?

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.

What do you think about wheels that adapt as you ride?

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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

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.