University of Texas at Dallas researchers are developing a material to protect spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO) from harsh environments that can damage vehicles in space, such as satellites, shortening their lifespans.

The research project is supported by a two-year, $1 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Washington State University-led researchers have developed a chip-sized processor and 3D printed antenna arrays that could someday lead to flexible and wearable wireless systems and improved electronic communications in a wide variety of auto, aviation, and space industry applications. Reporting in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers used 3D printing, the processor, and an ink made from copper nanoparticles to create the flexible antenna arrays.

A research team from Sichuan University, in collaboration with Southeast University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), has proposed a novel dual three-phase four-level space vector pulse width modulation (DTP-FL SVPWM) strategy to improves the efficiency and precision of high-power motor drives. The proposed strategy is designed for the developed dual three-phase open-winding permanent magnet synchronous motors (DTP-OW-PMSM). This technology achieves high modulation precision and low switching frequency. On this basis, the current harmonics caused by the DC-link voltage deviations are reduced by compensating for the duty ratio.