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Otakulov O. Kh.
Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after
Muhammad al-Khwarizmi Fergana Branch
MECHANICS TODAY: ACHIEVEMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
Annotation: This article reviews the latest advances and limitations in mechanics. Key developments include additive manufacturing (3D printing), which enables resource-efficient, customized production, and digital twins, which allow real-time system optimization. AI is also transforming mechanics by automating processes and improving design precision. Despite these strides, the fieldfaces significant challenges: high production costs limit advanced materials' accessibility, and energy efficiency in electric vehicles still presents barriers to scaling up. Additionally, integrating AI and robotics requires substantial investment, limiting widespread adoption. These findings highlight both the progress in and ongoing challenges to the future of mechanical engineering across industries.
Key words: mechanical engineering, 3D Printing in manufacturing, additive manufacturing, digital twins, artificial intelligence (AI) in mechanics, materials science advancements, energy efficiency in electric vehicles (EVs), sustainable engineering, predictive maintenance, robotic automation, challenges in mechanics, manufacturing process optimization, emerging trends in mechanics, smart manufacturing, environmental challenges in engineering
Mechanics has witnessed rapid advancements in recent years, spurred by developments in technology, materials science, and computational methods. These improvements impact diverse sectors, including energy, manufacturing, robotics, and biomedical engineering. This article discusses current achievements and limitations within the field of mechanics, highlighting their implications for future innovation.
Achievements in Mechanics
3D printing technology has revolutionized mechanical engineering by enabling customized manufacturing and reducing material waste. This technology, valued at $13.84 billion in 2021, is expected to grow significantly by 2028. It offers applications in producing lightweight yet strong components, particularly useful in aerospace and medical industries. Importantly, 3D printing supports sustainability through reduced energy consumption and the ability to utilize recycled materials (UT Austin, 2023; SciTechDaily, 2024).
Digital twins allow for real-time simulation of mechanical systems. By creating virtual replicas of machines, engineers can monitor, predict, and optimize the performance of mechanical systems such as jet engines and manufacturing
equipment. This approach enhances predictive maintenance, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs (UT Austin, 2023).
AI's integration into mechanics has enabled more precise design, manufacturing automation, and predictive analysis. AI systems now control robotic manufacturing systems and are increasingly used in quality control and process optimization. By offloading repetitive tasks, AI allows engineers to focus on innovation and design, crucial in fields like aerospace and automotive engineering (Deloitte, 2019; SciTechDaily, 2024).
Recent research in materials science has produced stronger, more flexible materials, such as glassy gels and ferroelectric capacitors with significantly higher energy densities. These advances could lead to improvements in energy storage and protective materials, essential for sustainable and resilient infrastructure (SciTechDaily, 2024).
Although electric vehicle technology has advanced, limitations remain in battery efficiency and charging speed. Recent research has made strides by developing new electrode designs to improve driving range and reduce charging time, but scaling these solutions to mass production is challenging. The need for infrastructure changes further limits widespread EV adoption (UT Austin, 2023).
While materials like carbon composites and advanced alloys have impressive mechanical properties, their high production costs restrict their use to specialized applications. Additionally, the complex manufacturing processes for these materials limit accessibility, particularly in industries that rely on cost-effective solutions (Physics World, 2023).
Although AI and robotics offer significant benefits, their integration in mechanics requires substantial upfront investments in hardware, software, and workforce training. Many small and medium-sized companies find these costs prohibitive, limiting widespread adoption. Moreover, there is ongoing debate over ethical considerations related to workforce displacement and machine autonomy (Deloitte, 2019; UT Austin, 2023).
Despite advancements, some areas in mechanics still grapple with environmental issues. For example, many traditional manufacturing processes rely heavily on fossil fuels, and developing alternative clean energy processes, such as solar-powered smelting, is only in experimental stages (SciTechDaily, 2024).
The field of mechanics continues to evolve, driven by groundbreaking achievements in manufacturing technologies, material science, and AI applications. However, challenges remain, including the high costs of advanced materials, scalability of new energy solutions, and the integration of sophisticated AI systems. Overcoming these limitations will be essential for expanding the reach and effectiveness of mechanical innovations in the coming decades.
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