Fluid gears rotate without teeth, offering new mechanical flexibility

This article reports on a breakthrough by New York University scientists who have developed a gear mechanism that uses fluids instead of interlocking teeth to generate rotation. This innovation promises to create a new generation of mechanical devices that are more flexible and durable than traditional gears, which have origins dating back to ancient China. The research, published in Physical Review Letters, demonstrates how fluid flows can function like gear teeth, offering new capabilities for controlling rotation speed and direction.