Engineering

Instrumentation: Measurement and Control Systems Instrumentation Instrumentation is the engineering field and set of devices used to measure, monitor and control physical quantities in industry, laboratories, medicine and computing.

Insulation: materials, purposes, history and applications Insulation Comprehensive overview of insulation—thermal, electrical and acoustic—covering materials, measurement, installation, history, safety and common applications in buildings and indust…

Interdisciplinarity: integrating knowledge across academic boundaries Interdisciplinarity Interdisciplinarity is the practice of linking and integrating methods, theories, or data from multiple academic disciplines to address complex questions, create new fields, and so…

Intermittent energy source A power source whose output varies over time (for example wind or solar); requires storage, forecasting, or backup generation to provide reliable electricity.

Internal combustion engine A heat engine in which fuel burns within the working chamber to produce expanding gases that drive a piston or rotor; widely used in transport, industry and small machines.

Interpreter (computing): definition, design, history, and uses Interpreter (computing) An interpreter is software that executes programs written in a programming language by reading and performing their instructions directly or via an intermediate form. It contrasts…

Irrigation: methods, history, uses and environmental issues Irrigation Irrigation is the artificial application of water to soil to support plant growth. This article explains methods, common water sources, historical development, uses, benefits and e…

Jack (tool) A jack is a mechanical device used to lift or support heavy loads. This article explains common types, components, history, typical uses and safety considerations.

Jacquard loom: programmable mechanism for patterned textiles Jacquard loom The Jacquard loom is an early 19th-century mechanical loom that uses punched cards to control individual warp threads, enabling complex woven patterns and influencing industrial au…

Jet engine: principles, types, history and uses Jet engine Overview of jet engines: how they produce thrust, main components and types (turbojet, turbofan, turboprop, ramjet, pulse jet, rocket), history, performance, uses and environmental…

Job Control Language (JCL) — mainframe batch control languages Job Control Language Overview of IBM Job Control Language: purpose, main variants, basic syntax and statements, history, common uses, and distinctions between DOS/VSE and OS/360–z/OS families.

Joinery: The Craft and Techniques of Wood Joints Joinery Joinery is the woodworking craft of creating precise, load-bearing and decorative connections between timber pieces. It covers joint types, materials, tools, historical traditions…

Kariba Dam Major hydroelectric dam on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, creating Lake Kariba and supplying power, fisheries, tourism, and notable social and environmental impacts…

Kettle: history, types, uses, and cultural significance Kettle A kettle is a vessel for heating and boiling water. This article explains types (stovetop, electric), materials, history, common uses, safety and regional differences in consumptio…

Kiln: insulated high‑temperature chamber for firing, drying, and processing materials Kiln A kiln is a thermally insulated oven used to heat materials—commonly ceramics, bricks, lime, and metals—under controlled temperatures and atmospheres for drying, firing, sintering,…

Kingda Ka — strata coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure Kingda Ka Kingda Ka is a launched steel strata coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, notable for its 456 ft tower and 128 mph launch. Opened in 2005, it remains an icon of extr…

KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid) KISS principle Design guideline urging simplicity over unnecessary complexity. Used across engineering, software, product design and communication to improve reliability, clarity and maintainabil…

Krishnagiri Dam (Krishnagiri Reservoir Project) Krishnagiri Dam A mid-20th century reservoir on the Thenpennai River near Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, serving irrigation, local water needs and recreation since 1958.

La Salle Street Bridge (Marshall Suloway Bridge), Chicago La Salle Street Bridge (Chicago, Illinois) A 1928 single-deck, double-leaf trunnion bascule bridge that spans the main stem of the Chicago River, linking the Near North Side with the Loop and serving both vehicular and pede…

Landing zone (helicopter and VTOL operations) Landing zone A landing zone is a prepared area where helicopters or other vertical take-off and landing aircraft safely touch down. Used in military, emergency, offshore and civilian operations…

Lanyard: strap or cord for carrying ID, keys, and small tools Lanyard A lanyard is a cord, strap, or small rope worn to secure and carry small items such as ID badges, keys, whistles, or tools. Designs vary by material, attachment, and safety feature…

Latency (engineering and computing) Latency Latency is the delay between an action and its observable result. This article explains causes, measurement, examples across networks, audio and storage, and common mitigation stra…

Lathe (machine tool) — overview, parts, history and uses Lathe A lathe is a machine tool that rotates a workpiece to shape it by cutting, sanding, drilling or forming. Used across wood, metal, glass and ceramics, from hand lathes to CNC system…

Lead–acid battery: construction, operation, types, uses and safety Lead acid battery Common rechargeable battery using lead and lead dioxide plates in sulfuric acid electrolyte. Covers construction, electrochemistry, variants (flooded, VRLA, AGM, gel), operation, m…

Leaf spring (vehicle suspension) Leaf spring A leaf spring is a long, layered spring made of steel or composite leaves. It has been a fundamental vehicle suspension element for centuries and remains common in heavy and utilit…

Lift coefficient (C_L): definition, behavior, and uses Lift Coefficient The lift coefficient (C_L) is a dimensionless parameter relating lift force to dynamic pressure and planform area. This article explains its formula, dependence on angle of attack,…

Lightning rod: design, function, history, and uses Lightning rod A lightning rod is a conductive metal rod used to protect structures by attracting lightning and safely directing its current to ground. This article explains design, history, oper…

Lightweight: meanings across materials, design, sports, and computing Lightweight Overview of the term 'lightweight' describing low mass, minimal design, sports weight classes, and software or engineering approaches that prioritize reduced bulk or resource use.

Link (unit of length) Link (unit) A historic surveying unit equal to 1/100 of Gunter’s chain (7.92 inches or 0.201168 m). Once common in English-speaking land measurement, now largely obsolete but found in old reco…

Aviation terms and glossary: key words used in flight and air operations List of aviation terms A practical encyclopedia entry listing and explaining common aviation terms, their categories, history, uses, and notable distinctions for pilots, controllers, and enthusiasts.

List of knots An organized overview of common knots: definitions, parts, major categories (bends, hitches, loops, stoppers), typical uses in sailing, climbing, fishing and crafts, and notable di…

List of large wind farms (100 MW and above) List of large wind farms Overview of large wind farms (100 MW+): definitions, components, history, notable projects and categories, and their role in electricity systems and decarbonization.

Load-following power plant Load following power plant A power plant that adjusts output to match changing electricity demand during the day, positioned between baseload and peaking plants; includes flexible technologies such as hydro…

Longitudinal engine An engine mounted with its crankshaft aligned front-to-back in a vehicle. Common in rear-wheel drive and many all-wheel-drive cars; influences drivetrain layout, packaging, handlin…

Lubrication: principles, types, history and everyday applications Lubrication Overview of lubrication: how thin films reduce friction and wear, main lubricant types and mechanisms, selection and maintenance considerations, and common mechanical and biologica…

Machinist: Skilled metalworker and CNC operator Machinist A machinist shapes metal and other materials using manual and computer-controlled machines. This article explains tools, processes, history, typical applications, and the skills an…

Manufacturing: processes, history, and modern practices Manufacturing Overview of manufacturing: how raw materials become goods, core processes, historical changes from craft to automation, uses, and contemporary trends and challenges.

Manufacturing engineering: principles, processes, history, and applications Manufacturing engineering Manufacturing engineering combines people, machines, materials, and information to design and operate production systems. It covers processes, automation, quality, supply chains, a…

Maraging steel High-strength, low-carbon iron–nickel alloys strengthened by martensite formation followed by age hardening; valued for exceptional strength, toughness and dimensional stability in…

Marine engineering: design, systems, and shipboard operation Marine Engineering Marine engineering covers design, construction, operation and maintenance of boats, ships and offshore structures, including propulsion, auxiliary systems, safety equipment and the…

Material fracture: causes, types and mechanics Material fracture Material fracture is the separation or cracking of a solid under stress. This entry outlines fracture modes and mechanisms, factors that affect failure, testing and inspection meth…

Mechanical advantage: concept, measures, and practical examples Mechanical advantage Mechanical advantage (MA) quantifies how a machine multiplies or trades force and distance. Covers definitions, ideal vs actual MA, history, common systems, uses and important dist…

Mechanical bull A simulated bucking animal used for rodeo training and entertainment; covers design, operation, history, safety, and cultural appearances.

Mechanical engineering: principles, history and applications Mechanical engineering Overview of mechanical engineering: its principles, main subdisciplines, historical development, practical applications, and modern trends such as simulation, manufacturing and ene…

Mechanician (specialist in mechanics and applied engineering) Mechanician A mechanician is a practitioner of mechanics: an engineer or scientist who analyzes forces, motion, materials and systems in theoretical and applied settings across industry, resea…

Mechatronics Engineering Mechatronics engineering integrates mechanical, electronic, computer, control and systems design to create intelligent, automated products and systems across industry and research.

Metallurgy: science and engineering of metals and alloys Metallurgy Metallurgy is the science and technology of metals and metallic alloys — their extraction, structure, processing, properties, and applications across industry and research.

Metalspinning (spin forming): overview, techniques, history and uses Metalspinning Metalspinning, or spin forming, is a metalworking method that shapes sheet metal on a rotating mandrel into hollow, rotationally symmetric parts. Used for cookware, lighting, and a…