Advancement of Mechanical Engineering in Extreme Environments

With the continuing increase in the use of technology in the modern world, the environmental demands placed on mechanical products have become increasingly harsh, especially in the fields of industrial equipment, vehicles, robotics, medical equipment, and weapons. For the development of mechanical engineering, it is essential to ensure reliable performance, high efficiency, and long durability in extreme environments (extremes of temperature, pressure, corrosion, vibration, etc.). The mechanical properties of the materials used to manufacture the components directly influence the component’s characteristics in extreme environments. Mechanical design and manufacturing processes are also key factors that affect the reliability of mechanisms. With the development of composite materials, computer technology, and the 4th industrial revolution, extreme environment technology has also progressed rapidly. Engineering for extreme environments is considered as a very important field in the green and environmental-friendly technology. This is because the shortened working life of machinery under such extremely harsh environments leads to higher energy consumption and more non-recyclable wastes. This paper reviews the developments related to novel extreme environment technologies in terms of materials, design, and manufacturing that have come about in recent years. Moreover, an analysis of related articles, patents, and the economy of this field is carried out and a perspective on the developmental trend is put forward.