Diodes application in mechanical engineering

[jpc08]

can anyone give me some suggestions on the applications of diodes to our course?
i'm not really familiar with machines that uses diodes.
a simple example would be enough and highly appreciated.
i'm just a 2nd year college student by the way.

 

[fss]

Almost any modern piece of electronics uses diodes.

 

[Mech_Engineer]

Diodes are an electronic component and therefore used in electrical engineering, not mechanical engineering.

 

[Studiot]

Well, diodes are used in the automotive industry to rectify (turn AC into DC) the output of alternators.

Motor technology is largely mech eng.

 

[Mapes]

The MechE analogue is a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratchet_%28device%29" .