NASA Tech Briefs’ Physical Sciences Web page spans the fields of earth science, chemistry, and physics, focusing on advances in sensing, test, and measurement. Tech Briefs report on innovations in microscopy, spectroscopy, photonics and more. Many of the Tech Briefs below are correlated to a Technical Support Package (TSP) or White Paper that can be downloaded free of charge.

Lidar System for Airborne Measurement of Clouds and Aerosols
Hyperspectral Sun Photometer for Atmospheric Characterization and Vicarious Calibrations
Shaker Fatigue Testing of a Turbine Engine Compressor Blade
Dynamic Stability and Gravitational Balancing of Multiple Extended Bodies
Non-Destructive Evaluation of Materials via Ultraviolet Spectroscopy
Gold-on-Polymer-Based Sensing Films for Detection of Organic and Inorganic Analytes in the Air
Compact, Highly Stable Ion Atomic Clock
LiGa(OTf)₄ as an Electrolyte Salt for Li-Ion Cells
Single-Mode WGM Resonators Fabricated by Diamond Turning
Compact Dielectric-Rod White-Light Delay Lines
Efficient Coupler for a Bessel Beam Dispersive Element
MACOS Version 3.31
Mitigating Photon Jitter in Optical PPM Communication
Fiber-Optic Determination of N₂, O₂, and Fuel Vapor in the Ullage of Liquid-Fuel Tanks
Thin-Film Magnetic-Field-Response Fluid-Level Sensor for Non-Viscous Fluids
Remote-Sensing Time Series Analysis, a Vegetation Monitoring Tool
Data Assimilation Cycling for Weather Analysis
Probing a Spray Using Frequency-Analyzed Light Scattering
WRATS Integrated Data Acquisition System
Shaping Diffraction-Grating Grooves To Optimize Efficiency
Low-Light-Shift Cesium Fountain Without Mechanical Shutters
Model of Image Artifacts From Dust Particles
Nanostructures Exploit Hybrid-Polariton Resonances
Microfluidics, Chromatography, and Atomic-Force Microscopy
Spin-Stabilized Microsatellites With Solar Concentrators
Magnetic Compensation for Second-Order Doppler Shift in LITS
Compact Two-Dimensional Spectrometer Optics
Optical Measurement of Mass Flow of a Two-Phase Fluid
Selectable-Tip Corrosion-Testing Electrochemical Cell
Induction Charge Detector With Multiple Sensing Stages
Generic Helicopter-Based Testbed for Surface Terrain Imaging Sensors
Optimized Geometry for Superconducting Sensing Coils
Sensing a Changing Chemical Mixture Using an Electronic Nose
Improved Thermal Modulator for Gas Chromatography
Nuclear-Spin Gyroscope Based on an Atomic Co-Magnetometer
Utilizing Ion-Mobility Data To Estimate Molecular Masses
Multiple-Cone Sunshade for a Spaceborne Telescope
Estimating Mixing Heights Using Microwave Temperature Profiler
Optical Displacement Sensor for Sub- Hertz Applications
Spatial Combining of Laser-Diode Beams for Pumping an NPRO
Polarization/Spatial Combining of Laser-Diode Pump Beams
Direct Coupling From WGM Resonator Disks to Photodetectors
Multiple-Parameter, Low-False-Alarm Fire-Detection Systems
Using Digital Radiography To Image Liquid Nitrogen in Voids
Portable Microleak-Detection System
Cryogenic Shrouds for Testing Thermal-Insulation Panels
Flash Diffusivity Technique Applied to Individual Fibers
System for Thermal Imaging of Hot Moving Objects
Improved Readout Scheme for SQUID-Based Thermometry
Ka-Band Radar Terminal Descent Sensor
Metal/Metal Oxide Differential Electrode pH Sensors
Improved Sensing Coils for SQUIDs
Enhancing Spin Filters by Use of Bulk Inversion Asymmetry
Resonant Tunneling Spin Pump
CO₂-Reduction Primary Cell for Use on Venus
Optical Magnetometer Incorporating Photonic Crystals
Raman-Suppressing Coupling for Optical Parametric Oscillator
WGM-Resonator/Tapered-Waveguide White-Light Sensor Optics
Cold Atom Source Containing Multiple Magneto-Optical Traps
An Automated Flying-Insect Detection System
Blackbody Cavity for Calibrations at 200 to 273 K
Calligraphic Poling of Ferroelectric Material
Composite Pulse Tube
Photometric Calibration of Consumer Video Cameras
Criterion for Identifying Vortices in High-Pressure Flows
Delamination-Indicating Thermal Barrier Coatings
Amplified Thermionic Cooling Using Arrays of Nanowires
Telescope Formation at L2 for Observing Earth’s Atmosphere
Plasmonic Antenna Coupling for QWIPs
Electronic Tongue Containing Redox and Conductivity Sensors
Evaporation-Cooled Protective Suits for Firefighters
Second-Generation Electronic Nose
Radar Interferometer for Topographic Mapping of Glaciers and Ice Sheets
Portable Apparatus for Electrochemical Sensing of Ethylene
Rarefying Spectra of Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonators
Slot-Antenna/ Permanent-Magnet Device for Generating Plasma
Large-Area Permanent-Magnet ECR Plasma Source
Broadband Achromatic Telecentric Lens
Fiber-Optic Strain Gauge With High Resolution And Update Rate
Compact Fuel-Cell System Would Consume Neat Methanol
Ring-Resonator/Sol-Gel Interferometric Immunosensor
Statistical Model of Evaporating Multicomponent Fuel Drops
Electrochemical Disposal of Hydrazines in Water
Resistively Heated SiC Nozzle for Generating Molecular Beams
DNSs of Multicomponent Gaseous and Drop-Laden Mixing Layers Achieving Transition to Turbulence
Compact Packaging of Photonic Millimeter-Wave Receiver
Wide-Band, High-Quantum-Efficiency Photodetector
Diffractive Combiner of Single-Mode Pump Laser-Diode Beams
Filter Function for Wavefront Sensing Over a Field of View
Broadband Phase Retrieval for Image-Based Wavefront Sensing
Dual-Beam Atom Laser Driven by Spinor Dynamics
Active Correction of Aberrations of Low-Quality Telescope Optics
Rugged, Tunable Extended-Cavity Diode Laser
Wavefront Sensing With Switched Lenses for Defocus
Iterative-Transform Phase Retrieval Using Adaptive Diversity
Balloon for Long-Duration, High-Altitude Flight at Venus
Recirculation of Laser Power in an Atomic Fountain
Simplified Generation of High-Angular-Momentum Light Beams
Complex Type-II Interband Cascade MQW Photodetectors
Interferometric Quantum-Nondemolition Single-Photon Detectors
Ring-Down Spectroscopy for Characterizing a CW Raman Laser
Theoretical Studies of Routes to Synthesis of Tetrahedral N4
Antenna for Measuring Electric Fields Within the Inner Heliosphere
Improved High-Voltage Gas Isolator for Ion Thruster
Array of Bolometers for Submillimeter-Wavelength Operation
Arrays of Bundles of Carbon Nanotubes as Field Emitters
Delta-Doped CCDs as Detector Arrays in Mass Spectrometers
Flexible Skins Containing Integrated Sensors and Circuitry
Optical Beam-Shear Sensors
High-Resolution, Wide-Field-of-View Scanning Telescope
Multispectral Imager With Improved Filter Wheel and Optics
Compensation for Phase Anisotropy of a Metal Reflector
Integral Radiator and Storage Tank
Optimal Calibration of the Spitzer Space Telescope
Forecasting of Storm-Surge Floods Using ADCIRC and Optimized DEMs
Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor for Viscosity Measurement
Alignment Cube With One Diffractive Face
Mixed-Salt/Ester Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li⁺ Cells
Miniature Bipolar Electrostatic Bipolar Electrostatic
Miniature Electrostatic Ion Thruster With Magnet
Miniature Free-Space Electrostatic Ion Thrusters
Miniature Oxidizer Ionizer for a Fuel Cell
Miniature Ion-Mobility Spectrometer
Miniature Ion-Array Spectrometer
Rapid Development of Process Control Systems Using a Model-Based Approach
Promoted-Combustion Chamber With Induction Heating Coil
Radio Heating of Lunar Soil To Release Gases
Using Electrostriction To Manipulate Ullage in Microgravity
Phase Sensor for Aligning a Segmented Telescope Mirror
Boundary Condition for Modeling Semiconductor Nanostructures
Protein Sensors Based on Optical Ring Resonators
Electronic Absolute Cartesian Autocollimator
Kalman Filter for Calibrating a Telescope Focal Plane
Lightweight, Segmented, Mostly Silicon Telescope Mirror
Anion-IntercalatingCathodes for High-Energy-Density Cells
Fiber-Optic Gratings for Lidar Measurements of Water Vapor
Magnetic Field Solvers
Interferometric System for Measuring Thickness of Sea Ice
Measuring Attitude of a Large, Flexible, Orbiting Structure
Satellite Multiangle Spectropolarimetric Imaging of Aerosols
Multimode-Guided-Wave Ultrasonic Scanning of Materials
Microscale Regenerative Heat Exchanger
Design and Selection Considerations for High-Temperature Aerospace Accelerometers
Sensors for Using Times of Flight To Measure Flow Velocities
Using Satellite Data in Weather Forecasting: I
Alpha-Voltaic Sources Using Liquid Ga as Conversion Medium
Ice-Borehole Probe
White-Light Whispering-Gallery-Mode Optical Resonators
Theodolite Ring Lights
Manufacture of Sparse-Spectrum Optical Microresonators
Exact Tuning of High-Q Optical Microresonators by Use of UV
Graded-Index “Whispering-Gallery” Optical Microresonators
Catalytic-Metal/ PdO_x/SiC Schottky-Diode Gas Sensors
Quantum-Dot Laser for Wavelengths of 1.8 to 2.3 µm
Tunable Filter Made From Three Coupled WGM Resonators
Dynamic Pupil Masking for Phasing Telescope Mirror Segments
Generating Breathable Air Through Dissociation of N₂O
High-Performance Scanning Acousto-Ultrasonic System
Correction for Thermal EMFs in Thermocouple Feedthroughs
Holographic Solar Photon Thrusters
Plasma-Based Detector of Outer-Space Dust Particles
Tunable-Bandwidth Filter System
Polarization Phase-Compensating Coats for Metallic Mirrors
Monitoring Temperatures of Tires Using Luminescent Materials
Detection of Water Hazards for Autonomous Robotic Vehicles
Few-Mode Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonators
Electrically Tunable Terahertz Quantum-Cascade Lasers
Radio-Frequency Plasma Cleaning of a Penning Malmberg Trap
Hygrometer for Detecting Water in Partially Enclosed Volumes
Ester-Based Electrolytes for Low- Temperature Li-Ion Cells
The THz Hot-Electron Photon Counter Concept
Measuring Two Key Parameters of H3 Color Centers in Diamond
Flexible Heater Provides Thermal Solution for Fast Temperature-Cycling Environments
Improved Compression of Wavelet-Transformed Images
Spill-Resistant Alkali-Metal-Vapor Dispenser
Stroboscopic Interferometer for Measuring Mirror Vibrations
Precision Cryogenic Dilatometer
Optical Design of an Optical Communications Terminal
Stellar Gyroscope for Determining Attitude of a Spacecraft
Actuated Hybrid Mirror Telescope
Thermoelectric Air/Soil Energy-Harvesting Device
A Broad-Band Phase-Contrast Wave-Front Sensor
Chemical Sensors Based on Optical Ring
Progress in Insect-Inspired Optical Navigation Sensors
Compact Infrasonic Windscreen
Automated Counting of Particles To Quantify Cleanliness
Phase Correction for GPS Antenna With Nonunique Phase Center
Sol-Gel Glass Holographic Light-Shaping Diffusers
Solid-Phase Extraction of Polar Compounds From Water
Automated Electrostatics Environmental Chamber
PCM Passive Cooling System Containing Active Subsystems
Laser Metrology for an Optical-Path- Length Modulator
Estimating Aeroheating of a 3D Body Using a 2D Flow Solver
Improved Electrolytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generator
Gauges for Highly Precise Metrology of a Compound Mirror
Verifying the Safety of a Radioactive Waste Container With Simulation Software
Efficient Computational Model of Hysteresis
Thermal Imaging of Earth for Accurate Pointing of Deep-Space Antennas
Shock Waves in a Bose-Einstein Condensate
Ferroelectric Devices Emit Charged Particles and Radiation
Dusty-Plasma Particle Accelerator
Frozen-Plug Technique for Liquid-Oxygen Plumbing
Code for Analyzing and Designing Spacecraft Power System Radiators
Wheel Electrometer System
Cryogenic High-Sensitivity Magnetometer
Miniature Focusing Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer
Measuring Humidity in Sealed Glass Encasements
Vacuum Attachment for XRF Scanner
Identifying Objects via Encased X-Ray- Fluorescent Materials — the Bar Code Inside
Digital Equivalent Data System for XRF Labeling of Objects
One-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Superprisms
Depth-Penetrating Luminescence Thermography of Thermal-Barrier Coatings
Microfocus/Polycapillary-Optic Crystallographic X-Ray System
Atomic Clock Based on Opto-Electronic Oscillator
Fault-Tolerant Heat Exchanger
Automatic Focus Adjustment of a Microscope
Gas-Tolerant Device Senses Electrical Conductivity of Liquid
Simulations of Evaporating Multicomponent Fuel Drops
Tumbleweed Rovers
Modified Penning-Malmberg Trap for Storing Antiprotons
Atom Skimmers and Atom Lasers Utilizing Them
Gears Based on Carbon Nanotubes
Miniature Laser Doppler Velocimeter for Measuring Wall Shear
Quadrupole Ion Mass Spectrometer for Masses of 2 to 50 Da
Apparatus for Testing Flat Specimens of Thermal Insulation
Instrumentation for Sensitive Gas Measurements
Fiber-Optic Sensor Would Monitor Growth of Polymer Film
Pd/CeO2/SiC Chemical Sensors
Microparticle Flow Sensor
Scattering-Type Surface-Plasmon-Resonance Biosensors
Diode-Laser-Based Spectrometer for Sensing Gases
Hydrogen Peroxide Enhances Removal of NOx From Flue Gases
Real-Time Simulation of Aeroheating the Hyper-X Airplane
Subsurface Ice Probe
Large Fluvial Fans and Exploration for Hydrocarbons
Doping-Induced Interband Gain in InAs/AlSb Quantum Wells
A Resonator for Low-Threshold Frequency Conversion
Helicity in Supercritical O2/H2 and C7H16/N2 Mixing Layers
Solar-Powered Airplane With Cameras and WLAN
Nanofluidic Size-Exclusion Chromatograph
Lightweight, Low-CTE Tubes Made From Biaxially Oriented LCPs
Spaceborne Infrared Atmospheric Sounder
Using Redundancy To Reduce Errors in Magnetometer Readings
Improved Measurement of Dispersion in an Optical Fiber
Position-Finding Instrument Built Around a Magnetometer
Multifunction Imaging and Spectroscopic Instrument
Electron-Spin Filters Based on the Rashba Effect
Diffusion-Cooled Tantalum Hot-Electron Bolometer Mixers
Improved Position Sensor for Feedback Control of Levitation
Relative-Motion Sensors and Actuators for Two Optical Tables
Imaging of ³-Irradiated Regions of a Crystal
Digital Averaging Phasemeter for Heterodyne Interferometry
Part 2 of a Computational Study of a Drop-Laden Mixing Layer
Microwave-Spectral Signatures Would Reveal Concealed Objects
Working Fluids for Increasing Capacities of Heat Pipes
On-the-Fly Mapping for Calibrating Directional Antennas
Coronagraphic Notch Filter for Raman Spectroscopy
Preparing and Analyzing Iced Airfoils
Rapid Chemometric Filtering of Spectral Data
Part 1 of a Computational Study of a Drop-Laden Mixing Layer
Selected Papers on Protoplanetary Disks
Module for Oxygenating Water Without Generating Bubbles
Multisensor Arrays for Greater Reliability and Accuracy
Integrated-Optic Oxygen Sensors
Hybrid Piezoelectric/Fiber-Optic Sensor Sheets
Laboratory Apparatus Generates Dual-Species Cold Atomic Beam
Multispectral Scanner for Monitoring Plants
Brush/Fin Thermal Interfaces
Compensating for Effects of Humidity on Electronic Noses
Time-Transfer System for Two Orbiting Spacecraft
Calculating Mass Diffusion in High-Pressure Binary Fluids
Current Pulses Momentarily Enhance Thermoelectric Cooling
Improved Cryostat for Cooling a Wide Panel
Pseudoslit Spectrometer
Waste-Heat-Driven Cooling Using Complex Compound Sorbents
Nonlinear FEA Analysis of Filament-Wound Composite Container Tanks
Role of Meteorology in Flights of a Solar-Powered Airplane
Model of Mixing Layer With Multicomponent Evaporating Drops
Electrochemical, H2O2-Boosted Catalytic Oxidation System
Permanent Sequestration of Emitted Gases in the Form of Clathrate Hydrates
Miniature Radioisotope Thermoelectric Power Cubes
Ultraviolet-Absorption Spectroscopic Biofilm Monitor
Freeze-Tolerant Condensers
Controllable Sonar Lenses and Prisms Based on ERFs
The StarLight Space Interferometer
Champagne Heat Pump
Sensor for Monitoring Nanodevice-Fabrication Plasmas
Electrokinetic In Situ Treatment of Metal-Contaminated Soil
Cryogenic Temperature-Gradient Foam/Substrate Tensile Tester
Slat Heater Boxes for Thermal Vacuum Testing
Electrical-Impedance-Based Ice-Thickness Gauges
System for Testing Thermal Insulation of Pipes
Scaling of Two-Phase Flows to Partial-Earth Gravity
Swarms of Micron-Sized Sensors
Three-Dimensional Venturi Sensor for Measuring Extreme Winds
Oxygen-Partial-Pressure Sensor for Aircraft Oxygen Mask
Automated Serial Sectioning for 3D Reconstruction
Tilt-Sensitivity Analysis for Space Telescopes
Study of Dislocation-Ordered In_xGa_1–xAs/GaAs Quantum Dots
Alternative Electrochemical Systems for Ozonation of Water
Magnetic Field Would Reduce Electron Backstreaming in Ion Thrusters
Hot Films on Ceramic Substrates for Measuring Skin Friction
Predicting and Preventing Incipient Flameout in Combustors
Detecting Conductive Liquid Leaking From Nonconductive Pipe
Nulling Infrared Radiometer for Measuring Temperature
Assessment of Models of Chemically Reacting Granular Flows
Numerical Study of Pyrolysis of Biomass in Fluidized Beds
Integrated Arrays of Ion-Sensitive Electrodes
Model of Fluidized Bed Containing Reacting Solids and Gases
Using Diffusion Bonding in Making Piezoelectric Actuators
Turbulence in Supercritical O2/H2 and C₇H₁₆/N₂ Mixing Layers
Throttling Cryogen Boiloff To Control Cryostat Temperature
Thermo-Electron Ballistic Coolers or Heaters
Proton Collimators for Fusion Reactors
Floating Probe Assembly for Measuring Temperature of Water
Subsonic and Supersonic Effects in Bose-Einstein Condensate
Irreversible Entropy Production in Two-Phase Mixing Layers
Microscale Thermal-Transpiration Gas Pump
Compact Instruments Measure Helium-Leak Rates
Improved Measurement of Coherence in Presence of Instrument Noise
Instrument for Measuring Temperature of Water
Evaluation of Charge Storage and Decay in Spacecraft Insulators
Nanoscale Hot-Wire Probes for Boundary-Layer Flows
Silicon Membrane Mirrors With Electrostatic Shape Actuators
Fiber-Optic Ammonia Sensors
Compact System Detects Potentially Explosive Gas Mixtures
Scanning Thermography
Ultrahigh-Vacuum Arc-Jet Source of Nitrogen for Epitaxy
Lightweight Mirrors for Orbiting Earth-Observing Instruments
Making Hydrogen by Electrolysis of Methanol
Making Three-Dimensional Holograms Visible From All Sides
Electrometer for Triboelectric Evaluation of Materials
Electrochemical Systems Generate Ozone and Ozonated Water
Polarization Recycling for Lighting LCD's More Efficiently
Sulfur Lamp With CaBr₂ Additive for Enhanced Plant Growth
Soaring to 100,000 ft on Stratospheric Mountain Waves
Inflatable Fresnel Lenses as Concentrators for Solar Power
Hybrid Acoustic/Electrostatic Levitation Apparatus
Low-Distortion Imaging Spectrometers
Monolithic Electrostatic Sector for Miniature Mass Spectrometers
Evaluation of Exhaust Flows From Thrust-Vectoring Nozzles
Oscillating-Flow Heat-Transfer and Pressure-Drop Test Rig