INSIDER: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Medical Robotic Hand? Rubbery Semiconductor Makes It Possible

Researchers at the University of Houston report that they have designed and produced a smart electronic skin and a medical robotic hand capable of assessing vital diagnostic...

INSIDER: Design

2D Materials for Extra Thin Computer Chips

For a long time, something important has been regularly neglected in electronics. If you want to make electronic components smaller and smaller, you also need the right insulator materials. This...

INSIDER: Wearables

Researchers Devise Efficient, Scalable Process for Fabricating MXene Films That Block Electromagnetic Interference

The proliferation and miniaturization of electronics in devices, wearables, medical implants, and other applications has...

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

Researchers Have Developed the World’s Smallest Ultrasound Detector

Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed the world’s smallest ultrasound detector. Based on...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Possible Significant Response Speedup from Detuning a Resonator Bolometer

The response time of kinetic inductance bolometers can be greatly enhanced by electrothermal feedback for devices that are both sensitive and speedy.

Products: Electronics & Computers

New on the Market: October 2020

Tubing plugs, displacement measurements, CAM software, and more.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Using Silicon for Battery Anodes

A nanostructure design lends extraordinary strength to a promising storage ingredient.

Facility Focus: Transportation

Facility Focus: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

In 2020, the EPA marks 50 years of preparing for, responding to, preventing, and mitigating natural and manmade disasters.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Hybrid Material is an Efficient Photodetector

A metal-organic framework does not contain cost-intensive raw materials and can be produced in bulk.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Optical Neural Network Recognizes Objects Instantly

This technology can work with multiple wavelengths of light simultaneously.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Mass-Producible, Centimeter-Scale Metalens

Applications include low-light conditions such as on orbital satellites and VR applications where the lens needs to be larger than a pupil.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Bending an Organic Semiconductor Boosts Electrical Flow

This method could benefit next-generation electronics.

NASA Spinoff: Robotics, Automation & Control

Autonomous Drone Navigation System Ends Reliance on GPS

NASA's UAS traffic management expertise leads to advances in drone navigation.

Briefs: Aerospace

Battery Improvement Enhances Electric Flight and Long-Range Electric Cars

The new battery technology could improve electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and supercharge safe, long-range electric cars.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

“One-Way” Electronic Devices

These non-reciprocal devices on a compact chip pave the way for applications from two-way wireless to quantum computing.

Articles: Materials

Products of Tomorrow: October 2020

Nanowire masks, underwater imaging, and tiny 3D-printed block that repair bone breaks.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Integrated Microchips for Electronic Skin

Fully integrated flexible electronics made of magnetic sensors and organic circuits open the path towards the development of electronic skin.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D-Printed Soft, Rubbery Brain Implants

This technique may enable speedy, on-demand design of softer, safer neural devices.

Briefs: Software

Algorithm Protects Networks by Detecting Adversarial Actions

A higher-order network could be built that looks for subtle changes in data that point to suspicious activity.

Briefs: Unmanned Systems

Testing Swarming Drones

This system has a capacity of more than 1,500 times the volume of a typical testing facility.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Method Turns Nearly any Object into a Data Storage Unit

This technology makes it possible to save extensive data in objects such as shirt buttons, water bottles, or the lenses of glasses and then retrieve it years later.

Briefs: Energy

Laser Inversion Enables Multi-Material 3D Printing

The technique could enable the printing of circuit boards, electromechanical components, and robots.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Technology Advances Learning Capabilities of Drone Swarms

The learning approach allows swarms of unmanned vehicles to optimally accomplish their mission while minimizing performance uncertainty.

Articles: Imaging

Simple Robot Vision Tools Support Complex Applications

New collaborative robot-based vision systems are changing how manufacturers can inspect their parts.

Briefs: Aerospace

Nanocardboard Aircraft with No Moving Parts

Tiny aircraft that weigh as much as a fruit fly could serve as Martian atmospheric probes.

5 Ws: Green Design & Manufacturing

5 Ws of Algae-Based Flip-Flops

Would you take a walk in biodegradable flip-flops?

Briefs: Medical

Manufacturing Nanoscale Light Manipulation Devices on Peelable Film

This method integrates 3D plasmonic nanoarrays onto stickers that adhere to any surface.

Briefs: Materials

3D Additive Manufacturing with a High-Power Electron Gun

Applications include rapid prototyping, medical, aerospace, and automotive.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Drawing Electronics on Human Skin

People could monitor their own health conditions by picking up a pencil and drawing a bioelectronic device on their skin.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Controlling Defects in 3D Printing

Temperature data is used to tune, and fix, defects in 3D-printed metallic parts.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Quantum Switch Turns Metals into Insulators

This approach could engineer quantum materials atom-by-atom for new electronic, magnetic, and sensing applications.

Q&A: Lighting

Q&A: NanoLED Architecture Overcomes Efficiency Droop

A nanoLED has up to 1,000 times the brightness of conventional submicron-sized LEDs.

Briefs: Transportation

AI Software Enables Real-Time 3D Printing Quality Assessment

The software assesses the quality of parts in real time, without the need for expensive characterization equipment.

Briefs: Aerospace

Bio-Inspired Wing Design for Small Drones

Taking a cue from birds and insects, the wing design helps drones fly more efficiently and makes them more robust to atmospheric turbulence.

Briefs: Automotive

Wavy Surfaces for Better Light Control

This method could impact optical technologies such as smartphone cameras, biosensors, or autonomous vision for robots and self-driving cars.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Algorithm Defends Against Side-Channel Attacks on Hardware

The algorithm provides an extra layer of safety and security against hackers of electronic devices.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Laser Spark Distribution and Ignition System

Traditional spark plugs are replaced by an optical pumping source.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Self-Heating Battery Enables Quick Recharging of Electric Vehicles

This battery would enable a 10-minute electrical vehicle recharge.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Combined Optical Transmitter and Receiver

The tiny unit is significant for the miniaturization of optoelectronic systems.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Measuring Optical Null Lens Aberrations

This method can be used in astronomy, surveillance, and optics manufacturing.

Briefs: IoMT

System Eases Networking Lag in Massive IoT Devices

“EasyPass” would enable smart warehouses, automated factories, and more to operate without delays.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Perovskite Solar Cells Take the Heat

Perovskites could be the active ingredient that makes the next generation of low-cost, efficient, lightweight, and flexible solar cells.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Fluoride Materials for Extra-Thin Computer Chips

To make electronic components smaller, semiconductor 2D materials are combined with new types of insulator materials.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Electronics Mimic the Human Brain in Biological Learning

Neuromorphic computing uses memristors that could function and operate like real brain synapses.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Industrial-Grade Open Source

Open source microcontroller technologies in industrially hardened form factors address critical applications.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Drones Change Shape Mid-Flight

This capability will optimize performance of the vehicle through different phases of flight.

Briefs: Motion Control

Soft, Self-Actuated Pump for Mechatronic Devices

A soft hydrogel, driven by an oscillatory chemical reaction, produces an autonomous integrated pump for microfluidic applications.

Articles: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Open Controllers Simplify Automation Systems

By consolidating tasks traditionally performed by multiple devices into a single, high-performing controller, manufacturers can improve operations.

Articles: Imaging

Rapid Prototyping of Cable and Connectors for Unique Applications

Standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) connectors continue to be a great resource for quick prototypes and reference designs.

Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Custom Gimbal for JHU-APL Shows Promise for Others

See how Blue Joule developed and delivered the Mini Mount (MM) Gimbal to Johns Hopkins University.

Products: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

New Products: October 2020 Motion Design

Accelerometers, actuators, hexapods, and more.

Briefs: Motion Control

Origami-Inspired Miniature Manipulator

This mini robot improves precision and control of teleoperated surgical procedures.

Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Torque Limiters 101: Benefits, Types, and Comparisons

Torque limiters protect against damage and downtime caused by machine overloads.

Technology Leaders: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Protecting the New Generation of Sensors and Electronics: Smarter and Smaller Requires Advanced Protection

For nearly 50 years, engineers in the electronics, aerospace, defense, medical device, and transportation industries have relied on Parylene coatings.

Products: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Product of the Month: October 2020 Tech Briefs

Users can edit the shape of a model while viewing results and watch the simulation update immediately.

Podcasts: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Here's an Idea: 3D Printing in Space

In this episode of Here's an Idea, NASA's Tracie Prater wants to leave spare parts back on Earth...and 3D print them in space.

On-Demand Webinars: Automotive

Helping HEV/EV Batteries Go the Distance and Stay Cool Under Pressure

As the number of electric vehicles grows, so does the need for advancements in battery technologies, especially in areas of thermal management, safety, durability,...

INSIDER: Robotics, Automation & Control

Soft Robots Deliver Medical Treatments

Researchers created a way to send tiny, soft robots into humans. Doctors would use magnetic fields to steer the soft robot inside the body, bringing medications or treatments to places that need...

On-Demand Webinars: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Rotary Position Sensing for EV Powertrain Applications

This 30-minute Webinar examines a patented breakthrough sensor technology for electric vehicle (EV) traction motor applications. These rotary position sensors are an alternative...

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Researchers Prove Their Elastic Exosuit Eases Back Stress

Vanderbilt University engineers are proving that their elastic exosuit can provide relief for people doing the heavy lifting.

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Is the Public Ready for a Level-4 Autonomous Vehicle?

A reader asks, "Will the public feel safe enough in an autonomous vehicle?"

On-Demand Webinars: Robotics, Automation & Control

How to Identify Good Collaborative Robot Projects

Statistics show that collaborative automation is the fastest growing segment in the industry – and for good reason. Cobots are safe, easy to use, and quick to deploy. To get...

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

How to Charge an Underwater Robot? A Mobile Docking Station

Researcher Nina Mahmoudian is finding a new way for underwater robots to recharge and upload their data, and then go back out to continue exploring, without the need for human intervention.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

With Water Jets, Machines 'Breathe' to Cool Down

University of Central Florida researchers are developing a human-like way for large machines to cool off and keep from overheating: Letting the machines "breathe."

INSIDER: Communications

Undergrads Improve Cybersecurity of Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications

Students at Rochester Institute of Technology created a wireless testbed that future research teams can use to investigate secure V2V communications.

Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control

A Squid-Like Robot Swims, Untethered

A robot being tested at the University of California San Diego takes after an aquatic invertebrate that has a jet-like way moving through the water: The Squid.

INSIDER: Aerospace

Students Design Custom Satellites

Engineering students at the University of Cincinnati are building tiny custom CubeSat satellites to test the radiation shielding properties of carbon fiber material and take high-resolution photos of the...

Blog: Test & Measurement

Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Testing: Simulation vs. Closed-Course vs. Public Roads

A reader asks, "For AV testing, what are the respective role of simulation, closed course, and public road testing?"

INSIDER: Motion Control

Transforming Rover Explores the Toughest Terrain

NASA’s DuAxel, a pair of two-wheeled rovers each called Axel, can split in half with each half connected only by a tether that unspools as the lead axle approaches a hazard.

Blog: Software

Woodworking, Simplified: New Software Aids in Design

An interactive software being developed at the University of Tokyo allows architects and furniture makers with little experience in woodworking to to design and build structurally sound wood joints.

Blog: Photonics/Optics

A Spider-Inspired Design Paves Way for Better Photodetectors

Purdue University innovators are taking cues from the spider to develop 3D photodetectors for biomedical imaging.