Blog: Aerospace

As Fewer Planes Take Off, NASA's Pandora Sensors Measure Airport Air Quality

An empty airport tells you more than you might think.

INSIDER: Imaging

Layered Solar Cell Technology Boosts Efficiency and Affordability

The future’s getting brighter for solar power. Researchers from CU Boulder have created a low-cost solar cell with one of the highest power-conversion efficiencies to...

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

Inverse Design Software Automates Design Process for Optical, Nanophotonic Structures

Stanford University researchers created an inverse design codebase called SPINS that can help researchers explore different design methodologies to...

INSIDER: Imaging

Upconverting Nanolasers from Subwavelength Plasmons

A research team has used the Molecular Foundry, a Department of Energy Office of Science user facility, to create miniature lasers. These lasers are stable and work continuously. What...

INSIDER Product: Photonics/Optics

New Products: May 2020 Photonics & Imaging Insider

Low-Power Sealed Laser

Luxinar (Kingston Upon Hull, UK) has introduced the SR 08s for marking, scribing and kiss cutting applications requiring average rather than peak power. The...

Blog: Aerospace

Starting In the Garage, NASA Engineer Makes Oxygen Helmet for COVID-19 Patients

See how NASA engineer Mike Buttigieg is creating a device that will free up ventilators for patients with COVID-19

Blog: Medical

NASA's 'VITAL' Ventilator Gets FDA Approval

A low-cost, low-complexity ventilator developed by NASA engineers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week.

Briefs: Propulsion

Supersonic Spike Diffuser

This diffuser provides double the pumping efficiency in one-quarter the space.

Briefs: Energy

Spin Capacitor for Energy-Efficient Electronics

The capacitor could enable a new generation of electronics that will require less power and generate less heat.

Briefs: Software

VoroCrust v.1.0 Meshing Software

This program generates a mesh that conforms to a complex model without clipping.

Briefs: Materials

System Provides Cooling with No Electricity

This passive device relies on a layer of material that blocks incoming sunlight but lets heat radiate away.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Device Tests Drugs on Tumor Tissue

An inexpensive 3D-printed microfluidics device could be used to personalize cancer treatment.

Briefs: Tubing & Extrusion

Nanostructured Rubber-Like Material to Replace Human Tissue

The material consists solely of components that have already been shown to work well in the body.

Briefs: Materials

Nano-Infused Ceramic Can Report its own Health

A ceramic sensor could be embedded into structures such as bridges and aircraft to monitor their health.

Briefs: Lighting

Artificial Intelligence Finds and Labels 2D Materials Instantly

The AI system can help shorten the time required for 2D material-based electronics to be ready for consumer devices.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Radiation-Hardened Gain Digitizer

This instrument has applications in medical equipment, robotics, and satellites.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Microfluidics Device Detects Cancer Cells in Blood

This device could enable rapid, inexpensive liquid biopsies to help detect cancer and develop targeted treatment plans.

Products: Test & Measurement

New on the Market: May 2020

Sealing connection tools, oscilloscopes, snap-action switches, and more...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

High-Efficiency Laser for Silicon Chips

Applications include optical data transfer, infrared and night-vision systems, environmental sensors, and breath analysis for medical diagnosis.

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Executive Roundtable: 3D Printing

Tech Briefs posed questions to 3D printing/AM industry execs, to get their views on issues like metal printing, new materials, and environmental sustainability.

Briefs: Software

Autonomic and Apoptotic Highly Distributed System

Applications include distributed computer systems, computer security, and commercial satellite systems.

Briefs: Medical

Ultrasonic System to Assess Compartment Syndrome

Applications include emergency medicine, combat casualty care, and sports injuries.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Electric Nanoscale Device Sees Through Walls

Applications include imaging, sensing, wireless communications, and medical treatments.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Characterizing Richness of Previously Unmapped Terrain and its Impact on Navigation Using 3D Range Sensors

Landers to small bodies such as comets and asteroids can use this program to estimate the terrain richness of the previously unmapped small body.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Wi-Fi-assisted Inertial Odometry (WIO) Measures Speed and Distance of Indoor Movement

The technique could be used to improve navigation for robots, drones, or pedestrians.