Technical Briefs, Design Engineering News

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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Self-Sustaining, Intelligent Electronic Microsystems from “Green” Material

Researchers have created an electronic microsystem that can intelligently respond to information inputs without any external energy input, much like a...

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Sensitive Method for Detecting Transistor Defects

The method could support the semiconductor industry and facilitate development of next-gen devices.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Turning Thermal Energy into Electricity

Applications include power and energy, communications, and sensors.

Briefs: Energy

Charging Room System Provides Electricity Over the Air

In-wall capacitors power lights, phones, and laptops without wires.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Superlattice for Sustainable Quantum Electronics

The material could potentially provide a platform for error-free quantum computing.

Briefs: Energy

Nanothin Piezoelectrics for Self-Powered Electronics

The nanothin material could advance self-powered electronics, wearable technologies, and even deliver pacemakers powered by heartbeats.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

All-in-One Test for COVID-19 Monitoring

The test can simultaneously diagnose cases, track variants, and detect co-infections.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

LEDs Can Detect Spoiled Food and Lethal Gases

The technology could benefit firefighters, miners, the military, plumbers, and households.

Briefs: Wearables

Inexpensive Portable Detector Identifies Pathogens in Minutes

The smartphone-based device could reduce the pressure on testing laboratories during a pandemic.

Briefs: Motion Control

Measurement Method Tests Fit of Exoskeletons

This testing method ensures that an exoskeleton and the person wearing it are moving smoothly and in harmony.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Smartphone-Based COVID-19 Test

The test uses a smartphone microscope and could deliver results in about 10 minutes.

Briefs: Energy

Woven Nanotube Fibers Turn Heat into Power

Invisibly small nanotubes aligned as fibers and sewn into fabrics can turn heat from the Sun or other sources into energy.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Three-Layer Method Makes Plastic More Transparent and Adds Electrical Conductivity

This process could improve large touchscreens, LED light panels, and window-mounted infrared solar cells.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Liquid Metal Coating Creates Effective Antiviral, Antimicrobial Fabric

The coatings eradicated human influenza and coronavirus in five minutes.

Briefs: Materials

Nanoprecipitates Toughen Structural Alloys

Mechanical properties, such as strength and ductility, can be improved for car, plane, and building components.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Fibers Turn Fabric into Breath-Regulating Garments

These textiles could help performers and athletes train their breathing and potentially help patients recovering from post-surgery breathing changes.

Briefs: Power

Power Processing Unit for Small Spacecraft Electric Propulsion

This scalable power processing unit (PPU) is for use with low-power Hall effect thrusters.

Briefs: Energy

Process Converts Ethanol to Jet Fuel

A new catalyst and microchannel reactors improve efficiency and cost of the process.

Briefs: Manned Systems

Propulsion System for Hypersonic Flight

The system could allow for flight speeds of Mach 6 to 17 and would have applications in air and space travel.

Briefs: Propulsion

Simple, Fuel-Efficient Rocket Engine for Cheaper, Lighter Spacecraft

The engine could make rockets not only more fuel-efficient, but also more lightweight and less complicated to construct.

Briefs: Propulsion

Ignition Technology for Electric Propulsion Devices

This system would extend the life of CubeSat satellites.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

3D-Printed Graphene Aerogels for Water Treatment

The aerogels safely remove contaminants from water without releasing any problematic chemical residue.

Briefs: Materials

Gel-Like Fluid Prevents Wildfires

The long-lasting, environmentally benign fire-retarding treatment, if used on high-risk areas, could dramatically cut the number of fires that occur each year.