Technical Briefs, Design Engineering News

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INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

Simulated Image Demonstrates Power of Nasa's Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope

Imagine a fleet of 100 Hubble Space Telescopes, deployed in a strategic space-invader-shaped array a million miles from Earth, scanning the universe at warp...

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

Laser Pulse Creates Frequency Doubling in Amorphous Dielectric Material

Researchers have demonstrated a new all-optical technique for creating robust second-order nonlinear effects in materials that don’t normally support them. Using a...

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

Tests Measure Solar Panel Performance Beyond Established Standards

Photovoltaics used in solar panels are sensitive to environmental factors and often suffer degradation over time. International Electrotechnical Commission standards for...

Blog: Materials

New Coating 'Confuses' Infrared Cameras by Hiding Temperature Changes

"View it as an infrared privacy shield," says Professor Mikhail Kats.

Question of the Week: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Would You Cook with ‘Julia?’

Last week, we highlighted five CES 2020 technologies that are adding intelligence to everyday aspects of the home. One featured “Smart Home” technology included “Julia,” an all-in-one cooker that performs a variety of kitchen tasks: chopping, whisking, steaming, weighing ingredients, and even kneading...

Blog: Electronics & Computers

A Boost for Aqueous Lithium Ion-Batteries: Adding an Oxide

To improve the aqueous lithium-ion battery, RPI researchers tried out niobium tungsten oxide.

Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

3D Printing and Space Exploration: How NASA Will Use Additive Manufacturing

NASA is using the International Space Station as a testbed for 3D printing.

Question of the Week: Aerospace

Would You Ride in a Flying Car?

A flying car, also known as a rotable aircraft, is something that inventors have been dreaming about for a very long time. Stuck in traffic? Just take-off and get out of there.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up

NASA came to CES with a message: We're going back to the Moon, and we'll need help from industry to do it.

Blog: Aerospace

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

Stuck in traffic? The Pegasus flying car can get you out of there.

Blog: Communications

CES 2020: A High-Tech Wine Dispenser and More Arrivals to the Smart Home

Here are five technologies that aim to add intelligence to the most surprising household objects.

Question of the Week: Aerospace

Will We Use Satellites to Fix Satellites?

A recent INSIDER described one researcher’s idea to fix a broken satellite: Send up a repair satellite! Read the Tech Briefs Q&A for details.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives

A fun way to show the robustness of a soft robot? Swat it.

Blog: Test & Measurement

Answering Your Questions: How to Confirm Metal 3D Printing Accuracy and Quality

As additive manufacturing supports the creation of critical metal parts, designers need to know that the parts are high-quality.

Special Reports: Motion Control

CONEXPO/IFPE - January 2020

Coming to Las Vegas in March, CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE are North America's largest events for the construction/commercial vehicle, fluid power, power transmission, and motion control industries. In this Special...

Special Reports: Design

Vehicle Electrification - January 2020

Demand for electric vehicles is accelerating, presenting new design, manufacturing, and infrastructure challenges. To help you keep pace with the rapid changes in vehicle electrification technology, we...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Laser-Based System Detects Fires Even in Dusty, Harsh Environments

A new laser-based system offers an efficient way to detect fires in challenging environments such as industrial facilities or large construction sites.