Briefs: Test & Measurement
A component leak test apparatus investigates the performance of fittings at low temperature and/or high pressure. Its performance was quantified by measuring the ability to hold cold pressurized gaseous helium...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Stress-Induced Nanofabrication
Currently, the synthesis of nanomaterials relies on special inter-particle chemical and physical reactions, which restricts their development. However, stress-induced nanofabrication can effectively render arrays of nanomaterials uniform in length, diameter, and density.
Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
A collective rattling effect in a type of crystalline semiconductor was discovered to block most heat transfer while preserving high electrical conductivity — a rare pairing...
Briefs: Materials
Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Polymers for High-Temperature Applications
A new class of polymeric materials was developed with resistance to heat, dielectric breakdown, and oxidation at high temperatures. For applications that demand high temperature resistance coupled with greater strength, these polymers can be easily transformed into ceramics with...
NASA Spinoff: Medical
NASA astronaut Shannon Lucid spent hundreds of hours exercising during her 188-day stay on the Russian space station Mir in 1996. Although it was her least favorite...
Blog: Energy
News: Photonics/Optics
Blog: Green Design & Manufacturing
With another year of Tech Briefs almost in the books, it's time to look at our most-read news articles of 2017.
Top stories included a look back at the life of Robert Goddard, and a look forward to...
News: RF & Microwave Electronics
INSIDER: Manufacturing & Prototyping
INSIDER: Materials
A vortex in the atmosphere can churn with enough power to create a typhoon. But more subtle vortices form constantly in nature. Many of them are too small to be seen with the naked eye....
INSIDER: Manufacturing & Prototyping
One technology uses magnetic fields to generate mechanical work. The other enhances the magnetic properties of 3D-printed materials. Combined, they could lead to efficient, economical production of magnetic...
Question of the Week
Would you use "Printed Wi-Fi?"
This week, Tech Briefs TV featured an additive-manufacturing technology from the University of Washington.
Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Sound-Off: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The “Internet of Things” links a variety of devices, from computers and industrial machines to heart monitors and robots. The interconnection also leads to some...
INSIDER: Manufacturing & Prototyping
During a routine spacewalk, astronauts can easily lose their sense of orientation and direction. Creators of a new kind of spacesuit aim to address the challenge — with the push of a...
Products: Software
Question of the Week
Did You Ever Launch Model Rockets?
Our lead story today emphasized the inspirational role of the model rocket. What do you think? Did you ever launch model rockets?
INSIDER: Propulsion
Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Will Ethics Training be Essential for Tomorrow's Design Engineers?
In our second INSIDER story, Patti Kreh demonstrated that colleges and universities will need to take an "interdisciplinary" approach to train the design engineers of the future.
"What we're seeing is the need for the blending of disciplines – a combination of...
Q&A: Test & Measurement
Dr. Beyah and a team of researchers from Georgia Tech and Rutgers University have developed a three-layer system to verify that components produced using...
Sound-Off: Physical Sciences
Sound-Off: How Should Universities Prepare Tomorrow’s Vehicle Designers?
INSIDER: Aerospace
Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Proper filtration plays an important role in ensuring that hydraulic systems operate trouble-free. High-performance filters maintain the cleanliness of the hydraulic fluid over its entire service life. In...
Application Briefs: Motion Control
The launch, landing, and overall mission of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) is arguably one of the most daring — and successful — space exploration endeavors ever...
Products: Electronics & Computers
GF Piping Systems (Irvine, CA) introduced a corrosion-resistant pneumatic diaphragm valve for highly corrosive dosing and open/close applications. The Type 604/605 pneumatically actuated...
Briefs: Motion Control
An engineering team at the University of California San Diego has designed and built a gripper that can pick up and manipulate objects without needing to see them and without being...
Top Stories
Blog: RF & Microwave Electronics
A Hack to Trick Automotive Radar
Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Rapidly Printing with Liquid Metal
Blog: Design
New Material Could Lead to Better Hydrogen-Based Batteries, Fuel Cells
NASA Spinoff: Design
Additive Manufacturing Subtracts from Rocket Build Time
Podcasts: Aerospace
Countering Illegally Operated Drones at Airports, Stadiums, and Prisons
Blog: Materials
Question of the Week
Blog: Artificial Intelligence: Meet Human Intelligence
Webcasts
On-Demand Webinars: Manufacturing & Prototyping
AI on the Ascent: Optimizing Factory Schedules for Peak Production
Webinars: Materials
Top 3 Factors Impacting the Useful Life of Medical Devices
Upcoming Webinars: Power
How to Safely Control the Power to Your Vehicle
Upcoming Webinars: Software
Digital Twins and Simulation for Accelerated Automotive Product...
Upcoming Webinars: Manufacturing & Prototyping
EV Bodyshop Metrology: The Same but Different
Upcoming Webinars: Aerospace
Integrating Additive Manufacturing Into Aerospace Production