Products of Tomorrow: October 2021

Metamaterial printing, high-efficiency solar cells, and a noise-reduction material.

Microphone Detects Turbulence Hundreds of Miles Away

A NASA microphone that detects unseen air turbulence is lofted to high heights aboard a stratospheric glider.

Smartphone App Hears Ear Infections in Children

The app detects fluid behind the eardrum using a piece of paper and a smartphone’s microphone and speaker.

Extreme Low-Frequency Hydrophone

Applications include monitoring of earthquakes and tsunamis as well as manmade infrasonic sources such as boats.

Ultrasonic Projector

A chip-based technology generates sound profiles with high resolution and intensity to make ultrasound therapy more effective and easier.

5 Ws of the SoundWatch

The smartwatch app identifies sounds that a user is interested in and sends a friendly buzz and information about the sound.

Multirotor Aircraft Noise Reduction

NASA's phase-locked rotors reduce noise.

Flap Device for Airframe Noise Reduction

This trailing edge flap device reduces noise without compromising cruise efficiency or landing lift and stall characteristics.

Flow Disruption Devices for the Reduction of High Lift System Noise

This technique lowers airstream noise generated at the side edges of deployed flaps, elevons, or slats.

Products of Tomorrow: January 2020

Heartbeat-based biometrics, sonic-boom displays, and an artificial leaf.

Embedded Fiber Optic Sensors (EFOS)

Current laser interferometry pressure pulse detection techniques use the shock-induced change in index of refraction to track detonation and/or shock fronts in a single fiber optic by reflecting laser...

Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) Actuator

This technology has applications in sonar, range measuring, directional-force sensors, flow meters, and vibration/noise sensing and control.

Compact, Lightweight, CMC-Based Acoustic Liner

In the wake of recent developments that have reduced fan and jet noise contributions to overall jet-engine noise, aircraft designers are turning their attention toward reducing engine core...

Advanced Over-the-Wing Nacelle Transport Configuration

NASA’s Langley Research Center has developed a new aircraft design with the engine nacelle over the wing, improving engine ground clearance and freeing landing gear design. While...

Facility Focus: U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory

In October 1962, the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Unit was established with a goal of providing specialized medical and physiological support to help close the gap between Army...

Variable-Depth, Multilayer Liner for Aircraft Noise Reduction

NASA Langley Research Center has developed a new approach for designing aircraft liner cores for noise reduction. The cores are comprised of multiple honeycomb-shaped chambers,...

Hybrid, Wide-Range Detector Amplifier

Many applications require detection of both very small and very large signals. High-gain detector amplifiers provide low noise, but are easily swamped by large signals. Logarithmic amplifiers provide a...

Method for Reducing Broadband Noise

Researchers at NASA’s Glenn and Langley Research Centers have developed a groundbreaking bio-mimicking acoustic liner for quieting noisy environments. Conventional approaches have not been able to absorb...

Sound Inaudible to Humans Can Be Recorded by Microphones

Microphones, from those in smartphones to hearing aids, are built specifically to hear the human voice — humans can’t hear at levels higher than 20 kHz, and microphones max out at...

Stretchable Mesh for Cavity Noise Reduction

NASA’s Langley Research Center has developed a landing gear cavity modification that reduces noise produced during aircraft approach and landing. The modification is an innovative stretchable...

Depth Sensors for Time-of-Flight Imaging

Time of flight is an approach that gauges distance by measuring the time it takes light projected into a scene to bounce back to a sensor. In time-of-flight imaging, a short burst of light is fired...

Microwave-Based Test Method for Computer Chips

A new approach was developed that overcomes the limitation of conventional chip-testing methods on 3D chips, which include many thin horizontal “floors” connected to one another by vertical...

Tunable, High-Isolation RF/Microwave Circulator

A new high-isolation RF circulator provides enhanced detection ranges (radar) and improved reception (communications) by reducing signal leakage and undesirable internal reflections between...

Autonomous Slat-Cove Filler Device

NASA’s Langley Research Center has developed a deployable and stowable mechanical design for filling the cavity behind the leading-edge slat (i.e., slat cove) when it is extended upon landing an aircraft....

Method for Inflating Uniformly Stiff Tubular Booms

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed a foam-rigidized, inflatable, tubular space boom that can be transported, deployed, and inflated at remote locations. The lightweight...

Aircraft Engine Exhaust Nozzle System for Jet Noise Reduction

A system of nozzles and pylons that redistributes jet exhaust noise sources upstream to reduce jet noise has been developed. Certain aircraft configurations install the propulsion...