Billy's Blog

On Billy's Blog, Billy Hurley, Digital Editorial Manager, writes stories about new and innovative achievements in design engineering, from industrial robots and autonomous vehicles to 3D printers and see-through solar cells. Along with other Tech Briefs writers and editors, Billy shares his opinions, poses questions to readers, and finds the fun, interesting, and unexpected stories behind today's leading-edge inventions.

Blog : Electronics & Computers
A Boost for Aqueous Lithium Ion-Batteries: Adding an Oxide
A Boost for Aqueous Lithium Ion-Batteries: Adding an Oxide
To improve the aqueous lithium-ion battery, RPI researchers tried out niobium tungsten oxide.
A Boost for Aqueous Lithium Ion-Batteries: Adding an Oxide
Blog : Sensors/Data Acquisition
3D Printing and Space Exploration: How NASA Will Use Additive Manufacturing
3D Printing and Space Exploration: How NASA Will Use Additive Manufacturing
NASA is using the International Space Station as a testbed for 3D printing.
3D Printing and Space Exploration: How NASA Will Use Additive Manufacturing
Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems
CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up
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.
CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up
Blog : Aerospace
CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly
CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly
Stuck in traffic? The Pegasus flying car can get you out of there.
CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly
Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping
CES 2020: A High-Tech Wine Dispenser and More Arrivals to the Smart Home
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.
CES 2020: A High-Tech Wine Dispenser and More Arrivals to the Smart Home
Blog : Robotics, Automation & Control
A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives
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.
A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives
Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping
Answering Your Questions: How to Confirm Metal 3D Printing Accuracy and Quality
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.
Answering Your Questions: How to Confirm Metal 3D Printing Accuracy and Quality
Blog : Robotics, Automation & Control
How to Fix Satellites — With Satellites
How to Fix Satellites — With Satellites
If a satellite breaks in orbit, there's not much that can be done. A professor envisions a new idea for refueling and repair.
How to Fix Satellites — With Satellites
Blog : Electronics & Computers
Countdown: The Top Stories of 2019
Countdown: The Top Stories of 2019

Tech Briefs in 2019 celebrated historic NASA anniversaries, new ways to power electronics, and innovative hacks of our “smartest” technologies.

Countdown: The Top Stories of 2019
Blog : Aerospace
Answering Your Questions: How is a Parylene Conformal Coating Used?
Answering Your Questions: How is a Parylene Conformal Coating Used?
Parylene coatings are being used in the medical industry and even space. Our expert explains why.
Answering Your Questions: How is a Parylene Conformal Coating Used?
Blog : Materials
In High Temperatures, A New Class of Ceramics Controls Heat Radiation
In High Temperatures, A New Class of Ceramics Controls Heat Radiation
New ceramics expand on ways to more efficiently use heat radiation.
In High Temperatures, A New Class of Ceramics Controls Heat Radiation
Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A Breakthrough in Earthquake Forecasting: Floating Buoy Measures Seafloor Motion
A Breakthrough in Earthquake Forecasting: Floating Buoy Measures Seafloor Motion
New measurements could help experts guess the location and size of the next earthquake.
A Breakthrough in Earthquake Forecasting: Floating Buoy Measures Seafloor Motion
Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Aluminum Joining Methods: Welding vs. Adhesives
Aluminum Joining Methods: Welding vs. Adhesives
Our expert examines the pros and cons of welding, adhesives, and other metal joining methods.
Aluminum Joining Methods: Welding vs. Adhesives
Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping
Answering Your Questions: Industrial CT Scanning vs. Medical CT Scanning
Answering Your Questions: Industrial CT Scanning vs. Medical CT Scanning
Computed tomography is being used in the medical and industrial field. An expert explains how the two imaging techniques differ.
Answering Your Questions: Industrial CT Scanning vs. Medical CT Scanning
Blog : Energy
'Direct Thermal Charging Cell' Turns Waste Heat into Power
'Direct Thermal Charging Cell' Turns Waste Heat into Power
A new charging cell wants to use low-grade heat from our industrial processes to power our devices.
'Direct Thermal Charging Cell' Turns Waste Heat into Power
Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping
Answering Your Questions: What's Better for Extrusion? Aluminum 6000 or 7000 Series?
Answering Your Questions: What's Better for Extrusion? Aluminum 6000 or 7000 Series?
What's the best aluminum for extrusion? A Tech Briefs reader asks our expert.
Answering Your Questions: What's Better for Extrusion? Aluminum 6000 or 7000 Series?
Blog : Materials
Creating the Future: New Take on Welding Gun Bonds Plastic and Metal — In Seconds
Creating the Future: New Take on Welding Gun Bonds Plastic and Metal — In Seconds
A team in Germany has a quicker, cleaner approach to welding metal to plastic: The HPCI® Joining Gun.
Creating the Future: New Take on Welding Gun Bonds Plastic and Metal — In Seconds
Blog : AR/AI
Creating the Future: Livox Simplifies Communication for People with Disabilities
Creating the Future: Livox Simplifies Communication for People with Disabilities
Livox uses machine learning to ease communication.
Creating the Future: Livox Simplifies Communication for People with Disabilities
Blog : Aerospace
Acting Like Bees, Tiny Drones Find Their Way Through Unknown Environments
Acting Like Bees, Tiny Drones Find Their Way Through Unknown Environments
A minimal, map-less approach to drone navigation takes after the bee.
Acting Like Bees, Tiny Drones Find Their Way Through Unknown Environments
Blog : Transportation
A Standalone AC Battery Begins with a Cathode, an Anode, and a 'Biode'
A Standalone AC Battery Begins with a Cathode, an Anode, and a 'Biode'
The 'Biode' saves power by eliminating the need for AC/DC conversion.
A Standalone AC Battery Begins with a Cathode, an Anode, and a 'Biode'
Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A Closer Look at ULiSSES, A Device Extending the Life of Organs
A Closer Look at ULiSSES, A Device Extending the Life of Organs
The ULiSSES device preserves organs, without the ice chest.
A Closer Look at ULiSSES, A Device Extending the Life of Organs
News : Electronics & Computers
AUSA 2019: A Really Cool Computer
AUSA 2019: A Really Cool Computer
Ben Sharfi, CEO of General Micro Systems (GMS), says he has the Product of the Year. Do you agree?
AUSA 2019: A Really Cool Computer
News : RF & Microwave Electronics
AUSA 2019: Eyes in the Sky
AUSA 2019: Eyes in the Sky
It just wouldn’t be a military technology show without a few drones on display.
AUSA 2019: Eyes in the Sky
Blog : Aerospace
AUSA 2019: Military Preps for Open Sensor Standards
AUSA 2019: Military Preps for Open Sensor Standards
SOSA, the Sensor Open Systems Architecture Consortium, held a press conference on Monday afternoon at AUSA 2019.
AUSA 2019: Military Preps for Open Sensor Standards
Blog : Transportation
AUSA 2019: A View From the Show Floor
AUSA 2019: A View From the Show Floor
Editor Bruce A. Bennett offers a look at the Association of the United States Army's 2019 Annual Meeting.
AUSA 2019: A View From the Show Floor
News : Defense
Answering Your Questions: How Will the Military Use Motion Control Technology?
Answering Your Questions: How Will the Military Use Motion Control Technology?
A Tech Briefs reader asks: What's next with military motion control?
Answering Your Questions: How Will the Military Use Motion Control Technology?
Blog : Robotics, Automation & Control
Create the Future: A Drone That Folds to Fit Through Holes and Gaps
Create the Future: A Drone That Folds to Fit Through Holes and Gaps
A new drone “folds” itself into configurations that suit a given environment.
Create the Future: A Drone That Folds to Fit Through Holes and Gaps
Blog : Energy
Create the Future: Water Desalination, Powered by Waves
Create the Future: Water Desalination, Powered by Waves
Inventor Olivier Ceberio found a new way to turn ocean waves into fresh water.
Create the Future: Water Desalination, Powered by Waves
Blog : Transportation
Answering Your Questions: Why Not Use Fiber Optics for Car Connections?
Answering Your Questions: Why Not Use Fiber Optics for Car Connections?
Copper cables send data around today's vehicles. "Why not fiber optics?" asks a reader.
Answering Your Questions: Why Not Use Fiber Optics for Car Connections?
Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping
ULiSSES Medical Device Wins 2019 'Create the Future' Design Contest
ULiSSES Medical Device Wins 2019 'Create the Future' Design Contest
Learn more about ULiSSES, a life-saving device for organ and limb transport.
ULiSSES Medical Device Wins 2019 'Create the Future' Design Contest

Top Stories

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly
Blog: Aerospace

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up
Blog: Aerospace

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up

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

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

A Boost for Aqueous Lithium Ion-Batteries: Adding an Oxide
Blog: Electronics & Computers

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

'Bionic Flaps' Move in Response to Driver's Decisions
Videos: Manufacturing & Prototyping

'Bionic Flaps' Move in Response to Driver's Decisions

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

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

Question of the Week
Would You Cook with ‘Julia?’

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Modeling Interactions in Energy-Based Medical Devices Using...

Webinars: Medical

A Review of Ionizing Radiation Sterilization Modalities

Upcoming Webinars: Materials

Maximize Productivity and Minimize Costs with New Aerospace...

Upcoming Webinars: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Testing and Inspecting 3D-Printed Parts

Tech Talks: Materials

Cassette-S4: Advanced Sealing for Extreme Off-Highway Conditions

Tech Talks: Automotive

An Advanced Solution for Hydrodynamic Film Challenges

TRENDING STORIES

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

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

A 'DEAnsect' Robot Takes 10 Hits from a Fly Swatter – And Survives
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

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

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly
Blog: Aerospace

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

CES 2020: NASA Arrives, Ready to Partner Up

Answering Your Questions: How is a Parylene Conformal Coating Used?
Blog: Materials

Answering Your Questions: How is a Parylene Conformal Coating Used?

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

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