Billy's Blog

Blog : Energy

Rain Power: Droplet-Based Energy Generator Lights Up 100 LEDs

An energy breakthrough from the City University of Hong Kong finds power in a single drop of water – up to 140 volts, in fact.

Blog : Test & Measurement

NASA's SuperCam Set to Look for Evidence of Life On Mars

See what the SuperCam will do when it arrives on Mars in 2021.

Blog : Test & Measurement

New Discoveries, From Just a Grain of Moon Dust

“We’re analyzing rocks from space, atom by atom,” says researcher Jennika Greer.

Blog : Photonics/Optics

SPIE Photonics West 2020, Day 2: Sensing LiDAR's Rise

Editor Bruce A. Bennett shares his observations from SPIE Photonics West, including the emergence of LiDAR.

Blog : Photonics/Optics

SPIE Photonics West 2020 – Sights from Day 1

See what caught Bruce A. Bennett's eye during Day 1 of Photonics West 2020 in San Francisco.

Blog : Software

How to Design an Airless Car Tire? Start with Simulation

Researchers from the University of Illinois are looking at all the different ways to create a non-pneumatic automotive tire.

Blog : Robotics, Automation & Control

A Soft Robot That Can Maintain Its Temperature? No Sweat!

Cornell researcher T.J. Wallin explains what's so cool about a robot that sweats.

Blog : Green Design & Manufacturing

The Next Building Material for Mars: Fungi?

When astronauts arrive on the Moon, their habitat may be one made out of fungi.

Blog : Materials

New Coating 'Confuses' Infrared Cameras by Hiding Temperature Changes

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

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.

Blog : Aerospace

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 : Transportation

CES 2020: The Pegasus Flying Car Takes Off…Quietly

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

Blog : Sensors/Data Acquisition

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.

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.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

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.

Blog : Electronics & Computers

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.

Blog : Aerospace

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.

Blog : Electronics & Computers

In High Temperatures, A New Class of Ceramics Controls Heat Radiation

New ceramics expand on ways to more efficiently use heat radiation.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Breakthrough in Earthquake Forecasting: Floating Buoy Measures Seafloor Motion

New measurements could help experts guess the location and size of the next earthquake.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Aluminum Joining Methods: Welding vs. Adhesives

Our expert examines the pros and cons of welding, adhesives, and other metal joining methods.

Blog : Imaging

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.

Blog : Energy

'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.

Blog : Materials

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.

Blog : Materials

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.

Blog : Software

Creating the Future: Livox Simplifies Communication for People with Disabilities

Livox uses machine learning to ease communication.

Blog : Aerospace

Acting Like Bees, Tiny Drones Find Their Way Through Unknown Environments

A minimal, map-less approach to drone navigation takes after the bee.

Blog : Manufacturing & Prototyping

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.

Blog : Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Closer Look at ULiSSES, A Device Extending the Life of Organs

The ULiSSES device preserves organs, without the ice chest.