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SPIE Photonics West 2022 Returning to 'Normal'

Editor Bruce A. Bennett reports from SPIE Photonics West 2022 in San Francisco.

A Soft Gel Turns to 'Bone'

A combination of materials can morph into various shapes before hardening.

A Battery Breakthrough, Made from Rubber

An everyday material that we all know well may lead to safer, longer-lasting batteries for the electric vehicle.

What is the Most Difficult Vehicle Subsystem to Develop?

What's so tough about developing a car? A Tech Briefs reader wants to know the most challenging subsystem of the vehicle to build.

Who Won 'Best of Innovation' at CES 2022?

Have a look at the 'Best of Innovation' technologies at CES 2022, including a foldable EV, "see and spray" agriculture, ocean batteries, and more.

CES 2022: A Demand for ‘On Demand’ Pushes The Connected Car

Panelists at CES 2022 spoke about the automotive industry's response to customers who have gotten used to life "on demand."

Sweat-Activated Vents Open Up New Ideas for Clothing

Duke scientists have created a fabric that releases heat once you start sweating.

Can Material Choices Impact Gear Noise in a Vehicle?

A reader asks our industry expert:""Do the materials of construction have a big effect on gear generated noise?"

Biocompatible Adhesive Gel Works Underwater

With some help from mussels and spider silk, a team of researchers has developed a strong, biocompatible adhesive that works well underwater.

With Help from Heat, A Carbon-Fiber Composite Self-Heals

A team has created a new type of carbon fiber reinforced material that reverses any fatigue damage -- you just need a little heat.

Vehicle Simulation Software: How to Test Radar and Lidar in Snow

A reader asks a simulation expert: How do you compensate for the interaction of rain or snow storms on lidar sensors?

A New Idea for Cleaning Up Space Debris: Magnets

Prof. Jake J. Abbott is leading a team that has discovered a way to manipulate orbiting debris with spinning magnets.

Are In-Wheel Motor Systems Catching On?

One EV design is bring power out toward the wheel. But is the design here to stay? A Tech Briefs reader asks an expert at SAE.

Four-Legged 'Swarm' Robots Traverse Tough Terrain — Together

Forget puzzles — In the early days of quarantine, Notre Dame professor and robotics engineer Yasemin Ozkan-Aydin used the time at home to put together robots.

A New Use for Leftover Eggs: Preserving Produce

A micron-thick coating, made largely from leftover eggs, can extend the shelf life of the fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator.

When to Go With Battery X-Ray Inspection

Tech Briefs readers ask two industry experts about the effectiveness of CT scans when you want a deeper look at a battery.

Create the Future 2021: A Universal E-Kit Provides Power Boost to Non-Motorized Vehicles

Christopher Borroni-Bird and his team want to make an "e-kit" that provides a boost to wheelbarrows, bikes, and other non-motorized vehicles.

When to Expect a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck

Long-haul trucking may be the best candidate for hydrogen power. An industry expert tells us when we can expect more hydrogen fuel cells on the highway.

DamageMap Uses AI to Spot Damage from Wildfires

A deep-learning approach from Stanford University detects property damage caused by wildfires.

With Enzymes, A 'Create the Future' Winner Builds Self-Destructing Plastic

The 2021 Create the Future Design Contest winner wants to build a truly recyclable bioplastic.

Answering Reader Questions: NASA Prepares for Return to the Moon

A NASA expert answers your questions about the upcoming Artemis mission that will send astronauts back to the Moon.

To Handle the Heat, Researchers Add Boron Arsenide to High-Power Computer Chips

UCLA engineers have demonstrated successful integration of a novel semiconductor material into high-power computer chips.

NASA Going Back to the Moon: What is the Gateway Orbit?

A NASA expert explains why the Artemis mission will rely on a fascinating orbit known as the "Gateway."

NASA Going Back to the Moon: How Does the Artemis Mission Differ from Apollo?

A NASA expert explains the big difference between the lunar south pole and the Moon's equator.

NASA Going Back to the Moon: What Are the Specific Objectives, Beyond Preparing for Mars?

A reader asks about NASA's Artemis mission: "Are there other objectives for specifically lunar operations besides preparing and training for Mars mission?"

NASA Going Back to the Moon: What are the Biggest Technology Challenges for Artemis?

Before human explorers can head to the Moon and beyond, they need to tackle these three important tasks.

NASA Going Back to the Moon: How Will Crew Health Be Maintained for Artemis?

As NASA prepares to send astronauts back to the Moon, human explorers will have to handle microgravity conditions and other elements that take a toll on the body.

How to Bake a Cake (with Lasers)

With the help of additive-manufacturing techniques and software-controlled lasers, Blutinger and his colleagues are digitizing the cooking process.

Feature-Based Modeling vs. Bill of Materials (BOM)

A reader asks an industry expert from IBM: How is feature-based modeling better than a bill of materials?