Tech Briefs

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A comprehensive library of technical briefs from engineering experts at NASA and major government, university, and commercial laboratories covering all aspects of innovations in electronics, software, photonics, imaging, motion control, automation, sensors, test, materials, manufacturing, mechanical, and mechatronics.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Wool-Like Material Remembers and Changes Shape
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Smart, Self-Powered Knee Implants
Briefs: Energy
Smart Window Improves Energy Efficiency of Buildings
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Top Stories

Blog: Energy

A Solar Alternative: How to Power Devices with Indoor Light

Blog: Software

Stanford Computer Model Predicts How COVID-19 Spreads in Cities

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Woodworking, Simplified: New Software Aids in Design

INSIDER: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Printing Paper Structures for Mechatronics

Blog: Imaging

What's Best for Autonomous Cars: LiDAR vs Radar vs Cameras

Videos: Power

Extending Next-Generation, Stable Lithium Metal Batteries

Latest Tech Briefs

Briefs: Medical
High-Performance, Low-Field MRI for Cardiac and Lung Imaging
The system could enhance image-guided procedures that diagnose and treat disease and make medical imaging more affordable and accessible.
Briefs: Energy
Composite Material Increases Electrical Current Capacity of Copper Wires
The material can be scaled for use in ultra-efficient, power-dense, electric vehicle traction motors.
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Self-Assembling Robot Cubes Form Various Structures
The robot blocks jump, spin, flip, and identify each other.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Detector Senses X-Rays Over a Broad Energy Range
New materials generate precise X-ray images with a lower amount of exposure.
Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Method Turns Fruit Peels into New Batteries
Orange peels are used to extract and reuse metals from lithium-ion batteries to create new batteries.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Printable Light Sensors Can See Colors
Printable organic photodiodes can distinguish wavelengths and enable data transmission by light.
Briefs: Materials
Faster-Degrading Plastic for Marine Uses
This material could reduce persistent plastic accumulation in the environment.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Biosensor Enables Real-Time Oxygen Monitoring for Organs-On-A-Chip
This sensor makes it possible to ensure that such systems more closely mimic the function of real organs.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Robotic Assembly of Photovoltaic Arrays
Adaptable automation reduces manufacturing time and costs.
Briefs: Materials
Janus Particles Improve Paints and Coatings
Other applications include cosmetics, 3D printing, and drug formulations.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Soft Magnetic Nanocomposite for High-Temperature Applications
The material can be used in power electronics and power converters for solar energy power systems.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Electricity-Free Radiative Cooling System
The system is effective in urban environments where there are tall buildings on all sides.
Briefs: Aerospace
Aerogel-Reinforced Composites
The flexible composites can be used as thermal insulation for environments of up to 1200 °C.
Briefs: Aerospace
Self-Healing, Recyclable, Shape Memory Polymers
This versatile new material family could build realistic prosthetics and futuristic Army platforms.
Briefs: Automotive
Radar Enables Cars to Spot Hazards Around Corners
Using radar commonly deployed to track speeders and fastballs, the automated system “sees” around corners to spot oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Psychosensory Electronic Skin Technology for AI and Humanoid Development
This technology enables robots, electronic devices, and prosthetic devices to feel pain through sense of touch.
Briefs: Automotive
Nature-Inspired Sensors Could Help Autonomous Machines See Better
The sensors can be built into the shells of aircraft, cars, or other machines.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Lab-On-Chip Flow and Temperature Sensor
The sensor provides accurate and real-time measurement of flow rates and temperature in next-generation microfluidic instruments.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Solid-State Sensor for Detection and Characterization of Electric Fields
The sensor enables detection of items for security screening, intrusion detection, forensics, and medical imaging.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Lenslet-Based Integral Field Spectrograph
Applications include biomedical imaging, remote sensing, and heliophysics research.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Specialized Dye Enables Medical Information to be Stored Below the Skin
The dye, delivered along with a vaccine, could enable “on-patient” storage of vaccination history.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
E-Tongue Nanosensor Array
The technology detects the presence of one or more specific chemical components in a liquid.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Infrared Detectors Enhance Night-Vision Cameras
The ability to enhance night vision could improve what can be seen in space, in chemical and biological disaster areas, and on the battlefield.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Imaging Technology Could Improve Cancer Surgery
Cancer treatment could be dramatically improved by precisely locating the edges of tumors during surgery to remove them.
Briefs: Data Acquisition
Long-Range Wireless Sensor Network
The network is designed for remote, low-resource locations where power and communications infrastructure are scarce.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Algorithm Improves Navigation of Autonomous Driving Robots
Future robots could be taught how to outperform humans.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Ring Detects Finger Location to Track Hand Movements
The technology, which could be added to smart watches, could detect the onset of Parkinson’s disease or help with stroke rehabilitation.
Briefs: Motion Control
Octopus-Inspired Soft Robotic Arm
The Tentacle Bot can grip, move, and manipulate a wide range of objects.
Briefs: Energy
Sunlight Converts Emissions into Useful Materials
An environmentally friendly method upcycles carbon dioxide emissions into polymers and other materials.
Question of the Week
Will Indoor Light Someday Power Our Smart Devices?

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Materials

Protecting Power Electronics from EM and RF Interference

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Vehicle Electrification

Upcoming Webinars: Sensors/Data Acquisition

The Evolution of SOSA

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Next-Gen Vehicle Architectures and the Role of HPCs

Tech Talks: Medical

Testing Home Healthcare Medical Devices

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Accelerating Pre-Silicon Software Development with Next-Gen...

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