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: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Supersonic Spike Diffuser
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Spin Capacitor for Energy-Efficient Electronics
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
VoroCrust v.1.0 Meshing Software
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Latest Tech Briefs

Briefs: Electronics & Computers
System Provides Cooling with No Electricity
This passive device relies on a layer of material that blocks incoming sunlight but lets heat radiate away.
Briefs: Medical
Device Tests Drugs on Tumor Tissue
An inexpensive 3D-printed microfluidics device could be used to personalize cancer treatment.
Briefs: Medical
Nanostructured Rubber-Like Material to Replace Human Tissue
The material consists solely of components that have already been shown to work well in the body.
Briefs: Aerospace
Nano-Infused Ceramic Can Report its own Health
A ceramic sensor could be embedded into structures such as bridges and aircraft to monitor their health.
Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
Artificial Intelligence Finds and Labels 2D Materials Instantly
The AI system can help shorten the time required for 2D material-based electronics to be ready for consumer devices.
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Radiation-Hardened Gain Digitizer
This instrument has applications in medical equipment, robotics, and satellites.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Computational Model Predicts Human Behavior
This analytic model shows how groups of people influence individual behavior.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Microfluidics Device Detects Cancer Cells in Blood
This device could enable rapid, inexpensive liquid biopsies to help detect cancer and develop targeted treatment plans.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
High-Efficiency Laser for Silicon Chips
Applications include optical data transfer, infrared and night-vision systems, environmental sensors, and breath analysis for medical diagnosis.
Briefs: Wearables
Mobile, Wearable EEG Device with Nanowire Sensors
This low-cost electroencephalogram (EEG) device provides research-grade signal quality.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Autonomic and Apoptotic Highly Distributed System
Applications include distributed computer systems, computer security, and commercial satellite systems.
Briefs: Medical
Ultrasonic System to Assess Compartment Syndrome
Applications include emergency medicine, combat casualty care, and sports injuries.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Electric Nanoscale Device Sees Through Walls
Applications include imaging, sensing, wireless communications, and medical treatments.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Characterizing Richness of Previously Unmapped Terrain and its Impact on Navigation Using 3D Range Sensors
Landers to small bodies such as comets and asteroids can use this program to estimate the terrain richness of the previously unmapped small body.
Briefs: Motion Control
Wi-Fi-assisted Inertial Odometry (WIO) Measures Speed and Distance of Indoor Movement
The technique could be used to improve navigation for robots, drones, or pedestrians.
Briefs: Wearables
Wearable Air Conditioning
This on-skin electronic device provides a personal air conditioner without electricity.
Briefs: AR/AI
Wirelessly Powered, Leadless Pacemaker
This device could give doctors a new therapeutic option for treating patients with conditions such as heart failure.
Briefs: Materials
Organic Material for Printed Electronics
The material combines two polymers with different properties.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Lab-on-a-Chip Enables “Liquid Biopsy” of Cancer Cells
This diagnostic device allows doctors to detect cancer quickly from a droplet of blood or plasma.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Protocol Improves Storage Efficiency and Output Speed of Computer Systems
This approach enables computer systems to retrieve data much faster.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Defects Enable High-Performance Infrared Photodetectors
A highly sensitive, CMOS-compatible, broadband photodetector was created by tailoring material defects.
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Tiny Magnetic Particles Enable Material to Bend, Twist, and Grab
The material could enable applications such as antennas that change frequencies on the fly or gripper arms for delicate or heavy objects.
Briefs: Materials
Polymer Twists and Bends in the Presence of Light
A liquid crystal elastomer can be programmed to exhibit controllable, dynamic behavior without the need for complex electronic components.
Briefs: Aerospace
Shape Memory Alloy Mechanisms for CubeSats
This lightweight and efficient mechanism enables retention, release, and deployment of solar arrays and antennas.
Briefs: Energy
Machine Learning Method for Battery Development
The method slashes battery testing times — a key barrier to longer-lasting, faster-charging batteries for electric vehicles.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Method Enables Conductive Gels to Stick When Wet
A new way of making polymers adhere to surfaces may enable better biomedical sensors and implants.
Briefs: Energy
Leaf-Inspired Surface Prevents Frost Formation
This new design could conserve energy used for defrosting airplanes, appliances, and more.
Briefs: Materials
New Material Enables Stable Semiconductor Neutron Detectors
It can be used both in small, portable devices for field inspections and in very large detectors that use arrays of crystals.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Foldable Mechanical Devices
These “developable mechanisms” are built into the surfaces of structures.
Question of the Week
How Would You Use Gecko-Inspired Adhesion?

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