Semiconductors & ICs

Access our comprehensive library of technical briefs on semiconductors & ICs, from engineering experts at NASA and major government, university, and commercial laboratories.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Heat-Resilient Silver Circuits for Extreme Electronics

The tough circuits could withstand the grueling demands of energy production, space exploration, and more.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

High-Mobility Transport Layer Structures for Rhombohedral Si/Ge/SiGe Devices

This invention enables improved carrier mobility for solar cells and other electronic devices.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

High-Power/Pulsed-Power Electrical Switch

The switch has uses in circuit protection systems in the electric power grid, high-power military applications, and power for materials processing.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

High-Temperature Silicon Carbide Op Amps Fabrication

Applications include sensor signal conditioning in harsh conditions such as automotive, oil and gas operations, and firefighting.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Graphene “Nano-Origami” Creates Tiny Microchips

The microchips are about 100 times smaller than conventional microchips.

Briefs: Energy

Flexible Organic Photovoltaics

These organic solar cells can be useful where constant, low power generation is sufficient.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Rolled 2D Heterostructures

The technology potentially enables a new generation of miniaturized electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Briefs: Medical

Reduced Heat Leakage Improves Wearable Health Device

A flexible device worn on the wrist harvests heat energy from the human body to monitor health.

Briefs: Energy

Carbon Fiber Structural Battery for “Mass-Less” Energy Storage in Vehicles

The carbon fiber serves as the electrode, conductor, and load-bearing material.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Magnet-Controlled Bioelectronic Implant for Relieving Pain

This could make possible embedded devices like a spinal cord-stimulating unit with a battery-powered magnetic transmitter on a wearable belt.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Light-Based “Tractor Beam” Assembles Materials at the Nanoscale

The size and shape of the nanostructure can be controlled as it is assembled piece by piece.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Large Integrated Circuits Produced in a Printing Press

Complete integrated circuits with more than 1,000 organic electrochemical transistors can be screen-printed.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Nanotransistors Stay Cool at High Voltages

The transistors enable power converters to perform at substantially improved efficiencies, especially in high-power applications.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Polymer-Based Electrical Insulation for Circuits

The new material could help put more power in smaller microchips.

Briefs: Energy

Synapse-Like Phototransistor

The technology could help computers process visual information more like the human brain.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Nanosized Foldable Robots

The machines fold themselves within 100 milliseconds and can flatten and refold thousands of times.

Briefs: Imaging

Quantum-Dot Infrared Cameras for Electronics and Self-Driving Cars

The inexpensive cameras are easy to produce.

Briefs: Motion Control

Air-Powered Robot Needs No Electronics

The walking quadruped is controlled and powered by pressurized air.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Smartphone-Based Medical Tests

A smartphone, combined with nanoscale porous silicon, enables inexpensive, simple, home diagnostics.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Nanowire Could Provide a Stable Superconducting Transistor

The technology could boost quantum computers and other superconducting electronics.

Briefs: Imaging

Device Combines Optics and Image Analysis to Count Biomolecules

The promise of personalized medicine involves a simple device that keeps each person apprised of their level of health, identifies even trace amounts of undesirable biomarkers in...