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: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Square Structural Joint with Robotic Assembly Tool

Square trusses replace round for enhanced strength and robotics compatibility.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

High Thermally Conductive Polymeric Composites

These carbon-based fillers can be used in thermally conductive clothing such as liquid-cooled garments.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Model Predicts Breaking Point of Conducting Material

This work could accelerate the development of flexible electronics.

Briefs: Transportation

Maximizing Safety in Advanced Battery Systems

Fuse devices enable circuit safety in high-power applications, such as motion control and alternative energy generation, in addition to electric vehicles.

Briefs: Materials

Cryogenic Near-Field Optical Microscope Images Dynamics of Graphene

This imaging technique could impact optical communications and signal processing.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Terahertz Imaging System Uses Small, Efficient Lasers

The lasers are small and efficient enough to fit on a microchip.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Low-Inductance DC Power Bus

The bus is designed for high-frequency, high-temperature operation in electric drive systems and next-generation power electronics.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Magnetic Shield Using Proximity Coupled, Spatially Varying Superconducting Order Parameters

This magnetic shielding design can be easily incorporated into a wide range of electronic sensing applications.

Briefs: Materials

Conductive Polymer/Carbon Nanotube Structural Materials

These materials can be used in aerospace vehicles, automobiles, clothing, helmets, and chemical sensors.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

3D Inductor Technology Expands Microchip Capability

Using 3D components on a standardized 2D microchip manufacturing platform uses up to 100 times less chip space.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Improved Model Predicts Heat Loss in Gallium Nitride Semiconductors

This new understanding can help chip manufacturers find ways to better diffuse the heat that leads to device damage and decreased device lifespans.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Electrically Non-Conductive Ladder Fall Protection

This system protects workers on lightning and telecommunications towers, and on oil and gas platforms.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Transistors Both Process and Store Information

The functional transistors are integrated with ferroelectric RAM.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

3D Printing of Plastics with Electrical Circuits

This innovation could lead to better drones, satellites, and biomedical devices.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Low-Energy Device Rapidly Reroutes Light in Computer Chips

The switch is a major new step toward building a computer that uses light instead of electricity to process information.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Enhancing Materials for High-Resolution Patterning

Hybrid organic-inorganic materials transfer ultra-small, high-aspect-ratio features into silicon for next-generation electronic devices.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Thermally Conductive Polymer Films

These materials may replace metals as lightweight, flexible heat dissipators in cars, computers, cellphones, and refrigerators.

Briefs: Communications

Atoms Can Receive Common Communications Signals

This atom-based receiver has the potential to be smaller and work better in noisy environments than conventional radio receivers.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Microchip Produces High-Contrast OCT Imagery

For disease diagnosis, a microchip maps the back of the eye.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Ruthenium-Doped Thermoelectric Materials

These robust materials convert excess heat energy into electricity.

Briefs: Aerospace

SiC-Based Microstructures for Sensors

Ultra-thin SiC microstructures enable batch fabrication of MEMS, NEMS, pressure sensors, and biosensors.

Briefs: Data Acquisition

Modular Toolbox Builds Safe Robots

Various components are used to assemble robots that are more aware of their surroundings.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Potassium-Oxygen Battery Stores Clean Energy

Researchers have developed a more efficient, more reliable potassium-oxygen battery with a cathode that stores the energy produced by a chemical reaction in a metal-oxygen or metal-air battery. The battery could make renewable energy sources like solar and wind more viable options for the power grid...