Tech Briefs

Electronics & Software

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

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Lighter Radiation Shielding for Electronics

This new technique shields electronics from ionizing radiation in applications such as military and space exploration.

Briefs: Aerospace

Tension Element Damping (TED) with Hydraulics for Large Displacements

Applications include wind turbines, solar arrays, commercial space mobile launchers, and industrial process stacks and equipment.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Graphene “Nano-Origami” Creates Tiny Microchips

The microchips are about 100 times smaller than conventional microchips.

Briefs: Materials

Stable, Efficient, Anode-Free Sodium Battery

The battery is smaller than a traditional lithium-ion battery due to the elimination of dendrites.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Rad-Hard CMOS Crystal Oscillator

The oscillator is designed for localized clock signal generation and data transmission in telemetry systems and remote sensing.

Briefs: Materials

Fine-Tuning Alloys for High-Temperature Use

Superalloys that withstand extremely high temperatures could be finely tuned for specific properties such as mechanical strength.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Electronic Hardware System Replicates Many Network Architectures

The circuitry uses race logic to solve complex problems with a minimum expenditure of energy.

Briefs: Energy

Flexible Organic Photovoltaics

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

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Rolled 2D Heterostructures

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

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Sound Waves Power Advances in Smart Materials

High-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles, and even deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations.

Briefs: Energy

Ultrahigh-Energy-Density Capacitor

By introducing defects to a common material, a highly efficient capacitor offers dramatically increased energy density.

Briefs: Transportation

Safer, Longer-Lasting, Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries offer a higher level of safety and potentially longer life than lithium-ion batteries.

Briefs: Energy

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: Nanotechnology

Wearable Device Captures Cancer Cells from Blood

By capturing more cancer cells than blood draw screening, this device could help doctors understand a tumor’s biology and make decisions about treatment.