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: Energy

Solid-State Technology Enables Smaller, Safer Batteries

The technology is inherently safer and more energy-dense than today’s lithium-ion batteries.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Photonic Wireless System Powers Medical Implants

The system can recharge the internal battery of devices without invasive surgery or risky penetrative procedures.

Briefs: Energy

Pill-Sized Heating Device for Diagnostic Testing

Combined with smartphone technology, the device becomes a portable system that can track, monitor, and diagnose infections.

Briefs: Energy

Generating Renewable Hydrogen Fuel from the Sea

Membranes that remove salt from water help split sea water into fuel.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Platform for All-Optical Computing

Computations are done solely with beams of light.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Microstrip Circuit and Material Characterization System

The system enables measurement of active or passive microstrip line devices with DC probing capability.

Briefs: Automotive

Lithium Metal Battery Allows Cold Charging

The battery could be used for drones, cars, or underwater applications at low temperatures.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Upper Body Robotic Exoskeleton

This lightweight, portable garment is designed for active shoulder and elbow positioning.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Cascaded Offset Optical Modulator

This subsystem is used in free-space optical communications and fiber-optic communications.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Method Tests Microscopic Aeronautical Materials

This process breaks the temperature barrier in small-scale materials testing.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Novel Antenna Concept for CubeSat Platforms

While this technology was designed for CubeSats, it may be utilized in any technology that utilizes a structural frame, such as drones.

Briefs: Data Acquisition

Tethered Drones Improve Cellular and Internet Networks

Wire-connected drones may complement or replace the fixed base stations of cellular communications networks.

Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics

Toroidal Radiation Pattern Patch Antenna

The antenna is designed for use in extreme conditions such as outer space.

Briefs: Energy

High-Performance, Lightweight, Easy-to-Fabricate Heat Exchanger

This can be used in energy-recovery systems in industrial, space, automotive, and military applications.

Briefs: Aerospace

Fine-Pointing Optical Communication System Using Laser Arrays

This technique for optical data transmission from satellites uses laser arrays to provide fine pointing capability.

Briefs: Aerospace

Aircraft Thermal Heat Conduction Method

The thermal management technology could also be used for server farms and spacecraft.

Briefs: AR/AI

Terahertz Receiver for 6G Wireless Communications

The device enables ultra-fast wireless communications at low cost.

Briefs: Lighting

Atomically Thin Light-Emitting Device for Invisible Displays

Invisible displays on walls and windows would be bright when turned on but invisible when turned off.

Briefs: Communications

Vortex Radiometer for Wireless Communications

Any high-performance communication systems operating in RF or optical frequencies may benefit from this system.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Nanoscale Thermal Switches

These switches are key to thermal management of nanoscale devices, refrigeration, data storage, thermal computing, and heat management of buildings.

Briefs: Software

Using Computer Tomography Images to Simulate Heart Function

Rather than using supecomputers, heart function simulation can be performed at the CT scanner.

Briefs: Materials

Device Camouflages Wearer from Heat-Detecting Sensors

Researchers developed a wearable technology that can hide its wearer from heat-detecting sensors such as night vision goggles, even when the ambient temperature changes. The technology can...