Tech Briefs

Materials & Manufacturing

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

Briefs: Unmanned Systems
Hummingbird Robot Uses AI to Maneuver in Tight Spaces
Briefs: Materials
Blinking Artificial Human Eye Replica for Disease Modeling and Drug Testing
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Technology Integrates Electronics onto Physical Prototypes
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Top Stories

Blog: AR/AI

Can We Trust A.I.? Modeling Tool Quantifies How Much a Machine Doesn't Know

Podcasts: Sensors/Data Acquisition

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INSIDER: Energy

Biomorphic Batteries Could Provide 72 Times More Energy for Robots

Videos: Sensors/Data Acquisition

SQUID 2.0: Autonomously-Stabilizing, Ballistically Launched Drone

Blog: RF & Microwave Electronics

What's Best for Autonomous Cars: LiDAR vs Radar vs Cameras

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Tomorrow's Fastest Jet

Latest Tech Briefs

Briefs: Medical
4D Printing Creates Microneedles to Replace Hypodermics
Inspired by parasites, the tiny needles could help eliminate painful shots.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Electronics Cooling Using Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing creates cooling solutions with sizes and shapes not previously possible.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Acoustic Monitoring of Laser Welds
Empa researchers were able to demonstrate real-time acoustic monitoring of laser weld seams.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Engineers 3D-Print Sensors Onto Moving Organs
Designed to assist in robotic surgeries, biomedical devices can be printed in and on the human body.
Briefs: Software
Graphene-Reinforced Carbon Fiber
This high-strength material could be used to improve safety and reduce the cost of producing cars.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Nanomaterial Gives Robots Chameleon Skin
Features include unusual color changes and high touch sensitivity.
Briefs: Materials
Liquid-Repelling Substance Works on All Surfaces
The new coating can eliminate complex disinfectant procedures for protective face shields.
Briefs: Wearables
Breathable Electronics for Wearable Technologies
The material was designed specifically for biomedical or wearable technologies, since sweat and volatile organic compounds evaporate away from the skin.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Smart Fabrics with Bioactive Inks Monitor the Body by Changing Color
Bioactive inks printed on wearable textiles can map conditions over the entire surface of the body.
Briefs: Materials
Occulter for CubeSat Coronagraph
The instrument has uses in photography where the goal is to image a dim object near a bright one.
Briefs: Materials
Biomaterial Shields Against Harmful Radiation
A new form of melanin can protect human tissue from X-rays during medical treatment or spaceflight.
Briefs: Motion Control
Thermally Conductive, Stretchable Rubber Material
This material could be used for artificial muscles that power bio-inspired robots.
Briefs: Materials
Aerogels Protect Against Electromagnetic Interference
Aerogels based on cellulose nanofibers can effectively shield electromagnetic radiation over a wide frequency range.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Spider Silk Can Create Lenses Useful for Biological Imaging
One unexpected application for spider silk is its use in the creation of biocompatible lenses.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
T-Ray Camera Speed Boosted a Hundred Times Over
Real-time terahertz imaging with a single-pixel detector.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Flexible Feet Help Robots Walk Faster
This technology can help robots walk up to 40 percent faster on uneven terrain such as pebbles and wood chips.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Spreadable Way to Stabilize Solid-State Batteries
A “butter-like” interlayer material boosts current density and increases safety.
Briefs: Energy
Doubling Battery Performance with Lithium Metal
Drop-in replacements for lithium ion batteries would not pose a fire danger.
Briefs: Materials
Organic Lithium-Powered Batteries
These batteries are more environmentally friendly while retaining performance, stability, and storage capacity.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Room-Temperature Magnon Switch
This approach could lead to entirely new and more efficient logic switches for computer chips.
Briefs: Wearables
3D-Printed Glucose Biosensors
These biosensors could lead to improved glucose monitors for millions of people who suffer from diabetes.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Graphene Smart Textiles for Heat-Adaptive Clothing
Smart adaptive clothing can lower the body temperature of the wearer in hot climates.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Active Material Created Out of Microscopic Spinning Particles
This material could have applications such as mixing and delivery in the pharmaceutical industry.
Briefs: Aerospace
Enhanced Fabrication Improves Temperature Sensing in Cryogenic Humid Environments
This technology is useful for energy, industrial, and aerospace applications.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Wraparound Sensors
These sensors monitor electrical loads from household appliances to support grid operations.
Briefs: Materials
Polymer Composite for Radiation Shielding
The polymer composite could replace conventional radiation shielding materials such as lead.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Neural Hardware for Image Recognition in Nanoseconds
An ultrafast image sensor with a built-in neural network can be trained to recognize certain objects.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Reverse Fuel Cell Converts Waste Carbon to Valuable Chemicals
The technology could lead to production of fuels, building materials, and other products in a carbon-neutral way.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Process Creates Soft Actuated Objects Using Commercial Knitting Machines
This approach could be used to cost-effectively make soft robots and wearable technologies.
Question of the Week
Will 'Biomorphic' Batteries Support a Future of Tiny Robots?

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Medical

Making Medical Device Designs Possible with Innovative Silicone...

Upcoming Webinars: Motion Control

High-Voltage Arteries: How Connectivity Gives Life to Electric...

Upcoming Webinars: Medical

Metal Injection Molding

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

The Power of the Hollow: Using Hollow Aluminum Extrusions to Meet...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Helping HEV/EV Batteries Go the Distance and Stay Cool Under...

Upcoming Webinars: Test & Measurement

Standardization for Automated-Vehicle Testing and Simulation

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Videos