Manufacturing & Prototyping

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

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

System Provides Robots with Context Awareness

The system enables robots to predict what their human coworker will do next.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

System for In-Situ Defect Detection in Composites During Cure

This system enhances processing via real-time, non-destructive defect tracking.

Briefs: Energy

Ultra-Thin, Energy-Efficient Photodetector Integrated with Gorilla Glass

This could lead to the commercial development of smart glass, with applications ranging from imaging to advanced robotics.

Briefs: AR/AI

3D Motion Tracking System for Autonomous Technology

The system could one day replace LiDAR and cameras in automated manufacturing, biomedical imaging, and autonomous driving.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Swimming Living Robots Can Self-Train

Biobots based on muscle cells can swim at unprecedented velocities.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Nanosized Foldable Robots

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

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: Software

Software Improves Accuracy of 3D-Printed Parts

The software could help reduce cost and waste for companies using additive manufacturing to mass-produce parts in factories.

Briefs: Materials

Biodegradable Displays for Sustainable Electronics

Thanks to its flexibility and adhesion, the biodegradable display can be worn directly on the hand.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Transport of Mechanical Energy, Even Through Damaged Pathways

This work could lead to much more robust devices that continue to operate in spite of damage.

Briefs: Energy

Heated Facemask Filters and Inactivates Coronaviruses

The reusable mask would include a heated copper mesh powered by a battery and surrounded by insulating neoprene.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

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

The inexpensive cameras are easy to produce.

Briefs: Imaging

Novel Flexible Terahertz Camera Can Inspect Objects with Diverse Shapes

A flexible, free-standing THz sensor array images blind ends of irregularly shaped objects.

Briefs: Materials

New Electron Microscopy Technique Offers First Look at Previously Hidden Processes

Northwestern researchers have developed a new microscopy method that allows scientists to see the building blocks of “smart” materials being formed at the nanoscale.

Briefs: Motion Control

RFID-Based Rotary Position Sensor

Innovators have developed an RFID-based system for sensing the angular position of rotating systems. The RFID-Based Rotary Position Sensor can be used as a position/orientation sensor or implemented in a...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Accelerometer and Gyroscope Designs Based on Carbon Nanotube Tape

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed designs for two micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) motion and position sensors: a single-axis accelerometer and a gyroscope....