Materials & Coatings

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

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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
The sustainable material offers a zero-waste solution to boost recycling and support the circular economy.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Carbon nanotubes are used to create solar cells with unprecedented flexibility and resistance.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
A method converts cotton into sugar, which can be turned into spandex, nylon, or ethanol.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The handheld printer deposits sheets of skin to cover large burn wounds and its bio-ink accelerates healing.
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Briefs: Medical
The bandage captures and holds a pro-healing molecule at the site of a bone break to accelerate and improve the natural healing process.
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Briefs: Materials
A new technology uses nanoscale sensors and fiber optics to measure water status just inside a leaf’s surface, where water in plants is most actively managed.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This technology has potential as a portable power supply in several applications, including electric vehicles, cellphones, and wearable technology.
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Briefs: Materials
The material could pave the way for better, safer solid-state batteries.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
These “living machines” hold potential for applications from medical treatments to improving the environment.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
A remotely controlled microswimmer could navigate the human body and aid in drug delivery.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
A new fabrication methodology addresses the need for a thin, double-sided circuitry board.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
The sulfolane-additive process yields easy fabrication, low cost, and long operating life.
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Briefs: Materials
A 3D-printable elastomer yields soft, elastic objects that feel like human tissue.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Sensing is incorporated directly into an object’s material, with applications for assistive technology and “intelligent” furniture.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Parts remain crack-free and defect-resistant, making them conducive for use in metal-based 3D-printing applications.
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Briefs: Materials
Inspired by barnacles, the paste provides an effective way to treat traumatic injuries and help control bleeding during surgery.
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Briefs: Energy
The synthetic material is soft but can withstand heavy loading with minimum wear and tear for engineering applications.
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Briefs: Materials
The carbon fiber reinforced material can be repeatedly healed with heat.
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Briefs: Wearables
Textiles and items of clothing can be converted into e-textiles without affecting their original properties.
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Briefs: Materials
Fano Resonance Optical Coatings can both transmit and reflect the same color simultaneously.
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Briefs: Power
The battery charges faster than a lithium-ion battery and is fire-safe and eco-friendly.
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Briefs: Energy
A new design could extend the shelf-life of single-use metal-air batteries for electric vehicles, off-grid storage, and other applications.
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Briefs: Energy
Activated carbon made from corn stover filters 98 percent of a pollutant from water.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
An optimized flash process could reduce carbon emissions.
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Briefs: Materials
Researchers from SEAS have found "hidden potential" in metasurfaces.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
These elastomers have a wide range of uses for the building, automotive, and electronics industries.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The suit can be controlled with a double tap to the chest or via an app.
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Briefs: Materials
The device combines with body power to treat tendon disease and damage, and sports injuries.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The system creates accurate defect standards for in-situ inspection systems.
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