Materials & Coatings

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

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Self-Sustaining, Intelligent Electronic Microsystems from “Green” Material

Researchers have created an electronic microsystem that can intelligently respond to information inputs without any external energy input, much like a...

Briefs: Energy

Turning Thermal Energy into Electricity

Applications include power and energy, communications, and sensors.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Superlattice for Sustainable Quantum Electronics

The material could potentially provide a platform for error-free quantum computing.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Woven Nanotube Fibers Turn Heat into Power

Invisibly small nanotubes aligned as fibers and sewn into fabrics can turn heat from the Sun or other sources into energy.

Briefs: Energy

Three-Layer Method Makes Plastic More Transparent and Adds Electrical Conductivity

This process could improve large touchscreens, LED light panels, and window-mounted infrared solar cells.

Briefs: Materials

Liquid Metal Coating Creates Effective Antiviral, Antimicrobial Fabric

The coatings eradicated human influenza and coronavirus in five minutes.

Briefs: Materials

Nanoprecipitates Toughen Structural Alloys

Mechanical properties, such as strength and ductility, can be improved for car, plane, and building components.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Fibers Turn Fabric into Breath-Regulating Garments

These textiles could help performers and athletes train their breathing and potentially help patients recovering from post-surgery breathing changes.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Gel-Like Fluid Prevents Wildfires

The long-lasting, environmentally benign fire-retarding treatment, if used on high-risk areas, could dramatically cut the number of fires that occur each year.

Briefs: Energy

Self-Powered Alarm Monitors Fires and the Environment

This remote forest fire detection and alarm system is powered by nothing but the movement of the trees in the wind.

Briefs: Materials

Tires and Building Rubble Combine to Form a Sustainable Road-Making Material

The sustainable material offers a zero-waste solution to boost recycling and support the circular economy.

Briefs: Energy

Foldable Solar Cells

Carbon nanotubes are used to create solar cells with unprecedented flexibility and resistance.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Recycled Cotton Becomes New Fabric

A method converts cotton into sugar, which can be turned into spandex, nylon, or ethanol.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Handheld 3D Skin Printer Accelerates Healing of Burns

The handheld printer deposits sheets of skin to cover large burn wounds and its bio-ink accelerates healing.

Briefs: Materials

Bone Bandage Accelerates Repair

The bandage captures and holds a pro-healing molecule at the site of a bone break to accelerate and improve the natural healing process.

Briefs: Materials

Nanoscale Sensors Measure Elusive Water Levels in Leaves

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.