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

Fluoride Materials for Extra-Thin Computer Chips

To make electronic components smaller, semiconductor 2D materials are combined with new types of insulator materials.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Soft, Self-Actuated Pump for Mechatronic Devices

A soft hydrogel, driven by an oscillatory chemical reaction, produces an autonomous integrated pump for microfluidic applications.

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: Medical

Blinking Artificial Human Eye Replica for Disease Modeling and Drug Testing

This eye-on-a-chip can help treatment of dry eye disease.

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: Motion Control

Aerogels Protect Against Electromagnetic Interference

Aerogels based on cellulose nanofibers can effectively shield electromagnetic radiation over a wide frequency range.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Acoustic Monitoring of Laser Welds

Empa researchers were able to demonstrate real-time acoustic monitoring of laser weld seams.

Briefs: Materials

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: Electronics & Computers

Graphene-Reinforced Carbon Fiber

This high-strength material could be used to improve safety and reduce the cost of producing cars.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

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.