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: Robotics, Automation & Control
A soft hydrogel, driven by an oscillatory chemical reaction, produces an autonomous integrated pump for microfluidic applications.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The instrument has uses in photography where the goal is to image a dim object near a bright one.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
This eye-on-a-chip can help treatment of dry eye disease.
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Briefs: Aerospace
Biomaterial Shields Against Harmful Radiation
A new form of melanin can protect human tissue from X-rays during medical treatment or spaceflight.
Briefs: Materials
This material could be used for artificial muscles that power bio-inspired robots.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Aerogels based on cellulose nanofibers can effectively shield electromagnetic radiation over a wide frequency range.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
Empa researchers were able to demonstrate real-time acoustic monitoring of laser weld seams.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
One unexpected application for spider silk is its use in the creation of biocompatible lenses.
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Briefs: Imaging
Real-time terahertz imaging with a single-pixel detector.
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Briefs: Software
This high-strength material could be used to improve safety and reduce the cost of producing cars.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Features include unusual color changes and high touch sensitivity.
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Briefs: Materials
Liquid-Repelling Substance Works on All Surfaces
The new coating can eliminate complex disinfectant procedures for protective face shields.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
The material was designed specifically for biomedical or wearable technologies, since sweat and volatile organic compounds evaporate away from the skin.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Bioactive inks printed on wearable textiles can map conditions over the entire surface of the body.
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Briefs: Wearables
This approach could be used to cost-effectively make soft robots and wearable technologies.
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Briefs: Unmanned Systems
Inspired by a coral polyp, this plastic mini robot moves by magnetism and light.
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Briefs: Materials
A new method manufactures complex shapeshifters for soft robots and biomedical implants.
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Briefs: Materials
The device brings lithium metal batteries one step closer to commercial viability.
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Briefs: Materials
A “butter-like” interlayer material boosts current density and increases safety.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
Drop-in replacements for lithium ion batteries would not pose a fire danger.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The battery design increases the number of possible cycles from tens to more than 100 with little degradation.
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Briefs: Energy
Lithium batteries made using this electrode type could be much safer than typical lithium metal-based batteries.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Using ceramic material and graphene, the toughness of solid-state lithium-ion batteries can be doubled.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
The technique could easily be translated into existing medical device manufacturing processes for use in orthopedic implants.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Organic Lithium-Powered Batteries
These batteries are more environmentally friendly while retaining performance, stability, and storage capacity.
Briefs: Materials
This highly porous sponge absorbs more than 30 times its weight in oil and can be reused up to several dozen times.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
A new roll-to-roll production method could enable lightweight, flexible solar devices and a new generation of display screens.
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Briefs: Medical
The hydrogel could be made into a contact lens that effectively treats corneal melting.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Bacteria-Based Hydrogel Beads Clean Up Contaminated Groundwater
Beads that contain bacteria and a slow-release food supply to sustain them can clean up contaminated groundwater for months on end, maintenance-free.

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