Tech Briefs

Materials & Manufacturing

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

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Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
The flexible antenna was designed for active aeronautical satellite communications.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
A skin-like device can measure small facial movements in patients who have lost the ability to speak.
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Briefs: Materials
An alternative, environmentally friendly production method creates permanent magnets.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
This method is a faster way to manufacture combustion chambers and nozzles for aerospace propulsion as well as heat exchangers in oil and gas applications.
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Briefs: Energy
The wearable antenna bends, stretches, and compresses without compromising function.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Applications include wearables, airplane cabin monitoring, medical diagnostics, and indoor air quality measurement.
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Briefs: Imaging
To modernize optical storage, Purdue researchers are replacing Morse code with colored “digital characters.”
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Briefs: Materials
A new imaging method allows researchers to see inside complex semiconductors, without destroying them.
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Briefs: Materials
Northwestern researchers have developed a new microscopy method that allows scientists to see the building blocks of “smart” materials.
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Briefs: Energy
The new battery is degradable, recyclable, non-toxic, and safer than lithium-ion batteries.
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Briefs: Energy
The membrane prevents dendrite formation, at least doubling the lifetime of a lithium-metal battery.
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Briefs: Energy
The battery can withstand thousands of charge and discharge cycles and years of storage before being composted.
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Briefs: Energy
An entire 20-story concrete building could store energy like a giant battery.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
The rechargeable batteries could be a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium-ion batteries.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
A connection between electricity and mechanical motion in soft, rubber-like materials could improve robot range.
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Briefs: Materials
This artificial muscle technology enables more human-like motion.
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Briefs: Motion Control
This below-the-hook device enables gentle crane placement to decrease the risk of property damage.
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Briefs: Materials
SMA tube elements drive rotary and ring gear motion in compact, powerful actuators.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
The chemical process turns plastic into biodegradable chemicals for surfactants and detergents.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The tough circuits could withstand the grueling demands of energy production, space exploration, and more.
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Briefs: Unmanned Systems
Applications include vehicle and aircraft tires, sports helmets, military equipment, and seals and couplings.
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Briefs: Materials
Applications include anti-fouling and anti-contamination, aerodynamic and hydrodynamic drag reduction, and adhesive joining of composite parts.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
The Battery Identity Global Passport could be accessible as a scannable QR code or a computer chip.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
Applications include aerospace and automotive components, prosthetics, sporting goods, and other uses where strength-to-weight ratio is important.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Material for shoe bottoms could help prevent falls in icy or slippery conditions.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This invention enables improved carrier mobility for solar cells and other electronic devices.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
High-quality coated components can be integrated into complex systems in a sustainable way.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
By reclaiming polymers in plastics, the process could cut down on millions of tons of plastic waste.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The material sets the stage for new forms of electric power in the future.
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