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.

Briefs: Energy

Ultrahigh-Energy-Density Capacitor

By introducing defects to a common material, a highly efficient capacitor offers dramatically increased energy density.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Wearable Device Captures Cancer Cells from Blood

By capturing more cancer cells than blood draw screening, this device could help doctors understand a tumor’s biology and make decisions about treatment.

Briefs: Materials

Filters from Tree Branches Purify Drinking Water

Prototypes show promise as a low-cost, natural filtration option.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Using Wood Byproducts to Produce Sustainable Bioplastics

The high-quality bioplastics can be molded into a film that can be used in plastic bags and packaging.

Briefs: Energy

Organic Material for Next-Generation HVAC Technologies

An enhanced polymer could be used for more energy-efficient systems with a smaller carbon footprint.

Briefs: Packaging & Sterilization

Alkaline Hydrogel Advances Skin Wound Care

A novel method was developed to produce an alkaline hydrogel that could improve wound healing.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

In-Line, Automated CT Scan Data Inspection of Electronic Connectors

A production-based X-ray solution performs product quality evaluation directly on the manufacturing line.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Green Method for Producing Hydrogen Peroxide

This portable method could enable hospitals to make their own supply of the disinfectant on demand and at lower cost.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Generation of Polystyrene Latex Spheres with Incorporated Fluorescent Dyes

Microspheres are used in wind tunnel experiments to monitor airflow, to stain biological samples, and in time-delayed drug release.

Briefs: Transportation

Carbon Fiber Structural Battery for “Mass-Less” Energy Storage in Vehicles

The carbon fiber serves as the electrode, conductor, and load-bearing material.

Briefs: Materials

Designing Soft Materials that Mimic Biological Functions

The soft material demonstrates autonomous, heartbeat-like oscillating properties.

Briefs: Aerospace

International Space Station Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED)

Terrestrial uses include physical therapy, clinical diagnosis, athletic training and performance, and robust exercise equipment.

Briefs: Wearables

Electronic Tattoo Enables Uninterrupted Heart Monitoring for Extended Periods

This wearable device is placed on the skin to measure a variety of body responses, from electrical to biomechanical signals.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Light-Based “Tractor Beam” Assembles Materials at the Nanoscale

The size and shape of the nanostructure can be controlled as it is assembled piece by piece.

Briefs: Materials

Nature-Inspired, Manufactured, Non-Cuttable Material

The material could be used in security, health, industrial, and safety applications.

Briefs: Materials

Liquid Metal Lattice

The new metal lattice material can be used to create models that regain shape after being crushed.

Briefs: Energy

High-Performance, Energy-Absorbing Material

The new material could provide efficient and reusable protection from shock, vibration, and explosion.

Briefs: Packaging & Sterilization

Antibacterial Gel Bandage Using Yeast

The gel works even at freezing temperatures and contains natural antimicrobial compounds derived from durian husk.

Briefs: Communications

Servo Motion Improves Robot Operations

Servo motion control delivers powerful, fast, and precise movement onboard robots and for associated equipment.

Briefs: Energy

Magnet-Controlled Bioelectronic Implant for Relieving Pain

This could make possible embedded devices like a spinal cord-stimulating unit with a battery-powered magnetic transmitter on a wearable belt.

Briefs: Materials

Copolyimide Surface-Modifying Coating

The coating repels insects on aircraft wing surfaces and motor vehicles and reduces surface imperfections on other low-friction or non-stick surfaces.