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: Test & Measurement
Researchers have created the prototype for a handheld device to measure a biomarker for cancer. The device works much like the monitors that people with diabetes use to test their blood-sugar levels...
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The system is filled with a patient’s skin cells.
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Briefs: Packaging & Sterilization
The system uses off-the-shelf materials combined with ultraviolet lights to decontaminate N95 masks.
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Briefs: Aerospace
Method Tests Microscopic Aeronautical Materials
This process breaks the temperature barrier in small-scale materials testing.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
This robotic finger has a highly precise sense of touch over a complex, multi-curved surface.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
The robot’s extendable appendage can wind through tight spaces and then lift heavy loads.
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Briefs: Materials
Invisible displays on walls and windows would be bright when turned on but invisible when turned off.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The soft, wearable device simulates the sense of touch and has wide potential in medical and industrial applications.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Researchers developed a wearable technology that can hide its wearer from heat-detecting sensors such as night vision goggles, even when the ambient temperature changes. The technology can...
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Applications include mechanical aerospace manufacturing and thermal structure manufacturing.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Kirigami balloons could be used in shape-changing actuators for soft robots, minimally invasive surgical devices, and macro structures for space exploration.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
This partially superconducting machine can be used as a motor or generator.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The magnetic, multi-material pump was 3D-printed all in one piece.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The material could be used in smart textiles, medical devices, and tissue engineering.
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Briefs: Energy
The material can be scaled for use in ultra-efficient, power-dense, electric vehicle traction motors.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
The robot blocks jump, spin, flip, and identify each other.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Detector Senses X-Rays Over a Broad Energy Range
New materials generate precise X-ray images with a lower amount of exposure.
Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Orange peels are used to extract and reuse metals from lithium-ion batteries to create new batteries.
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Briefs: Energy
Printable organic photodiodes can distinguish wavelengths and enable data transmission by light.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
This material could reduce persistent plastic accumulation in the environment.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Adaptable automation reduces manufacturing time and costs.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Other applications include cosmetics, 3D printing, and drug formulations.
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Briefs: Aerospace
The material can be used in power electronics and power converters for solar energy power systems.
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Briefs: Energy
The system is effective in urban environments where there are tall buildings on all sides.
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Briefs: Aerospace
The flexible composites can be used as thermal insulation for environments of up to 1200 °C.
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Briefs: Aerospace
This versatile new material family could build realistic prosthetics and futuristic Army platforms.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Using radar commonly deployed to track speeders and fastballs, the automated system “sees” around corners to spot oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
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Briefs: Automotive
The sensors can be built into the shells of aircraft, cars, or other machines.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The technology, which could be added to smart watches, could detect the onset of Parkinson’s disease or help with stroke rehabilitation.
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