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: Electronics & Computers
These robust materials convert excess heat energy into electricity.
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Briefs: Wearables
This electronic skin can track heart rate, respiration, muscle movement, and other health data.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This thin film can be used for ground-based and airborne applications in aircraft, balloons, and other flight missions.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
The non-destructive coating has applications in structural health monitoring, aerospace, automotive, and military/defense.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Ultra-thin SiC microstructures enable batch fabrication of MEMS, NEMS, pressure sensors, and biosensors.
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Briefs: Data Acquisition
Various components are used to assemble robots that are more aware of their surroundings.
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Briefs: Transportation
This plant-based material can be manufactured using water as a solvent instead of other harmful solvents.
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Briefs: Aerospace
Load-bearing structures in cars and airplanes could be manufactured from the metal foam.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
According to the United Nations, 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services and the majority live in developing nations. A process was developed...
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
These stickers wirelessly beam health readings to a receiver clipped onto clothing.
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Briefs: Materials
This technology is a novel, rugged, and economic diagnostic and sensor platform technology.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
A technology uses a combination of WiFi signals and accelerometer technology to track devices in near-real-time.
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Briefs: Motion Control
Researchers have developed a self-contained wheel unit that combines a wheel and an electric motor.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The technology can be used in commercial motors, robotic systems, and hybrid and electric vehicles.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The algorithm speeds up the planning process that robots use to adjust their grip on objects.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The skin could help rehabilitation and enhance virtual reality by instantaneously adapting to a wearer's movements.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Made with “Jenga chemistry,” the material could help in understanding how high-temperature superconductors work.
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Briefs: Aerospace
This lightweight material brings strength and durability to complex shapes.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
This hands-on, educational tool highlights the properties of SMA wire.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This technology provides simultaneous ohmic contacts and the process to make them.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
This optical switch controls the direction of light passing through optical fibers faster and more efficiently.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Technique Uses X-Rays to Detect Defective Computer Chips
This method also reverse-engineers computer chips to detect the chip’s purpose.
Briefs: Materials
This multifunctional hybrid laminate composite can be used for residential and commercial construction.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This invention is a highly stable, heat-treatable, and tunable material.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The nanogenerator also acts as a weather station.
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Briefs: Energy
RFID-based devices work in indoor and outdoor lighting conditions and could transmit data for years before they need to be replaced.
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Briefs: Imaging
The method could impact optical imaging, vision correction, and disease diagnosis.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Optically Fixable Shape Memory Polymers
These polymers can combine thermal and optically fixable shape memory.

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