Tech Briefs

Mechanical/​Mechatronics

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Access our comprehensive library of mechanical and mechatronics technical briefs, from engineering experts at NASA and government, university, and commercial laboratories.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Electricity-Free Radiative Cooling System
Briefs: Automotive
Nature-Inspired Sensors Could Help Autonomous Machines See Better
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Lab-On-Chip Flow and Temperature Sensor
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Top Stories

Blog: Energy

A Solar Alternative: How to Power Devices with Indoor Light

Blog: Data Acquisition

Stanford Computer Model Predicts How COVID-19 Spreads in Cities

INSIDER: Motion Control

Printing Paper Structures for Mechatronics

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Woodworking, Simplified: New Software Aids in Design

Blog: Imaging

What's Best for Autonomous Cars: LiDAR vs Radar vs Cameras

Videos: Automotive

Extending Next-Generation, Stable Lithium Metal Batteries

Latest Tech Briefs

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
E-Tongue Nanosensor Array
The technology detects the presence of one or more specific chemical components in a liquid.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Radar Enables Cars to Spot Hazards Around Corners
Using radar commonly deployed to track speeders and fastballs, the automated system “sees” around corners to spot oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Using Silicon for Battery Anodes
A nanostructure design lends extraordinary strength to a promising storage ingredient.
Briefs: Aerospace
Nanocardboard Aircraft with No Moving Parts
Tiny aircraft that weigh as much as a fruit fly could serve as Martian atmospheric probes.
Briefs: Aerospace
Bio-Inspired Wing Design for Small Drones
Taking a cue from birds and insects, the wing design helps drones fly more efficiently and makes them more robust to atmospheric turbulence.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Laser Spark Distribution and Ignition System
Traditional spark plugs are replaced by an optical pumping source.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
AI Software Enables Real-Time 3D Printing Quality Assessment
The software assesses the quality of parts in real time, without the need for expensive characterization equipment.
Briefs: Transportation
Wavy Surfaces for Better Light Control
This method could impact optical technologies such as smartphone cameras, biosensors, or autonomous vision for robots and self-driving cars.
Briefs: Automotive
Self-Heating Battery Enables Quick Recharging of Electric Vehicles
This battery would enable a 10-minute electrical vehicle recharge.
Briefs: AR/AI
Acoustic Monitoring of Laser Welds
Empa researchers were able to demonstrate real-time acoustic monitoring of laser weld seams.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Spider Silk Can Create Lenses Useful for Biological Imaging
One unexpected application for spider silk is its use in the creation of biocompatible lenses.
Briefs: Automotive
Electronics Cooling Using Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing creates cooling solutions with sizes and shapes not previously possible.
Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
Leap in Lidar Could Improve Safety and Security of New Technology
University of Colorado researchers have described a new silicon chip that improves the resolution and scanning speed needed for a lidar system.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Gripper Handles Freely Moving Cables
The gripper’s soft, sensitive fingers could enable robots to help with tying knots, wire shaping, or surgical suturing.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Flexible Feet Help Robots Walk Faster
This technology can help robots walk up to 40 percent faster on uneven terrain such as pebbles and wood chips.
Briefs: Aerospace
Fluid-Filled Frequency-Tunable Mass Damper
Applications include absorbers, tuned mass dampers, harmonic absorbers, and seismic dampers.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Electrolyte Design Improves Anode Capacity in Lithium-Ion Batteries
The battery design increases the number of possible cycles from tens to more than 100 with little degradation.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Tough, Solid Electrolyte Battery Component
Using ceramic material and graphene, the toughness of solid-state lithium-ion batteries can be doubled.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Selecting Electrical Safety Relay Modules for Optimal Performance
New safety relay modules follow updated standards to give designers more options for a tailored electrical safety implementation.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Nanosensors for Real-Time Plant Health Monitoring
This approach allows scientists to study the communication within plants, providing valuable insights to improve crop yields.
Briefs: Materials
Magnetic Force Manages Pain
This gel-like material leads a path toward “mechanoceuticals.”
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Wraparound Sensors
These sensors monitor electrical loads from household appliances to support grid operations.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Process Creates Soft Actuated Objects Using Commercial Knitting Machines
This approach could be used to cost-effectively make soft robots and wearable technologies.
Briefs: Materials
Method Improves Efficiency and Heat Tolerance of Devices
These are important traits in electronics and electrical systems including electric cars, industrial drills, and electric grids.
Briefs: Materials
Semi-Liquid Metal Anode
Lithium batteries made using this electrode type could be much safer than typical lithium metal-based batteries.
Briefs: Imaging
Pseudo-Random Coding Technique for 3D Imaging
This technique offers enhanced resolution and improved system reliability for mapping and obstacle recognition and navigation for vehicles.
Briefs: Transportation
Retroreflective Material for Nighttime Color-Changing Road Signs
The technology could help call attention to important traffic information when it’s dark, with potential benefits for both drivers and pedestrians.
Briefs: Transportation
Neural Hardware for Image Recognition in Nanoseconds
An ultrafast image sensor with a built-in neural network can be trained to recognize certain objects.
Briefs: Transportation
Electrohydraulically Actuated Valve Train
The new technology demonstrates a 20 percent savings in fuel in typical passenger car low-load operating conditions.
Question of the Week
Will Indoor Light Someday Power Our Smart Devices?

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Materials

Protecting Power Electronics from EM and RF Interference

Upcoming Webinars: Electronics & Computers

Vehicle Electrification

Upcoming Webinars: Sensors/Data Acquisition

The Evolution of SOSA

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Next-Gen Vehicle Architectures and the Role of HPCs

Tech Talks: Medical

Testing Home Healthcare Medical Devices

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Accelerating Pre-Silicon Software Development with Next-Gen...

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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

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Briefs: Physical Sciences

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Briefs: Physical Sciences

Spill-Resistant Alkali-Metal-Vapor Dispenser

Articles: Imaging

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Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

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Videos