Tech Briefs

Mechanical/​Mechatronics

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

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Briefs: Materials
Researchers have demonstrated that they can attract, capture, and destroy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of federally regulated substances nicknamed “the forever chemicals”...
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The sensor monitors the oil circulation ratio in real time for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Sensors need to be flexible, stretchable, biodegradable, safe, and stable for use in the body.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
The technology could continuously monitor fluid flow in pipes on the International Space Station and prevent satellites from colliding.
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Briefs: Materials
A stretchable system can harvest energy from human breathing and motion.
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Briefs: Energy
Adding polymers and fireproofing to a battery’s current collectors makes it lighter, safer, and about 20% more efficient.
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Briefs: Transportation
This technology charges lithium batteries faster and reduces the risk of device explosions.
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Briefs: Automotive
Battery reuse systems could be profitable for both electric vehicle companies and grid-scale solar operations.
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Briefs: Imaging
This system provides low-cost, reliable 3D LiDAR images in nearly any lighting condition.
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Briefs: Transportation
The polyimide composites have uses in aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, mechanical systems, and industrial machinery.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A technique enables manufacturing of minuscule robots by interlocking multiple materials in a complex way.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The integrated tool eliminates the need for manual operators or additional custom fixtures.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Applications include aiding patients with impaired hand muscle strength and in manufacturing for operating tools for extended periods of time.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The unit could help healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Applications include aerospace, automotive, commercial spaceflight, scuba diving equipment, and for first responders.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The material, commonly found in house paint, can be used in a device to more efficiently process information.
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Briefs: AR/AI
This system provides low-cost monitoring for machine health with audio-based artificial intelligence.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The system uses off-the-shelf materials combined with ultraviolet lights to decontaminate N95 masks.
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Briefs: Unmanned Systems
The battery could be used for drones, cars, or underwater applications at low temperatures.
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Briefs: Power
The tiny motor can be powered by both thermal and electrical energy.
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Briefs: Automotive
This can be used in energy-recovery systems in industrial, space, automotive, and military applications.
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Briefs: Aerospace
NASA's phase-locked rotors reduce noise.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The camera collects the spatial and spectral information required for self-driving cars, machine vision, corrosion detection, and other applications.
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Briefs: AR/AI
The soft, wearable device simulates the sense of touch and has wide potential in medical and industrial applications.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
These switches are key to thermal management of nanoscale devices, refrigeration, data storage, thermal computing, and heat management of buildings.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
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: Materials
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: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This detector could help robots, drones, and self-driving cars avoid collisions.
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