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: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The soft, wearable device simulates the sense of touch and has wide potential in medical and industrial applications.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Applications include mechanical aerospace manufacturing and thermal structure manufacturing.
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Briefs: Materials
The magnetic, multi-material pump was 3D-printed all in one piece.
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Briefs: Motion Control
This partially superconducting machine can be used as a motor or generator.
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Briefs: 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: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This detector could help robots, drones, and self-driving cars avoid collisions.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The sensor provides accurate and real-time measurement of flow rates and temperature in next-generation microfluidic instruments.
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Briefs: Materials
The system is effective in urban environments where there are tall buildings on all sides.
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Briefs: Unmanned Systems
The sensors can be built into the shells of aircraft, cars, or other machines.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The technology detects the presence of one or more specific chemical components in a liquid.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
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: Photonics/Optics
Traditional spark plugs are replaced by an optical pumping source.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
A nanostructure design lends extraordinary strength to a promising storage ingredient.
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Briefs: Aerospace
Tiny aircraft that weigh as much as a fruit fly could serve as Martian atmospheric probes.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Taking a cue from birds and insects, the wing design helps drones fly more efficiently and makes them more robust to atmospheric turbulence.
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Briefs: Data Acquisition
The software assesses the quality of parts in real time, without the need for expensive characterization equipment.
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Briefs: Transportation
This battery would enable a 10-minute electrical vehicle recharge.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This method could impact optical technologies such as smartphone cameras, biosensors, or autonomous vision for robots and self-driving cars.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
One unexpected application for spider silk is its use in the creation of biocompatible lenses.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Empa researchers were able to demonstrate real-time acoustic monitoring of laser weld seams.
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Briefs: Transportation
Additive manufacturing creates cooling solutions with sizes and shapes not previously possible.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
University of Colorado researchers have described a new silicon chip that improves the resolution and scanning speed needed for a lidar system.
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Briefs: Aerospace
Applications include absorbers, tuned mass dampers, harmonic absorbers, and seismic dampers.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This approach allows scientists to study the communication within plants, providing valuable insights to improve crop yields.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This gel-like material leads a path toward “mechanoceuticals.”
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Briefs: Motion Control
The gripper’s soft, sensitive fingers could enable robots to help with tying knots, wire shaping, or surgical suturing.
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Briefs: Materials
These sensors monitor electrical loads from household appliances to support grid operations.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
This technology can help robots walk up to 40 percent faster on uneven terrain such as pebbles and wood chips.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The battery design increases the number of possible cycles from tens to more than 100 with little degradation.
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