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.

39,49,73
-1
390
30
Briefs: Test & Measurement
A new method of estimating the optimal trailing aircraft position in a formation increases fuel savings.
Feature Image
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
These louvers provide passive thermal cooling for CubeSats.
Feature Image
Briefs: Test & Measurement
This technology is a novel, rugged, and economic diagnostic and sensor platform technology.
Feature Image
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
This microrobot with soft actuators can crash, fall, and collide without being damaged.
Feature Image
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
An upgraded mini robot can leap over obstacles with ease.
Feature Image
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A technology uses a combination of WiFi signals and accelerometer technology to track devices in near-real-time.
Feature Image
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Researchers have developed a self-contained wheel unit that combines a wheel and an electric motor.
Feature Image
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
The technology can be used in commercial motors, robotic systems, and hybrid and electric vehicles.
Feature Image
Briefs: Motion Control
The algorithm speeds up the planning process that robots use to adjust their grip on objects.
Feature Image
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The skin could help rehabilitation and enhance virtual reality by instantaneously adapting to a wearer's movements.
Feature Image
Briefs: Materials
Made with “Jenga chemistry,” the material could help in understanding how high-temperature superconductors work.
Feature Image
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Low-Bandwidth Radar Technology Provides Improved Detection of Objects
Radar technologies were originally designed to identify and track airborne military targets. Today, they're more often used to detect motor vehicles, weather formations, and geological terrain. Until now, scientists believed that radar accuracy and resolution are related to the...
Briefs: Energy
This lightweight material brings strength and durability to complex shapes.
Feature Image
Briefs: Aerospace
This packaging provides protection for SiC sensors and electronics in harsh, hightemperature environments.
Feature Image
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
This hands-on, educational tool highlights the properties of SMA wire.
Feature Image
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
This retractable de-orbit device facilitates targeted re-entry, attitude and orbital control, and collision avoidance.
Feature Image
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This technology provides simultaneous ohmic contacts and the process to make them.
Feature Image
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The simulator could help in the development of new back braces.
Feature Image
Briefs: Automotive
A combination of additives shows promise for boosting battery performance in very cold or hot weather.
Feature Image
Briefs: Energy
This multifunctional hybrid laminate composite can be used for residential and commercial construction.
Feature Image
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
This invention is a highly stable, heat-treatable, and tunable material.
Feature Image
Briefs: Defense
This low-profile ankle exoskeleton integrates into a shoe and fits under clothing.
Feature Image
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Transport Method Boosts Capacity of Heat Exchangers
A simple modification can improve the capability of turbulent heat exchangers by 500%.
Briefs: Materials
This technology has applications in sonar, range measuring, directional-force sensors, flow meters, and vibration/noise sensing and control.
Feature Image
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Stronger and flexible, polyimide aerogels provide insulation and structural support.
Feature Image
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
For decades, robots in controlled environments like assembly lines have been able to pick up the same object over and over again. More recently, breakthroughs in computer vision have enabled...
Feature Image
Briefs: Aerospace
Flying animals both power and control flight by flapping their wings. This enables small natural flyers such as insects to hover close to a flower but also to rapidly escape danger. Animal flight has...
Feature Image
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
To investigate oceans, researchers aim to build a submerged network of interconnected sensors that sends data to the surface. Supplying constant power to scores of sensors designed to stay for long...
Feature Image
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Although Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being used widely for pallet and box-level tracking in the commercial sector, significant technology gaps remain for tracking dense quantities at the item...
Feature Image

Videos