Tech Briefs

Photonics & Imaging

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Access our comprehensive library of technical briefs on photonics and imaging, from engineering experts at NASA and major government, university, and commercial laboratories.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Navigation Measurement Software
Briefs: Imaging
Showing Robots How to Complete Complicated Tasks
Briefs: Aerospace
Process for Producing High-Quality, Lightweight Mirrors
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Latest Tech Briefs

Briefs: Imaging
Optically Reconfigurable Charge-Transfer Liquid Crystals
These re-writeable materials have applications in data storage and encryption, energy transducers, and optical display technologies.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Device Modulates Light and Amplifies Tiny Signals
This system can amplify a faint signal from a neighboring system even when that signal’s amplitude is as small as ten trillionths of a meter.
Briefs: Materials
Carbon Nanostructure is Stronger Than Diamonds
A novel plate-cell architecture reaches the theoretical limit of performance.
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Soft Hardware for More Flexible Robots
Combined muscles and sensors made from soft materials allow for adaptable robots.
Briefs: Data Acquisition
Improving Data Speeds with Laser-Activated Magnets
Mini-magnets could enable cloud computing systems to process data up to 100 times faster than current technologies.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Characterizing Richness of Previously Unmapped Terrain and its Impact on Navigation Using 3D Range Sensors
Landers to small bodies such as comets and asteroids can use this program to estimate the terrain richness of the previously unmapped small body.
Briefs: Imaging
Analyzing Wear and Tear of Metal
A new method could enable vehicles and equipment to better withstand high temperatures, loads, and speeds.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Sussex Researchers Combine Lasers, Computers & THz Waves to Build Camera That Sees ‘Unseen’ Details
The nonlinear camera captures high-resolution images of the interior of solid objects using terahertz (THz) radiation.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Bats Inspire Detectors to Help Prevent Oil and Gas Pipe Leaks
Engineers have developed a new scanning technique inspired by the natural world that can detect corroding metals in oil and gas pipelines.
Briefs: Imaging
Device Tests Drugs on Tumor Tissue
An inexpensive 3D-printed microfluidics device could be used to personalize cancer treatment.
Briefs: Nanotechnology
Electric Nanoscale Device Sees Through Walls
Applications include imaging, sensing, wireless communications, and medical treatments.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Defects Enable High-Performance Infrared Photodetectors
A highly sensitive, CMOS-compatible, broadband photodetector was created by tailoring material defects.
Briefs: Imaging
New Graphene-Based Metasurface Capable of Independent Amplitude and Phase Control of Light
Researchers described a new strategy of designing metamolecules.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
High-Efficiency Laser for Silicon Chips
Applications include optical data transfer, infrared and night-vision systems, environmental sensors, and breath analysis for medical diagnosis.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Moving Precision Communication, Metrology, Quantum Applications from Lab to Chip
A team is exploring new materials for telecommunications and LIDAR applications.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Low-Cost Detection of Thin Film Stress During Fabrication
This method uses fiber optic probes for measurement of semiconductors, optical coatings, magnetic read/write heads, and precision machines.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Polymer Twists and Bends in the Presence of Light
A liquid crystal elastomer can be programmed to exhibit controllable, dynamic behavior without the need for complex electronic components.
Briefs: Motion Control
Multifunctional Structure Stabilizes and Rotates Satellites
This technology cancels out the vibrations of a satellite by vibrating the solar panels in the opposite direction.
Briefs: Imaging
Seeing Around Corners to Detect Object Shapes
Special light sources and sensors see around corners or through gauzy filters, enabling reconstruction of the shapes of unseen objects.
Briefs: Data Acquisition
Streaming Software Speeds Apps
Apps could take up less space on a smartphone and apps could download instantly.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Machine Learning Algorithm Identifies Objects Using Microwaves
Hardware and software tweak microwave patterns to discover the most efficient way to identify objects.
Briefs: Imaging
Cryogenic Near-Field Optical Microscope Images Dynamics of Graphene
This imaging technique could impact optical communications and signal processing.
Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Terahertz Imaging System Uses Small, Efficient Lasers
The lasers are small and efficient enough to fit on a microchip.
Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
Model Predicts Breaking Point of Conducting Material
This work could accelerate the development of flexible electronics.
Briefs: Aerospace
Additive Manufacturing Method for Sub-Microscale Three-Dimensional Structures
Applications include MEMS, microlattice fabrication, and other sub-microscale 3D structures with a broad range of materials.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Using Sound and Light for Ultrafast Data Transfer
This method could lead to the transmission of data at the rate of 100 gigabits per second.
Briefs: Aerospace
NASA Space Data Can Cut Disaster Response Times, Costs
The NASA study is a first step in developing a model to deploy in future disasters.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Researchers Generate Terahertz Laser with Laughing Gas
In the middle ground between microwaves and visible light lies terahertz radiation, and the promise of “Tray vision.”
Briefs: Test & Measurement
Researchers Create Nanoscale Sensors to Better See How High Pressure Affects Materials
Researchers have developed new nanoscale technology to image and measure more of the stresses and strains on materials under high pressures.
Question of the Week
Can Camera Systems Replace the Wall-Mounted Thermostat?

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