Tech Briefs

Photonics & Imaging

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

Briefs: Data Acquisition

Optical Signal Amplifying Technique

Optical Signals can be retrieved from inherent background noise using Talbot effect to amplify them.

Briefs: Imaging

Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar

The high-bandwidth, high-resolution ISAR technology can be used to study subsurface structures.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Flexible Imaging Device

3D micro-printing was used to develop this small, flexible scope for looking inside blood vessels.

Briefs: Medical

“Steering” Solves Imaging Scan Problems Caused by Metal Implants

An algorithm that assesses the location of a metal implant and determines the best position of the scanner to avoid distortion.

Briefs: AR/AI

Artificial Intelligence Magnifies the Utility of Electron Microscopes

A research team demonstrated a way to recover phase information.

Briefs: Imaging

Compressed Ultrafast Photography

With an imaging speed of 0.5 trillion frames per second, the camera is claimed to be the world's fastest.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

An Innovative Imaging Technique for Dynamic Optical Nanothermometry

A new imaging technique measures temperature in 2D.

Briefs: Software

3D Image Processing Optimizes Workflow

The new computer simulation method can equip engineers and doctors with better information.

Briefs: Design

Tool Calculates Materials’ Stress and Strain Based on Photos

The advance could accelerate engineers’ design process by eliminating the need to solve complex equations.

Briefs: Imaging

NIST Improves the Ability of Optical Microscopes to Measure the Volume of Microdroplets

For the first time, a team has measured the volume of individual droplets smaller than 100 trillionths of a liter, with an uncertainty of less than 1%.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

New Device Modulates Visible Light with the Smallest Footprint and Lowest Power Consumption

Columbia researchers are reducing both the size and the power consumption of a visible-spectrum phase modulator, from one millimeter to 10 microns.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

An Innovative Imaging Technique for Dynamic Optical Nanothermometry

A new imaging method measure temperature in 2D.

Briefs: Wearables

Neural Implant Monitors Multiple Brain Areas at Once

A study seeks to understand how different parts of the brain communicate with other.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Nano Flashlight Enables New Applications of Light

Design of miniature optical systems could lead to future cell phones that can detect viruses and more.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Turning Thermal Energy into Electricity

Applications include power and energy, communications, and sensors.

Briefs: Imaging

LEDs Can Detect Spoiled Food and Lethal Gases

The technology could benefit firefighters, miners, the military, plumbers, and households.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Smartphone-Based COVID-19 Test

The test uses a smartphone microscope and could deliver results in about 10 minutes.

Briefs: Manned Systems

Simple, Fuel-Efficient Rocket Engine for Cheaper, Lighter Spacecraft

The engine could make rockets not only more fuel-efficient, but also more lightweight and less complicated to construct.

Briefs: Imaging

Computer Vision App for Monitoring Diabetes

The mobile phone app enables regular monitoring of glucose levels in people with diabetes.

Briefs: Materials

Nanoscale Sensors Measure Elusive Water Levels in Leaves

A new technology uses nanoscale sensors and fiber optics to measure water status just inside a leaf’s surface, where water in plants is most actively managed.