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: Photonics/Optics

Light Helps Autonomous Vehicles Better Scan for Nearby Fast-Moving Objects

Mechanical control and modulation of light on a silicon chip could enhance LiDAR.

Briefs: Energy

Electronic Paper Displays Brilliant Colors

Using ambient light, the reflective screen keeps energy consumption to a minimum.

Briefs: Imaging

System Uses Smartphone or Computer Cameras to Measure Health

The camera captures pulse and respiration signals from a video of a person’s face.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Multi-Shot Lensless Camera

The camera could have uses in faster disease diagnosis and thinner cellphones.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

High-Definition Millimeter-Wave Body Scanner

In an airport, the scanner could eliminate the need for passengers to remove shoes at the checkpoint, speeding the screening process.

Briefs: Data Acquisition

Progressive Band Selection for Hyperspectral Images

This system enables fast analysis of hyperspectral images in disaster response or target detection scenarios.

Briefs: Wearables

Smart Displays Show Information Through Fabric

The technology shines through fabrics to show notifications for email messages, time, weather, or other forms of basic information.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Chemistry Discovery Could Remove Micropollutants from the Environment

This approach could result in developing chemical sensors that are sensitive at a very low level to a specific chemical in the environment.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Getting NASA Data to the Ground With Lasers

The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) will usher in a new era of laser communications.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Need for Larger Space Telescope Inspires Lightweight Flexible Holographic Lens

Holographic lenses render visible and infrared starlight into either a focused image or a spectrum.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Cell Labelling Method from Microscopy Adapted for Use in Whole-Body Imaging

A team at the University of Münster is adapting a cell labelling strategy known as "SNAP-tag" technology.

Briefs: Imaging

Sixth Mirror Casting Brings Giant Magellan Telescope Closer to Completion

At 3 p.m. on March 5, a gigantic furnace slowly started spinning underneath the stands of Arizona Stadium at the University of Arizona. Fire-engine red, massive in size...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Metasurfaces Control Polarized Light at Will

Researchers from SEAS have found "hidden potential" in metasurfaces.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Automatic Observation Management System, New Tool to Coordinate Telescope Network

The "AOM" performs complex observations with ten observation modes and 175 strategies.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

NEID Spectrometer Lights Up Path to Exoplanet Exploration

NASA's NEID tool delivered its first batch of data on the nearest and best-studied star, our Sun.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Process Enables Machines to Thermally “Breathe”

Large machines can breathe in and out cooling blasts of water to keep their systems from overheating.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

High-Sensitivity Microwave Radiation Sensor

Better detection of microwave radiation will enable improved thermal imaging, electronic warfare, radio communications, and radar.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Non-Destructive Evaluation of Structures Using Transient and Lock-in Thermography

Applications include avionics, data storage, process control, reconfigurable manufacturing lines, and civil and structural engineering.

Briefs: Software

Flies’ Vision Mimicked to Control Robots

Biological insights of fruit fly eye movements could enhance robotics.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Ultra-Thin Sensor for Smart Contact Lenses

Engineers have developed a sensor system and manufacturing process for smart contact lenses. The sensor system contains a photodetector for receiving optical information, a temperature sensor for...