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.

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Briefs: Medical
Cancer treatment could be dramatically improved by precisely locating the edges of tumors during surgery to remove them.
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Briefs: Imaging
Future robots could be taught how to outperform humans.
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Briefs: Imaging
VR/AR devices can simulate some of the key difficulties experienced due to glaucoma.
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Briefs: Materials
With low-cost materials called perovskites, stable, continuous lasing is achieved at room temperature for over an hour.
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Briefs: Imaging
See how tantalum disulfide is supporting new kinds of optics, and potentially new kinds of application for VR and self-driving cars.
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Briefs: Data Acquisition
MIT engineers are envisioning robots more like home helpers.
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Briefs: Imaging
A NIST method employs a neural network to detect patterns like geometric objects in imaging data.
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Briefs: Imaging
A metal-organic framework does not contain cost-intensive raw materials and can be produced in bulk.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
This technology can work with multiple wavelengths of light simultaneously.
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Briefs: Imaging
Applications include low-light conditions such as on orbital satellites and VR applications where the lens needs to be larger than a pupil.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
This system has a capacity of more than 1,500 times the volume of a typical testing facility.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
Tiny aircraft that weigh as much as a fruit fly could serve as Martian atmospheric probes.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This approach could engineer quantum materials atom-by-atom for new electronic, magnetic, and sensing applications.
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Briefs: Transportation
The software assesses the quality of parts in real time, without the need for expensive characterization equipment.
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Briefs: Automotive
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: Photonics/Optics
Traditional spark plugs are replaced by an optical pumping source.
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Briefs: Communications
The tiny unit is significant for the miniaturization of optoelectronic systems.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This method can be used in astronomy, surveillance, and optics manufacturing.
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Briefs: Imaging
The instrument has uses in photography where the goal is to image a dim object near a bright one.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
This eye-on-a-chip can help treatment of dry eye disease.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
The newest version of these combs could revolutionize clocks, telescopes, and telecommunications.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Laser light induces ultrasonic vibrations in a sample that can be used to image cells, blood vessels, and tissues.
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Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Flat-panel technology could transform antennas, wireless, and cellphone communications.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
This system encodes information in twisting beams of light.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Self-powering, color-changing humidity sensors are applicable to various fields including smart windows, health care, and safety management.
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Briefs: AR/AI
Empa researchers were able to demonstrate real-time acoustic monitoring of laser weld seams.
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Briefs: Wearables
A new type of motion capture technology accurately tracks an athlete during the push start phase of performance.
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Briefs: Data Acquisition
Researchers tackled the problem using a geophysical measurement called seismic anisotropy.
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Briefs: Materials
One unexpected application for spider silk is its use in the creation of biocompatible lenses.
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