Tech Briefs

Briefs: Energy

Side-Mounted Solar Modules Enhance Energy Sustainability

Research demonstrates the potential of a solar unit that can hang on the outside of a structure.

Briefs: Energy

Circuit Generates Clean, Limitless Power from Graphene

The chip could provide low-voltage power for small devices or sensors.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Biocontainment Unit for Virus-Sized Particles

The unit could help healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Next-Generation Computer Chip Has Two Heads

The chip combines two functions — logic operations and data storage — into a single architecture, paving the way to more efficient devices.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Energy-Harvesting Device Turns Wi-Fi Signals into Usable Power

This device for harnessing terahertz radiation might enable self-powering implants, cellphones, and other portable electronics.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Supercool Mini-Thermometer

Applications include monitoring the temperature of processor chips in superconductor-based quantum computers, which must stay cold to work properly.

Briefs: Automotive

Liquid Sorbent Carbon Dioxide Removal System

Applications include aerospace, automotive, commercial spaceflight, scuba diving equipment, and for first responders.

Briefs: Energy

Supercapacitor Based on Manganese Oxide

This supercapacitor promises storage, high power, and fast charging.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Autonomous HVAC System Measures Facial Temperature

The system turns faces into thermostats, providing more comfort with less energy.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

New Method Makes Computer Memory from Titanium Oxide

The material, commonly found in house paint, can be used in a device to more efficiently process information.

Briefs: Medical

Handheld Device Measures Cancer Biomarkers

Researchers have created the prototype for a handheld device to measure a biomarker for cancer. The device works much like the monitors that people with diabetes use to test their blood-sugar levels...

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Wearable Device Measures Cortisol in Sweat

This patch offers noninvasive and continuous monitoring of various biomarkers for a range of physiological conditions.

Briefs: Medical

Painless Paper Patch Tests Glucose Levels

The patch uses painless, biodegradable microneedles.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Solid-State Technology Enables Smaller, Safer Batteries

The technology is inherently safer and more energy-dense than today’s lithium-ion batteries.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Photonic Wireless System Powers Medical Implants

The system can recharge the internal battery of devices without invasive surgery or risky penetrative procedures.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Handheld Device Diagnoses Skin Cancer

The device could reduce the need for painful biopsies by 50 percent.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Pill-Sized Heating Device for Diagnostic Testing

Combined with smartphone technology, the device becomes a portable system that can track, monitor, and diagnose infections.

Briefs: AR/AI

“Stethoscope” Monitors Machine Quality and Functionality

This system provides low-cost monitoring for machine health with audio-based artificial intelligence.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (CEAS) for Ozone Detection

This simple and inexpensive design achieves high-quality ozone measurements.

Briefs: Energy

Generating Renewable Hydrogen Fuel from the Sea

Membranes that remove salt from water help split sea water into fuel.

Briefs: Medical

Mobile Bedside Bioprinter Prints Skin Directly into a Wound

The system is filled with a patient’s skin cells.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Platform for All-Optical Computing

Computations are done solely with beams of light.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Microstrip Circuit and Material Characterization System

The system enables measurement of active or passive microstrip line devices with DC probing capability.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Inexpensive Method Decontaminates Personal Protective Equipment

The system uses off-the-shelf materials combined with ultraviolet lights to decontaminate N95 masks.

Briefs: Energy

Lithium Metal Battery Allows Cold Charging

The battery could be used for drones, cars, or underwater applications at low temperatures.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Collision Detector Mimics Locust Swarms

This detector could help robots, drones, and self-driving cars avoid collisions.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

High-Efficiency Megawatt Motor

This partially superconducting machine can be used as a motor or generator.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Human-Like Hands with Flexible, Hybrid Pneumatic Actuators

These hands, with a large grasping force, enable safer human-robot interactions.

Briefs: Motion Control

Compact, Long-Reach Robotic Arm

Applications include retractable covers and awnings, camera booms, and spacecraft and astronaut positioning.