Tech Briefs

A comprehensive library of technical briefs from engineering experts at NASA and major government, university, and commercial laboratories covering all aspects of innovations in electronics, software, photonics, imaging, motion control, automation, sensors, test, materials, manufacturing, mechanical, and mechatronics.

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Briefs: Motion Control
These materials can detect when they are damaged, take the necessary steps to temporarily heal themselves, and then resume work.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
A carbon-based biosensor could drive new innovations in brain-controlled robotics.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
A new study challenges the conventional approach to designing soft robotics and metamaterials by utilizing the power of computer algorithms.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
A hybrid method enables 3D printing of self-powered wearable devices.
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Briefs: Materials
Metamaterials that manipulate microwave energy can be fabricated using low-cost inkjet printing.
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Briefs: Materials
This method prints 3D structures made of metal and plastic, paving the way for 3D electronics.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
This method fabricates 3D nanostructures for electronics, manufacturing, and healthcare.
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Briefs: Materials
Surgeons can use the heart model as a tool for planning and practice.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Making one kilometer of a two-lane road would use up about three million masks.
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Briefs: Energy
The method enhances the battery's safety while it is being used, without opening the battery cell.
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Briefs: Energy
Pyroelectric energy generates energy from heat that would otherwise be wasted in a catalytic chemical reaction.
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Briefs: Materials
The battery is smaller than a traditional lithium-ion battery due to the elimination of dendrites.
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Briefs: Energy
The material enables lithium-ion batteries to be safely recharged within minutes for thousands of cycles.
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Briefs: Energy
The flexible, washable microgrid uses the human body to sustainably power small electronics.
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Briefs: Energy
The material improves connectivity while maintaining recyclability and low cost.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A reversible polymer changes color when it senses a material is about to fail.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Artificial skin reacts to pain just like real skin, paving the way to better prosthetics, robotics, and noninvasive alternatives to skin grafts.
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Briefs: AR/AI
The ALFaLDS detection tool supports oil plants.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The Slinky-like sensor survives washing machines, cars, and hammers.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The device ultimately should be able to provide accurate signals from a person who is walking, running, or climbing stairs.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
Applications include detection of chemical and biological agents as well as dangerous gases from vehicle emissions.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The mobile, wearable device could allow babies to leave the hospital and be monitored from home.
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Briefs: Imaging
The high-bandwidth, high-resolution ISAR technology can be used to study subsurface structures.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
3D micro-printing was used to develop this small, flexible scope for looking inside blood vessels.
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Briefs: Medical
An algorithm that assesses the location of a metal implant and determines the best position of the scanner to avoid distortion.
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Briefs: AR/AI
A research team demonstrated a way to recover phase information.
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Briefs: Imaging
With an imaging speed of 0.5 trillion frames per second, the camera is claimed to be the world's fastest.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
A new imaging technique measures temperature in 2D.
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Briefs: Wearables
These smart lenses can be used to diagnose and treat diabetes.
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