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.

Briefs: Propulsion

Power Processing Unit for Small Spacecraft Electric Propulsion

This scalable power processing unit (PPU) is for use with low-power Hall effect thrusters.

Briefs: Energy

Process Converts Ethanol to Jet Fuel

A new catalyst and microchannel reactors improve efficiency and cost of the process.

Briefs: Manned Systems

Propulsion System for Hypersonic Flight

The system could allow for flight speeds of Mach 6 to 17 and would have applications in air and space travel.

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: Manned Systems

Ignition Technology for Electric Propulsion Devices

This system would extend the life of CubeSat satellites.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

3D-Printed Graphene Aerogels for Water Treatment

The aerogels safely remove contaminants from water without releasing any problematic chemical residue.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Gel-Like Fluid Prevents Wildfires

The long-lasting, environmentally benign fire-retarding treatment, if used on high-risk areas, could dramatically cut the number of fires that occur each year.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Self-Powered Alarm Monitors Fires and the Environment

This remote forest fire detection and alarm system is powered by nothing but the movement of the trees in the wind.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Tires and Building Rubble Combine to Form a Sustainable Road-Making Material

The sustainable material offers a zero-waste solution to boost recycling and support the circular economy.

Briefs: Energy

Foldable Solar Cells

Carbon nanotubes are used to create solar cells with unprecedented flexibility and resistance.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Recycled Cotton Becomes New Fabric

A method converts cotton into sugar, which can be turned into spandex, nylon, or ethanol.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Handheld 3D Skin Printer Accelerates Healing of Burns

The handheld printer deposits sheets of skin to cover large burn wounds and its bio-ink accelerates healing.

Briefs: Wearables

Wearable Patch to Treat Melanoma

The patch enables unobtrusive drug delivery through the skin for the management of skin cancers.

Briefs: Wearables

Tool Can Diagnose Strokes with a Smartphone

The tool diagnoses a stroke based on abnormalities in a person’s speech and facial movements.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Soft Contact Lenses Monitor Ocular Diseases

The lenses enable the painless diagnosis or early detection of ocular diseases including glaucoma.

Briefs: Materials

Bone Bandage Accelerates Repair

The bandage captures and holds a pro-healing molecule at the site of a bone break to accelerate and improve the natural healing process.

Briefs: Wearables

Cardiac Patch with Bioink Can Repair the Heart

3D bioprinting using bioink from engineered stem cells enables treatment of myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases.

Briefs: Imaging

Computer Vision App for Monitoring Diabetes

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

Briefs: Software

AI Technology Foils Cyberattacks

The technology is aimed at protecting physical targets, such as utilities and infrastructure.

Briefs: Data Acquisition

Simulations Provide Understanding of Spacecraft Landing Dynamics

The simulations provide insight on the models needed to simulate a full-scale landing event.

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.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Using Magnets to Toggle Nanolasers Leads to Better Photonics

A new control mechanism may prove useful in devices that make use of optical signals.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

New Thermal Wave Diagnostic Technique Advances Battery Performance Testing

A new technique for measuring the performance of lithium batteries uses thermal waves to measure local lithium concentration as a function of depth inside battery electrodes.