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: Electronics & Computers

Device Powers Wearable Sensors Through Human Motion

A triboelectric generator made of flexible circuit boards creates electricity when the wearer moves.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Stretchable Thermoelectric Generators

The organic composite material is soft, stretchable, and has good thermoelectric properties for many wearable applications.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Lighter Radiation Shielding for Electronics

This new technique shields electronics from ionizing radiation in applications such as military and space exploration.

Briefs: Energy

Tension Element Damping (TED) with Hydraulics for Large Displacements

Applications include wind turbines, solar arrays, commercial space mobile launchers, and industrial process stacks and equipment.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Graphene “Nano-Origami” Creates Tiny Microchips

The microchips are about 100 times smaller than conventional microchips.

Briefs: Energy

Stable, Efficient, Anode-Free Sodium Battery

The battery is smaller than a traditional lithium-ion battery due to the elimination of dendrites.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Rad-Hard CMOS Crystal Oscillator

The oscillator is designed for localized clock signal generation and data transmission in telemetry systems and remote sensing.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Fine-Tuning Alloys for High-Temperature Use

Superalloys that withstand extremely high temperatures could be finely tuned for specific properties such as mechanical strength.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Electronic Hardware System Replicates Many Network Architectures

The circuitry uses race logic to solve complex problems with a minimum expenditure of energy.

Briefs: Energy

Flexible Organic Photovoltaics

These organic solar cells can be useful where constant, low power generation is sufficient.

Briefs: Medical

Nearly Pain-Free Microneedle Patch

The patch can replace blood draws to test for antibodies that signal a viral or bacterial infection such as SARS-CoV-2.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Rolled 2D Heterostructures

The technology potentially enables a new generation of miniaturized electronic and optoelectronic devices.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Sound Waves Power Advances in Smart Materials

High-frequency sound waves can be used to build new materials, make smart nanoparticles, and even deliver drugs to the lungs for painless, needle-free vaccinations.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Ultrahigh-Energy-Density Capacitor

By introducing defects to a common material, a highly efficient capacitor offers dramatically increased energy density.

Briefs: Motion Control

Periodic Wave Disc Brake Rotor

The lightweight brake rotor design with high heat dissipation uses novel surface cooling technology.

Briefs: Automotive

Safer, Longer-Lasting, Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries offer a higher level of safety and potentially longer life than lithium-ion batteries.

Briefs: Energy

Reduced Heat Leakage Improves Wearable Health Device

A flexible device worn on the wrist harvests heat energy from the human body to monitor health.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Wearable Device Captures Cancer Cells from Blood

By capturing more cancer cells than blood draw screening, this device could help doctors understand a tumor’s biology and make decisions about treatment.