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: Energy
This cell could potentially operate around the clock, balancing the power grid over the day-night cycle.
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Briefs: Materials
The coating repels insects on aircraft wing surfaces and motor vehicles and reduces surface imperfections on other low-friction or non-stick surfaces.
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Briefs: Aerospace
The open-architecture flight software package provides solutions for onboard orbit determination.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The technology harvests electrical energy from waste heat sources.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Potential applications include lightweight building materials and growing cells for biomedical purposes.
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Briefs: Energy
Injection of air at the trailing edge of a winglet further reduces drag.
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Briefs: Aerospace
The supports enable the production of higher-quality, less-expensive parts via additive manufacturing.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
New cell chemistry utilizes less costly and more abundant materials than lithium-ion batteries.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
A robot could immediately alert a human of small changes in their surrounding environment.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
The system enables robots to predict what their human coworker will do next.
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Briefs: Materials
This system enhances processing via real-time, non-destructive defect tracking.
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Briefs: Aerospace
Early flutter detection will help in the development of safer and more eco-friendly aircraft turbines.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
This could lead to the commercial development of smart glass, with applications ranging from imaging to advanced robotics.
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Briefs: Wearables
The smart ring shows it’s possible to detect fever before you feel it.
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Briefs: Imaging
The system could one day replace LiDAR and cameras in automated manufacturing, biomedical imaging, and autonomous driving.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Biobots based on muscle cells can swim at unprecedented velocities.
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Briefs: AR/AI
Exoskeleton legs are capable of thinking and making control decisions on their own using artificial intelligence technology.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A catalytic reaction causes a two-dimensional, chemically coated sheet to spontaneously morph into a three-dimensional gear.
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Briefs: Materials
The machines fold themselves within 100 milliseconds and can flatten and refold thousands of times.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The walking quadruped is controlled and powered by pressurized air.
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Briefs: Motion Control
The design could contribute to various applications in the robotics field such as smart prosthetics and human-robot interaction.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
One of the final hurdles to hydrogen power is securing a safe method for detecting hydrogen leaks.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Color changes of gold nanoparticles under the skin reveal concentration changes of substances in the body.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
Researchers at KU Leuven have succeeded for the first time in measuring brain waves directly via a cochlear implant.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Recent advances could make it feasible to deploy networks of methane sensors to detect this greenhouse gas at large facilities.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Researchers have developed a millimeter-thick accelerometer.
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Briefs: Imaging
The LiDAR-based system could “see through” objects to warn of potential hazards without distracting the driver.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
Applications include remote sensing, laser spectroscopy, and gas analysis.
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Briefs: Imaging
This technology bends light more efficiently, enabling more immersive augmented reality display systems.
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