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: IoMT
Innovators have developed an RFID-based system for sensing the angular position of rotating systems. The RFID-Based Rotary Position Sensor can be used as a position/orientation sensor or implemented in a...
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed designs for two micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) motion and position sensors: a single-axis accelerometer and a gyroscope....
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
This additively manufactured alloy is tailored for high-temperature applications.
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Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Using microwaves reduces the cost of launching rockets.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The thruster provides a low-cost, extremely efficient propulsion source for miniature satellites.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The wearable prototype can stream, in real time, an identifying signature based on the electrical activity of a person's heart.
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Briefs: Propulsion
These engines will allow upper stage rockets for space missions to become lighter, travel farther, and burn more cleanly.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The electrochemical sensor can detect the presence of the virus in less than five minutes.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
This affordable, scalable sensor could be a vital tool in the fight against air pollution and its associated health risks.
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Briefs: Materials
The paper-like material could be useful in soft robots, sensors, artificial muscles, and electric generators.
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Briefs: Materials
This could reduce the environmental impact of styrene manufacturing.
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Briefs: Aerospace
An algorithm runs onboard a vehicle, providing important real-time data to aid in steering the craft.
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
Normally an insulator, diamond becomes a metallic conductor when subjected to large strain.
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Briefs: Aerospace
The new hinge is the key to get loadbearing, large quadrotors to climb a few dozen feet in seconds.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The sensors could be used in medical applications such as neuroscience and metabolism processes.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
This technique has applications in strain, temperature, pressure, vibration, and acoustic sensing.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This method increases burn rate of solid propellants.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
This technology provides drones sufficient time and distance to react, avoid wires, and navigate follow-on maneuvers.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The miniaturized detector mimics the process dogs use to detect cancer and other diseases by smell.
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Briefs: Energy
The proposed design could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent.
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Briefs: Materials
This invention achieves sustainable freshwater production in a variety of climates at minimal energy cost.
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Briefs: Materials
Flea-sized, hollow blocks can be filled with materials that improve healing.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
Applications include monitoring of earthquakes and tsunamis as well as manmade infrasonic sources such as boats.
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Briefs: Materials
A new method could jump-start the creation of tiny medical devices for the body.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
Programmed magnetic nanobeads are used to detect the virus in 55 minutes or less.
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Briefs: Power
Thrusters based on magnetic reconnection could complete long-distance missions in a shorter period of time.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The portable lab-on-a-chip detects many contaminants in water supplies.
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Briefs: Unmanned Systems
Autonomous quadcopters can be trained using simulations to increase their speed, agility, and efficiency.
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Briefs: Data Acquisition
This model can be used to design better aircraft without having to wait months for supercomputer calculations.
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