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: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A stretchable system can harvest energy from human breathing and motion.
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Briefs: Transportation
Adding polymers and fireproofing to a battery’s current collectors makes it lighter, safer, and about 20% more efficient.
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Briefs: Energy
The method could be key to designing more efficient batteries for specific uses such as electric cars and airplanes.
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Briefs: Materials
This technology charges lithium batteries faster and reduces the risk of device explosions.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Computers or smartphones with folding screens, smart clothing, and wearable sensors all require an energy source, which is usually a lithium-ion battery. These are typically heavy and rigid, making them fundamentally...
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Briefs: Energy
Battery reuse systems could be profitable for both electric vehicle companies and grid-scale solar operations.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
This device fits on a computer chip but can analyze infrared light in the same way as a conventional spectrometer.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
By emulating the natural cellular architecture of wood, green products such as clothes, packaging, and furniture can be manufactured with unique properties.
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Briefs: Materials
This tool provides faster and more detailed composite damage simulation results.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
Wafer-Scale Membrane Release Process
This process fabricates thin dielectric membranes with high mechanical yields.
Briefs: Energy
A newly developed architected metamaterial has the ability to change shape in a tunable fashion.
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Briefs: Software
Additive Manufacturing Automated Process Planning Software
The software automatically maps designs from CAD software to additive manufacturing to help cut unnecessary steps.
Briefs: Materials
The material could help protect both civilian and military personnel in earthquakes.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This quantum language is the first of its kind that is as elegant, simple, and safe as classical computer languages.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The sensor is suitable for both overt and covert applications, and can detect multiple and variable targets.
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Briefs: Aerospace
High-Fidelity Sonic Boom Propagation Tool
The sBOOMTraj software tool predicts and mitigates ground noise generated during supersonic flight.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
This integrated nanosensor is printed on a daughter board using 3D printing techniques.
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Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
The improved rectennas could operate low-power devices such as temperature sensors.
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Briefs: Materials
The technology welds adjacent 3D-printed layers more effectively, thereby increasing the reliability of the final part.
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Briefs: Software
Space Weather Database
The DONKI application provides daily interpretations of space weather observations, analysis, and models.
Briefs: Imaging
Ultra-thin and flexible metalenses could replace traditional camera lenses.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
This system provides low-cost, reliable 3D LiDAR images in nearly any lighting condition.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
These nanomaterial strain sensors are ten times more sensitive when measuring minute movements compared to existing technology.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The polyimide composites have uses in aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, mechanical systems, and industrial machinery.
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Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
A new method manufactures complex shapeshifters for soft robots and biomedical implants.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Applications include terahertz medical imaging and communications.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This rapid and cost-effective technique yields a uniform etched surface with 99.5 percent emissivity.
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Briefs: Wearables
Material for Wearable Biosensors
Electrospinning is used to make porous silicone that allows sweat to evaporate.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
This system treats light-responsive disorders or deficits such as eating disorders, sleep problems, hormone-sensitive cancers, and cardiovascular disorders.
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