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: Imaging

Model Recovers Data Lost from Images and Video in Low Dimensions

Video can be recreated from motion-blurred images and new cameras may someday retrieve 3D data from 2D medical images.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Wearable Strain Sensor Using Light Transmittance

This technology shows potential for the detection of subtle human motions and the real-time monitoring of body postures for healthcare applications.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Hydrogel Contact Lens to Treat Eye Disease

The hydrogel could be made into a contact lens that effectively treats corneal melting.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Room-Temperature Magnon Switch

This approach could lead to entirely new and more efficient logic switches for computer chips.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Nanosensors for Real-Time Plant Health Monitoring

This approach allows scientists to study the communication within plants, providing valuable insights to improve crop yields.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Bacteria-Based Hydrogel Beads Clean Up Contaminated Groundwater

Beads that contain bacteria and a slow-release food supply to sustain them can clean up contaminated groundwater for months on end, maintenance-free.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Neural Hardware for Image Recognition in Nanoseconds

An ultrafast image sensor with a built-in neural network can be trained to recognize certain objects.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

3D-Printed Glucose Biosensors

These biosensors could lead to improved glucose monitors for millions of people who suffer from diabetes.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Portable Tool Analyzes Microbes in the Environment

This device could be used to find threats to ecosystems.

Briefs: Aerospace

Graphene Smart Textiles for Heat-Adaptive Clothing

Smart adaptive clothing can lower the body temperature of the wearer in hot climates.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Reverse Fuel Cell Converts Waste Carbon to Valuable Chemicals

The technology could lead to production of fuels, building materials, and other products in a carbon-neutral way.

Briefs: Materials

Durable, Washable Textile Coating Repels Viruses

This coating could lead to safely reusable personal protective equipment.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Method Verifies that Quantum Chips are Computing Correctly

The method determines whether circuits are accurately executing complex operations that classical computers can’t tackle.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Active Material Created Out of Microscopic Spinning Particles

This material could have applications such as mixing and delivery in the pharmaceutical industry.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

Method Improves Efficiency and Heat Tolerance of Devices

These are important traits in electronics and electrical systems including electric cars, industrial drills, and electric grids.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Magnetic Force Manages Pain

This gel-like material leads a path toward “mechanoceuticals.”

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Pseudo-Random Coding Technique for 3D Imaging

This technique offers enhanced resolution and improved system reliability for mapping and obstacle recognition and navigation for vehicles.

Briefs: Imaging

Ultrathin, Fully Packaged, High-Resolution Camera

Biologically inspired ultrathin arrayed camera captures super-resolution images.

Briefs: Transportation

Retroreflective Material for Nighttime Color-Changing Road Signs

The technology could help call attention to important traffic information when it’s dark, with potential benefits for both drivers and pedestrians.

Briefs: Imaging

Ultrafast Camera Captures Transparent Objects and Phenomena

The camera can take up to 1 trillion pictures per second of transparent objects, shockwaves, and other phenomena.

Briefs: Imaging

Smart Surgical Microscope

Imaging technology used to map the universe shows promise for more accurately and quickly identifying cancer cells in the operating room.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

ONav and GeoPixel™ Web-Based Navigation for the Collection of Aerial Imagery

Multiple commercial applications include defense, search and rescue, and disaster relief.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Enhanced Fabrication Improves Temperature Sensing in Cryogenic Humid Environments

This technology is useful for energy, industrial, and aerospace applications.

Briefs: Data Acquisition

“Racetrack Memory” Digital Data Storage

This technology offers the possibility to both bolster computer power and create smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient computer memory technologies.