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: Software
Computational Model Predicts Human Behavior
This analytic model shows how groups of people influence individual behavior.
Briefs: Test & Measurement
This device could enable rapid, inexpensive liquid biopsies to help detect cancer and develop targeted treatment plans.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Applications include optical data transfer, infrared and night-vision systems, environmental sensors, and breath analysis for medical diagnosis.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
Mobile, Wearable EEG Device with Nanowire Sensors
This low-cost electroencephalogram (EEG) device provides research-grade signal quality.
Briefs: Aerospace
Applications include distributed computer systems, computer security, and commercial satellite systems.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Applications include emergency medicine, combat casualty care, and sports injuries.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Applications include imaging, sensing, wireless communications, and medical treatments.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
Landers to small bodies such as comets and asteroids can use this program to estimate the terrain richness of the previously unmapped small body.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
The technique could be used to improve navigation for robots, drones, or pedestrians.
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Briefs: Defense
This on-skin electronic device provides a personal air conditioner without electricity.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This device could give doctors a new therapeutic option for treating patients with conditions such as heart failure.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
The material combines two polymers with different properties.
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Briefs: Nanotechnology
This diagnostic device allows doctors to detect cancer quickly from a droplet of blood or plasma.
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Briefs: Software
Protocol Improves Storage Efficiency and Output Speed of Computer Systems
This approach enables computer systems to retrieve data much faster.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
A highly sensitive, CMOS-compatible, broadband photodetector was created by tailoring material defects.
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Briefs: Materials
The material could enable applications such as antennas that change frequencies on the fly or gripper arms for delicate or heavy objects.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A liquid crystal elastomer can be programmed to exhibit controllable, dynamic behavior without the need for complex electronic components.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
This lightweight and efficient mechanism enables retention, release, and deployment of solar arrays and antennas.
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Briefs: Transportation
The method slashes battery testing times — a key barrier to longer-lasting, faster-charging batteries for electric vehicles.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
A new way of making polymers adhere to surfaces may enable better biomedical sensors and implants.
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Briefs: Aerospace
The domino effect is used to design deployable systems that expand quickly with a small push and are stable and locked into place after deployment.
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Briefs: Energy
This new design could conserve energy used for defrosting airplanes, appliances, and more.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
It can be used both in small, portable devices for field inspections and in very large detectors that use arrays of crystals.
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Briefs: Defense
These “developable mechanisms” are built into the surfaces of structures.
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Briefs: Software
This framework determines regional landslide probability in near real time.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
This gel releases short gene sequences into the heart muscle to heal it following a heart attack.
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Briefs: Transportation
This technology could help control driverless cars and automated warehouses.
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Briefs: Aerospace
Square trusses replace round for enhanced strength and robotics compatibility.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This technology cancels out the vibrations of a satellite by vibrating the solar panels in the opposite direction.
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