Tech Briefs

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

System Standardization Streamlines Industrial Designs

Equipment designers can simplify design efforts and adjust controller platforms as needed when they standardize on electronic input/output products.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

High-Color-Purity 3D Printing

This method obtains high-color-purity 3D objects using a new class of nanoparticles.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Advanced Supercritical Water Oxidation Reactor

This technology has potential across many industries including water reclamation and treatment, and waste destruction in liquid waste streams.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Catalyst Efficiently Turns Carbon Dioxide into Useful Fuels and Chemicals

By converting CO2 into complex hydrocarbon products, a new catalyst could aid in large-scale efforts to recycle excess carbon dioxide.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Laser Printing Technology for Waterproof E-Textiles

The next generation of waterproof smart fabrics can be laser-printed and made in minutes.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Transistor Design Disguises Key Computer Chips from Hackers

This built-in security measure would prevent hackers from getting enough information about the circuit to reverse-engineer it.

Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Charging Port for Autonomous Drone Swarms

Hundreds of drones can recharge autonomously on unmanned ground vehicles.

Briefs: Materials

Process Turns Plastic Bags into Adhesives

A chemical process converts polyethylene plastic into a strong, valuable adhesive.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Sensor Material Enables Stretchable Electronics to Perform Better Under Strain

The stretchable electronics are more stable as they change shape, which could lead to next-generation sensors for healthcare applications.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Algorithms Improve Quadrotor Drone Performance

The algorithms enable drones to quickly switch between hover and forward flight.

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Semiconductor Detector Identifies Radioactive Isotopes with High Resolution

The device has applications in medical diagnostics and homeland security.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D-Printing of Sensors Directly on Expanding Organs

The technique could have applications in diagnosing and monitoring the lungs of patients with COVID-19.

Briefs: Aerospace

Keeping Drones Flying When a Motor Fails

Onboard cameras can be used to keep damaged quadcopters in the air and flying stably, even without GPS.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Copolymer Removes Toxins from Water

Researchers have demonstrated that they can attract, capture, and destroy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of federally regulated substances nicknamed “the forever...

Briefs: Energy

Stretchable Micro-Supercapacitors Self-Power Wearable Devices

A stretchable system can harvest energy from human breathing and motion.

Briefs: Automotive

New Approach Makes Lighter, Safer Lithium-Ion Batteries

Adding polymers and fireproofing to a battery’s current collectors makes it lighter, safer, and about 20% more efficient.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Method Tracks What Happens Inside Batteries

The method could be key to designing more efficient batteries for specific uses such as electric cars and airplanes.

Briefs: Transportation

Design Enables Safe Storage of Lithium Ions

This technology charges lithium batteries faster and reduces the risk of device explosions.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Flexible, Thin-Film Battery

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...

Briefs: Transportation

Using Electric Vehicle Batteries for Solar Energy Farms

Battery reuse systems could be profitable for both electric vehicle companies and grid-scale solar operations.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Compact Infrared Spectrometer

This device fits on a computer chip but can analyze infrared light in the same way as a conventional spectrometer.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D Printing with Wood-Based Ink

By emulating the natural cellular architecture of wood, green products such as clothes, packaging, and furniture can be manufactured with unique properties.

Briefs: Software

Damage Simulation Tool for Composite Laminates

This tool provides faster and more detailed composite damage simulation results.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Metamaterial Morphs into New Shapes and Takes on New Properties

A newly developed architected metamaterial has the ability to change shape in a tunable fashion.

Briefs: Materials

Flexible Material Helps Buildings Withstand Energy Waves

The material could help protect both civilian and military personnel in earthquakes.

Briefs: Software

Intuitive Programming Language for Quantum Computers

This quantum language is the first of its kind that is as elegant, simple, and safe as classical computer languages.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Chemical Identification by Magneto-Elastic Sensing (ChIMES)

The sensor is suitable for both overt and covert applications, and can detect multiple and variable targets.