Materials & Manufacturing

Manufacturing & Prototyping

Topics:

Explore innovations supporting advances in manufacturing and rapid prototyping. Access the developments and solutions that have an impact on applications in 3D printing and automation.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Camera Captures Images of Interior of Solid Objects
The camera combines lasers, computers, and terahertz waves to see “unseen” details.
Briefs: Imaging
Compact 3D LiDAR Imaging System
A silicon chip provides a low-cost solution to help machines see the world clearly.
UpFront: Manufacturing & Prototyping
UpFront: December 2021
NASA's satellite data reveals the pandemic's effect on our atmosphere, and a team of shoebox-sized rover scouts is prepped for the lunar surface.
Briefs: Materials
Sensors Woven into a Shirt can Monitor Vital Signs
Comfortable, form-fitting garments could be used to remotely track patients’ health.
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Method Recharges an Electric Car as it Drives
This practical technique uses magnetism to transmit electricity wirelessly to recharge electric cars, robots, or drones.
Products: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Product of the Month: December 2021 Tech Briefs
Learn about a contactless holographic systems for machine, factory, and other rugged industrial applications.
White Papers: Medical
How to Integrate Thin, Flexible Force Sensors into a Portable, Wearable Device

As consumers demand devices that are smaller and sleeker, more design engineers are turning to thin, flexible sensors like FlexiForce™ sensors because of their...

White Papers: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Volume Ramps Versus Capital Spends

As the automotive industry continues to invest in clean energy, the volume requirements for these vehicles continues to rise. This has caused automakers and tier suppliers to be creative when purchasing...

On-Demand Webinars: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Application of Industrial Metrology in Industry 4.0

This 20-minute Lunch & Learn explores how industrial metrology tools have been successfully applied to overcome the challenges faced by manufacturers engaged in precision machining. The discussion draws from experience in aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer, and military...

White Papers: Photonics/Optics
Principles of Injection Molding

Optimizing custom part designs for injection molding requires a thorough understanding of the process and outcomes. In this ebook, you'll learn about common molding resins, special molding terms you should...

On-Demand Webinars: Imaging
Using High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography to Inspect Additive Manufactured Parts

Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques are quickly replacing conventional “subtractive” machining for producing low volumes of complex parts. While some of these parts may be used for safety-critical functions, their complex nature means they are...

White Papers: Software
Smarter Products Need Smarter Development

As demand for connected products grows, the pressure to quickly create and launch innovative digital products also increases. To get an idea of how modern manufacturing organizations are adapting to...

Special Reports: Design
Medical Manufacturing & Outsourcing - November 2021

In this new report from the editors of Medical Design Briefs and Tech Briefs magazines, discover how the latest advances in 3D printing, machining, molding and more are changing the way...

Question of the Week: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Can Borophane Beat Graphene?

A Tech Brief in our November issue highlights a new material that’s super-thin and super-strong. By combining hydrogen with an atom-thick sheet of boron known as borophane, researchers from Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) have created a potential alternative to the breakthrough 2D material graphene. The Argonne...

Facility Focus: Energy
Facility Focus: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center
The "ERDC" helps solve problems in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences.
Articles: Photonics/Optics
Silicon Carbide Optics for High-Energy Applications
Silicon Carbide (SiC) optics are becoming more and more prevalent in high-energy laser (HEL) designs, and manufacturers must be aware of the potential risks
Articles: Green Design & Manufacturing
Special Section: The Winners of the 2021 'Create the Future' Design Contest
See this year's product designs from engineers, students, and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Articles: Imaging
2021 Create the Future Design Contest: Consumer Product Design Category Winner — Aira FreePower
Learn about "FreePower" charging stations.
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Robot Locates and Retrieves Buried Items
This robotic arm fuses data from a camera and antenna to locate and retrieve items buried under piles and completely out of view.
Technology Leaders: Design
Why 3D Artificial Intelligence with AR and VR is More Important Today
Deep learning-based AI allows users to identify 3D objects of arbitrary shape and size in various orientations with high accuracy in the 3D space.
Articles: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
2021 Create the Future Design Contest: Automotive/Transportation Category Winner — Afreecar E-kit
The e-kit promises to be a low-cost solution in the developing world.
Articles: Sensors/Data Acquisition
2021 Create the Future Design Contest: Medical Category Winner — Halo Speculum
The Halo replaces all metal retractors with one simple, one-size-fits-all design.
Articles: Materials
2021 Create the Future Design Contest Grand Prize Winner: Self Destructing Plastics via Embedded Enzymes
Once triggered, the enzyme-embedded plastics self-destruct, completely degrading and eliminating microplastics in days.
UpFront: Materials
UpFront: November 2021 Tech Briefs
How to be a NASA intern; a new ideas for moon fabrics; and NASA's need for a better rover.
Briefs: Energy
Nanoscale Machines Convert Light into Work
The optically powered machines self-assemble and could be used for nanoscale manipulation of tiny cargo.
White Papers: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Going Up the Value Chain

It’s time to leverage Industry 4.0 technologies and upgrade from manually intensive CAD-based drawing packages to true computer-aided engineering (CAE) software. Experience the benefits of a simplified design...

White Papers: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Measuring Color in Automotive Interiors

While the exterior of the car may be the first thing you see, the interior of the vehicle is where your driving experience starts. The interior design and color of a car is central to the consumer's...

Blog: Transportation
Create the Future 2021: A Universal E-Kit Provides Power Boost to Non-Motorized Vehicles
Christopher Borroni-Bird and his team want to make an "e-kit" that provides a boost to wheelbarrows, bikes, and other non-motorized vehicles.
Blog: Energy
When to Expect a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck
Long-haul trucking may be the best candidate for hydrogen power. An industry expert tells us when we can expect more hydrogen fuel cells on the highway.

Top Stories

Blog: Materials

A Battery Breakthrough, Made from Rubber

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Who Won 'Best of Innovation' at CES 2022?

Blog: Design

Sweat-Activated Vents Open Up New Ideas for Clothing

INSIDER: Sensors/Data Acquisition

The James Webb Space Telescope Successfuly Launches

Videos: Materials

'Snow-Phobic' Coating Reduces Snow Pile-Up on Solar Panels

Articles: Imaging

Vote for Tech Briefs Product of the Year 2021

Webcasts

On-Demand Webinars: Defense

Common Mode Choke Design and Material Selection

Upcoming Webinars: Energy

X-ray CT Solutions for Lithium-Ion Battery Production

Upcoming Webinars: Energy

Commercial-Vehicle Propulsion: Hydrogen’s Potential to Fuel a...

Webinars: Medical

Elevate Medical Design: Smart, Cost-Effective TPU Films with...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Accelerate Electric Vehicle Engineering with Simcenter Digital...

Tech Talks: Medical

How to Improve Device Service Lifetime Through Advanced Material Science

Trending Stories

NASA Spinoff: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars

INSIDER: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Smaller, Cheaper, and More Dynamic Computer Chips

INSIDER: Imaging

The James Webb Space Telescope Successfuly Launches

INSIDER: Test & Measurement

Fundamental Particles Modelled in Beam of Light

Briefs: Medical

Compact, Noncontact Fiber-Optic Probe for Diagnosis of Eye Diseases

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Environmental Barrier Coatings for Ceramic Matrix Composites

Videos