Materials & Manufacturing

Briefs: Energy

Device Creates Electricity from Snowfall

The nanogenerator also acts as a weather station.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Method Speeds 3D Printing of Millimeter-Sized Imaging Lenses

The method could impact optical imaging, vision correction, and disease diagnosis.

Articles: Automotive

Innovators Recognized for Creating the Future 2019

Top prizes in the 2019 contest were awarded on November 8 in New York City.

Briefs: Energy

Washable Sensor Can Be Woven Into Materials

The device could impact composites manufacturing and health monitoring.

Briefs: Transportation

Precision Low-Speed Motor Controller

The technology can be used in commercial motors, robotic systems, and hybrid and electric vehicles.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Algorithm Gives Robots a Faster Grasp

The algorithm speeds up the planning process that robots use to adjust their grip on objects.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Artificial Skin Provides Haptic Feedback

The skin could help rehabilitation and enhance virtual reality by instantaneously adapting to a wearer's movements.

Application Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Valve Position Sensor Protects Switch Boxes from Salt Environment

Salty air the Dutch city of Harlingen causes exposed metal parts to corrode.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Superconductivity in a Nickel Oxide Material

Made with “Jenga chemistry,” the material could help in understanding how high-temperature superconductors work.

Technology Leaders: Software

Development and Analysis of Solid-State Batteries with the COMSOL® Platform

As lithium-ion battery production doubles, more viable energy storage solutions are needed.

Facility Focus: Test & Measurement

Facility Focus: NASA John H. Glenn Research Center

Glenn's research facilities have contributed to decades of technology advances.

Articles: Photonics/Optics

Products of Tomorrow: December 2019

Products include an aerosol scattering sensor; metal foam; and a new coated drug capsule.

Briefs: Energy

Aerogel-Fiber Layered Laminate System

This multifunctional hybrid laminate composite can be used for residential and commercial construction.

Briefs: Automotive

Shape Memory Alloy with Adjustable, Wide-Ranging Actuation Temperatures

This invention is a highly stable, heat-treatable, and tunable material.

Q&A: Photonics/Optics

Q&A: Refrigeration by Twisting Fibers

Changing directions of twist and coiling changes whether a material cools or heats.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Optically Fixable Shape Memory Polymers

These polymers can combine thermal and optically fixable shape memory.

Briefs: Materials

Heat-Regulating Material for Next-Generation Space Blanket

Squid skin inspires a new material with heat-regulating properties.

Briefs: Energy

Ultra-Thin Layers of Rust Generate Electricity from Flowing Water

When combined with saltwater, rust can be a source of electricity.

Briefs: Aerospace

Macro-Fiber Composite (MFC) Actuator

This technology has applications in sonar, range measuring, directional-force sensors, flow meters, and vibration/noise sensing and control.

Briefs: Materials

Durable Polyimide Aerogels

Stronger and flexible, polyimide aerogels provide insulation and structural support.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Photovoltaic-Powered Sensors

RFID-based devices work in indoor and outdoor lighting conditions and could transmit data for years before they need to be replaced.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Aluminum Joining Methods: Welding vs. Adhesives

Our expert examines the pros and cons of welding, adhesives, and other metal joining methods.

Blog: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Answering Your Questions: Industrial CT Scanning vs. Medical CT Scanning

Computed tomography is being used in the medical and industrial field. An expert explains how the two imaging techniques differ.

Blog: Materials

Answering Your Questions: What's Better for Extrusion? Aluminum 6000 or 7000 Series?

What's the best aluminum for extrusion? A Tech Briefs reader asks our expert.

INSIDER: Materials

Double-Sided Tape Rapidly Seals Tissues Together

Inspired by a sticky substance that spiders use to catch their prey, a double-sided tape was developed that can rapidly seal tissues together within five seconds. The tape works much...

INSIDER: Imaging

New Metasurface Design Can Control Optical Fields in Three Dimensions

A team led by scientists at the University of Washington has designed and tested a 3D-printed metamaterial that can manipulate light with nanoscale precision. As...