Propulsion

Facility Focus: AR/AI

Facility Focus: Stanford University School of Engineering

Stanford University’s School of Engineering has been at the forefront of innovation for nearly a century

NASA Spinoff: Energy

Water-Powered Engines Offer Satellite Mobility

The technology could allow deep-space exploration without running out of propellant.

Articles: Robotics, Automation & Control

2020 Create the Future Design Contest: Aerospace & Defense Category Winner — NiobiCon™

The NiobiCon™ underwater connector will not short out, corrode, or cause an electrical shock if touched while powered in harsh environments like saltwater.

Application Briefs: Communications

Wave Energy Modeling for Safer Space Travel

What does wave energy have to do with space exploration? Plenty, it turns out.

Facility Focus: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Facility Focus: NASA John C. Stennis Space Center

Stennis now is testing RS-25 rocket engines for the Space Launch System (SLS) that will carry humans back to the Moon.

Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Answering Your (Mars 2020) Questions: Will the Perseverance Rover Carry Around NASA's Mars Helicopter?

The Mars rover Perseverance has a helicopter. Will the rover have to carry it around?

Briefs: Transportation

Electrohydraulically Actuated Valve Train

The new technology demonstrates a 20 percent savings in fuel in typical passenger car low-load operating conditions.

Briefs: Energy

SMART Solar Sail

The miniaturized, autonomous, reconfigurable solar sail is capable of very fine maneuvering by small surface deformation.

Briefs: Propulsion

Machine Learning Enables Rapid Rocket Engine Design

This method provides a fast way to assess rocket engine performance in a variety of operating conditions.

Briefs: Aerospace

Supersonic Spike Diffuser

This diffuser provides double the pumping efficiency in one-quarter the space.

Blog: Software

A Faster Way to Design Rockets: Scientific Machine Learning

To speed up the design process, researchers from the University of Texas are finding more efficient ways to predict, or "learn," a rocket's behavior.

Articles: Photonics/Optics

Fiber Lasers for Powertrain Welding Applications

Altering the traditional intensity distribution of fiber lasers improves weld quality.

Application Briefs: Test & Measurement

Multiple Sensors Aid in Development of an Electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft

Beta Technologies is putting their Electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft (eVTOL) prototype through the wringer.

Articles: Manufacturing & Prototyping

What’s Next in Mobility: WCX 2020 SAE World Congress Experience

Your preview of one of the largest technical mobility events of the year.

Blog: Aerospace

Researcher Finds Promising Patterns in ‘Explosive’ Rotating Detonation Engine

University of Washington engineer James Koch observed patterns in a promising, but often-unpredictable rocket part: The rotating detonation engine.

Briefs: Energy

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): Methylotrophic Microorganisms Expressing Soluble Methane Monooxygenase Proteins

This technology enables methane metabolism by yeast.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

CubeSat Form Factor Thermal Control Louvers

These louvers provide passive thermal cooling for CubeSats.

Facility Focus: Aerospace

Facility Focus: NASA John H. Glenn Research Center

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

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

De-Orbit Device for SmallSats

This retractable de-orbit device facilitates targeted re-entry, attitude and orbital control, and collision avoidance.

Articles: Semiconductors & ICs

2019 'Create the Future' Aerospace & Defense Category Winner: A Morphing, Foldable Drone

The Foldable Drone: a Morphing Quadrotor that can Squeeze and Fly Davide Falanga, Kevin Kleber, Stefano Mintchev, Dario Floreano, and Davide...

NASA Spinoff: Materials

Phase-Change Coating Absorbs Heat from Rockets, Pipes, and Beer

The material used on a shuttle's rocket boosters has several terrestrial applications.

Articles: Automotive

2019 'Create the Future' Automotive/Transportation Category Winner: A Standalone AC Battery

A prototype of the AC 'Biode' battery has been developed at 20W.

Briefs: Software

Software Accelerates Engine Development for Hypersonic Flight

A numerical modeling tool allows for a better understanding of rotating detonation engines (RDEs).