INSIDER: Electronics & Computers
New Transistor Design Disguises Key Computer Chip Hardware to Protect Against Hackers
A hacker can reproduce a circuit on a chip by discovering what key transistors are doing in a circuit — but not if the transistor “type” is...
INSIDER: Physical Sciences
New Technique Extends Next-Generation Lithium Metal Batteries
Electric vehicles (EVs) hold great promise for our energy-efficient, sustainable future but among their limitations is the lack of a long-lasting, high energy density battery...
INSIDER: Energy
Fast Calculation Dials in Better Batteries
A simpler and more efficient way to predict performance will lead to better batteries, according to Rice University engineers. That their method is 100,000 times faster than existing modeling...
INSIDER: Design
Clean, Limitless Power from Graphene
A team of University of Arkansas physicists has successfully developed a circuit capable of capturing graphene’s thermal motion and converting it into an electrical current.
INSIDER: Electronics & Computers
How to Make Tomorrow’s Electronics Using Ink-Jet Printed Graphene
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have cracked the conundrum of how to use inks to 3D-print novel electronic devices with useful properties, such as an...
INSIDER: Data Acquisition
NIST Sensor Experts Invent Super-Cold Mini-Thermometer
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have invented a miniature superconducting thermometer with big potential applications, such as monitoring the...
INSIDER: Electronics & Computers
Researchers Develop Ultra-Sensitive Device for Detecting Magnetic Fields
A team of Brown University physicists has developed a new type of compact, ultra-sensitive magnetometer, 20 times more sensitive than many traditional sensors. The...
INSIDER: Electronics & Computers
New Method Measures Temperature Within 3D Objects
University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers have made it possible to remotely determine the temperature beneath the surface of certain materials using a new technique they call depth...
INSIDER: Wearables
Atomic Chains in Nanotubes Push the Electronics Frontier
Wearable tech and electronic cloth may be the way of the future, but to get there the wiring needs to be strong, flexible, and efficient.
News: Physical Sciences
Superluminal Jets and Time Reversibility
Astrophysicists Jon Hakkila of the College of Charleston and Robert Nemiroff of the Michigan Technological University have published research indicating that blasts that create gamma-ray bursts may actually exceed the speed of light in surrounding gas clouds, but do so without violating Einstein's theory...
News: Motion Control
Ringing of a Newborn Black Hole
If Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity holds true, then a black hole, born from the cosmically quaking collisions of two massive black holes, should itself "ring" in the aftermath, producing gravitational waves much like a struck bell reverberates sound waves. Einstein predicted that the particular...
News: Research Lab
Using Light to Speed Up Computation
A group of researchers in Japan has developed a new type of processor known as PAXEL, a device that can potentially bypass Moore's Law and increase the speed and efficiency of computing. PAXEL, which stands for photonic accelerator, is placed at the front end of a digital computer and optimized to perform...
INSIDER: Electronics & Computers
A New Electrolyte for Lithium-Metal Batteries
Improvements to a class of battery electrolyte first introduced in 2017 — liquefied gas electrolytes — could pave the way to a high-impact and long-sought advance for rechargeable...
INSIDER: Electronics & Computers
Scientists Have Visualized the Electronic Structure in a Microelectronic Device
Scientists have visualized the electronic structure in a microelectronic device for the first time, opening up opportunities for finely tuned,...
Blog: Green Design & Manufacturing
The Top Tech Briefs Stories of 2017
With another year of Tech Briefs almost in the books, it's time to look at our most-read news articles of 2017.
Top stories included a look back at the life of Robert Goddard, and a look forward to...
INSIDER: Automotive
Sound-Off: How Should Universities Prepare Tomorrow’s Vehicle Designers?
Q&A: Physical Sciences
Q&A: NASA's Dr. James Thorpe Develops Instrumentation for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)
Gravitational waves from colliding black holes were first observed by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)...
News: Propulsion
Is Pluto a Planet? Scientists Seek New Definition
In 2006, the International Astronomical Union demoted Pluto to "non-planet" status. Johns Hopkins University scientist Kirby Runyon led a group of six researchers to draft a new definition of...
Question of the Week: Physical Sciences
Should Pluto be restored as a planet?
This week’s Question: Last week at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, Johns Hopkins University's Kirby Runyon reignited an often fierce debate within the scientific community:...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Foldable and Deployable Power Collection System
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is developing a lightweight space-based solar power array with a high power-to-stowed-volume and weight ratio. The system provides power to small...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Solid-State Ultracapacitor
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a solid-state ultracapacitor utilizing a novel nanocomposite dielectric material. The material’s design is based on the internal barrier layer capacitance (IBLC) concept, and it uses novel dielectric and metallic conductive ink formulations.
Briefs: Propulsion
Iodine-Compatible Hall Effect Thruster
The Hall effect thruster (HET) was designed for long-duration operation with gaseous iodine as the propellant. Iodine is an alternative to the state-of-the-art propellant xenon. Compared to xenon,...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
An Alternative Molecular Sexing Method for the Florida Scrub-jay
A new method of molecular sexing is described that helps to understand population dynamics of the Florida Scrub-jay (FSJ). FSJ is an endemic, nonmigratory, monomorphic species of bird found on the Florida peninsula in lowgrowing oak or pine scrub. The current conservation status...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) Science Simulator
The SWOT Science Simulator simulates projected SWOT altimetry observations that can be applied to an ocean general circulation model, allowing the exploration of ideas and methods to...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Digital Elevation Model Maker (DEMmaker)
The DEMmaker suite of software applications produces data products containing surface shape, reflectivity, and geomorphology (craters and rocks) for a desired planetary surface based on statistically accurate size and frequency distributions of geologic and surface impact features. The current version can...
Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System (TOPS)
TOPS is a modeling software system that integrates data from satellite, aircraft, and ground sensors, and weather/climate models with application models to expeditiously produce operational nowcasts and forecasts of ecological conditions. TOPS allows determination of the options for different...
Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
Images of Change for iPad
Images of Change provides a user-friendly mobile interface for exploring an extensive gallery of land-based and space-based images showing dramatic change over time on Earth. Hosted on NASA’s Global Climate Change website, Images of Change is designed to raise awareness of climate change, inspire curiosity and...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Characteristics of the Spliced Kennedy Space Center Doppler Radar Wind Profiler Database
NASA relies on the Natural Environments (NE) Branch located at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to provide databases that represent the wind magnitudes and wind changes expected on day-of-launch (DOL) for vehicle programs that MSFC NE supports. MSFC NE...
Briefs: Aerospace
Hydrogen Peroxide for Microbial Growth Control in Space Potable Water Systems
NASA uses a biocide to prevent contamination of astronaut drinking water with harmful microorganisms. Concerns have arisen over existing biocides — that they’re inadequately effective, and may have toxic side effects when consumed. New microbial control methods are...
Top Stories
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A Former NASA Mission Manager Reflects on a 'Flawless' Mars Landing
Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control
A Robot Walks — No Electronics Needed
Videos: Electronics & Computers
'LaserFactory' Manufactures Fully Functional Devices & Drones
Videos: Imaging
Watch NASA's Perseverance Rover Land on Mars
INSIDER: Propulsion
High-Speed Infrared Reveals Safer Hypergolic Propellant
Articles: Electronics & Computers
Question of the Week
Would You Use the 'LaserFactory?'
Webcasts
On-Demand Webinars: Automotive
How to Achieve Multidisciplinary, Collaborative, Concurrent Virtual Engineering...
Upcoming Webinars: Materials
Ultra-High Purity Silicone in Aerospace and Defense Product Design
Upcoming Webinars: Medical
Lunch & Learn: Pitfalls of Medical Cord Sets
Upcoming Webinars: Automotive
A Four-Pillar Approach to Driving Greater Efficiency ePowertrain...
Upcoming Webinars: Automotive
Confident TCU Connectivity Through Efficient Functional Testing
Upcoming Webinars: Transportation
Trending Stories
Technology Leaders: Manufacturing & Prototyping
MEMS — Smart Sensors for the IoT
Application Briefs: Materials
Coating Erosion Tests Help Keep Mars 2020 Rover Safe
Q&A: Energy
Q&A: Oil and Gas Wells for Energy Storage
Briefs: Software
Bar Code Scanner to Supplement Property Inventory Process
INSIDER: Imaging
High-Speed Infrared Reveals Safer Hypergolic Propellant
INSIDER: Sensors/Data Acquisition
SoloHI Imager Captures Rare Shot of Venus, Earth, Mars, and Uranus
