NASA Camera Transforms Invisible into Visible

The Self-Aligned Focusing Schlieren (SAFS) system provides researchers with a simple setup for testing than the complex, manual alignment needed with traditional dual-grid setup systems.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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NASA researchers at the Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia have developed a new imaging technology called the Self-Aligned Focusing Schlieren (SAFS) system that can "see" air movement by detecting tiny changes in its density. Compared to the older focused schlieren imaging setup, the SAFS system is more compact, low-cost, and easier to use, eliminating the need for painstaking manual alignment of separate light source grids on opposite sides of the test object. The SAFS system uses light polarization to create the same effect as the older dual-grid setup, requiring access to only one side of the object being tested.

Why it matters

The SAFS system is a game-changer for aerospace researchers, allowing them to gather high-speed flow visualization data more efficiently, with less facility downtime, and lower costs. This opens the door to new discoveries that could revolutionize the design of everything from commercial airliners to spacecraft, helping NASA meet its mission goals related to efficiency and safety in aviation and space.

The details

The SAFS system was invented in 2020 by NASA researchers Brett Bathel and Joshua Weisberger. It uses cameras and light polarization to visualize complex flow structures, such as shock waves interacting with fluids in wind tunnels. Compared to traditional focused schlieren imaging, the SAFS system eliminates irrelevant features like tunnel boundary layers, off-plane shockwaves, and flow structures from temperature variations outside the wind tunnel.

  • The SAFS system was invented in 2020 by researchers at NASA's Langley Research Center.
  • In 2025, the SAFS system was named a NASA Government Invention of the Year, the highest award the agency gives to groundbreaking technologies.
  • In 2025, the SAFS system was also selected for the R&D 100 Awards by a panel of global experts.

The players

Brett Bathel

A NASA researcher at the Langley Research Center who invented the SAFS system alongside fellow engineer Joshua Weisberger.

Joshua Weisberger

A NASA engineer at the Langley Research Center who invented the SAFS system alongside Brett Bathel.

NASA's Langley Research Center

A NASA research facility located in Hampton, Virginia where the SAFS system was developed.

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What they’re saying

“What makes this breakthrough compelling is the ripple effect. When researchers can see and understand air movement in ways that were previously difficult to achieve, it leads to better aircraft designs and safer flights for everyone.”

— Brett Bathel, NASA researcher (Mirage News)

What’s next

Researchers are using the SAFS system to capture flow separation on the High Lift Common Research Model, a tool for improving how accurately we can predict the takeoff and landing performance of new aircraft. The SAFS system is also helping investigators study shock cell structures - diamond shapes that form in exhaust plumes - for the Space Launch System model.

The takeaway

The SAFS system represents a significant advancement in flow visualization technology, allowing aerospace researchers to gather critical data more efficiently and cost-effectively. This innovation has the potential to drive new discoveries and improvements in aircraft and spacecraft design, ultimately enhancing safety and efficiency in aviation and space exploration.