June 2006

Stories

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Briefs: Physical Sciences
An electrochemical cell for making corrosion measurements has been designed to prevent or reduce crevice corrosion, which is a common source of error in prior such cells. In a typical...
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Articles: Imaging
Potato chips, cell phones, razors, and baby diapers are just a few of the many everyday items made with the help of industrial machine vision. In fact, any product that...
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Products
Autodesk, San Rafael, CA, has announced Autodesk Inventor 11 3D mechanical CAD software that provides an integrated set of tools for 3D design and documentation. The new release features "functional design," which...
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Application Briefs: Electronics & Computers
DC-DC power systems VPT Blacksburg, VA 540-552-5000 www.vpt-inc.com
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Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
OilTrac™ fluid maintenance program/oil recycling systemCOMO Filtration SystemsJanesville, WI608-756-3838www.como.biz
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Articles: Imaging
The ability to make thermal measurements and image through materials that confound more expensive thermal cameras is pushing shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors into a growing number of...
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Who's Who: Green Design & Manufacturing
The Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment (INTEX-B) is the second phase of a two-part, multinational monitoring project designed to track pollution...
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Articles: Imaging
Traditional research on disease mechanisms in animal models mainly has relied either on the detection of morphological changes of the diseased tissues obtained through anatomical...
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Products: Imaging
Imperx, Boca Raton, FL, offers the VCE-B5A01 and VCE-PRO frame grabbers that fit into the PCMCIA slot in laptop and palmtop computers, as well as PDAs and other high-mobility computing devices. The VCE-B5A01 is a PCMCIA PC...
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Products: Imaging
The Silver 480M from Cedip Infrared Systems, Croissy-Beaubourg, France, is an infrared cooled camera that provides an acquisition and processing system for dynamic phenomena and high-frequency periodic excitation....
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Products: Imaging
Toshiba Imaging Systems Division, Irvine, CA, has introduced the IK-TF2 3-CCD color industrial video camera that measures 44 x 44 x 78 mm. It can be integrated into a high-speed machine vision system where high...
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Products: Imaging
The hsfc pro from The Cooke Corp., Romulus, MI, has a single optical input and consists of an image splitter unit, four intensified CCD camera modules with fast switchable MCP image intensifiers, and high-resolution...
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Products: Imaging
The JAI CV-A1 from JAI PULNiX, San Jose, CA, is a 1.4-megapixel CCD machine vision camera that features small size, analog output, and set-up via RS-232C. The analog output enables smaller-diameter cables to be used. The...
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Products: Imaging
Imaging Firmware Analysis
FotoNation, Burlingame, CA, offers PTP-IP Analyzer, a software suite that tests and analyzes firmware in digital imaging devices to ensure it conforms to CIPA PTP-IP, the communications protocol that connects digital cameras to devices such as TVs, printers, PCs, and other cameras. The verification is carried out...
Products: Imaging
Thermoteknix Systems, Bellevue, WA, has released the Miricle® 307K miniature infrared camera that incorporates a high-resolution uncooled alpha-silicon microbolometer detector. Measuring 1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5", the camera...
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Products: Imaging
QWIP Infrared Detector
The Sirius long-wavelength infrared detector from Sofradir, Paris, France, is based on Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) technology, and features 640 x 512, 20μm pitch, and TV format compatibility. The large-format infrared detector has applications in high-definition imaging in military uses such as armored vehicle...
Products: Imaging
Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Columbia, MD, offers the Hyper Vision HPV-1 ultra-high-speed video camera that can record up to one million frames per second. It produces high-definition images at a resolution of 312 x...
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Products: Imaging
Adimec USA, Stoneham, MA, offers the RA1000 family of rugged megapixel cameras for defense and commercial applications that provide day-imaging performance in monochrome or color with resolutions of 1 to 4 megapixels. The cameras...
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Application Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
With a zoning ordinance requiring businesses to throw up big, bright, eye-catching signs, Times Square in New York City has an illuminated-sign density rivaling Las Vegas. When Toys...
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Products: Imaging
BFi OPTiLAS, Evry, France, offers the L3-Communication Thermal-EyeTM 4500AS high-resolution thermal imaging camera core for integrators of handheld cameras and hands-free thermal imaging products. It uses the...
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Application Briefs: Motion Control
When the City of Atlanta finalized plans for the capital-improvement project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, an integral part of the 10-year, $5.4...
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Products: Imaging
Prosilica, Burnaby, BC, Canada, has introduced the GE-Series gigabit Ethernet machine vision cameras, which conform to the draft AIA GigE Vision standard. The cameras send non-compressed images at high frame rates over...
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Shapes different from the traditional ones have been proposed for face worm gears and for conical and cylindrical worms that mesh with them. The proposed shapes are based on the concept of...
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Application Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
The spine is the most complex mechanical system in the human body. With the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Instron (Norwood, MA) is utilizing the BioPuls™ Multi-Axial Spine Testing System to...
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Products: Imaging
New Scale Technologies, Victor, NY, offers the Squiggle optical zoom module for phone cameras that uses the patented SQUIGGLE motor. The module achieves lens travel greater than 4 mm with better than 10-micrometer...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Serving as non-locating bearings in large electric motors, SKF USA’s (Kulpsville, PA) CARB® toroidal roller bearings accommodate heavy radial loads and compensate for misalignment. Suitable for both coupled and...
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Products: Imaging
PerkinElmer Optoelectronics, Fremont, CA, has introduced the MultiBlueTM CCD camera, a multi-purpose imaging camera that features a modular design that provides OEMs with a choice of imagers that can be incorporated into the...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
SPX Fluid Power (Rockford, IL) has released the SPX Smiths Model SMR low-pressure DC bi-rotational hydraulic power unit, available in both holding and non-holding designs. The power unit comes with a standard emergency...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The DGEA cantilever electric linear actuator from Festo Corp. (Hauppauge, NY) is designed so the slide unit remains stationary while the profile moves axially. Suited for space-contained, multi-axis configurations, the motor and...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The TNC 320 contouring control from Heindenhain Corp. (Schaumburg, IL) features the ability to control five axes, an analog drive interface for interfacing to existing drive systems, and one-piece construction, the device...
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Products: Motion Control
LMS North America (Troy, MI) has introduced the LMS Test.Lab Vibration Control system for closed-loop vibration control testing under a wide variety of usage and transportation circumstances. Allowing engineers to test...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Saelig (Pittsford, NY) offers the FMOD-IPDCMOT motion control card that uses an Ethernet bus to communicate data and supply power simultaneously at distances of several thousand yards. Via its integrated Web server,...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The TA330 linear three-phase servo drive from Trust Automation (San Luis Obispo, CA) is a 150-V, 900-W continuous (2700-W peak) linear drive. It can be configured to interface with any motion controller, including three-phase DC...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The Voyager Series VB1 from Techno (New Hyde Park, NY) is a belt-driven slide that features lengths up to three meters and speeds up to five meters per second. Used for dispensing, inspection, pick and place, and parts...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The Model MMP-TM55-12V GP52-308 DC gearmotor from Midwest Motion Products (Watertown, MN) accepts any 12-V DC source including battery power. The unit has a diameter of 2.14" and a length of 7.75", with a keyed output shaft 12 mm in...
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Products: Motion Control
The dual-axis EZHR17EN stepper motor controller and driver from AllMotion, (San Jose, CA) is designed for off-the-shelf, rapid implementation in miniature applications. Measuring 1.6 × 1.6" and featuring encoder...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The LP+/LPB+ Value Line series of gear-heads from alpha gear drives (Bartlett, IL) offer a lubrication concept that makes them maintenance-free. The LPB+ offers the option of adding an integrated geared pulley drive system. The belt...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Pepperl+Fuchs (Twinsburg, OH) has introduced the 40-mm-diameter, IP54-protected TVI401 Series incremental rotary encoders capable of providing pulse outputs of up to 1024 ppr. Offering a tangential cable outlet for buckle-free...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Parker Hannifin’s Electromechanical Automation Div. (Rohnert Park, CA) offers high-power Compax3 all-digital servo drives, available with current output to 10A and 15A RMS. The drives feature auto-tuning, internal function...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
QuickSilver Controls (San Dimas, CA) has added multi-thread capability to its SilverDust servo controllers/drivers for NEMA 17 and 23 frame motors. Users can execute two programs simultaneously in the same controller for...
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Products: Motion Control
The Model CAN-PCI-02 Control Area Network (CAN) card from Copley Controls Corp. (Canton, MA) provides an interface between the company’s distributed motion control software and its CANopen servo and stepper drives. It facilitates...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
THK America (Schaumburg, IL) has introduced a self-adjusting power linear bushing with cages engineered of resin that continually lubricates the rolling elements. The bushing also features a hardened steel ball plate with a...
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Products: Motion Control
The Series 2665/2685 WOB-L piston pumps by Thomas Products Div. (Sheboygan, WI) incorporates epoxy-coated head and valve plates for exterior corrosion protection, aluminum construction, and a Teflon piston seal that remains...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
PennEngineering® Motion Technologies (Harleysville, PA) offers the MAE® Series BM brushless servo motors that can be equipped with Hall effect sensors and encoders. The motors feature copper integrated in the stator’s...
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Research on microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonators dates back to the mid-1960s, but MEMS timing references are only now being introduced commercially. In this time, two...
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The term “virtual feel” denotes a type of capaciflector (an advanced capacitive proximity sensor) and a methodology for designing and using a sensor of this type to guide a robot in manipulating a tool (e.g., a...
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
A measurement- acquisition system uses magnetic fields to power sensors and to acquire measurements from sensors. The system alleviates many shortcomings of traditional measurement...
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Miniature Housings for Electronics With Standard Interfaces
be secured to a mating carrier by use of screws or epoxy; this mounting scheme helps the housings and their contents to withstand severe vibrations and ensures thermal conduction for dissipation of heat generated during operation of the contained circuitry. The circuits contained in the...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
A proposed noninvasive method of monitoring the cure path and the state of cure of an epoxy or other resin involves measurement of the concentration(s) of one or more compound(s) in the...
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
An effort is underway to develop processes for making templates that could be used as deposition molds and etching masks in the fabrication of devices containing arrays of nanowires...
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Products: Motion Control
The Quickdraw® conveyor system from MagStar Technologies (Hopkins, MN) is designed for lab and cleanroom environments. It stands 2-7/8" and is only 1-1/2" wider than the transport tray. It uses sealed ball bearings rather than...
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Briefs: Information Technology
A method of processing the digitized output of a charge-coupled device (CCD) image detector has been devised to enable reduction of the error in computed centroid of the image of a...
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Products: Motion Control
The A-Track Series linear actuators from Warner Electric (South Beloit, IL) include a round, ground ball nut, a motor shaft supported by bearings rather than bushings, and limit switch and potentiometer options. The series has...
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Briefs: Information Technology
An improved method of processing information for autonomous navigation of a robotic vehicle across rough terrain involves the integration of terrain maps into a reactive navigation...
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Products: Motion Control
AC Technology, a member of the Lenze Group (Uxbridge, MA), has introduced the SMVector drive, featuring a power range of up to 20 Hp. Four modes (v/Hz, enhanced V/Hz, vector speed, and torque), high starting torque,...
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Briefs: Information Technology
Adaptive Modeling Language and Its Derivatives
Adaptive Modeling Language (AML), developed by TechnoSoft, Inc., is the underlying language of an object-oriented, multidisciplinary, knowledge-based engineering framework. TechnoSoft is a leading provider of object-oriented modeling and simulation technology used for commercial and defense...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The KE/KW series of digital intelligent servo converters from AMK Drives and Controls (Richmond, VA) is comprised of infeed and modules in the power range up to 60 kVA. A compact system, the unit measures 170 × 320 × 160 mm....
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Briefs: Materials
A family of tantalum-based ceramics has been invented as ingredients of high-temperature composite insulating tiles. These materials are suitable for coating and/or permeating the outer layers...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
PI L.P. (Auburn, MA) introduced NEXLINE®, a high-force, sub-nanometer resolution linear actuator for telescopic precision. Based on the PiesoWalk® drive principle, the all-ceramic, high stiffness actuators provide...
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Briefs: Materials
Microsphere Insulation Panels
Microsphere insulation panels (MIPs) have been developed as lightweight, long lasting replacements for the foam and vacuum-jacketed systems heretofore used for thermally insulating cryogenic vessels and transfer ducts. Whether preformed or applied in place, foam insulation deteriorates fairly rapidly: on cryogenic...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
LM76 (E. Longmeadow, MA) offers the Speed Guides™, two series of high-speed, compact linear guide systems. The Speed Demon OSG type and Speed Demon SG type linear guide systems are ideal for used in X, Y, or Z axes, and...
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Briefs: Materials
In recent experiments, highly purified batches of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have shown promise as superior alternatives to the graphitic carbon-black anode materials heretofore...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
W.L. Gore & Associates (Elkton, MD) has introduced Gore™ Eye-Opener® DensiShield cable assemblies to transmit high-speed differential signals while reducing size and weight. A short cable exit and lightweight cable allow a...
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Designers often turn to self-clinching fasteners when they need a practical method to provide threads in thin metal sheets. The fasteners install permanently, reduce hardware, and promote thinner...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Performance Motion Devices (Lincoln, MA) released the Magellan™ family of motion control ICs. They provide smooth stop, abrupt stop, and system disable, and are available for DC brush, brushless DC, microstepping, and step...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
From LEE Controls (Piscataway, NJ) and designed for automated production lines, CNC machines, power transmission, and other linear motion applications, the SBC Profile Rail System incorporates linear guide rails and blocks and is...
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Products: Motion Control
Amacoil (Aston, PA) offers a reciprocating linear motion platform driven by a rolling ring drive that reciprocates automatically without requiring motor reversal. Designed for a PCB measurement/cleaning process, the...
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Integral Flexure Mounts for Metal Mirrors for Cryogenic Use
Semi-kinematic, six-degree-of-freedom flexure mounts have been incorporated as integral parts of metal mirrors designed to be used under cryogenic conditions as parts of an astronomical instrument. The design of the mirrors and their integral flexure mounts can also be adapted to other...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Torque Transmission (Fairport Harbor, OH) has introduced a line of right-angle gear drives housed in glass-reinforced nylon, and are available in two model groups: RAB (standard right-angle drive) and MAD (for miniature...
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Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
SERVOSHAFT motion system control software from Danaher Motion (Wood Dale, IL) enables users to run all three functions of a control system (SCADA function, PLC, and motion control) from their own computers. The software...
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Low-Cost Propellant Launch From a Tethered Balloon
A document presents a concept for relatively inexpensive delivery of propellant to a large fuel depot in low orbit around the Earth, for use in rockets destined for higher orbits, the Moon, and for remote planets. The propellant is expected to be at least 85 percent of the mass needed in low Earth...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
A line of Koganei blow-type ionizers is available from Humphrey Products Co. (Kalamazoo, MI). Designed to remove static electricity and dust, the device is available in one-head, two-head, and compact models. A range of optional solid...
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The variable terrain tilt platform (VTTP) is a means of providing simulated terrain for mobility testing of engineering models of the Mars Exploration Rovers. The VTTP could also be...
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Products: Motion Control
The Series 330 motor protection circuit breakers from c3controls (Beaver, PA) are available with thermal and magnetic trip elements providing overload and short circuit protection, and magnetic trip element...
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
On Release of Microbe-Laden Particles From Mars Landers
A paper presents a study in which rates of release of small particles from Mars lander spacecraft into the Martian atmosphere were estimated from first principles. Because such particles can consist of, or be laden with, terrestrial microbes, the study was undertaken to understand their...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Stable Satellite Orbits for Global Coverage of the Moon
A document proposes a constellation of spacecraft to be placed in orbit around the Moon to provide navigation and communication services with global coverage required for exploration of the Moon. There would be six spacecraft in inclined elliptical orbits: three in each of two orthogonal...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Theodolite ring lights have been invented to ease a difficulty encountered in the well-established opticalmetrology practice of using highly reflective spherical tooling balls as position references. As described in more...
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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
A family of experimental highly miniaturized field-effect transistors (FETs) is based on exploitation of the electrical properties of nanofibers of polyaniline/ polyethylene oxide...
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Briefs: Software
Software for Collaborative Use of Large Interactive Displays
The MERBoard Collaborative Workspace, which is currently being deployed to support the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Missions, is the first instantiation of a new computing architecture designed to support collaborative and group computing using computing devices situated in NASA mission...
Briefs: Software
Modified Recursive Hierarchical Segmentation of Data
An algorithm and a computer program that implements the algorithm that performs recursive hierarchical segmentation (RHSEG) of data have been developed. While the current implementation is for two-dimensional data having spatial characteristics (e.g., image, spectral, or spectral-image data), the...
Briefs: Software
Integrated Modeling Environment
The Integrated Modeling Environment (IME) is a software system that establishes a centralized Web-based interface for integrating people (who may be geographically dispersed), processes, and data involved in a common engineering project. The IME includes software tools for life-cycle management, configuration...
Briefs: Software
Framework for Flexible Security in Group Communications
The Antigone software system defines a framework for the flexible definition and implementation of security policies in group communication systems. Antigone does not dictate the available security policies, but provides high-level mechanisms for implementing them. A central element of the...
Briefs: Software
Stress Testing of Data-Communication Networks
NetStress is a computer program that stress-tests a data-communication network and components thereof. NetStress comprises two components running, respectively, in a transmitting system and a receiving system connected to a network under test. The novelty of the program is that is has the capability to...
Briefs: Software
Sizing Structures and Predicting Weight of a Spacecraft
EZDESIT is a computer program for choosing the sizes of structural components and predicting the weight of a spacecraft, aircraft, or other vehicle. In designing a vehicle, EZDESIT is used in conjunction with a finite-element structural- analysis program: Each structural component is sized...
Briefs: Test & Measurement
The figure is a simplified schematic diagram of a tilt-sensing unequal-path interferometer set up to measure the orientation of the normal vector of one surface of a cube mounted on a...
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Briefs: Test & Measurement
A molecular Rayleigh scattering based air density measurement system was built in a large nozzle and engine component test facility for surveying supersonic plumes from...
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Articles
The Difference and Distance Between Invention and a Business
This issue begins a series of four articles that will focus on converting your invention into a revenue-generating business, the critical information you need to gather to get started, and how to put together the two initial documents to gather funding to start your business: financial...

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