Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Reliability of Ceramic Column Grid Array Interconnect Packages Under Extreme Temperatures
A paper describes advanced ceramic column grid array (CCGA) packaging interconnects technology test objects that were subjected to extreme temperature thermal cycles. CCGA interconnect electronic package printed wiring boards (PWBs) of polyimide were...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Six Degrees-of-Freedom Ascent Control for Small-Body Touch and Go
A document discusses a method of controlling touch and go (TAG) of a spacecraft to correct attitude, while ensuring a safe ascent. TAG is a concept whereby a spacecraft is in contact with the surface of a small body, such as a comet or asteroid, for a few seconds or less before...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Optical-Path-Difference Linear Mechanism for the Panchromatic Fourier Transform Spectrometer
A document discusses a mechanism that uses flex-pivots in a parallelogram arrangement to provide frictionless motion with an unlimited lifetime. A voice-coil actuator drives the parallelogram over the required 5-cm travel. An optical position sensor...
Piher International Corp., Libertyville, IL, has announced the MTS 360 non-contacting SMD rotary position sensor that combines a through-shaft design with 360° absolute position feedback in...
Who's Who: Aerospace
Chad R. Frost, Intelligent Systems Division’s Area Lead for Autonomous Systems and Robotics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Chad R. Frost supervises the Autonomous Systems and Robotics (ASR) technical area in Ames Research Center's Intelligent Systems Division. ASR staff develops advanced automation and control technologies to...
Podcasts
Chad R. Frost, Intelligent Systems Division’s Area Lead for Autonomous Systems and Robotics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Chad R. Frost supervises the Autonomous Systems and Robotics (ASR) technical area in Ames Research Center's Intelligent Systems Division. ASR staff develops advanced automation and control technologies to...
Articles: Energy
Microinverters Are Launching a Solar Renewable Revolution
Given that solar-photovoltaic (PV) generating technology has been around for decades, one might think its general application in commercial and consumer circles might be a little more...
Application Briefs: Software
Software Helps NASA Develop Next-Generation Air Vehicles
Phoenix Integration
Wayne, PA
610-971-9603
www.phoenix-int.com
Phoenix Integration’s PHX ModelCenter® software has been used by NASA...
Application Briefs: Imaging
Multispectral Camera to Photograph Vegetation from the International Space Station
FluxData Inc.
Rochester, NY
800-425-0176
www.fluxdata.com
FluxData has launched a...
Techs for License
Soft-Feel Grain Surface Treatment for Hard Plastic Mimics Sensation on Fingertips
This technology gives hard-surface plastics a soft and moist feel by imposing a “grain” or texturing onto the surface. It has application in automotive interiors, household utensils, electronics, mobile phones, and other locations where a hard plastic surface...
Techs for License
Development of Organic Materials that Melt by Light Irradiation
AIST has developed organic materials that melt from solid to liquid with only the irradiation of light, without heating, and can be restored to their original solid state. Unlike irreversible photosensitive resins, which cannot be restored to their original state after their state...
Tech Needs
Quick and Easy Way to Identify Beryllium Contamination and Assess its General Level
A company seeks a simple, real-time way to identify that a plant area is clear of beryllium contamination and, if it is not, to obtain a general assessment of the level of contamination that may be present without having to send swabs to a laboratory for testing....
Tech Needs
Rheology Modification for Phase-Inversion Mini-Emulsion Formulation
An organization seeks expertise or technology to modify the viscosity of a mini-emulsion during storage to prevent leakage of the liquid from its container at 35 °C and above. During storage in an ambient-pressure container, the mini-emulsion must maintain a high viscosity so...
NASA Tech Needs
Cathode Assembly for Molten Regolith Electrolysis
The production of oxygen and metals from off-Earth planetary materials (regolith or rocks) is an important focus area of technology development led by the In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Project. Over the past few years, oxygen production by direct electrolysis of lunar oxides in molten form...
Articles: Robotics, Automation & Control
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of the California Institute of Technology, is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) of NASA. The Laboratory has a wide-ranging charter for solar...
Briefs: Medical
Biosensing Technology Offers Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities
Electronic biosensing technology could someday displace the multi-welled microplate, long a standard tool in biomedical research and diagnostic laboratories. Essentially arrays of...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Die Extrusion Technology for Medical Tubing Applications
Although the concept of nanotechnology (controlling matter on an atomic scale) dates back to 1959, it is only now becoming more commercially realized. It has the potential to challenge...
Briefs: Medical
Blood Pressure Monitoring Tool
The MDMouse system incorporates a pre-existing medical device into a conventional computer control mouse. The tool is designed to measure blood pressure outside of the medical environment, and to provide that...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Laser Sintering for Customized Medical Applications
Engineers have long been aware of the potential of laser sintering to create innovative and beneficial medical products. Because it is an additive (layer-by-layer) manufacturing process,...
A prototype implantable eye pressure monitor for glaucoma patients is believed to contain the first complete millimeter-scale computing system. The pressure monitor is...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Single, Stationary Lens Able to Create Microscopic 3D Images
A lens that enables microscopic objects to be seen from nine different angles at once to create a 3D image has been developed. Other 3D microscopes use multiple lenses or cameras...
Articles: Photonics/Optics
Laser Beam vs. Electron Beam Welding Which process works best for what?
Proponents of laser beam welding (LBW) and electron beam (EBW) welding each pronounce the singular praises of their favored technology, but often the best solution for a...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Optical Fiber Array Assemblies for Space Flight on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Custom fiber optic bundle array assemblies developed by the Photonics Group at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center were an enabling technology for both the...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Automated Cryocooler Monitor and Control System
A system was designed to automate cryogenically cooled low-noise amplifier systems used in the NASA Deep Space Network. It automates the entire operation of the system including cool-down, warm-up, and performance monitoring. The system is based on a single-board computer with custom software and...
Application Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Making Machine Vision Systems Smarter
Machine vision technology is used extensively throughout manufacturing to improve product quality, increase productivity and reduce costs. One of the reasons for that is a machine vision system will work...
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Multi-Wavelength, Multi-Beam, and Polarization-Sensitive Laser Transmitter for Surface Mapping
A multi-beam, multi-color, polarized laser transmitter has been developed for mapping applications. It uses commercial off-the-shelf components for a low-cost approach for a ruggedized laser suitable for field deployment.
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Optical Communications Link to Airborne Transceiver
An optical link from Earth to an aircraft demonstrates the ability to establish a link from a ground platform to a transceiver moving overhead. An airplane has a challenging disturbance environment including airframe vibrations and occasional abrupt changes in attitude during flight. These...
Research News: Lighting
Jewel-Toned Organic Phosphorescent Crystals: A New Class of Light-Emitting Material
Pure organic compounds that glow in jewel tones could potentially lead to cheaper, more efficient, and flexible display screens, among other applications....
Articles: Lighting Technology
Polycarbonate Seen As Top Choice for LED Lighting
Glass and transparent plastics, especially acrylic resins, have long been used in the lighting industry for various aesthetic and functional purposes. As the industry has evolved,...
Top Stories
Articles: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Nano Diamond Battery Provides Universal Applicability
Blog: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

A Photonic 'Sunflower' Offers New Ideas for Light-Driven Systems
Blog: Sensors/Data Acquisition

A Warning System for Self-Driving Cars Learns from Failures
Blog: Electronics & Computers

A Super-Thin Element Offers 'Positive' Potential for Transparent...
INSIDER: Electronics & Computers

Transistors Built from Ultra-Thin 2D Materials Take a Step Forward
Blog: Imaging


Question of the Week
Will Robotic Exoskeletons Help the Elderly?
Webcasts
Webinars: Medical
Upcoming Webinars: Test & Measurement
Secrets to Efficiently Sustaining Your Automated Test System
Upcoming Webinars: Medical
Designing with Medical Grade Silicone: Considerations for Medical...
Upcoming Webinars: Robotics, Automation & Control
How Critical Are Localization and Perception Technologies for...
Upcoming Webinars: Transportation
Design Challenges for Ethernet Adoption in Commercial...
Upcoming Webinars: Automotive
Total Appearance Measurement System for Automotive Applications
Trending Stories
Articles: Software

Disrupting the Automobile Design Process
Articles: Electronics & Computers

NASA Spinoff: Materials

Nanotechnology Repairs Engine Damage in Cars
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Piezo-Operated Shutter Mechanism Moves 1.5 cm
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Capacitive Sensor for Measuring Level of Liquid Nitrogen
Articles: Electronics & Computers
