Briefs: Information Technology
Two Algorithms for Processing Electronic Nose Data
Two algorithms for processing the digitized readings of electronic noses, and computer programs to implement the algorithms, have been devised in a continuing effort to increase the utility of electronic noses as means of identifying airborne compounds and measuring their concentrations. One...
Briefs: Software
General-Purpose Front End for Real-Time Data Processing
FRONTIER is a computer program that functions as a front end for any of a variety of other software of both the artificial intelligence (AI) and conventional data-processing types. As used here, "front end" signifies interface software needed for acquiring and preprocessing data and making...
Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs
Cumulative Timers for Microprocessors
It has been proposed to equip future microprocessors with electronic cumulative timers, for essentially the same reasons for which land vehicles are equipped with odometers (total-distance-traveled...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Nanocomposite Photoelectrochemical Cells
Improved, solid-state photoelectrochemical cells for converting solar radiation to electricity have been proposed. (In general, photoelectrochemical cells convert incident light to electricity through electrochemical reactions.) It is predicted that in comparison with state-of-the-art photoelectrochemical...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Using Isolated Signal Conditioners to Protect Equipment and Ensure Measurement Accuracy
Whenever a data acquisition (DAQ) system is moved from the controlled environment of the laboratory to validation testing or the manufacturing floor,...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Ultracapacitor-Powered Cordless Drill
The figure depicts a portable, handheld power drill with its attached powersupply unit, in which ultracapacitors, rather than batteries, are used to store energy. This ultracapacitor-powered drill is a...
Briefs: Materials
Photocatalytic/Magnetic Composite Particles
Photocatalytic/ magnetic composite particles have been invented as improved means of exploiting established methods of photocatalysis for removal of chemical and biological pollutants from air and...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Separation and Sealing of a Sample Container Using Brazing
A special double-wall container and a process for utilizing the container are being developed to enable (1) acquisition of a sample of material in a "dirty" environment that may...
Briefs: Medical
High-Speed Noninvasive Eye-Tracking System
The figure schematically depicts a system of electronic hardware and software that noninvasively tracks the direction of a person’s gaze in real time. Like prior commercial noninvasive...
Briefs: Medical
Detergent-Specific Membrane Protein Crystallization Screens
A suite of reagents has been developed for three-dimensional crystallization of integral membranes present in solution as protein-detergent complexes (PDCs). The compositions of these reagents have been determined in part by proximity to the phase boundaries (lower consolute boundaries)...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A New Approach to Railgun Operation Requires Analysis of Electromagnetic Fields
Railguns, which propel a projectile using electromagnetic forces instead of chemical explosions, promise to revolutionize projectile launchers. Such guns have...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Plasmonic Antenna Coupling for QWIPs
In a proposed scheme for coupling light into a quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP), an antenna or an array of antennas made of a suitable metal would be fabricated on the face of what would...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Evaporation-Cooled Protective Suits for Firefighters
Suits cooled by evaporation of water have been proposed as improved means of temporary protection against high temperatures near fires. When air temperature exceeds 600 °F (316 °C)...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Electronic Tongue Containing Redox and Conductivity Sensors
Electronic tongue 2 (E-tongue 2) represents the second generation of the apparatus described in "Electronic Tongue for Quantitation of Contaminants in Water" (NPO-30601), NASA Tech...
Briefs: Information Technology
Improved Heat-Stress Algorithm
NASA Dryden presents an improved and automated site-specific algorithm for heat-stress approximation using standard atmospheric measurements routinely obtained from the Edwards Air Force Base weather...
Briefs: Information Technology
A Method of Partly Automated Testing of Software
A method of automated testing of software has been developed that provides an alternative to the conventional mostly manual approach for software testing. The method combines (1) automated...
Who's Who: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Jing Li, Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
NASA recently tested the Nano ChemSensor, the first nanotechnology- based electronic device to fly in space. The test showed that the sensor could monitor trace gases inside a...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Rover Wheel-Actuated Tool
A report describes an interface for utilizing some of the mobility features of a mobile robot for general-purpose manipulation of tools and other objects. The robot in question, now undergoing conceptual development for use on the Moon, is the All-Terrain Hex-Limbed Extra-Terrestrial Explorer (ATHLETE) rover, which is...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Second-Generation Electronic Nose
A report discusses the second generation of the JPL Electronic Nose (ENose), an array of 32 semi-specific chemical sensors used as an event monitor to identify and quantify contaminants released into breathing air by leaks or spills. It is designed to monitor the environment for changes in air quality, and is...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Automated Aerial Refueling Hitches a Ride On AFF
The recent introduction of uninhabited aerial vehicles [UAVs (basically, remotely piloted or autonomous aircraft)] has spawned new developments in autonomous operation and posed new...
Products
SolidWorks® 2008 3D CAD Software
SolidWorks Corp., Concord, MA, has announced SolidWorks® 2008 3D CAD software that features a new user interface and 3D graphics, an enhancement of the SolidWorks Intelligent Feature Technology (SWIFT), and...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Cobra Probes Containing Replaceable Thermocouples
A modification of the basic design of cobra probes provides for relatively easy replacement of broken thermocouples. [Cobra probes are standard tube-type pressure probes that may also contain thermocouples and that are routinely used in wind tunnels and aeronautical hardware. They are so named...
Tech Needs
High-Birefringence Optical Material
A high-birefringence optical material suitable for implementation in optical systems is sought. This material has several qualities of interest beyond high birefringence: high hardness, making it amenable to standard polishing and manufacturing processes; low CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion); low CTRI...
Tech Needs
Freshness Indicator for Consumer Packaging
A technology is sought that indicates that a product packed into a rigid metal container has not been tampered with and/or degraded over time. The solution must incorporate a method of communicating this information to the packager, retailer, or consumer. After packaging, and depending on the product,...
Techs for License
Printable Biosensor for On-Site, Online Measurements
Bioactive Hybrid Materials for Photonic Microsystems It allows samples to be analyzed on site within a few minutes by integrating biotechnology, information technology, electronics, physics, and chemistry to realize small and cost-effective bio-photonic microsystems.
Techs for License
High Performance Single Crystal Piezoelectrics
The new single crystals offered here possess exceptional properties and are poised to revolutionize piezoelectric materials applications. In addition to strain levels exceeding 1% (usable strain: 0.5% at 35 kV/cm), these crystals exhibit five times the strain energy density of conventional...
Techs for License
Novel Nano-Structured Concept for Thermal Protection System
Lightweight carbon-carbon (C/C) composites produced by pressure-assisted co- polymerization of carbon fibers, hydrocarbons and fullerenes have excellent mechanical properties and high thermal stability that make them ideal for thermal protection applications.
Techs for License
Mathematically Lossless Compression for Real-Time Medical Imaging
Qbit’s proprietary line of data compression software offers 100% mathematically lossless data reconstruction that ensures that every bit is reconstructed. It allows for an increase in digital throughput, workflow speed, and acts as an enabling technology for applications that...
Techs for License
Automated, In-Process Method for Surface Contamination Inspection of Panels
This patented surface contamination detection system enables accurate, automated, in-line inspection of metallic and composite panels prior to bonding, coating, painting, or welding operations. This technology is currently used for realtime, in-process panel inspection...
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