Briefs: Medical
Texturing Blood-Glucose-Monitoring Optics Using Oxygen Beams
A method has been invented for utilizing directed, hyperthermal oxygen atoms and ions for texturing tips of polymeric optical fibers or other polymeric optical components for use...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Thermal Imaging Cameras Improve Cattle Assessment Systems
Many feeder cattle companies currently conduct “slaughterability” assessments by sending cattle through a chute and photographing them from above with a CCTV or visible light...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Low-Shear Microencapsulation and Electrostatic Coating
A report presents additional information on the topic of a microencapsulation electrostatic processing system. Information in the report includes micrographs of some microcapsules, a set of diagrams that schematically depict the steps of an encapsulation process, and brief descriptions of...
Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Precision Stages Enable Analytical Measurement of Jet-Able Fluids
Precision X-Y stages were developed for integration into a new analytical measurement tool for use in the development of digital inks or other fluids to be jetted from ink jet...
Briefs: Software
Computer Simulation Ensures Motorcycle Stability
In the area of maintaining conventional motorcycle stability, engineers have established a series of tests that measure the wobble, weave, and kickback of every new model before it is released...
Briefs: Medical
Articulating Support for Horizontal Resistive Exercise
A versatile mechanical device provides support for a user engaged in any of a variety of resistive exercises in a substantially horizontal orientation. The unique features and versatility of the device promise to be useful in bed-rest studies, rehabilitation, and specialized strength...
Briefs: Medical
Stroboscopic Goggles for Reduction of Motion Sickness
A device built around a pair of electronic shutters has been demonstrated to be effective as a prototype of stroboscopic goggles or eyeglasses for preventing or reducing motion sickness....
Briefs: Medical
Ex Vivo Growth of Bioengineered Ligaments and Other Tissues
A method of growing bioengineered tissues for use in surgical replacement of damaged anterior cruciate ligaments has been invented. An anterior cruciate ligament is one of two...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Simulations of Evaporating Multicomponent Fuel Drops
A paper presents additional information on the subject matter of “Model of Mixing Layer With Multicomponent Evaporating Drops” (NPO-30505), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 3 (March 2004), page 55. To recapitulate: A mathematical model of a three-dimensional mixing layer laden with...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Tumbleweed Rovers
Tumbleweed rovers, now undergoing development, are lightweight, inflatable, approximately spherical exploratory robotic vehicles designed to roll across terrain, using only wind for propulsion. Tumbleweed rovers share many features with "beach-ball" rovers, which were discussed in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles....
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Modified Penning-Malmberg Trap for Storing Antiprotons
A modified Penning-Malmberg trap that could store a small cloud of antiprotons for a relatively long time (weeks) has been developed. This trap is intended for use in research on the...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Simulating a Direction-Finder Search for an ELT
A computer program simulates the operation of direction-finding equipment engaged in a search for an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) aboard an aircraft that has crashed.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Adaptive Thresholding and Parameter Estimation for PPM
A method of adaptive setting of a threshold level for the detection of pulses in a pulse-position modulation (PPM) free-space optical communication system has been developed. In...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Displacing Unpredictable Nulls in Antenna Radiation Patterns
A method of maintaining radio communication despite the emergence of unpredictable fades and nulls in the radiation pattern of an antenna has been proposed. The method was...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Coupled Receiver/Decoders for Low-Rate Turbo Codes
Coupled receiver/decoders have been proposed for receiving weak single-channel phase-modulated radio signals bearing low-rate-turbo-coded binary data. Originally intended for use in...
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Integrated Pointing and Signal Detector for Optical Receiver
A design concept for the receiver portion of a proposed free-space optical communication terminal calls for integration of its communication and pointing detectors. As explained...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Making a Metal-Lined Composite-Overwrapped Pressure Vessel
A process has been devised for the fabrication of a pressure vessel that comprises a composite-material (matrix/fiber) shell with a metal liner on its inner surface. The use of the...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Shipbuilders Design Pipeline Dredging Barge With FEA Software
A South American pipeline project that traverses the Amazon jungle and the Andes Mountains to the Pacific coast originates in the Camisea fields of eastern Peru, which are among...
Briefs: Information Technology
Two Methods for Efficient Solution of the Hitting-Set Problem
A paper addresses much of the same subject matter as that of "Fast Algorithms for Model-Based Diagnosis" (NPO-30582), which appears elsewhere in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs.
Briefs: Information Technology
Biased Randomized Algorithm for Fast Model-Based Diagnosis
A biased randomized algorithm has been developed to enable the rapid computational solution of a propositional-satisfiability (SAT) problem equivalent to a diagnosis problem. The closest competing methods of automated diagnosis are described in the preceding article "Fast Algorithms for...
Briefs: Information Technology
Fast Algorithms for Model-Based Diagnosis
Two improved new methods for automated diagnosis of complex engineering systems involve the use of novel algorithms that are more efficient than prior algorithms used for the same purpose. Both the...
Briefs: Information Technology
Calculation Management Captures and Tracks Engineering Design Information
Virtually every design decision, from a simple sketch to complex system drawings, is informed by calculations. Yet, in the race to get projects completed and products...
Briefs: Information Technology
Telephone-Directory Program
eDirectory is a computer program that makes it possible to view entries in the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) telephone directory by use of PalmPilot™ (or equivalent) personal digital assistants.
Briefs: Information Technology
Fuzzy Logic Engine
The Fuzzy Logic Engine is a software package that enables users to embed fuzzy-logic modules into their application programs.
Briefs: Information Technology
Encryption for Remote Control via Internet or Intranet
A data-communication protocol has been devised to enable secure, reliable remote control of processes and equipment via a collision-based network, while using minimal bandwidth and computation. The network could be the Internet or an intranet. Control is made secure by use of both a password...
Briefs: Information Technology
Scheme for Entering Binary Data Into a Quantum Computer
A quantum algorithm provides for the encoding of an exponentially large number of classical data bits by use of a smaller (polynomially large) number of quantum bits (qubits). The...
Briefs: Materials
Making Macroscopic Assemblies of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes
A method of aligning and assembling single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) to fabricate macroscopic structures has been invented. The method entails suspending SWNTs in a fluid,...
Briefs: Materials
Formulating Precursors for Coating Metals and Ceramics
A protocol has been devised for formulating low-vapor-pressure precursors for protective and conversion coatings on metallic and ceramic substrates.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Synthetic Bursae for Robots
Synthetic bursae are under development for incorporation into robot joints that are actuated by motor-driven cables in a manner similar to that of arthropod joints actuated by muscle-driven tendons. Like natural...
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