Briefs: Physical Sciences

Model of Fluidized Bed Containing Reacting Solids and Gases

A mathematical model has been developed for describing the thermofluid dynamics of a dense, chemically reacting mixture of solid particles and gases. As used here, "dense"...

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Using Diffusion Bonding in Making Piezoelectric Actuators

A technique for the fabrication of piezoelectric actuators that generate acceptably large forces and deflections at relatively low applied voltages involves the stacking and diffusion...

Briefs: Software

Exchanging 3D Data Between Mechanical CAD (MCAD) Systems

Manufacturing companies must bring high-quality products to market faster than ever before. This tightened timeframe significantly impacts the manufacturing supply chain — a familiar...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Membrane Mirrors With Bimorph Shape Actuators

Deformable mirrors of a proposed type would be equipped with relatively-large-stroke microscopic piezoelectric actuators that would be used to maintain their reflective surfaces in precise...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Rollable Thin-Shell Nanolaminate Mirrors

A class of lightweight, deployable, thin-shell, curved mirrors with built-in precise-shape-control actuators is being developed for high-resolution scientific imaging. This technology incorporates a...

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Surface-Micromachined Planar Arrays of Thermopiles

Planar two-dimensional arrays of thermopiles intended for use as thermal-imaging detectors are to be fabricated by a process that includes surface micromachining. These thermopile arrays...

Features: Photonics/Optics

Advanced Near-Infrared Cameras

Many imaging applications in the near-infrared (NIR) region of the spectrum require sensors that see beyond the traditional charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor’s spectral range. A standard uncoated CCD...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Touchdown Ball-Bearing System for Magnetic Bearings

The torque-limited touchdown bearing system (TLTBS) is a backup mechanical- bearing system for a high-speed rotary machine in which the rotor shaft is supported by magnetic bearings in...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Flux-Based Deadbeat Control of Induction-Motor Torque

An improved method and prior methods of deadbeat direct torque control involve the use of pulse-width modulation (PWM) of applied voltages. The prior methods are based on the use of...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Block QCA Fault-Tolerant Logic Gates

Suitably patterned arrays (blocks) of quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) have been proposed as fault-tolerant universal logic gates. These block QCA gates could be used to realize the potential of QCA...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Hybrid VLSI/QCA Architecture for Computing FFTs

A data-processor architecture that would incorporate elements of both conventional very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuitry and quantum- dot cellular automata (QCA) has been proposed to...

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Block Copolymers as Templates for Arrays of Carbon Nanotubes

A method of manufacturing regular arrays of precisely sized, shaped, positioned, and oriented carbon nanotubes has been proposed. Arrays of carbon nanotubes could prove useful in...

Briefs: Information Technology

Collaborative Software Development Approach Used To Deliver the New Shuttle Telemetry Ground Station

United Space Alliance (USA) developed and used a new software development method to meet technical, schedule, and budget challenges faced...

Briefs: Materials

Reliability and Design Considerations for Long Life Using Mica Capacitors in High-Voltage Apps

Over the last 40 years, a series of misconceptions regarding mica capacitor applications has led novice users to consistently over- derate wound...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Folded Resonant Horns for Power Ultrasonic Applications

Folded horns have been conceived as alternatives to straight horns used as resonators and strain amplifiers in power ultrasonic systems. Such systems are used for cleaning, welding,...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Rollable Thin Shell Composite-Material Paraboloidal Mirrors

An experiment and calculation have demonstrated the feasibility of a technique of compact storage of paraboloidal mirrors made of thin composite-material (multiple layers of carbon...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Cellular Pressure-Actuated Joint

A modification of a pressure-actuated joint has been proposed to improve its pressure actuation in such a manner as to reduce the potential for leakage of the pressurizing fluid. The specific joint for which...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Multiple-Use Mechanisms for Attachment to Seat Tracks

A Seat Track Attach Mechanism (SAM) is a multiple-use clamping device intended for use in mounting various objects on the standard seat tracks used on the International Space Station...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Tool for Bending a Metal Tube Precisely in a Confined Space

A relatively simple, manually operated tool enables precise bending (typically, within ±1/2° of the specified bend angle) of a metal tube located in a confined space, with a...

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Throttling Cryogen Boiloff To Control Cryostat Temperature

An improved design has been proposed for a cryostat of a type that maintains a desired low temperature mainly through boiloff of a liquid cryogen (e.g., liquid nitrogen) at...