Stories
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Briefs: Information Technology
Online Remote Sensing Interface
BasinTools Module 1 processes remotely sensed raster data, including multi- and hyper-spectral data products, via a Web site with no downloads and no plug-ins required. The interface provides standardized algorithms designed so that a user with little or no remote-sensing experience can use the site. This Web-based...
Briefs: Information Technology
Implementation of a Point Algorithm for Real-Time Convex Optimization
The primal-dual interior-point algorithm implemented in G-OPT is a relatively new and efficient way of solving convex optimization problems. Given a prescribed level of accuracy, the convergence to the optimal solution is guaranteed in a predetermined, finite number of...
Briefs: Information Technology
Handling Input and Output for COAMPS
Two suites of software have been developed to handle the input and output of the Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Prediction System (COAMPS), which is a regional atmospheric model developed by the Navy for simulating and predicting weather. Typically, the initial and boundary conditions for COAMPS are provided by a...
Briefs: Information Technology
Modeling and Grid Generation of Iced Airfoils
SmaggIce Version 2.0 is a software toolkit for geometric modeling and grid generation for two-dimensional, singleand multi-element, clean and iced airfoils. A previous version of SmaggIce was described in “Preparing and Analyzing Iced Airfoils,” NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 8 (August 2004), page...
Briefs: Information Technology
Rocket Science 101 Interactive Educational Program
To better educate the public on the basic design of NASA's current mission rockets, Rocket Science 101 software has been developed as an interactive program designed to retain a user's attention and to teach about basic rocket parts. This program also has helped to expand NASA's presence on the Web...
Briefs: Information Technology
Automated Identification of Nucleotide Sequences
STITCH is a computer program that processes raw nucleotide-sequence data to automatically remove unwanted vector information, perform reverse-complement comparison, stitch shorter sequences together to make longer ones to which the shorter ones presumably belong, and search against the user's choice...
Briefs: Information Technology
Balloon Design Software
PlanetaryBalloon Version 5.0 is a software package for the design of meridionally lobed planetary balloons. It operates in a Windows environment, and programming was done in Visual Basic 6. By including the effects of circular lobes with load tapes, skin mass, hoop and meridional stress, and elasticity in the structural...
Briefs: Information Technology
Fusing Image Data for Calculating Position of an Object
A computer program has been written for use in maintaining the calibration, with respect to the positions of imaged objects, of a stereoscopic pair of cameras on each of the Mars Explorer Rovers Spirit and Opportunity. The program identifies and locates a known object in the images. The object...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Creep Forming of Carbon-Reinforced Ceramic-Matrix Composites
A set of lecture slides describes an investigation of creep forming as a means of imparting desired curvatures to initially flat stock plates of carbon-reinforced ceramic-matrix composite (C-CMC) materials. The investigation is apparently part of a continuing effort to develop improved...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
A shape reminiscent of a dog bone has been found to be superior to other shapes for mechanical-amplification horns that are components of piezoelectrically driven actuators used in a...
Briefs: Medical
Benchtop Detection of Proteins
A process, and a benchtop-scale apparatus for implementing the process, have been developed to detect proteins associated with specific microbes in water. The process and apparatus may also be useful for detection of proteins in other, more complex liquids. There may be numerous potential applications, including...
Briefs: Medical
Recombinant Collagenlike Proteins
A group of collagenlike recombinant proteins containing high densities of biologically active sites has been invented. The method used to express these proteins is similar to a method of expressing recombinant procollagens and collagens described in U. S. Patent 5,593,859, “Synthesis of human procollagens and...
Briefs: Medical
Remote Sensing of Parasitic Nematodes in Plants
A method and apparatus for remote sensing of parasitic nematodes in plants, now undergoing development, is based on measurement of visible and infrared spectral reflectances of fields where the plants are growing. Initial development efforts have been concentrated on detecting reniform nematodes...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Direct Coupling From WGM Resonator Disks to Photodetectors
Output coupling of light from a whispering- gallery-mode (WGM) optical resonator directly to a photodetector has recently been demonstrated. By "directly" is meant that the coupling is effected without use of intervening optical components. Heretofore, coupling of light into and out of WGM...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Multiple-Parameter, Low-False-Alarm Fire-Detection Systems
Fire-detection systems incorporating multiple sensors that measure multiple parameters are being developed for use in storage depots, cargo bays of ships and aircraft, and other locations not amenable to frequent, direct visual inspection. These systems are intended to improve upon...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Using Digital Radiography To Image Liquid Nitrogen in Voids
Digital radiography by use of (1) a field- portable x-ray tube that emits low- energy x rays and (2) an electronic imaging x-ray detector has been found to be an effective technique for detecting liquid nitrogen inside voids in thermal- insulation panels. The technique was conceived as a...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Plasmoid Thruster for High Specific-Impulse Propulsion
A report discusses a new multi-turn, multi-lead design for the first generation PT-1 (Plasmoid Thruster) that produces thrust by expelling plasmas with embedded magnetic fields (plasmoids) at high velocities. This thruster is completely electrodeless, capable of using in-situ resources, and...
Briefs: Information Technology
Analysis Method for Quantifying Vehicle Design Goals
A document discusses a method for using Design Structure Matrices (DSM), coupled with high-level tools representing important life-cycle parameters, to comprehensively conceptualize a flight/ground space transportation system design by dealing with such variables as performance, up-front costs,...
Briefs: Information Technology
Improved Tracking of Targets by Cameras on a Mars Rover
A paper describes a method devised to increase the robustness and accuracy of tracking of targets by means of three stereoscopic pairs of video cameras on a Mars-rover-type exploratory robotic vehicle. Two of the camera pairs are mounted on a mast that can be adjusted in pan and tilt; the...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Sample Caching Subsystem
A paper describes the Sample Caching Subsystem (SCS), a method for storing planetary core and soil samples in a container that seals the samples away from the environment to protect the integrity of the samples and any organics they might contain. This process places samples in individual sleeves that are sealed within a...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Multistage Passive Cooler for Spaceborne Instruments
A document describes a three-stage passive radiative cooler for a cryogenic spectrometer to be launched into a low orbit around the Moon. This cooler is relatively lightweight and compact, and its basic design is scalable and otherwise adaptable to other applications in which there are...
Briefs: Information Technology
GVIPS Models and Software
Two reports discuss, respectively, (1) the generalized viscoplasticity with potential structure (GVIPS) class of mathematical models and (2) the Constitutive Material Parameter Estimator (COMPARE) computer program. GVIPS models are constructed within a thermodynamics- and potential-based theoretical framework, wherein one...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Stowable Energy-Absorbing Rocker-Bogie Suspensions
A report discusses the design of the rocker-bogie suspensions of the Mars Exploration Rover vehicles, which were landed on Mars in January 2004. Going beyond the basic requirements regarding mobility on uneven terrain, the design had to satisfy requirements (1) to enable each suspension to contort...
Blog
NASA Briefs
The Web- based Real- Time Asset Monitoring (RAM) module enables emergency personnel to monitor and analyze data in the event of a natural disaster. The software can manage many disparate sources of data - including streaming data - within a facility, city, or county.
Learn more here.
Blog
Technology Business Needs
Fuel and Solar Cell Technologies
This search for fuel cell system technologies includes the following: (1) Membrane Electronic Assembly (MEA) design & manufacturing; (2) MEA Membrane manufacturer/ supplier; (3) Supplier or material vendor of SGL graphite for stack manufacturing; (4) Hydrogen storage alloy technology;...
Blog
Bug Exterminator
Finding and fixing design bugs in computer chips after they've been fabricated in silicon can be a tedious and costly process due to signals being buried inside the silicone. Engineering researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new technology called FogClear to automate post-silicon debugging. FogClear uses...
Blog
Techs of the Week
A light-emitting diode (LED) array, formed on a substrate using an etching method, is shaped to produce uniform light intensity and high production yield. A terrace formed under the light-emitting edge surface together with the grooves protects the LED from handling-induced damage during mounting because it is formed in a portion...
Blog
Laser Diagnoses Decompression
Though not among the top 10 causes of death, decompression sickness can be fatal. A University of Houston professor is seeking to develop a laser-based system that can diagnose the sickness in seconds. Decompression sickness affects those who experience sudden, drastic changes in the air or water pressure surrounding...
Blog
Imaging Neural Cells
Scientists have identified a means to detect neural progenitor cells, which can develop into neurons and other nervous system cells, in the human brain using an imaging method called
magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). The discovery could pave the way for improved diagnosis and treatment for depression, Parkinson's disease,...
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Webcasts
Upcoming Webinars: AR/AI
The Real Impact of AR and AI in the Industrial Equipment Industry
Upcoming Webinars: Motion Control
Next-Generation Linear and Rotary Stages: When Ultra Precision...
Podcasts: Manufacturing & Prototyping
SAE Automotive Engineering Podcast: Additive Manufacturing
Podcasts: Defense
A New Approach to Manufacturing Machine Connectivity for the Air Force
On-Demand Webinars: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Streamlining Manufacturing with Integrated Digital Planning and Simulation

