Stories
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Briefs: Software
Arbitrating Control of Control and Display Units
The ARINC 739 Switch is a computer program that arbitrates control of two multi-function control and display units (MCDUs) between (1) a commercial flight-management computer (FMC) and (2) NASA software used in research on transport aircraft. (MCDUs are the primary interfaces between pilots and FMCs...
Briefs: Software
Web-Based Software for Managing Research
aeroCOMPASS is a software system, originally designed to aid in the management of wind tunnels at Langley Research Center, that could be adapted to provide similar aid to other enterprises in which research is performed in common laboratory facilities by users who may be geographically dispersed. Included in...
Briefs: Software
Driver Code for Adaptive Optics
A special-purpose computer code for a deformable-mirror adaptive-optics control system transmits pixel-registered control from (1) a personal computer running software that generates the control data to (2) a circuit board with 128 digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that generate voltages to drive the...
Briefs: Materials
Ceramic Paste for Patching High-Temperature Insulation
A ceramic paste that can be applied relatively easily, either by itself or in combination with one or more layer(s) of high temperature ceramic fabrics, such as silicon carbide or zirconia, has been invented as a means of patching cracks or holes in the reinforced carbon-carbon forward surfaces...
Briefs: Materials
Protective Skins for Aerogel Monoliths
A method of imparting relatively hard protective outer skins to aerogel monoliths has been developed. Even more than aerogel beads, aerogel monoliths are attractive as thermal-insulation materials, but the commercial utilization of aerogel monoliths in thermal-insulation panels has been inhibited by their...
Briefs: Materials
The term "HYCARB" denotes a hybrid composite of polyimide matrices reinforced with carbon and boron fibers. HYCARB and an improved process for fabricating dry HYCARB tapes have been...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Asymmetric bulkheads are proposed for the ends of vertically oriented cylindrical pressure vessels. These bulkheads, which would feature both convex and concave contours, would offer...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Code Assesses Risks Posed by Meteoroids and Orbital Debris
BUMPER II version 1.92e is a computer code for assessing the risk of damage from impacts of micrometeoroids and orbital debris on the International Space Station (ISS), including those parts of the ISS covered by shielding that affords partial protection against such impacts. (Other...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A proposed system would perform multiple coordinated functions in regulating the pressure of the oxidant gas (usually, pure oxygen) flowing to a fuel-cell stack and in removing excess...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Self-advancing tool bits that are hybrids of drills and stepped taps make it possible to form threaded holes wider than about 1/2 in. (about 13 mm) without applying any more axial force than is necessary for...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
A feed-horn-coupled monolithic array of micromesh bolometers is undergoing development for use in a photometric camera. The array is designed for conducting astrophysical observations...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Delta-Doped CCDs as Detector Arrays in Mass Spectrometers
Delta-doped, back-illuminated charge-coupled devices (CCDs) are used as detector arrays in high-performance double- focusing miniature mass spectrometers of Mattauch-Herzog design (described below). The uses of delta-doped CCD detector arrays eliminates the need for microchannel plates...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Experiments have shown that with suitable choices of critical dimensions, planar arrays of bundles of carbon nanotubes (see figure) can serve as high-current-density field emitter...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Staggering Inflation To Stabilize Attitude of a Solar Sail
A document presents computational simulation studies of a concept for stabilizing the attitude of a spacecraft during deployment of such structures as a solar sail or other structures supported by inflatable booms. Specifically, the solar sail considered in this paper is a square sail with...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Bare Conductive Tether for Decelerating a Spacecraft
A document describes a prototype of electrically conductive tethers to be used primarily to decelerate spacecraft and/or generate electric power for the spacecraft. Like prior such tethers, this tether is designed so that when it is deployed from a spacecraft in orbit, its motion across the...
Articles: Medical
New technologies are providing doctors and patients with more options for treatment and improved quality of life than ever before. Procedures once entailing long recovery times and scarring may...
Application Briefs: Photonics/Optics
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is scheduled for launch in 2013 and aims to unravel the history of earlier galaxies, linking the Big Bang to the Milky Way Galaxy. JWST’s...
Application Briefs: Communications
NASA’s John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH, has chosen the Green Hills Platform for Software Defined Radio (SDR) — with Spectrum Signal’s flexComm™...
Articles: Electronics & Computers
If one looks at the development of Internet commerce in terms of generational growth, from the initial World Wide Web to the current Web 2.0, one sees that successful Internet-based...
Tech Needs
New Coating Chemistries with Excellent Outdoor Durability
A multinational advanced materials company is seeking wet coating technologies that show excellent weathering and durability. The coatings need to be applied to glass substrates. The coating needs to have excellent outdoor durability in excess of 10 years, have a hardness of at least 2H, and...
Tech Needs
Flame-Resistant Fastening Between Two Fabrics
A flame-resistant fastening between two fabrics is sought, and must be simple to operate. The connection should resist frequent flexing, and must have a breaking strength of 120 kilogram-force. If folded cross-wise, it must withstand 40 kilogram- force, and may need to stand up to direct flame for 50...
Articles: Motion Control
Electric motors consume approximately one quarter of the electricity in the U.S. and are the main motive force in our commercial buildings, industrial...
Application Briefs: Motion Control
In the USA and other developed countries, cancer is responsible for 25% of all deaths. In spite of the most recent advances in cancer research, by far the best curative treatment for the disease is...
Application Briefs: Motion Control
As the race to fulfill the ever-increasing demand for fiber optic assemblies began, the need for a fully automatic assembly line has come into focus. Individual filaments must be connected in such a...
Application Briefs: Motion Control
Hard disks were originally intended for computers in ultra-clean, ultra-safe data offices; by the 21st century, hard disks had moved beyond the office, finding their way into digital cameras,...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Eaton Corp. (Cleveland, OH) released the HP30 high-pressure disc valve motor for mobile off-highway applications requiring up to 30,000 in-lbs of intermittent torque. Options include a hydraulic parking brake offering up to 3,570 Nm...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Engineering Synthesis Design, Inc. (Tucson, AZ) released the IntelliWave ™ interferometric measurement software package to monitor fringe change in fluid flow and thermodynamic analysis applications. The software...
Products: Motion Control
Aerotech (Pittsburgh, PA) released the ALAR series of direct-drive, large-aperture rotary stages. Coming in five aperture sizes (100, 150, 200, 250, and 325 mm), the units are designed for angular positioning and velocity control,...
Products: Motion Control
Asymmetric Fasteners, Inc. (Hackettstown, NJ) released the Torksleeve B mounting for ball bearings, compatible with roller, needle, linear, or plain bearing types. The unit provides quick assembly time, is compact, and...
Top Stories
Blog: Power
My Opinion: We Need More Power Soon — Is Nuclear the Answer?
Blog: AR/AI
Aerial Microrobots That Can Match a Bumblebee's Speed
News: Energy
Blog: Electronics & Computers
Turning Edible Fungi into Organic Memristors
Blog: Robotics, Automation & Control
Microscopic Swimming Machines that Can Sense, Respond to Surroundings
INSIDER: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Webcasts
Upcoming Webinars: Power
Hydrogen Engines Are Heating Up for Heavy Duty
Upcoming Webinars: Automotive
Advantages of Smart Power Distribution Unit Design for Automotive...
Upcoming Webinars: Automotive
Quiet, Please: NVH Improvement Opportunities in the Early Design...
Upcoming Webinars: Test & Measurement
From Spreadsheets to Insights: Fast Data Analysis Without Complex...
Upcoming Webinars: Automotive
Battery Abuse Testing: Pushing to Failure

