April 1, 2014

NASA Tech Briefs - April 2014 - Vol. 38 No. 4

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Inside this issue

Supplements

Features

Technologies

Mortar Dispenser Enables Efficient Wall Construction

One-Way Power System Produces Constant Torque

Application Briefs

Water Impact Simulation Ensures Safer Landing for NASA Astronauts

Thrusters Support Communications Satellite Launch

Spectrometer Gratings Enable Mars Sample Analysis

Oxygen Containers Transport Tank Assembly to ISS

Who's Who

Dr. Vadim Smelyanskiy, Principal Scientist, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

Kenneth Dudley, Senior Researcher, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA

Articles

System-on-Module for Pre-Packaged Convenience

SAE 2014 World Congress Preview

Steering Toward the Future

Harnessing the Power of NASA Technology

Tech Briefs

Physical Sciences

Laser Spider Web Sensor Used With Portable Handheld Devices

Life-Detecting Radar

High-Energy Lithium Flow Cells With Sulfur Cathodes for Transportation Applications

Physical Causes of Extremely Low Geomagnetic Activity

Green PCB Removal From Sediment Systems (GPRSS)

Internalization of Non-Spherical Particles

System for Observing Dynamic Atmospheric Phenomena

Covariance Analysis of Astrometric Alignment Estimation Architectures for Precision Dual-Spacecraft Formation Flying

Automated Purgatoid Identification

Interplanetary CubeSats

Manufacturing & Prototyping

Self-Aligning Lug for Adapting Carbon Fiber Rods to a Bolted Metallic Connection

Growth Method for Chalcongenide Phase-Change Nanostructures

Software

Weekly Status Reporting & Approval Application Revision 2

CoolSPICE: SPICE Simulator for Cryogenic Electronics

Telescience Resource Kit, Release 3

Software Tools for Fault Management Technologies

Materials

Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes Into Polymer Matrices to Produce Unique Properties

Carbon Nanotube Growth Density Control

Pulsed Plasma Lubricator (PPL) Technology for the In Situ Replenishment of Dry Lubricants in Extreme Environments

Long-Life, Hydrophilic, Antimicrobial Coating for Condensing Heat Exchangers

Opposed Pad Gecko Adhesive Gripper for On-Off Omnidirectional Anchoring/Gripping in Orbit

Complex Geometry Multi-Use Coatings for Abrasion Prevention, Wear Resistance, and Lunar Dust Removal

Information Sciences

Adaptive Periodic-Correlation Algorithm for Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensing

Atmospheric Turbulence Modeling for Aero Vehicles

Autonomic Quiescence

Optimization of OT-MACH Filter Generation for Target Recognition

A Decision Support Tool to Assess Upper-Level Winds for Space Launch

Change Detection in Orbital Images Using Relative Landmark Graphs

Heavy-Alkane Oxidation Kinetic-Mechanism Reduction

Mechanics & Machinery

Smart Core-Bit Probe (SCOPe)

Electrically Conductive, Failure-Resistant Tethers

ATHLETE Low-Gravity Testbed

Acoustic Mechanical Feedthroughs for Producing Work Across a Structure

Porous Media Jacket for Use in Regeneratively Cooled Rocket Engines

Electronics & Computers

Dual-Channel Electromechanical Shutter Driver (ESD)

Sub-Nanosecond, Compact, Low-Power Time-Interval Measurement

Improvised Diagnostic Strategy for High-Side Switch Power Stage

Sensors/Data Acquisition

In Situ Health Monitoring of Piezoelectric Sensors

Wireless Sensor Node for Autonomous Monitoring and Alerts in Remote Environments

Capacitive Humidity Sensors Using Highly Durable Polyimide Membrane

Products

Product of the Month: The Objet500 Connex3 Color Multi-Material 3D Printer

CMOS Camera

Embedded Video Interface

USB 3.0 Cameras

Scientific CMOS Camera

3D Inspection Scanner

Infrared Camera Core

High-Speed Cameras

Camera Gauge System

High-Speed Imaging System

CMOS Image Sensor

Motion Control and Automation Technology

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