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Briefs: Software
S-Band POSIX Device Drivers for RTEMS
This is a set of POSIX device driver level abstractions in the RTEMS RTOS (Real-Time Executive for Multiprocessor Systems real-time operating system) to SBand radio hardware devices that have been instantiated in an FPGA (field-programmable gate array). These include A/D (analog-to-digital) sample capture, D/A...
Briefs: Software
STRS SpaceWire FPGA Module
An FPGA module leverages the previous work from Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) relating to NASA’s Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) project. The STRS SpaceWire FPGA Module is written in the Verilog Register Transfer Level (RTL) language, and it encapsulates an unmodified GSFCcore (which is written in...
Briefs: Software
Geodetic Strain Analysis Tool
A geodetic software analysis tool enables the user to analyze 2D crustal strain from geodetic ground motion, and create models of crustal deformation using a graphical interface. Users can use any geodetic measurements of ground motion and derive the 2D crustal strain interactively. This software also provides a...
Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Silicon Carbide Mounts for Fabry-Perot Interferometers
Etalon mounts for tunable Fabry-Perot interferometers can now be fabricated from reaction-bonded silicon carbide structural components. These mounts are rigid, lightweight, and thermally stable. The fabrication of these mounts involves the exploitation of post-casting capabilities that (1)...
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Measuring the In-Process Figure, Final Prescription, and System Alignment of Large Optics and Segmented Mirrors Using Lidar Metrology
The fabrication of large optics is traditionally a slow process, and fabrication capability is often limited by measurement capability. While techniques exist to measure mirror figure with nanometer precision,...
Briefs: Materials
Fiber-Reinforced Reactive Nano-Epoxy Composites
A family of metal/ceramic composite materials has been developed that are relatively inexpensive, lightweight alternatives to structural materials that are typified by beryllium, aluminum, and graphite/epoxy composites. These metal/ceramic composites were originally intended to replace beryllium...
Briefs: Materials
Iridium-Doped Ruthenium Oxide Catalyst for Oxygen Evolution
NASA requires a durable and efficient catalyst for the electrolysis of water in a polymer-electrolyte-membrane (PEM) cell. Ruthenium oxide in a slightly reduced form is known to be a very efficient catalyst for the anodic oxidation of water to oxygen, but it degrades rapidly, reducing...
Briefs: Materials
Dispersion-strengthened molybdenum-rhenium alloys for vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) fabrication of high-temperature-resistant components are undergoing development. In comparison with otherwise...
Briefs: Energy
Polymerization Initiated at the Sidewalls of Carbon Nanotubes
A process has been developed for growing polymer chains via anionic, cationic, or radical polymerization from the side walls of functionalized carbon nanotubes, which will facilitate greater dispersion in polymer matrices, and will greatly enhance reinforcement ability in polymeric...
Briefs: Materials
Piezoelectrically Enhanced Photocathodes
Doping of photocathodes with materials that have large piezoelectric coefficients has been proposed as an alternative means of increasing the desired photoemission of electrons. Treating cathode materials to increase emission of electrons is called “activation” in the art. It has been common practice to...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Force Limit System
The Force Limit System (FLS) was developed to protect test specimens from inadvertent overload. The load limit value is fully adjustable by the operator and works independently of the test system control as a mechanical (nonelectrical) device.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Active Response Gravity Offload System
The Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) provides the ability to simulate with one system the gravity effect of planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and microgravity, where the gravity is less than Earth’s gravity. The system works by providing a constant force offload through an overhead hoist...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Compact, Two- Sided Structural Cold Plate Configuration
In two-sided structural cold plates, typically there is a structural member, such as a honeycomb panel, that provides the structural strength for the cold plates that cool equipment. The cold plates are located on either side of the structural member and thus need to have the cooling fluid...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Levitated Duct Fan (LDF) Aircraft Auxiliary Generator
This generator concept includes a novel stator and rotor architecture made from composite material with blades attached to the outer rotating shell of a ducted fan drum rotor, a non-contact support system between the stator and rotor using magnetic fields to provide levitation, and an integrated...
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
AN Fitting Reconditioning Tool
A tool was developed to repair or replace AN fittings on the shuttle external tank (ET). (The AN thread is a type of fitting used to connect flexible hoses and rigid metal tubing that carry fluid. It is a U.S. military-derived specification agreed upon by the Army and Navy, hence AN.) The tool is used on a drill and...
Briefs: Medical
Method and Apparatus for Forming Nanodroplets
This innovation uses partially miscible fluids to form nano- and microdroplets in a microfluidic droplet generator system.
Briefs: Medical
Rapid Detection of the Varicella Zoster Virus in Saliva
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes chicken pox on first exposure (usually in children), and reactivates from latency causing shingles (usually in adults). Shingles can be extremely painful, causing nerve damage, organ damage, and blindness in some cases. The virus can be life-threatening in...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Frame-Transfer Gating Raman Spectroscopy for Time-Resolved Multiscalar Combustion Diagnostics
Accurate experimental measurement of spatially and temporally resolved variations in chemical composition (species concentrations) and temperature in turbulent flames is vital for characterizing the complex phenomena occurring in most practical combustion...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Phase-Controlled Magnetic Mirror for Wavefront Correction
Typically, light interacts with matter via the electric field and interaction with weakly bound electrons. In a magnetic mirror, a patterned nanowire is fabricated over a metallic layer with a dielectric layer in between. Oscillation of the electrons in the nanowires in response to the...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
An effective, in-service health monitoring system is needed to track water condensation in real time through the walls of steam pipes. The system is required to measure the height...
Briefs: Physical Sciences
Thermal Properties of Microstrain Gauges Used for Protection of Lithium-Ion Cells of Different Designs
The purpose of this innovation is to use microstrain gauges to monitor minute changes in temperature along with material properties of the metal cans and pouches used in the construction of lithium-ion cells. The sensitivity of the microstrain...
Briefs: Information Technology
Finding Every Root of a Broad Class of Real, Continuous Functions in a Given Interval
One of the most pervasive needs within the Deep Space Network (DSN) Metric Prediction Generator (MPG) view period event generation is that of finding solutions to given occurrence conditions. While the general form of an equation expresses equivalence between its...
Briefs: Information Technology
Kalman Orbit Optimized Loop Tracking
Under certain conditions of low signal power and/or high noise, there is insufficient signal to noise ratio (SNR) to close tracking loops with individual signals on orbiting Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. In addition, the processing power available from flight computers is not great enough...
Briefs: Information Technology
Development of Jet Noise Power Spectral Laws
High-quality jet noise spectral data measured at the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory (AAPL) at NASA Glenn is used to develop jet noise scaling laws. A FORTRAN algorithm was written that provides detailed spectral prediction of component jet noise at user-specified conditions. The model generates...
Briefs: Software
Microwave heating is an important process for many commercial, industrial, and household applications. Industrial microwave ovens are widely used for chemical processing, agri-food, medical products, and consumer...
Briefs: Information Technology
Graphical Language for Data Processing
A graphical language for processing data allows processing elements to be connected with virtual “wires” that represent data flows between processing modules. The processing of complex data, such as lidar data, requires many different algorithms to be applied. The purpose of this innovation is to automate...
Briefs: Software
Thermoelectric phenomena provide the direct conversion of heat into electricity or electricity into heat. The phenomena are described by three related mechanisms: the Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects....
Briefs: Software
Onboard Short Term Plan Viewer
Onboard Short Term Plan Viewer (OSTPV) is a computer program for electronic display of mission plans and timelines, both aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and in ISS ground control stations located in several countries. OSTPV was specifically designed both (1) for use within the limited ISS computing...
Briefs: Information Technology
Geometry is a critical constituent in almost every simulation: representations must be sufficiently accurate for the given problem, possess the appropriate level of detail for...
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