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A system of sensors and actuators designed to fit on the lower extremities of human patients and astronauts like an exoskeleton is under development to serve diverse purposes in neuromuscular research and rehabilitation. This system will be operated under both Earth and microgravity conditions. A...

Experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of heat exchangers with flow channels containing open-cell metallic foams. Nonmetallic foams could also be used. One proposed design calls for an open-cell foam in the annular region between an inner and an outer tube, with a heat-transfer fluid flowing along the annular region...

A report comprising the main contents of U. S. Patent 5,750,895 presents detailed information on the subject of "Apparatus for Advanced Ultrasonic C-Scan Imaging (GSC-13524), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 21, No. 4 (April 1997), page 34. The apparatus is a computer-controlled ultrasonic C-scan...

In a proposed modification of the basic design of a Michelson interferometer, the beam aperture would be split into a number (N ≧ 2) of smaller areas and the optics arranged so that the beam in each area would generate a distinct segment of the overall desired interferogram. Each segment of the...

A report describes a study of the relationships between (1) the viscosities and specific volumes of Ni/Zr melts and (2) the formability of Ni/Zr-alloy metallic glasses. Experiments were performed on electrostatically levitated, radiantly heated molten specimens of two compound-forming and...

A report describes an investigation of the validity of using statistical methods based on single-point probability density functions (PDFs) in mathematical modeling of mixing between a turbulently flowing carrier gas and the vapor from liquid drops suspended in the gas. The...

"Pushbroom" imaging spectrometers of a proposed type would exhibit little or no distortion in either the spectral or spatial direction. These spectrometers would feature modified Offner optics, which afford a desirable combination of compactness and a high degree of optical correction. Although Offner optics...

Gauges that would measure liquid levels optically have been proposed for use in aircraft fuel tanks. These gauges would contain no moving parts (no floats) and no wiring inside the tanks. Their overall function could be characterized as that of permanently immersed, self-reading dipsticks.

Variable-thermal-conduction devices containing shape-memory-alloy (SMA) actuators have been proposed for use in situations in which it is desired to switch on (or increase) thermal conduction when temperatures rise above specified values and to switch off (or decrease) thermal conduction when...

A report discusses experiments on the flow of water along the interior of a transparent rotating cylindrical drum, the interior of which was partitioned into five cavities by disks with central holes and outer edges attached to the cylindrical drum wall. This water-flow model was designed to provide...