Fortieth Anniversary Technology Utilization Program
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Spinoff National Aeronautics and Space Administration Fortieth Anniversary Technology Utilization Program 2002 Spinoff 2002 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Office of Aerospace Technology Commercial Technology Division Developed by Publications and Graphics Department NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI) 1 Foreword wo hundred years after President In 2002, NASA marks the 40th Jefferson chose Lewis and Clark to anniversary of the Technology Texplore the vast Louisiana Purchase Utilization Program, established lands extending to the Pacific, and 100 years under congressional mandate to after the Wright brothers conducted the first promote the transfer of aerospace powered flight on a strip of Atlantic beach, technology to the private sector. the spirit of exploration, discovery, and The program has been highly FOREWORD invention is reaching ever farther into the new successful. Through NASA’s ocean of space. efforts and those of innovative And the United States of America, through entrepreneurs, thousands of NASA, proudly leads the way. “spinoff” products and processes I am honored at this time in our country’s have been derived from NASA- history to lead America’s civil aeronautics and developed technology. Collectively, space research efforts. Building on an extraor- they represent an immense contribution to the dinary record of accomplishment, the people Nation’s economy. of NASA continue to develop revolutionary As NASA’s research and development activi- technologies needed to understand and protect ties expand to meet the demands of our our home planet and explore the universe. ambitious aeronautical and space research goals, These technologies are helping NASA pioneer the possibilities of applying technology to the future on a daily basis as we improve improve people’s lives continue to grow. In one aviation safety and efficiency, probe more key area, medical research, NASA is teaming up deeply into the mysteries of the universe, with the National Cancer Institute to develop learn how to propel robotic emissaries more new biomedical technologies for cancer detec- swiftly throughout the solar system, and work tion, diagnosis, and treatment, and with the to better understand the dynamics of Earth’s Biotechnology Industry Organization to expand climatic system. space-based biotechnology research and develop- Our showcase project is the International ment activities. Millions of people promise to Space Station, a permanently crewed research benefit from these important partnerships. outpost in near-Earth orbit. Based on promis- With compelling research like this, and with ing experiments already underway, Space each scientific discovery, telescope image, launch, Station research will significantly advance basic patent, and newly inspired child, the pursuit of science, enable applications beneficial to NASA’s new vision for the future—to improve millions of people, and enhance our ability to life here, to extend life to there, and to find send explorers to other planets. Further, the life beyond—will continue, I trust, to engage the drama of seeing astronauts living and working public in an adventure without end. 24/7 on the Space Station will no doubt capture the imagination of students of all ages and motivate them to excel in subjects that will help them to become the next generation of explorers. Sean O’Keefe I am similarly proud of NASA’s Administrator longstanding role as an agent of invention National Aeronautics and Space Administration and technological progress in our society. FOREWORD 3 Introduction ince its inception 40 years ago, NASA’s made these innovations available to the public. Technology Transfer Program has led the The Research and Development section examines Sway for our Nation to benefit from past achievements, current successes, and future cutting-edge aerospace technologies. In addition goals for each of the 10 centers. The Commer- to contributing to U.S. economic growth, these cial Benefits section proudly highlights 51 new technologies are improving the quality of life on spinoff products, including a heart pump for Earth while finding new ways to protect and patients needing a heart transplant, as well as INTRODUCTION preserve it. NASA’s research and development an air purifier that destroys anthrax spores. The efforts have advanced areas in medicine, com- Technology Transfer and Outreach section munications, manufacturing, computer technol- describes the outreach achievements and educa- ogy, and homeland security. These break- tional successes made possible through the throughs, translated into commercial products, NASA Commercial Technology Network. Each are enhancing the lives of Americans every- section of Spinoff 2002 provides compelling where. evidence of the Technology Transfer Program’s When a congressional mandate led NASA to success and value. develop the Scientific and Technical Information With commercial products and successes (STI) Program, the Agency began a wide spanning from work on the Apollo missions to dissemination of its research and development the International Space Station, the 40th results. In doing so, NASA recognized that anniversary of the Technology Transfer Program many of its technologies were transferable to invites us to celebrate our history while plan- industry for the development of commercial ning the future. I am proud to present the products. As a result, the Technology Utilization Spinoff 2002 commemorative issue as a testament Program was born in 1962. The successful to the benefits of NASA’s partnerships with program went through several changes over the U.S. industry. years, as its philosophy, mission, and goals adapted into the Technology Transfer Program we know today. The program strives to make the latest technologies available to industry as Dr. Robert L. Norwood soon as they are developed. Director, Commercial Technology Division Each year, NASA’s Spinoff publication show- National Aeronautics and Space Administration cases new products and services resulting from commercial partnerships between NASA and private industry. In the 2002 issue, the NASA field centers reflect upon the growth that has INTRODUCTION 5 Spinoff developments highlighted in this publication are based on information provided by secondary users of aerospace technology, individuals, and manufacturing concerns who acknowledge that aerospace technology contributed wholly or in part to development of the product or process described. Publication herein does not constitute NASA endorsement of the product or process, nor confirmation of manufacturers’ performance claims related to the particular spinoff development. 6 Contents CONTENTS Foreword......................................................................................................................................... 3 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 5 Forty Years of Research and Development..................................................................... 9 NASA Headquarters and Centers NASA Headquarters ......................................................... 10 Ames Research Center ......................................................14 Dryden Flight Research Center ...................................... 18 Glenn Research Center .................................................... 22 Goddard Space Flight Center ......................................... 26 Jet Propulsion Laboratory ................................................ 30 Johnson Space Center ...................................................... 34 Kennedy Space Center ..................................................... 38 Langley Research Center .................................................. 42 Marshall Space Flight Center .......................................... 46 Stennis Space Center ....................................................... 50 Commercial Benefits—Spinoffs.........................................................................................55 Health and Medicine........................................................ 56 Transportation.................................................................... 68 Public Safety .......................................................................74 Consumer/Home/Recreation ........................................... 86 Environment and Resources Management ..................... 96 Computer Technology ...................................................... 114 Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology ...... 136 Technology Transfer and Outreach ............................................................................... 149 Success and Education ................................................... 150 Commercial Technology Network and Affiliations ..... 154 CONTENTS 7 Forty Years of Research and Development The research and development efforts initiated by NASA’s Strategic Plan ensure NASA’s ongoing success and leadership in providing scientific and technical advances. These advances not only impact the scientific and engineering communities, but also provide countless opportunities for private industry to develop innovative commercial products and services. NASA’s network of 10 field centers, empowered with the resources for developing cutting-edge technologies and advancing scientific research, strives to further expand our knowledge of Earth and the universe. Breakthroughs in remote sensing technologies, propulsion mechanisms, robotics,