2004 on CD-ROM Provides Links to Web Pages That Are Not Part of the NASA Web Family Or Nasa.Gov.Domain
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1 NASA Spinoff CD Disclaimer NASA Spinoff 2004 on CD-ROM provides links to Web pages that are not part of the NASA Web family or nasa.gov.domain. These sites are managed by organizations, companies, or individuals and are not under NASA control, and NASA is not responsible for the information or links you may find there. NASA provides links to these sites merely as a convenience and the presence of these links is not a NASA endorsement of the sites. NASA is not responsible for the information collection practices of non-NASA sites. Once you link to another site, you are subject to the privacy policy of the new site, and you should read that site’s policies on privacy and information collection. 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. SPINOFF 2004 2 Exploration Systems Mission Directorate Innovative Partnerships Program Developed by Publications and Graphics Department National Aeronautics and NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI) Space Administration FOREWORD 3 On January 14, 2004, President Bush announced a new vision for extending our human presence across the solar system. The fundamental goal of the vision is to advance American scientific, security, and economic interests through a robust space exploration program. In support of this goal, NASA will: • Conduct a sustained and affordable human and robotic program of exploration throughout our solar system • Complete the construction of the International Space Station by 2010 • Return human explorers to the Moon as soon as 11 years from now in preparation for the exploration of Mars and beyond • Promote international and commercial cooperation. In pursuing this vision, NASA will explore answers to fundamental questions of importance to science and society. Questions such as: How did we get here? Are we alone in the universe? Where are we going? In doing so, we will help develop revolu- tionary technologies and capabilities for the future, while maintaining good stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Most Americans do not realize that for every dollar paid in taxes, less than 1 penny funds NASA’s activities. This level of investment will remain the same under the new exploration plan. In years past, the investment led to significant advances in Sean O’Keefe weather forecasting, communications, computing, medicine, search and rescue technology, robotics, and electronics. Administrator Looking forward, we believe the technology developments necessary to enable the expanded exploration of the solar system National Aeronautics and will accelerate advances in robotics, autonomous and fault tolerant systems, human-machine interface, materials, life sup- Space Administration port systems, and novel applications of nanotechnology and microdevices. Even as our effort to pursue this bold exploration vision gets underway, NASA continues to produce important technologi- cal spinoffs for the American people. Among the beneficial, NASA-derived technologies highlighted in Spinoff 2004 are: devices capable of filtering bacteria or viruses from water; a mineral identification tool that enables law enforcement and military personnel to identify suspicious liquid and solid substances; and a light bulb that provides 40 percent more surface illumination on work and reading surfaces, while reducing eye strain. We are now 100 years into the age of flight, yet the journey of humanity to the heavens has barely begun. The men and women of NASA are proud to help lead humankind’s next great leap into the cosmos, and of our role in producing ben- eficial technologies for people around the globe. It is in this spirit that we are pleased to present the positive information about our Nation’s investment in space exploration contained in Spinoff 2004. FOREWORD INTRODUCTION 4 NASA’s commitment to advancing and sharing technology dates back to the very origin of the Agency. After the dawn of aviation emerged with the Wright brothers’ historic flight in 1903, Congress established the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1915 “to supervise and direct the scientific study of the problems of flight, with a view to their solution.” When the committee was transformed into NASA by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, it was tasked with sharing its vast body of scientific and technical knowledge to benefit mankind. Today, NASA continues to fulfill the 1915 Congressional directive and 1958 Space Act by reaching milestones in space exploration through a variety of programs. The technical expertise gained from these programs has transferred into the U.S. economy and society via academia, industry, and other Federal agencies, ensuring America stays capable and competitive. The Innovative Partnerships Program of NASA’s Exploration Systems Mission Directorate was established to guarantee the transfer of the Space Program’s technical advances. Brimming with examples of technologies that have led to significant improvements in quality of life, NASA’s technology transfer program has been the conduit for these achievements. The program excels by maintaining established relationships with commercial industries that include and extend beyond the aerospace sector. Spinoff 2004 highlights the diverse benefits that have grown from NASA’s partnerships with U.S. companies. These prod- ucts span the many disciplines of our society. Included among this year’s achievements are a natural, low-calorie sugar that is safe for diabetics and contact lenses that offer the benefits of a laser-corrective eye procedure without the need for surgery. This issue also showcases some of the many research and development activities being conducted by NASA’s field cen- ters. These activities continue to fuel the Agency’s missions, which collectively contribute to making the Vision for Space Benjamin Neumann Exploration a reality. NASA is focusing on identifying common research interests with industry, enabling both parties to Program Director, Innovative Partnerships Program leverage their research and produce a technology that will help both the Agency and the private commercial venture. These dual-use joint ventures support the development of new exploration strategies, vehicles, and technologies, while continuing National Aeronautics and to bring space technologies back down to Earth. Space Administration With new goals in sight and partnerships in hand, NASA will continue to meet the challenges of the future. INTRODUCTION TABLE OF CONTENTS 5 Foreword Introduction Partnership Benefits Health and Medicine Transportation Public Safety Consumer/Home/Recreation Environment and Resources Management Computer Technology Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology Research and Development at NASA Education News at NASA Partnership Successes Technology Transfer Network and Affiliations TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS GEARING UP FOR THE BIG GAME…AND MORE 7 ORIGINATING TECHNOLOGY/ flourishing sports brands. Tom Oliver, CoolSystems presi- NASA CONTRIBUTION dent and chief executive officer, was hired in May 2000 to bring the technology to market. Honored as an inductee of the U.S. Space Foundation’s Space Technology Hall of Fame and recognized by the In June 2002, the CoolSystems team introduced its first American Astronautical Society as “one of the true fathers product, the Game Ready™ Accelerated Recovery System, of the space suit,” Bill Elkins spent years conducting which combines space suit technology, medical research, extensive research on clothing technology for hostile envi- and sports savvy to speed up the healing of athletic ronments while he served as a NASA contractor at Ames and post-operative injuries. Using patented ergonomic Research Center. During the Apollo era, Elkins assisted wraps and an adjustable control unit, the Game Ready Ames investigators in the development of a liquid-cooled Accelerated Recovery System is the first sports therapy garment to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures product on the market to simultaneously provide deep tis- on the Moon. The garment successfully maintained the sue cooling therapy and intermittent compression, accord- astronauts’ body temperatures at a comfortable level by ing to the company. utilizing a battery-powered mini-pump to circulate chilled The seven ergonomic wraps, made from flexible fabric and water through a network of tubes lining the garment. designed to custom fit the ankle, knee, back, torso, shoul- der, elbow, and wrist, effectively reduce pain, swelling, and PARTNERSHIP tissue damage. They can be applied firmly and securely to As a holder of 19 patents covering inventions in restraint, injured areas, using hook and loop fasteners. The control space suit components, heat transfer, solar energy conver- unit connected to a wrap is filled with ice and water, so that sion, food preservation, and medical equipment, Elkins cooled water can be circulated through the wrap over the founded CoolSystems, Inc., based on his revolutionary course of treatment. The control unit additionally features findings that space suit technology could treat athletic microprocessors that control treatment time, temperature, and the level