National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration spinoff NASA T ECH N OLOGIE S B E N EFI T S OCIE T Y 2011 NASA TECH N OLOGIE S BE N EFI T SOCIE T Y On the Cover: 2011 Front: Left Panels: (Top) NASA’s Global Hawk UAV, one of the Agency’s new climate research platforms; (Middle) The first Aerojet AJ26 flight engine is unloaded at Stennis Space Office of the Center; (Bottom) Building NASA’s newest Mars rover, the Mars Science Laboratory Center Panels: (Top) An artist’s concept of NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft Chief Technologist approaching Mercury; (Bottom) NASA’s Robonaut 2, which joined the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) in 2011 Right Panel: (Top) Building NASA’s next generation of manned spacecraft, the Multipurpose Crew Vehicle; (Bottom) NASA spinoff technologies Back: Left to Right: The Sun as imaged by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory; Abby Spinoff Program Office Sunderland, rescued with the help of a NASA spinoff technology after being stranded NASA Center for AeroSpace Information at sea, tours Goddard Space Flight Center; NASA’s solar sail experiment, NanoSail-D; Heavyweight stars in Nebula NGC 6357, imaged by the Hubble Space Telescope; Bo Schwerin, Editor-in-Chief astronaut Alvin Drew reenters the ISS after an STS-133 spacewalk Lisa Rademakers, Senior Writer Daniel Coleman, Writer John Jones, Art Director Table of Contents 5 Foreword S 7 Introduction OFF 8 Space Shuttle Spinoffs 18 International Space Station Spinoffs SPIN 82 26 50 70 Executive Summary HEALTH AND MEDICINE TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC SAFETY 46 50 66 80 DEPARTMENTS NASA Technologies Benefiting Society Modified Fittings Enhance Industrial Safety Bioreactors Drive Advances in Cameras Improve Navigation for Pilots, Drivers 162 Tissue Engineering 68 82 Aeronautics and Space Activities 54 Integrated Design Tools Reduce Risk, Cost Simulation Tools Model Icing for Aircraft 170 Tooling Techniques Enhance Medical Imaging Design 70 Education News 56 Advisory Systems Save Time, Fuel for 84 182 Ventilator Technologies Sustain Critically Airlines Information Systems Coordinate Emergency Partnership News Injured Patients Management 72 198 58 Modeling Programs Increase Aircraft 88 Award-Winning Technologies Protein Innovations Advance Drug Design Safety Imaging Systems Provide Maps for U.S. Treatments, Skin Care Soldiers 212 74 Space Technology for Tomorrow 60 Fly-by-Wire Systems Enable Safer, 90 Mass Analyzers Facilitate Research More Efficient Flight High-Pressure Systems Suppress Fires on Addiction in Seconds 62 94 Frameworks Coordinate Scientific Data Alloy-Enhanced Fans Maintain Fresh Air in Management Tunnels Denotes that R&D Magazine has awarded the technology with its “R&D 100” award. Indicates that the Space Foundation has inducted the technology into the Space Technology Hall of Fame. Signifies that the technology has been named as a NASA “Invention of the Year.” Designates that the software has been named as a NASA “Software of the Year.” 2 Table of Contents Spinoff 2011 108 124 144 152 CONSUMER GOODS ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIVITY 98 116 134 148 Control Algorithms Charge Batteries Faster World Wind Tools Reveal Environmental Technologies Render Views of Earth for Virtual Nanotube Production Devices Expand Research Change Navigation Capabilities 100 Software Programs Derive Measurements 118 136 150 from Photographs Analyzers Measure Greenhouse Gasses, Content Platforms Meet Data Storage, Custom Machines Advance Composite Airborne Pollutants Retrieval Needs Manufacturing 102 Retrofits Convert Gas Vehicles into Hybrids 120 138 152 Remediation Technologies Eliminate Tools Ensure Reliability of Critical Software 104 Polyimide Foams Offer Superior Insulation Contaminants NASA Missions Inspire Online Video Games 140 154 122 Electronic Handbooks Simplify Process 108 Beam Steering Devices Reduce Payload Weight Receivers Gather Data for Climate Research, Management Monitors Track Vital Signs for Fitness Weather Prediction 156 and Safety 142 Models Support Energy-Saving Microwave 124 Software Innovations Speed Scientific 112 Technologies Coating Processes Boost Performance of Computing Thermal Components Boost Performance of Solar Cells 158 HVAC Systems 144 Materials Advance Chemical Propulsion 126 Controller Chips Preserve Microprocessor Technology Analyzers Provide Water Security in Space Function and on Earth 160 High-Temperature Coatings Offer Energy Savings 128 Catalyst Substrates Remove Contaminants, Produce Fuel 130 Rocket Engine Innovations Advance Clean Energy Spinoff 2011 Table of Contents 3 NASA’s next Mars rover, the Mars Science Laboratory, in the Spacecraft Assembly Facility at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For a deeper look at the rover, scan this code DISCLAIMER: While NASA does not manufacture, market, or sell commercial products, many commercial products are derived from NASA technology. Many NASA-originated technologies are adapted by private industry for use by consumers like you. Spinoff developments highlighted in this publication are based on information provided by individual and private industry users of NASA-originated aerospace technology who acknowledge that such technology contributed wholly or in part to development of the product or process described. NASA cannot accept responsibility or liability for the misinterpretation or misrepresentation of the enclosed information provided by these third-party users. Publication herein does not constitute NASA endorsement of the product or process, nor confirmation of manufacturers’ performance claims related to any particular spinoff development. Foreword ASA missions have given the world extraordi- benefits for people everywhere. This book is a testament Charles F. Bolden, Jr. nary new knowledge about our planet and the to how we are doing that in very concrete ways. Administrator Nuniverse. Sometimes, they have even challenged Among the spinoffs from this year that you can read National Aeronautics and what we think we know. Along the way, the technologies about in greater detail are: Space Administration and capabilities we have developed to enable those mis- • Time-saving software derived from a suite of NASA- sions have transformed life on Earth. invented tools for improving the efficiency of air traffic Since its founding in 1958, NASA, along with its control, now allowing commercial airlines to take the contractors and partners, has developed a vast amount of most direct possible flight paths and potentially save innovative technology that has been adapted by industry millions of gallons of fuel each year. (page 70) and shared with the general public for everyday use. This technology can be found in virtually every civilian and • A health and fitness monitoring technology rendered plants can be built at a cost 10–20 percent less than military aircraft, in sensors for air quality, in breakthroughs into a simple strap or even a t-shirt, capable of mea- existing options. (page 130) to help the medical community better treat illness, and in suring and recording the vital signs of soldiers, first new materials that keep our law enforcement profession- responders, professional athletes, and consumers seek- NASA is proud of these achievements. Yet, we did als, military personnel, and first responders safe. In this ing to get in shape—developed with help from NASA not reach them alone. Our work includes many partners publication, NASA highlights some of the most recent of physiologists. (page 108) in industry, in the academic community, and other Government agencies. The inspiration and entrepreneur- these societal benefits and encourages potential partners • A manufacturing process, devised for fabricating to take full advantage of the national resources generated ship of these creative teams enable the mission-specific unique components for NASA deep space science technologies that NASA scientists and engineers have by our aeronautics and space missions. missions, that now creates enabling parts for advanced NASA will continue to pursue the practical use of our developed to be transformed into products with broad medical imaging machines and gas turbine engines at a applicability to people all over the globe. NASA has research, focusing on the benefits this work offers the greatly reduced cost. (page 54) Nation. As we move into a new era of human and robotic completed another year full of wonderful spinoffs that spaceflight and develop the capabilities required to reach • Fire suppression systems that incorporate the features contribute to our Nation’s—and the world’s—welfare new destinations and technologies to improve human of a NASA-derived rocket design into a powerful tool on many fronts. Enjoy reading about them and thinking health for long-duration spaceflight, the pace and diver- that firefighters can use to safely snuff out a threaten- about our future in space and the many breakthroughs sity of our spinoffs and their societal benefit will continue ing blaze in seconds—even tackling wildfires in rugged yet to come. at a rapid rate. conditions. (page 90) As you leaf through these pages highlighting the latest • A new class of GPS navigation receivers that provide advancements in Earth science, weather prediction, and not only positioning capabilities for commercial satel- environmentally friendly aircraft, you will see the dedica- lites, but a unique means of collecting scientific data tion to our founding charter, the Space Act of 1958. That for weather forecasting and studies of our changing historic legislation and the amendments