NASA Tech Briefs, November 1998. Volume 22, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics include: special coverage sections on test and measurement and sections on electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, software, materials, mechanics, machinery/automation, physical sciences, information sciences, book and reports, and special sections of Electronics Tech Briefs amd Rapid Product Development Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1999. Volume 23, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

Topics include: special coverage sections on sensors and composites and plastics, and sections on electronic components and systems, software, materials, mechanics, machinery and automation, bio-medical, physical sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs and Rapid Product Development Tech Briefs.

Cumulative index to NASA Tech Briefs, 1986-1990, volumes 10-14

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Tech Briefs are short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This cumulative index of Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes (subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief number) and covers the period 1986 to 1990. The abstract section is organized by the following subject categories: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer programs, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1995. Volume 19, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

This issue of the NASA Tech Briefs has a special focus section on video and imaging, a feature on the NASA invention of the year, and a resource report on the Dryden Flight Research Center. The issue also contains articles on electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer programs, mechanics, machinery, manufacturing/fabrication, mathematics and information sciences and life sciences. In addition to the standard articles in the NASA Tech brief, this contains a supplement entitled "Laser Tech Briefs" which features an article on the National Ignition Facility, and other articles on the use of Lasers.

Index to 1982 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 7, numbers 1-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1982 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

Cumulative Index to NASA Tech Briefs 1963-1969

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1970-01-01

Tech Briefs are short announcements of new technology derived from the research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This Cumulative index to NASA Tech Briefs lists those published from 1963 through 1969. The main listing is divided into six categokies: Electrical (Electronic), Physical Sciences (Energy Sources), Materials (Chemistry), Life Sciences, Mechanical, and Computer Programs.

Index to 1984 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 9, numbers 1-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1984 Tech B Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

Index to 1981 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 6, numbers 1-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1981 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

Index to 1983 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 8, numbers 1-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1983 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

Index to 1985 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 10, numbers 1-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1985 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

Index to 1986 NASA Tech Briefs, volume 11, numbers 1-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of NASA are presented. These briefs emphasize information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. This index for 1986 Tech Briefs contains abstracts and four indexes: subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief Number. The following areas are covered: electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, life sciences, mechanics, machinery, fabrication technology, and mathematics and information sciences.

Cumulative Index to NASA Tech Briefs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1969-01-01

Tech Briefs are short announcements of new technology derived from the R&D activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This Index to NASA Tech Briefs lists the technological innovations derived from the U.S. space program and published during the period January through December 1968. A new five year cycle of cumulative indexes begins with this index. The main section is arranged in six categories: Electrical (Electronic); Physical Sciences (Energy Sources); Materials (Chemistry); Life Sciences; Mechanical; and Computer Programs.

LASER Tech Briefs, February 1995. Volume 3, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Topics included in this issue of LASER Tech Briefs are: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Mechanics, Fabrication, and Mathematics and Information Sciences, and

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1998. Volume 22, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics include: special coverage of medical design, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, software, materials, mechanics, machinery/automation, physical sciences, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2001. Volume 25, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Topics include: special coverage sections on Data Acquisition, and sections on electronic components and systems, software, mechanics, machinery/automation, biomedical and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

LASER Tech Briefs, Fall 1994. Volume 2, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics in this issue of LASER Tech briefs include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1998. Volume 22, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics include: special coverage on video and imaging, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer software, mechanics, machinery/automation, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, November 2001. Volume 25, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Topics include: special coverage section on data acquisition, and sections on electronic components and systems, software, materials, machinery/automation, physical sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2001. Volume 25, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Topics include: special coverage section on sensors, and sections on electronic components systems, software, materials, machinery/automation, manufacturing/fabrication, bio-medical, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2002. Volume 26, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Topics include: a technology focus on engineering materials, electronic components and circuits, software, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing, physical sciences, information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2002. Volume 26, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Topics include: a technology focus on data acquisition, electronic components and systems, software, materials, mechanics, machinery/automation, bio-medical, physical sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

Voltage-Controlled Oscillator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Integrated Component Systems, Inc. incorporated information from a NASA Tech Briefs article into a voltage-controlled oscillator it designed for a customer. The company then applied the technology to its series of phase-locked loop synthesizers, which offer superior phase noise performance.

Impact of newer self-monitoring technology and brief phone-based intervention on weight loss: a randomized pilot study

PubMed Central

Ross, Kathryn M.; Wing, Rena R.

2016-01-01

Objective Despite the proliferation of newer self-monitoring technology (e.g., activity monitors and smartphone apps), their impact on weight loss outside of structured in-person behavioral intervention is unknown. Methods A randomized, controlled pilot study was conducted to examine efficacy of self-monitoring technology, with and without phone-based intervention, on 6-month weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity. Eighty participants were randomized to receive standard self-monitoring tools (ST, n=26), technology-based self-monitoring tools (TECH, n=27), or technology-based tools combined with phone-based intervention (TECH+PHONE, n=27). All participants attended one introductory weight loss session and completed assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Results Weight loss from baseline to 6 months differed significantly between groups p=.042; there was a trend for TECH+PHONE (−6.4±1.2kg) to lose more weight than ST (−1.3±1.2kg); weight loss in TECH (−4.1±1.4kg) was between ST and TECH+PHONE. Fewer ST (15%) achieved ≥5% weight losses compared to TECH and TECH+PHONE (44%), p=.039. Adherence to self-monitoring caloric intake was higher in TECH+PHONE than TECH or ST, ps<.05. Conclusion These results suggest use of newer self-monitoring technology plus brief phone-based intervention improves adherence and weight loss compared to traditional self-monitoring tools. Further research should determine cost-effectiveness of adding phone-based intervention when providing self-monitoring technology. PMID:27367614

NASA Tech Briefs, November 2002. Volume 26, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Topics include: a technology focus on engineering materials, electronic components and systems, software, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing, bio-medical, physical sciences, information sciences book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2002. Volume 26, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Topics include: a special section on data acquisition, software, electronic components and systems, materials, computer programs, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing, biomedical, physical sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2002. Volume 26, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Topics include: a technology focus sensors, software, electronic components and systems, materials, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing, bio-medical, physical sciences, information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs Index, 1977, volume 2, numbers 1-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Announcements of new technology derived from the research and development activities of NASA are presented. Abstracts, and indexes for subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief number are presented for 1977.

Traffic control device conspicuity, TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-09-01

The conspicuity of a traffic control device (TCD) is defined as the probability that the device will be noticed. However, there is no agreed-upon measure of what constitutes being noticed. Various measures such as eye fixations, recall, and other ver...

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1998. Volume 22, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics include: special coverage on advanced composites, plastics and metals, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, computer software, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing/fabrication book and reports, and a special section of Electronics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1999. Volume 23, Mp/ 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

Topics include: special coverage sections on sensors and data acquisition and sections on electronic components and circuits, electronic software, materials, mechanics, bio-medical physical sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1995. Volume 19, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Topics include: mechanical components, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer programs, mechanics, machinery, manufacturing/fabrication, mathematics and information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Federal laboratory computing Tech Briefs.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1995. Volume 19, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Topics include: communications technology, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer programs, mechanics, machinery, manufacturing/fabrication, mathematics and information sciences, life sciences, books and reports, a special section of laser Tech Briefs.

Protocol for selecting ASR-affected structures for lithium treatment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-02-01

This TechBrief describes a protocol for evaluating damaged concrete structures to determine whether they are suitable candidates for lithium treatment to address alkali-silica reactivity (ASR). A major part of the TechBrief's source document, Protoco...

LASER Tech Briefs, September 1993. Volume 1, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnirring, Bill (Editor)

1993-01-01

This edition of LASER Tech briefs contains a feature on photonics. The other topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, Life Sciences and books and reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1995. Volume 19, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

A special focus for this issue is Sensors. Topics covered include : Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; and Mathematics and Information Sciences. A section of Laser Tech Briefs is included.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1995. Volume 19, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Topics include: a special focus section on Bio/Medical technology, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer programs, mechanics, machinery, manufacturing/fabrication, mathematics and information sciences, book and reports, and a special section on Laser Tech Briefs.

Miniature Intermittent Contact Switch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sword, Antony

1972-01-01

This tech brief concerns work to provide a shock-resistant switch capable of being actuated by forces of varying magnitude and direction, primarily for use as a sensor on remote control (tele-operator) and prosthetic devices.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1998. Volume 22, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics include: special coverage sections on sensors/imaging and mechanical technology, and sections on electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, software, materials, machinery/automation, manufacturing/fabrication, physical sciences, information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs.

Guidelines for design and rating of gusset-plate connections for steel truss bridges : [tech brief].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-08-01

The FHWA guide provides rating guidance : on both load and resistance factor rating : (LRFR) and load factor rating philosophies. : Discussions in this TechBrief are from the LRFR : perspective only. The FHWA guide recommends five resistance checks a...

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1998. Volume 22, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics include: special coverage on graphics and simulation, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, materials, a second special coverage on mechanical technology, machinery/automation, and a special section of electronics Tech Briefs. There is also a section devoted to the technology of the International Space Station.

Alcohol and highway safety: screening and brief intervention for alcohol problems as a community approach to improve traffic safety : traffic tech.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-09-01

The report discussed in this edition of Traffic Tech reviews the current state of knowledge : on Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI). It specifically : addresses the rationale for addressing at-risk : drinkers, defines SBI, provides examples of ho...

Ramp management and control handbook

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-03-01

Tech Brief: Description study of driving simulator study to assess truck driver fatigue or alertness as affected by non-driving, but on-duty activities, such as loading/unloading a vehicle. It also examined the effects of driver performance on extend...

NASA tech brief evaluations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Workman, Gary L.

1994-01-01

A major step in transferring technology is to disseminate information about new developments to the appropriate sector(s). A useful vehicle for transferring technology from the government sector to industry has been demonstrated with the use of periodical and journal announcements to highlight technological achievements which may meet the needs of industries other than the one who developed the innovation. To meet this end, NASA has very successfully pursued the goal of identifying technical innovations through the national circulation publication; NASA Tech Briefs. At one time the Technology Utilization Offices of the various centers coordinated the selection of appropriate technologies through a common channel. In recent years, each NASA field center has undertaken the task of evaluating submittals for Tech Brief publication independently of the others. The University of Alabama in Huntsville was selected to assist MSFC in evaluating technology developed under the various programs managed by the NASA center for publication in the NASA Tech Briefs journal. The primary motivation for the NASA Tech Briefs publication is to bring to the attention of industry the various NASA technologies which, in general, have been developed for a specific aerospace requirement, but has application in other areas. Since there are a number of applications outside of NASA that can benefit from innovative concepts developed within the MSPC programs, the ability to transfer technology to other sectors is very high. In most cases, the innovator(s) are not always knowledgeable about other industries which might potentially benefit from their innovation. The evaluation process can therefore contribute to the list of potential users through a knowledgeable evaluator.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1998. Volume 22, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics include: special coverage of computer aided design and engineering, electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, materials, computer software, special coverage on mechanical technology, machinery/automation, manufacturing/fabrication, mathematics and information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Electronics Tech Briefs. Profiles of the exhibitors at the National Design Engineering show are also included in this issue.

Heat Recovery System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

Ball Metal's design of ducting and controls for series of roof top heat exchangers was inspired by Tech Briefs. Heat exchangers are installed on eight press and coating lines used to decorate sheet metal. The heat recovery system provides an estimated energy savings of more than $250,000 per year.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1988. Volume 12, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This month's technical section includes forecasts for 1989 and beyond by NASA experts in the following fields: Integrated Circuits; Communications; Computational Fluid Dynamics; Ceramics; Image Processing; Sensors; Dynamic Power; Superconductivity; Artificial Intelligence; and Flow Cytometry. The quotes provide a brief overview of emerging trends, and describe inventions and innovations being developed by NASA, other government agencies, and private industry that could make a significant impact in coming years. A second bonus feature in this month's issue is the expanded subject index that begins on page 98. The index contains cross-referenced listings for all technical briefs appearing in NASA Tech Briefs during 1988.

Technology for Work, Home, and Leisure. Tech Use Guide: Using Computer Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, John M.

This guide provides a brief introduction to several types of technological devices useful to individuals with disabilities and illustrates how some individuals are applying technology in the workplace and at home. Devices described include communication aids, low-vision products, voice-activated systems, environmental controls, and aids for…

ETV Tech Brief: Rapid Fungi and Bacteria Detection Technologies

EPA Science Inventory

Technical brief that summarizes the results for Mycometer, Inc. Mycometer®-test and Bactiquant®-test, which are rapid detection technologies for fungi and bacteria. The brief summarizes the results of the verification report and statement.

LTPP Climate Tool [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-01-01

This Product Brief describes the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Climate Tool (intended for use by infrastructure engineers) that provides convenient access to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Modern-Era Retrospective An...

Technical publications catalog : October 2006-September 2007

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-01

This is a comprehensive listing of Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center research documents published from October 2006 through September 2007, and includes listings of fact sheets, flyers, product briefs, reports, summaries, and TechBriefs.

Technical publications catalog : October 2003-September 2005

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2005-01-01

This is a comprehensive listing of Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center research documents published from October 2003 through September 2005, and includes listings of fact sheets, flyers, product briefs, summaries, and TechBriefs.

Technical publications catalog : October 2007-September 2008

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-01-01

This is a comprehensive listing of Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center research documents published from October 2007 through September 2008, and includes listings of fact sheets, flyers, product briefs, reports, summaries, and TechBriefs.

Impact of newer self-monitoring technology and brief phone-based intervention on weight loss: A randomized pilot study.

PubMed

Ross, Kathryn M; Wing, Rena R

2016-08-01

Despite the proliferation of newer self-monitoring technology (e.g., activity monitors and smartphone apps), their impact on weight loss outside of structured in-person behavioral intervention is unknown. A randomized, controlled pilot study was conducted to examine efficacy of self-monitoring technology, with and without phone-based intervention, on 6-month weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity. Eighty participants were randomized to receive standard self-monitoring tools (ST, n = 26), technology-based self-monitoring tools (TECH, n = 27), or technology-based tools combined with phone-based intervention (TECH + PHONE, n = 27). All participants attended one introductory weight loss session and completed assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Weight loss from baseline to 6 months differed significantly between groups P = 0.042; there was a trend for TECH + PHONE (-6.4 ± 1.2 kg) to lose more weight than ST (-1.3 ± 1.2 kg); weight loss in TECH (-4.1 ± 1.4 kg) was between ST and TECH + PHONE. Fewer ST (15%) achieved ≥5% weight losses compared with TECH and TECH + PHONE (44%), P = 0.039. Adherence to self-monitoring caloric intake was higher in TECH + PHONE than TECH or ST, Ps < 0.05. These results suggest use of newer self-monitoring technology plus brief phone-based intervention improves adherence and weight loss compared with traditional self-monitoring tools. Further research should determine cost-effectiveness of adding phone-based intervention when providing self-monitoring technology. © 2016 The Obesity Society.

Low-Tech Education Threatens the High-Tech Future.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Business Week, 1983

1983-01-01

Indicating that the quality of scientific/technical education in the United States has been slipping since the brief surge of attention in the decade following Sputnik, discusses the need for upgrading science/technical education. Includes efforts currently under way, including financial support by industry and donations of equipment and computers…

Tech Forum Highlights: Last October, Technology Directors, Superintendents, Principals, Teacher Trainers, and Other Education Leaders Gathered Just outside New York City for T&L's One-Day Tech Forum Event

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McLester, Susan

2005-01-01

This brief article describes the events and discussions that took place at the annual Fall Tech Forum event, hosted at the IBM Conference Center in Palisades, New York. At the Forum, practitioners and leaders gathered for a day of professional development sessions and networking with colleagues and industry experts. The highlights of the Forum are…

Scientific Toy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Tensegritoy, inspired by the tensegrity concepts of R. Buckminster Fuller, is an erector set like toy designed to give students an understanding of structural stability. It is used by children, architects, engineers, and teachers. The manufacturer, Tensegrity Systems Corporation, also offers a collapsible point of purchase display which incorporates technology developed for space station trusses described in "NASA Tech Briefs." The tech brief described deployable trusses that can be collapsed into small packages for space shuttle transport, then unfolded in space. As a result, the display occupies a minimum amount of floor space, freight cost savings are substantial and assembly can be completed quickly.

Evaluating Assistive Technology in the Education of Persons with Severe Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reichle, Joe

2011-01-01

This commentary includes a brief discussion of issues raised by the articles and systematic review contained in this special issue addressing technology applications for persons with severe developmental disabilities. Topical areas include a discussion of: (1) a need to compare "high tech" with "low tech" applications, (2) procedural fidelity, (3)…

Virtual reality helmet display quality influences the magnitude of virtual reality analgesia.

PubMed

Hoffman, Hunter G; Seibel, Eric J; Richards, Todd L; Furness, Thomas A; Patterson, David R; Sharar, Sam R

2006-11-01

Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) distraction can be used in addition to traditional opioids to reduce procedural pain. The current study explored whether a High-Tech-VR helmet (ie, a 60-degree field-of-view head-mounted display) reduces pain more effectively than a Low-Tech-VR helmet (a 35-degree field-of-view head-mounted display). Using a double-blind between-groups design, 77 healthy volunteers (no patients) aged 18-23 were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. Each subject received a brief baseline thermal pain stimulus, and the same stimulus again minutes later while in SnowWorld using a Low-Tech-VR helmet (Group 1), using a High-Tech-VR helmet (Group 2), or receiving no distraction (Group 3, control group). Each participant provided subjective 0-10 ratings of cognitive, sensory, and affective components of pain, and amount of fun during the pain stimulus. Compared to the Low-Tech-VR helmet group, subjects in the High-Tech-VR helmet group reported 34% more reduction in worst pain (P < .05), 46% more reduction in pain unpleasantness (P = .001), 29% more reduction in "time spent thinking about pain" (P < .05), and 32% more fun during the pain stimulus in VR (P < .05). Only 29% of participants in the Low-Tech helmet group, as opposed to 65% of participants in the High-Tech-VR helmet group, showed a clinically significant reduction in pain intensity during virtual reality. These results highlight the importance of using an appropriately designed VR helmet to achieve effective VR analgesia (see ). Pain during medical procedures (eg, burn wound care) is often excessive. Adjunctive virtual reality distraction can substantially reduce procedural pain. The results of the present study show that a higher quality VR helmet was more effective at reducing pain than a lower quality VR helmet.

Unified Approach To Control Of Motions Of Mobile Robots

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seraji, Homayoun

1995-01-01

Improved computationally efficient scheme developed for on-line coordinated control of both manipulation and mobility of robots that include manipulator arms mounted on mobile bases. Present scheme similar to one described in "Coordinated Control of Mobile Robotic Manipulators" (NPO-19109). Both schemes based on configuration-control formalism. Present one incorporates explicit distinction between holonomic and nonholonomic constraints. Several other prior articles in NASA Tech Briefs discussed aspects of configuration-control formalism. These include "Increasing the Dexterity of Redundant Robots" (NPO-17801), "Redundant Robot Can Avoid Obstacles" (NPO-17852), "Configuration-Control Scheme Copes with Singularities" (NPO-18556), "More Uses for Configuration Control of Robots" (NPO-18607/NPO-18608).

Is the Writing on the Wall for Tabletops?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pantidi, Nadia; Rogers, Yvonne; Robinson, Hugh

We describe an ethnographic study that explores how low tech and new tech surfaces support participation and collaboration during a workshop breakout session. The low tech surfaces were post-it notes and large sheets of paper. The new tech surfaces were writeable walls and a multi-touch tabletop. Four groups used the different surfaces during three phases: i) brief presentation of position papers and discussion of themes, ii) the creation of a group presentation and iii) a report back session. Participation and collaboration varied depending on the physical, technological and social factors at play when using the different surfaces. We discuss why this is the case, noting how new shareable surfaces may need to be constrained to invite participation in ways that are simply taken for granted because of their familiarity when using low tech materials.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2001. Volume 25, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The topics include: 1) A "Model" of Interactive Engineering; 2) Feature Section: Communications Technology; 3) lnReview; 4) Application Briefs; 5) Submillimeter-Wave Image Sensor; 6) Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corers With Integrated Sensors; 7) Normally Closed, Piezoelectrically Actuated Microvalve; 8) Magnetostrictively Actuated Valves for Cryosurgical Probes; 9) Remote Sensing of Electric Fields in Clouds; 10) Wireless-Communication Headset Subsystem To Enhance Signaling; 11) Power Amplifier With 9 to 13 dB of Gain From 65 to 146 GHz; 12) Humidity Interlock for Protecting a Cooled Laser Crystal; 13) A Lightweight Ambulatory Physiological Monitoring System; 14) Improvements in a Lightning-Measuring Instrument; 15) Broad-Band, Noninvasive Radio-Frequency Current Probe; 16) Web-Based Technology Distributes Lean Models; 17) Software Guides Aeroelastic-Systems Design; and 18) Postprocessing Software for Micromechanics Analysis Code. A Photonics West 2001 Preview Tech Brief supplement to this January 2001 issue is also included.

Applications of aerospace technology in biomedicine. A technology transfer profile: Patient monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, D. M.

1971-01-01

NASA contributions to cardiovascular monitoring are described along with innovations in intracardiac blood pressure monitoring. A brief overview of the process of NASA technology transfer in patient monitoring is presented and a list of bioinstrumentation tech briefs and the number of requests for technical support is included.

NASA Tech Briefs, November/December 1986, Special Edition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Topics: Computing: The View from NASA Headquarters; Earth Resources Laboratory Applications Software: Versatile Tool for Data Analysis; The Hypercube: Cost-Effective Supercomputing; Artificial Intelligence: Rendezvous with NASA; NASA's Ada Connection; COSMIC: NASA's Software Treasurehouse; Golden Oldies: Tried and True NASA Software; Computer Technical Briefs; NASA TU Services; Digital Fly-by-Wire.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2010

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2010-01-01

Topics covered include: Technology Focus: Mechanical Components; Electronics/Computers; Software; Materials; Mechanics/Machinery; Manufacturing; Bio-Medical; Physical Sciences; Information Sciences; and Books and Reports.

Transferring Technology to Industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolfenbarger, J. Ken

2006-01-01

This slide presentation reviews the technology transfer processes in which JPL has been involved to assist in transferring the technology derived from aerospace research and development to industry. California Institute of Technology (CalTech), the organization that runs JPL, is the leading institute in patents for all U.S. universities. There are several mechanisms that are available to JPL to inform industry of these technological advances: (1) a dedicated organization at JPL, National Space Technology Applications (NSTA), (2) Tech Brief Magazine, (3) Spinoff magazine, and (4) JPL publications. There have also been many start-up organizations and businesses from CalTech.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1997. Volume 21, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics: Mechanical Components; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1991. Volume 15, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences,

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2002

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Topics covered include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; and Life Sciences.

Coordinated Control Of Mobile Robotic Manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seraji, Homayoun

1995-01-01

Computationally efficient scheme developed for on-line coordinated control of both manipulation and mobility of robots that include manipulator arms mounted on mobile bases. Applicable to variety of mobile robotic manipulators, including robots that move along tracks (typically, painting and welding robots), robots mounted on gantries and capable of moving in all three dimensions, wheeled robots, and compound robots (consisting of robots mounted on other robots). Theoretical basis discussed in several prior articles in NASA Tech Briefs, including "Increasing the Dexterity of Redundant Robots" (NPO-17801), "Redundant Robot Can Avoid Obstacles" (NPO-17852), "Configuration-Control Scheme Copes With Singularities" (NPO-18556), "More Uses for Configuration Control of Robots" (NPO-18607/NPO-18608).

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1991. Volume 15, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components & and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, and Mathematics and Information Sciences,

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1997. Volume 21, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics covered include: Test and Measurement; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Books and Reports..

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1992. Volume 16, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1992. Volume 16, No.9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1985

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1993. Volume 17, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1992. Volume 16, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1992. Volume 16, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1985

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Topic include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2000. Volume 24, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics include: Sensors: Test and Measurement; Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Composites and Plastics; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics;

NASA Tech Briefs, June 2000. Volume 24, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Test and Measurement; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Computers and Peripherals;

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1989. Volume 13, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1990. Volume 14, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1990. Volume 14, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1989. Volume 13, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1989. Volume 13, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1992. Volume 16, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics covered include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1989. Volume 13, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1993. Volume 17, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Optoelectronics; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1990. Volume 14, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1989. Volume 13, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components & and Circuits. Electronic Systems, A Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1999. Volume 23, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

Topics: Test and Measurement; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Bio-Medical; Books and Reports; Semiconductors/ICs.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1993. Volume 17, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Imaging Technology: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1998. Volume 22, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1998-01-01

Topics: Sensors/Data Acquisition; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1993. Volume 17, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics covered: Advanced Manufacturing; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1997. Volume 21, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics: Sensors; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1993. Volume 17, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Communication Technology; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1992. Volume 16, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics covered include: New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

Growing Three-Dimensional Corneal Tissue in a Bioreactor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spaulding, Glen F.; Goodwin, Thomas J.; Aten, Laurie; Prewett, Tacey; Fitzgerald, Wendy S.; OConnor, Kim; Caldwell, Delmar; Francis, Karen M.

2003-01-01

Spheroids of corneal tissue about 5 mm in diameter have been grown in a bioreactor from an in vitro culture of primary rabbit corneal cells to illustrate the production of optic cells from aggregates and tissue. In comparison with corneal tissues previously grown in vitro by other techniques, this tissue approximates intact corneal tissue more closely in both size and structure. This novel three-dimensional tissue can be used to model cell structures and functions in normal and abnormal corneas. Efforts continue to refine the present in vitro method into one for producing human corneal tissue to overcome the chronic shortage of donors for corneal transplants: The method would be used to prepare corneal tissues, either from in vitro cultures of a patient s own cells or from a well-defined culture from another human donor known to be healthy. As explained in several articles in prior issues of NASA Tech Briefs, generally cylindrical horizontal rotating bioreactors have been developed to provide nutrient-solution environments conducive to the 30 NASA Tech Briefs, October 2003 growth of delicate animal cells, with gentle, low-shear flow conditions that keep the cells in suspension without damaging them. The horizontal rotating bioreactor used in this method, denoted by the acronym "HARV," was described in "High-Aspect-Ratio Rotating Cell-Culture Vessel" (MSC-21662), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 16, No. 5 (May, 1992), page 150.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1992. Volume 16, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1997. Volume 21, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics: Design and Analysis Software; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1992. Volume 16, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1988. Volume 12, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics : New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics ; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1992. Volume 16, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1990. Volume 14, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1992. Volume 16, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1990. Volume 14, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1994. Volume 18, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics: Sensors; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1997. Volume 21, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics include: Data Acquisition and Analysis; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1988. Volume 12, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics covered: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

LASER Tech Briefs, Winter 1994. Volume 2, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnirring, Bill (Editor)

1994-01-01

Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, Life Sciences, and Books and reports

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1993. Volume 17, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Advanced Composites and Plastics; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1992. Volume 16, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics covered include: New Product Development; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1985. Volume 9, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2000. Volume 24, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics include: Sensors; Test and Measurement; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Bio-Medical; semiconductors/ICs; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1993. Volume 17, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Data Acquisition and Analysis: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1992. Volume 16, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

Topics covered include: New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1994. Volume 18, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics: Test and Measurement; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1995. Volume 19, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Topics include: Sensors; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1988. Volume 12, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1996. Volume 20, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics: New Computer Hardware; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences;Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1989. Volume 13, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics include New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials;;Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1991. Volume 15, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1991. Volume 15, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences;Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1991. Volume 15, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1996. Volume 20, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Cicuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1990. Volume 14, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1991. Volume 15, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1991. Volume 15, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1991. Volume 15, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1990. Volume 14, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

Anti-Fog Compound

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Tracer Chemical Corporation's TRX Anti-Fog Composition is an inexpensive product which prevents condensation on plastic and glass surfaces. It was the result from a Tech Briefs article detailing a Johnson Space Center compound.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1996. Volume 20, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics: Data Acquisition and Analysis; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1991. Volume 15, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1993. Volume 17, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Computer Graphics; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1993. Volume 17, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Microelectronics; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1999. Volume 23, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

Topics discussed include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1990. Volume 14, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1985. Volume 9, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits;Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1993. Volume 17, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1994. Volume 18, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics include: Communications Technology; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1994. Volume 18, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics: Advanced Manufacturing; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1991. Volume 15, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1990. Volume 14, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical' Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, January/February 1986. Volume 10, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1991. Volume 15, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1988. Volume 12, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, July/August 1988. Volume 12, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1988. Volume 12, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1991. Volume 15, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1987. Volume 11, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1987. Volume 11, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1987. Volume 11, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1997. Volume 21, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics:Graphics and Simulation; Mechanical Components; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1989. Volume 13, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1987. Volume 11, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1987. Volume 11, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1990. Volume 14, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1990. Volume 14, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics covered: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1987. Volume 11, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1987. Volume 11, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1994. Volume 18, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics covered include: Microelectronics; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1994. Volume 18, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics covered include: Computer Hardware; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1996. Volume 20, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics covered include: Sensors; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1997. Volume 21, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics include: Computer Hardware and Peripherals; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 1987. Volume 11, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1999. Volume 23, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

Topics covered include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Physical Sciences; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1989. Volume 13, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

Topics covered: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1997. Volume 2, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics include: Test and Measurement; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1988. Volume 12, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics covered include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September/October 1986. Volume 10, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, November 1996. Volume 20, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics covered: Video and Imaging; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1996. Volume 20, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics: Design and Analysis Software; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1996. Volume 20, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics include: Video and Imaging;Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, November/December 1986. Volume 10, No. 6

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1993. Volume 17, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics include: Sensors; esign and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1994. Volume 18, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics covered include: Robotics/Automation; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, May/June 1986. Volume 10, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Topics discussed include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 1990. Volume 14, No. 9

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Topics covered include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, November/December 1987. Volume 11, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1994. Volume 18, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics covered include: Test and Measurement; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1988. Volume 12, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; and Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1996. Volume 20, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics covered include: Mechanical Components; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2000. Volume 24, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics include: Data Acquisition; Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Bio-Medical; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Information Sciences; Books and reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, July/August 1987. Volume 11, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Fabrication Technology; Machinery; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1997. Volume 21, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics covered include: Video and Imaging; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, March/April 1986. Volume 10, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1988. Volume 12, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics covered include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Systems; and Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 1993. Volume 17, No. 12

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Topics covered include: High-Performance Computing; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2000. Volume 24, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics covered include: Test and Measurement; Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Bio-Medical; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Computers and Peripherals.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2000. Volume 24, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics covered include: Imaging/Video/Display Technology; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Bio-Medical; Test and Measurement; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1997. Volume 21, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics covered include: Sensors/Imaging; Mechanical Components; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Software; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1988. Volume 12, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

Topics covered include: New Product Ideas; NASA TU Services; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; and Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1994. Volume 18, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics covered: Advanced Composites and Plastics; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1994. Volume 18, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1996. Volume 20, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics covered include: Graphics and Simulation; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

Pavement Remaining Service Interval [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-05-01

This document is a technical summary of the Federal Highway Administration reports, "Reformulated Pavement Remaining Service Life Framework" (FHWA-HRT-13-038) and "Pavement Remaining Service Interval Implementation Guidelines" (FHWA-HRT-13-050). At t...

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2000. Volume 24, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1997. Volume 21, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

Advances in Thrust-Based Emergency Control of an Airplane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Creech, Gray; Burken, John J.; Burcham, Bill

2003-01-01

Engineers at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center have received a patent on an emergency flight-control method implemented by a propulsion-controlled aircraft (PCA) system. Utilizing the preexisting auto-throttle and engine-pressure-ratio trim controls of the airplane, the PCA system provides pitch and roll control for landing an airplane safely without using aerodynamic control surfaces that have ceased to function because of a primary-flight-control-system failure. The installation of the PCA does not entail any changes in pre-existing engine hardware or software. [Aspects of the method and system at previous stages of development were reported in Thrust-Control System for Emergency Control of an Airplane (DRC-96-07), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 3 (March 2001), page 68 and Emergency Landing Using Thrust Control and Shift of Weight (DRC-96-55), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 5 (May 2002), page 58.]. Aircraft flight-control systems are designed with extensive redundancy to ensure low probabilities of failure. During recent years, however, several airplanes have exhibited major flight-control-system failures, leaving engine thrust as the last mode of flight control. In some of these emergency situations, engine thrusts were successfully modulated by the pilots to maintain flight paths or pitch angles, but in other situations, lateral control was also needed. In the majority of such control-system failures, crashes resulted and over 1,200 people died. The challenge lay in creating a means of sufficient degree of thrust-modulation control to safely fly and land a stricken airplane. A thrust-modulation control system designed for this purpose was flight-tested in a PCA an MD-11 airplane. The results of the flight test showed that without any operational control surfaces, a pilot can land a crippled airplane (U.S. Patent 5,330,131). The installation of the original PCA system entailed modifications not only of the flight-control computer (FCC) of the airplane but also of each engine-control computer. Inasmuch as engine-manufacturer warranties do not apply to modified engines, the challenge became one of creating a PCA system that does not entail modifications of the engine computers.

Manipulating presence influences the magnitude of virtual reality analgesia.

PubMed

Hoffman, Hunter G; Sharar, Sam R; Coda, Barbara; Everett, John J; Ciol, Marcia; Richards, Todd; Patterson, David R

2004-09-01

Excessive pain during medical procedures performed in unanesthetized patients is frequently reported, but can be reduced with virtual reality (VR) distraction. Increasing the person's illusion of going into the virtual world may increase how effectively VR distracts pain. Healthy volunteers aged 18-20 years participated in a double-blind between-groups design. Each subject received a brief baseline thermal pain stimulus, and the same stimulus again minutes later with either a Low Tech or a High Tech VR distraction. Each subject provided subjective 0-10 ratings of cognitive, sensory and affective components of pain, and rated their illusion of going inside the virtual world. Subjects in the High Tech VR group reported a stronger illusion of going into the virtual world (VR presence) than subjects in the Low Tech VR group, (4.2 vs. 2.5, respectively, P = 0.009) and more pain reduction (reduction of worst pain is 3.1 for High Tech VR vs. 0.7 for Low Tech VR, P < 0.001). Across groups, the amount of pain reduction was positively and significantly correlated with VR presence levels reported by subjects ( r = 0.48 for 'worst pain', P < 0.005).

Material Characterization of Field-Cast Connection Grouts : TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-01-01

There is a growing need for durable and resilient highway bridge construction/reconstruction systems that facilitate rapid completion of onsite activities, thus minimizing intrusion on the traveling public. Modular components can provide highquality,...

NASA Tech Briefs, July 1994. Volume 18, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics covered include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

FHWA LTBP Bridge Performance Primer

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-02-01

This TechBrief defines bridge performance and discusses the importance of measuring performance and current practices for doing so. It identifies key issues to improving performance measures and the role the Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Progra...

NASA Tech Briefs, July/August 1986. Volume 10, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

Topic include: NASA TU Serv1ces; New Product Ideas; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Physical Sciences; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences. 3

Protocol to identify incompatible combinations of concrete materials : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-07-01

For this project, incompatibility of concrete materials is : defined as interactions between acceptable materials that result in unexpected or unacceptable performance. The most common problems are associated with premature stiffening (rapid sl...

FHWA LTBP Industry Day

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-02-01

This TechBrief summarizes Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) Industry Day, held July 16, 2012, a public meeting sponsored by the Federal Highway Administrations (FHWA) LTBP Program. Industry Day provided a platform for the LTBP Program to activel...

Performance-Based Contractor Prequalification as an Alternative to Performance Bonds [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-01-01

State transportation departments must rely on private industry construction contractors to build, rehabilitate, and replace their infrastructure assets. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is interested in ensuring that State transportation dep...

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1997. Volume 21, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Topics covered include: Advanced Composites, Plastics and Metals; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 1996. Volume 20, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

This issue has a special focus on sensors, and include articles on Electronic Components and Circuits, Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery/Automation, Manufacturing/Fabrication, and Mathematics and Information Sciences

NASA Tech Briefs, November 2000. Volume 24, No. 11

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics covered include: Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Test and Measurement; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Data Acquisition.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1996. Volume 20, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

Topics covered include: Advanced Composites and Plastics; Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information; Books and Reports.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 1994. Volume 18, No. 10

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Topics: Data Acquisition and Analysis; Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports

Safety evaluation of access management policies and techniques, TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-08-01

Access management is the process that provides (or manages) access to land development while simultaneously preserving the flow of traffic on the surrounding road network for safety, capacity, and speed. Access management provides important benefits ...

Durability of geosynthetics for highway applications

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-01-01

The research results described in this TechBrief are from four volumes on the subject of durability of geosynthetics for highway applications. Various aspects of geosynthetic durability were addressed in order to develop procedures that could be used...

Travtek Evaluation Task C3: Camera Car Study

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-11-01

A "biometric" technology is an automatic method for the identification, or identity verification, of an individual based on physiological or behavioral characteristics. The primary objective of the study summarized in this tech brief was to make reco...

Assessing Pavement Surface Splash and Spray Impact on Road Users

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-10-01

This TechBrief describes the development of an assessment tool to characterize the propensity of highway sections to generate splash and spray during rainfall and the impact of splash and spray on road users.

Guidelines for establishing and maintaining construction quality databases : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-12-01

Construction quality databases contain a variety of construction-related data that characterize the quality of materials and workmanship. The primary purpose of construction quality databases is to help State highway agencies (SHAs) assess the qualit...

Colored entrance treatments for rural traffic calming : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-10-01

Small rural communities often lack the expertise and resources necessary to address speeding and the persistent challenge of slowing high-speed through traffic. The entrances to communities are especially problematic given that drivers must transitio...

Homemade Solar Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

Through the use of NASA Tech Briefs, Peter Kask, was able to build a solarized domestic hot water system. Also by applying NASA's solar energy design information, he was able to build a swimming pool heating system with minimal outlay for materials.

Durability of geosynthetics for highway applications : Tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-01-01

The research results described herein are included in four volumes on the : subject of Durability of Geosynthetics for Highway Applications. Various : aspects of geosynthetic durability were addressed in order to develop : procedures that could be us...

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2000. Volume 24, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics include: Simulation/Virtual Reality; Test and Measurement; Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Medical Design.

Comparison Of Rehabilitation Strategies For AC Pavements

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-11-01

This TechBrief summarizes the results of a study of the Specific Pavement Study 5 (SPS-5) experiment entitled, "Performance of Rehabilitated Asphalt Concrete Pavements in the LTPP Experiments--Data Collected Through February 1997." The study document...

AutoGen Version 5.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gladden, Roy E.; Khanampornpan, Teerapat; Fisher, Forest W.

2010-01-01

Version 5.0 of the AutoGen software has been released. Previous versions, variously denoted Autogen and autogen, were reported in two articles: Automated Sequence Generation Process and Software (NPO-30746), Software Tech Briefs (Special Supplement to NASA Tech Briefs), September 2007, page 30, and Autogen Version 2.0 (NPO- 41501), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 31, No. 10 (October 2007), page 58. To recapitulate: AutoGen (now signifying automatic sequence generation ) automates the generation of sequences of commands in a standard format for uplink to spacecraft. AutoGen requires fewer workers than are needed for older manual sequence-generation processes, and greatly reduces sequence-generation times. The sequences are embodied in spacecraft activity sequence files (SASFs). AutoGen automates generation of SASFs by use of another previously reported program called APGEN. AutoGen encodes knowledge of different mission phases and of how the resultant commands must differ among the phases. AutoGen also provides means for customizing sequences through use of configuration files. The approach followed in developing AutoGen has involved encoding the behaviors of a system into a model and encoding algorithms for context-sensitive customizations of the modeled behaviors. This version of AutoGen addressed the MRO (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter) primary science phase (PSP) mission phase. On previous Mars missions this phase has more commonly been referred to as mapping phase. This version addressed the unique aspects of sequencing orbital operations and specifically the mission specific adaptation of orbital operations for MRO. This version also includes capabilities for MRO s role in Mars relay support for UHF relay communications with the MER rovers and the Phoenix lander.

Selecting candidate structures for lithium treatment : what to provide the petrographer along with concrete specimens : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-02-01

The process of selecting candidate structures (and : appropriate components of structures) for lithium treatment : invariably involves sampling one or several components : of the structures for laboratory investigations, particularly : petrographic e...

Safety edge crash modification factors : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-08-01

The Safety Edge is a relatively low-cost : countermeasure that can be applied : in both asphalt and concrete paving : operations. The Safety Edge has been : promoted as a low-cost countermeasure : to reduce the frequency and severity : of rural roadw...

Corrosion Monitoring Research of New York City Bridges : TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-12-01

Understanding unsaturated expansive soil has always been a major challenge for soil scientists and engineers. Due to presence of high quantity of montmorillonite mineral in the Moreland clay in northern Louisiana, structural damage due to soil heave/...

Center islands with raised curbing for rural traffic calming : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-02-01

Small rural communities often lack the expertise and resources necessary to address speeding and the persistent challenge of slowing high-speed through traffic. The entrances to communities are especially problematic given that drivers must transitio...

CHE At Georgia Tech: A Period of Transition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Poehlein, Gary W.

1980-01-01

Presents information on the Georgia Institute of Technology. This information includes: (1) a brief history of the institute; (2) names of the faculty members of the chemistry and metallurgy divisions; (3) undergraduate program; and (4) graduate program. (HM)

Pavement Structural Evaluation at the Network Level [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-03-01

This document is a technical summary of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) report, Pavement Structural Evaluation at the Network Level (FHWA-HRT-15-074). It addresses the use of traffic speed deflection devices for the structural evaluation of...

NASA Tech Briefs, February 1989. Volume 13, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

This issue contains a special feature on shaping the future with Ceramics. Other topics include: Electronic Components & and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences,

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2000. Volume 24, No. 7

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Topics covered include: Data Acquisition; Computer-Aided Design and Engineering; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Test and Measurement; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer Programs; Mechanics; Machinery/Automation; Manufacturing/Fabrication; Mathematics and Information Sciences; Life Sciences; Books and Reports.

Robotic System for Condition Assessment of Concrete Bridge Decks : Data Driven Decisions [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-12-11

In the United States, the stewardship and management of approximately 599,000 bridges present ongoing planning, operational, maintenance, and economic challenges for Federal, State, and local transportation agencies. To help overcome these challenges...

Modeling Common-Sense Decisions in Artificial Intelligence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zak, Michail

2010-01-01

A methodology has been conceived for efficient synthesis of dynamical models that simulate common-sense decision- making processes. This methodology is intended to contribute to the design of artificial-intelligence systems that could imitate human common-sense decision making or assist humans in making correct decisions in unanticipated circumstances. This methodology is a product of continuing research on mathematical models of the behaviors of single- and multi-agent systems known in biology, economics, and sociology, ranging from a single-cell organism at one extreme to the whole of human society at the other extreme. Earlier results of this research were reported in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles, the three most recent and relevant being Characteristics of Dynamics of Intelligent Systems (NPO -21037), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 12 (December 2002), page 48; Self-Supervised Dynamical Systems (NPO-30634), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 27, No. 3 (March 2003), page 72; and Complexity for Survival of Living Systems (NPO- 43302), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 33, No. 7 (July 2009), page 62. The methodology involves the concepts reported previously, albeit viewed from a different perspective. One of the main underlying ideas is to extend the application of physical first principles to the behaviors of living systems. Models of motor dynamics are used to simulate the observable behaviors of systems or objects of interest, and models of mental dynamics are used to represent the evolution of the corresponding knowledge bases. For a given system, the knowledge base is modeled in the form of probability distributions and the mental dynamics is represented by models of the evolution of the probability densities or, equivalently, models of flows of information. Autonomy is imparted to the decisionmaking process by feedback from mental to motor dynamics. This feedback replaces unavailable external information by information stored in the internal knowledge base. Representation of the dynamical models in a parameterized form reduces the task of common-sense-based decision making to a solution of the following hetero-associated-memory problem: store a set of m predetermined stochastic processes given by their probability distributions in such a way that when presented with an unexpected change in the form of an input out of the set of M inputs, the coupled motormental dynamics converges to the corresponding one of the m pre-assigned stochastic process, and a sample of this process represents the decision.

Spatial-Operator Algebra For Flexible-Link Manipulators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jain, Abhinandan; Rodriguez, Guillermo

1994-01-01

Method of computing dynamics of multiple-flexible-link robotic manipulators based on spatial-operator algebra, which originally applied to rigid-link manipulators. Aspects of spatial-operator-algebra approach described in several previous articles in NASA Tech Briefs-most recently "Robot Control Based on Spatial-Operator Algebra" (NPO-17918). In extension of spatial-operator algebra to manipulators with flexible links, each link represented by finite-element model: mass of flexible link apportioned among smaller, lumped-mass rigid bodies, coupling of motions expressed in terms of vibrational modes. This leads to operator expression for modal-mass matrix of link.

Machine Monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

When a printing press jams, damage is extensive, repairs are costly, and time and production loss can be expensive. James River Corporation requested G.W. Shelton, a design engineer with Logical Control Systems to solve this problem. Shelton found the solution in a NASA Tech Brief article describing a system of pulley and belt drives. This led to the design of a system that monitors drive components for changes in relative speed that would indicate belt slippage and jam probability. When a combination of variables is not met, an emergency "stop" signal is sent to the press and an alarm is triggered.

Nondestructive Inspection Protocol for Reinforced Concrete Barriers [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-09-01

Reinforced concrete barriers are generally anchored to the deck of a bridge or retaining wall using reinforcing steel protruding from the main structure or by anchored bars or bolts added during retrofits. Corrosion of steel bars or bolts can weaken ...

Scientific and technical information output of the Langley Research Center for Calender year 1981

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Included are citations for formal reports, quick-release technical memorandums, contractor reports, journal articles and periodical literature, meeting/conference papers, and computer programs. Tech briefs, patents, and oral presentations to conferences/workshops are also included.

Friction Angles of Open-Graded Aggregates from Large-Scale Direct Shear Testing : TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-07-08

State and local transportation agencies frequently use opengraded aggregates for wall, roadway, and bridge construction. The primary advantages of using this type of material in wall and abutment applications are ease of constructability, lighter in-...

Slip and creep of thermal spray coatings : [tech brief].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-09-01

All steel bridge systems and their components need some level : of corrosion protection to assure a serviceable life. One of two : approaches is typically used: either the bridge component is : fabricated from a corrosion-resistant alloy, or the stee...

Evaluation of Safety, Design, and Operation of Shared-Use Paths

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-03-01

This TechBrief summarizes the final report of the same title (FHWA-HRT-05-137). Shared-use paths are paved, off-street travelways that serve bicyclists, pedestrians, and other nonmotorized modes of travel. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) ha...

Lightweight Concrete : Mechanical Properties : TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-06-01

There is a limited amount of test data on the mechanical properties of high-strength lightweight concrete (LWC) with a concrete unit weight (wc) between that of traditional LWC and normal weight concrete (NWC). Concrete with a wc in this range is als...

Construction Quality Assurance for Federally Funded Local Public Agency Projects

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-03-01

The purpose of this TechBrief is to summarize a comprehensive investigation of current construction QA practices from both SHA and LPA perspectives undertaken in 2012 and to present recommendations from this analysis. The review included a content an...

The universal simple aging test, TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-05-01

The USAT is a new thin-film (300 m) short- and longterm aging test developed by Western Research Institute (WRI), with funding and guidance provided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). USAT is proposed as an alternative to standard RTFO a...

Novel Alternative Cementitious Maerials for Development of the Next Generation of Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure[Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-10-01

Georgia Institute of Technology and collaborators from Oklahoma State University, Tourney Consulting, and the Army Corps of Engineers, for an Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program project funded by the Federal Highway Administrations (FHWA...

Performance trends of rehabilitated AC pavements

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-10-01

The General Pavement Study (GPS) 6 experiment, "AC Overlay of AC Pavements," involves pavement test sections where an asphalt concrete (AC) overlay was placed on an existing AC pavement. This TechBrief summarizes the results of a study of the GPS-6 e...

Quantification of smoothness index differences related to LTPP equipment type : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-07-01

Researchers in the Long-Term Pavement Performance : (LTPP) program are conducting a major data collection : effort. They are using an inertial profiler to collect longitudinal : profile data at regular intervals on two wheelpaths : located along the ...

Safety applications of intelligent transportation systems in Europe and Japan.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-08-01

This tech brief presents an FHWA study that addressed the adequacy of both public and private parking facilities nationwide. The steady growth in trucking nationwide appears to have increased the demand for rest areas along the nation's highways. Com...

Safety evaluation of wet-reflective pavement markings : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-12-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized : 38 States for the FHWA Evaluation of Low-Cost Safety : Improvements Pooled Fund Study as part of its strategic : highway safety plan support effort. The purpose of the : study is to evaluate the s...

Automated Cryocooler Monitor and Control System Software

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Britchcliffe, Michael J.; Conroy, Bruce L.; Anderson, Paul E.; Wilson, Ahmad

2011-01-01

This software is used in an automated cryogenic control system developed to monitor and control the operation of small-scale cryocoolers. The system was designed to automate the cryogenically cooled low-noise amplifier system described in "Automated Cryocooler Monitor and Control System" (NPO-47246), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 35, No. 5 (May 2011), page 7a. The software contains algorithms necessary to convert non-linear output voltages from the cryogenic diode-type thermometers and vacuum pressure and helium pressure sensors, to temperature and pressure units. The control function algorithms use the monitor data to control the cooler power, vacuum solenoid, vacuum pump, and electrical warm-up heaters. The control algorithms are based on a rule-based system that activates the required device based on the operating mode. The external interface is Web-based. It acts as a Web server, providing pages for monitor, control, and configuration. No client software from the external user is required.

The Effects Of Age, Spatial Ability, And Navigational Information On Navigational Performance

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-08-01

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver inattention, particularly that due to fatigue, is widely recognized as an important safety issue in the transportation industry. This tech brief summarizes an Office of Motor Carrier and Highway Safety study to i...

FHWA LTBP Workshop to Identify Bridge Substructure Performance Issues

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-06-01

This TechBrief provides an overview of the proceedings and findings of the "FHWA Workshop to Identify Bridge Substructure Performance Issues" held in Orlando, Florida, from March 4 to 6, 2010. The purpose of the workshop was to consider overall bridg...

Program for transfer research and impact studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kottenstette, J. P.; Rusnak, J. J.; Staskin, E. R.

1972-01-01

The progress made in achieving TRIS research objectives during the first six months of 1972 is reviewed. The Tech Brief-Technical Support Package Program and technology transfer profiles are presented along with summaries of technology transfer in nondestructive testing, and visual display systems.

Rural Public Transportation Technologies: User Needs and Applications. Tech Brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-09-01

Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have the ability to meet the needs of travelers in and through rural areas as well as the needs of agencies responsible for the operation and maintenance of rural transportation systems. To assist in the...

Stress and fatigue effects of driving longer combination vehicles

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-07-01

This Tech Brief summarizes the final report of a study by the same title, which was conducted as a part of a major program by the Federal Highway Administration to investigate commercial driver fatigue in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operations. Th...

Eye-activity measures of fatigue and napping as a fatigue countermeasure : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-08-01

This report presents the test plan for collecting and analyzing safety data for the Atlanta Congestion Reduction Demonstration (CRD) under the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) and CRD Programs. T...

Pavement thickness design for local roads in Iowa : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-01-01

The main objectives of this research are to: 1) identify the most critical design input parameters, 2) determine the minimum pavement thickness, and 3) develop new pavement design and sensitivity analysis (PD&SA) software which can provide the most a...

PERCLOS : a valid psychophysiological measure of alertness as assessed by psychomotor vigilance

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-10-01

This Tech Brief summarizes an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) study titled "Evaluation of Techniques for Ocular Measurement as an Index of Fatigue and as the Basis for Alertness Management." The study was funded in part by the Federal Highway...

Safety evaluation of intersection conflict warning systems (ICWS), TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-02-02

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized 40 States to participate in the FHWA Evaluation of LowCost Safety Improvements Pooled Fund Study (ELCSI-PFS) as part of its strategic highway safety plan support effort. The goal of the ELCSI-PFS re...

NASA Tech Briefs, April 1989. Volume 13, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

A special feature of this issue is an article about the evolution of high technology in Texas. Topics include: Electronic Components & and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1989. Volume 13, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

This issue contains a special feature on the flight station of the future, discussing future enhancements to Aircraft cockpits. Topics include: Electronic Components and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, and Mathematics and Information Sciences.

Safety evaluation of centerline plus shoulder rumble strips, TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-09-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized 37 States to participate in the FHWA Evaluation of Low-Cost Safety Improvements Pooled Fund Study as part of its strategic highway safety plan support effort. The purpose of the study was to evaluat...

Safety evaluation of STOP AHEAD pavement markings TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-03-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized 26 States to participate in the FHWA Low-Cost Safety Improvements Pooled Fund Study as part of its strategic highway safety plan support effort. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety ef...

Wood Products Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

Structural Reliability Consultants' computer program creates graphic plots showing the statistical parameters of glue laminated timbers, or 'glulam.' The company president, Dr. Joseph Murphy, read in NASA Tech Briefs about work related to analysis of Space Shuttle surface tile strength performed for Johnson Space Center by Rockwell International Corporation. Analysis led to a theory of 'consistent tolerance bounds' for statistical distributions, applicable in industrial testing where statistical analysis can influence product development and use. Dr. Murphy then obtained the Tech Support Package that covers the subject in greater detail. The TSP became the basis for Dr. Murphy's computer program PC-DATA, which he is marketing commercially.

Crosscutting Technology Development at the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Christopher Hull

2009-10-31

The U.S. is the largest producer of mining products in the world. In 2003, U.S. mining operations produced $57 billion worth of raw materials that contributed a total of $564 billion to the nation's wealth. Despite these contributions, the mining industry has not been well supported with research and development funds as compared to mining industries in other countries. To overcome this problem, the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies (CAST) was established to develop technologies that can be used by the U.S. mining industry to create new products, reduce production costs, and meet environmental regulations. Originally set up by Virginiamore » Tech and West Virginia University, this endeavor has been expanded into a seven-university consortium -- Virginia Tech, West Virginia University, University of Kentucky, University of Utah, Montana Tech, New Mexico Tech and University of Nevada, Reno - that is supported through U.S. DOE Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC26-02NT41607: Crosscutting Technology Development at the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies. Much of the research to be conducted with Cooperative Agreement funds will be longer-term, high-risk, basic research and will be carried out in five broad areas: (1) Solid-solid separation; (2) Solid-liquid separation; (3) Chemical/biological extraction; (4) Modeling and control; and (5) Environmental control. Distribution of funds is handled via competitive solicitation of research proposals through Site Coordinators at the seven member universities. These were first reviewed and ranked by a group of technical reviewers (selected primarily from industry). Based on these reviews, and an assessment of overall program requirements, the CAST Technical Committee made an initial selection/ranking of proposals and forwarded these to the DOE/NETL Project Officer for final review and approval. The successful projects are listed by category, along with brief abstracts of their aims and objectives.« less

Scientific and technical information output of the Langley Research Center for calendar year 1982

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Citations are presented for 1380 for formal reports; quick-release technical memorandum; contractor reports; journal articles and periodical literature; technical talks and meeting presentations; computer programs; tech briefs, and patents produced during 1982. An author index is provided.

Regional ITS architecture guidance : developing, using, and maintaining an ITS architecture for your region

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-08-01

The purpose of this TechBrief is to discuss one of the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program's stringent data requirements - site-specific measurements for estimating pavement loadings - and to illustrate the effects of traffic loading data e...

Open Source Surrogate Safety Assessment Model, 2017 Enhancement and Update: SSAM Version 3.0 [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-11-17

The ETFOMM (Enhanced Transportation Flow Open Source Microscopic Model) Cloud Service (ECS) is a software product sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Microscopic Traffic Simulation Models and SoftwareAn Op...

Accelerated Determination of ASR Susceptibility during Concrete Prism Testing through Nonlinear Resonance Ultrasonic Spectroscopy : TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-10-01

The research has been conducted on laboratory-cast concrete prism specimens containing both fine and coarse aggregates obtained from different sources to provide a spectrum of reactivity for assessment through the developed NIRAS technique. The NIRAS...

Aerospace Systems Technical Research Operation Services (ASTROS) Industry Day (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

Integrated Motor Life Management AFM 315E – Green Propellant MCAT – Missile Component Advanced Tech EP – Electric Propulsion Distribution A...service life estimate •Distribution A: Approved for public release; unlimited distribution 23 MCAT (Motor Component Assessment Technology) What are

Magnetic-based NDE of prestressed and post-tensioned concrete members : the MFL system : tech brief.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-02-01

This report assesses the effectiveness of vehicle retirement programs in reducing emissions from the motor vehicle fleets, as well as examining the effect of a program's timing on the magnitude of these reductions. First, the eastern Massachusetts no...

Optimization of Grade 100 High-Performance Steel Butt Welds [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-11-01

In the development of the high performance steels (HPS) grades, three advisory groups were formed to oversee and guide the development of the steels in terms of their design, welding, and corrosion aspects. One of the aspects considered by the Weldin...

Curl and Warp Analysis of the LTPP SPS-2 Site in Arizona : TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-05-01

Variability in the roughness levels of jointed Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements can often be observed over short periods of time. This study demonstrated specialized analyses for quantifying the effect of curl and warp on the roughness of joi...

Splice length of prestressing strand in field-cast ultra-high performance concrete connections, TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-02-02

The objective of this research was to determine the lap splice length of untensioned prestressing strand in field-cast ultrahigh performance concrete (UHPC). This document is a technical summary of the Federal Highway Administration report, Splice Le...

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1989. Volume 13, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

This issue's special features cover the NASA inventor of the year, and the other nominees for the year. Other Topics include: Electronic Components & and Circuits. Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Fabrication Technology, Mathematics and Information Sciences, and Life Sciences

National evaluation of the TMC applications of archived data operational test -- ADMS Virginia

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-01-01

As a part of its risk management efforts, the Office of Motor Carriers sponsored a risk-based evaluation of roadside violations. This tech brief summarizes the study final report. The evaluation sought to categorize each commercial motor vehicle (CMV...

Improved guidance for users of the 1993 AASHTO flexible pavement design procedures : LTPP TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-08-01

A key design challenge faced by engineers using the 1993 AASHTO Guide for Design of Pavement Structures (AASHTO Guide) is the determination of appropriate design parameters for the subgrade and pavement materials. The Long-Term Pavement Performance (...

Surrogate Safety Assessment Model (SSAM), TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-05-01

A conflict is a scenario where two road users will likely collide without evasive action. illustrates an example of a conflict, where a vehicle is angling across two lanes to the left-turn bay and has abruptly cut in front of another vehicle that mus...

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1976. Volume 1, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Topics covered include : Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; and Mathematics and Information Sciences. Also included are NEW PRODUCT IDEAS: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products.

Scientific and technical information output of the Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

Scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center produced during the calendar year 1983 is compiled. Included are citations for Formal Reports, Quick-Release Technical Memorandums, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and other Publications, Meeting Presentations, Technical Talks, Computer Programs, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

Role of driver hearing in commercial motor vehicle operation : an evaluation of the FHWA hearing requirement

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-11-01

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) currently requires that all commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers have a specified minimum level of hearing to drive in interstate commerce. This tech brief summarizes an FHWA study of the same title that ev...

Telecommunication Networks. Tech Use Guide: Using Computer Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA. Center for Special Education Technology.

One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide focuses on utilizing the telecommunications capabilities of computers. Network capabilities including electronic mail, bulletin boards, and access to distant databases are briefly explained. Networks useful to the educator, general commercial systems, and local…

Hearing Impairments. Tech Use Guide: Using Computer Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA. Center for Special Education Technology.

One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide focuses on advances in electronic aids, computers, telecommunications, and videodiscs to assist students with hearing impairments. Electronic aids include hearing aids, telephone devices for the deaf, teletypes, closed captioning systems for television, and…

Computer Access. Tech Use Guide: Using Computer Technology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA. Center for Special Education Technology.

One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide focuses on access including adaptations in input devices, output devices, and computer interfaces. Low technology devices include "no-technology" devices (usually modifications to existing devices), simple switches, and multiple switches. High technology input…

The 1994 Ames Research Center publications: A bibliography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scarich, Shelley J. (Editor)

1995-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that Ames Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1994. Included are citations for formal reports, high-number conference publications, high-number technical memorandums, contractor reports, journal articles, meeting presentation, tech briefs, patents, and translations.

Evaluation of LTPP Climatic Data for Use in Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) Calibration and Other Pavement Analysis

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-02-01

This TechBrief describes evaluating the use of the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) product as an alternative climatic data source for the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) and other transporta...

Pavement treatment effectiveness, 1995 SPS-3 and SPS-4 site evaluations, national report : LTPP TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-06-01

The SPS-3 and SPS-4 experiments were constructed in 1990 under the : Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) to evaluate the effectiveness of and to determine the optimum timing for applying preventive maintenance treatments for flexible and rigid ...

Integrated System for Autonomous Science

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chien, Steve; Sherwood, Robert; Tran, Daniel; Cichy, Benjamin; Davies, Ashley; Castano, Rebecca; Rabideau, Gregg; Frye, Stuart; Trout, Bruce; Shulman, Seth;

Development of Non-Proprietary Ultra-High Performance Concrete for Use in the Highway Bridge Sector : TechBrief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-10-01

The long-term goals of this study are to facilitate the use of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) among U.S. suppliers and contractors, accelerate its application in U.S. construction, and promote a more resilient and sustainable future U.S. infr...

NASA Langley Scientific and Technical Information Output 2000

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Machie, Harriet B. (Compiler); Stewart, Susan H. (Compiler)

2001-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 2000. Included are citations for Special Publications, Technical Publications, Conference Publications, Technical Memorandum, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and Book Publications, Meeting Presentations, Technical Talks, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

Long-Term Pavement Performance Program: Pavement Performance Measures and Forecasting and the Effects of Maintenance and Rehabilitation Strategy on Treatment Effectiveness [Tech Brief

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-08-01

This document is a technical summary of the Federal Highway Administration Long-Term Pavement Performance Program report, Pavement Performance Measures and Forecasting and the Effects of Maintenance and Rehabilitation Strategy on Treatment Effectiven...

NASA Tech Briefs, March 1995

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

This issue contains articles with a special focus on Computer-Aided design and engineering amd a research report on the Ames Research Center. Other subjects in this issue are: Electronic Components and Circuits, Electronic Systems, Physical Sciences, Materials, Computer Programs, Mechanics, Machinery, Manufacturing/Fabrication, Mathematics and Information Sciences and Life Sciences

NASA Langley Scientific and Technical Information Output: 1999

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Susan H. (Compiler); Machie, Harriet (Compiler)

2000-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1999. Included are citations for Special Publications, Technical Publications, Conference Publications, Technical Memorandums, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and Book Publications, Meeting Presentations, Technical Talks, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Topics covered include: 1) Advanced Signal Conditioners for Data-Acquisition Systems; 2) Downlink Data Multiplexer; 3) Viewing ISS Data in Real Time via the Internet; 4) Autonomous Environment-Monitoring Networks; 5) Readout of DSN Monitor Data; 6) Parallel-Processing Equalizers for Multi-Gbps Communications; 7) AIN-Based Packaging for SiC High-Temperature Electronics; 8) Software for Optimizing Quality Assurance of Other Software; 9) The TechSat 21 Autonomous Sciencecraft Experiment; 10) Software for Analyzing Laminar-to-Turbulent Flow Transitions; 11) Elastomer Filled With Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes; 12) Modifying Ship Air-Wake Vortices for Aircraft Operations; 13) Strain-Gauge Measurement of Weight of Fluid in a Tank; 14) Advanced Docking System With Magnetic Initial Capture; 15) Blade-Pitch Control for Quieting Tilt-Rotor Aircraft; 16) Solar Array Panels With Dust-Removal Capability; 17) Aligning Arrays of Lenses and Single-Mode Optical Fibers; 18) Automatic Control of Arc Process for Making Carbon Nanotubes; 19) Curved-Focal-Plane Arrays Using Deformed-Membrane Photodetectors; 20) Role of Meteorology in Flights of a Solar-Powered Airplane; 21) Model of Mixing Layer With Multicomponent Evaporating Drops; 22) Solution-Assisted Optical Contacting; 23) Improved Discrete Approximation of Laplacian of Gaussian; 24) Utilizing Expert Knowledge in Estimating Future STS Costs; 25) Study of Rapid-Regression Liquefying Hybrid Rocket Fuels; and 26) More About the Phase-Synchronized Enhancement Method.

BGen: A UML Behavior Network Generator Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huntsberger, Terry; Reder, Leonard J.; Balian, Harry

2010-01-01

BGen software was designed for autogeneration of code based on a graphical representation of a behavior network used for controlling automatic vehicles. A common format used for describing a behavior network, such as that used in the JPL-developed behavior-based control system, CARACaS ["Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing" (NPO-43635), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 10 (October 2008), page 40] includes a graph with sensory inputs flowing through the behaviors in order to generate the signals for the actuators that drive and steer the vehicle. A computer program to translate Unified Modeling Language (UML) Freeform Implementation Diagrams into a legacy C implementation of Behavior Network has been developed in order to simplify the development of C-code for behavior-based control systems. UML is a popular standard developed by the Object Management Group (OMG) to model software architectures graphically. The C implementation of a Behavior Network is functioning as a decision tree.

Index to NASA tech briefs, 1973. [technology transfer of research and development activities chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

Short announcements of technology derived from the research and development activities of NASA or the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission are issued to encourage commercial application. Emphasis is placed on information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines. Abstracts and indexes are given.

CALS Tech Bulletin #3. An Occasional Publication of the Center for Advanced Learning Systems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

CSR, Inc., Washington, DC.

This paper contains brief synopses of recent technical progress/projects in the field of advanced learning systems. This issue contains the following 12 items: (1) "Guest Editorial" (Sylvia Charp) concerning the need to provide better learning experiences for all students; (2) "Steps in Developing an Expert Systems Model," as…

Improved Algorithm For Finite-Field Normal-Basis Multipliers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, C. C.

1989-01-01

Improved algorithm reduces complexity of calculations that must precede design of Massey-Omura finite-field normal-basis multipliers, used in error-correcting-code equipment and cryptographic devices. Algorithm represents an extension of development reported in "Algorithm To Design Finite-Field Normal-Basis Multipliers" (NPO-17109), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 12, No. 5, page 82.

Benchmarking in Education: Tech Prep, a Case in Point. IEE Brief Number 8.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Inger, Morton

Benchmarking is a process by which organizations compare their practices, processes, and outcomes to standards of excellence in a systematic way. The benchmarking process entails the following essential steps: determining what to benchmark and establishing internal baseline data; identifying the benchmark; determining how that standard has been…

NASA Langley scientific and technical information output: 1994, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, Marilou S. (Compiler); Stewart, Susan H. (Compiler)

1995-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1994. Included are citations for Formal Reports, High-Numbered Conference Publications, High-Numbered Technical Memorandums, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and Other Publications, Meeting Presentations, Computer Programs, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

NASA Langley Scientific and Technical Information Output: 1994. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Phillips, Marilou S. (Compiler); Stewart, Susan H. (Compiler)

1995-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1994. Included are citations for Formal Reports, High-Numbered Conference Publications, High-Numbered Technical Memorandums, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and Other Publications, Meeting Presentations, Computer Programs, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

Low Speed Rot or/Fuselage Interactional Aerodynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnwell, Richard W.; Prichard, Devon S.

2003-01-01

This report presents work performed under a Cooperative Research Agreement between Virginia Tech and the NASA Langley Research Center. The work involved development of computational techniques for modeling helicopter rotor/airframe aerodynamic interaction. A brief overview of the problem is presented, the modeling techniques are described, and selected example calculations are briefly discussed.

Testing Services

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Trace Laboratories is an independent testing laboratory specializing in testing printed circuit boards, automotive products and military hardware. Technical information from NASA Tech Briefs and two subsequent JPL Technical Support packages have assisted Trace in testing surface insulation resistance on printed circuit board materials. Testing time was reduced and customer service was improved because of Jet Propulsion Laboratory technical support packages.

Scientific and technical information output of the Langley Research Center for Calendar Year 1985

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1986-01-01

A compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1985 is presented. Included are citations for Formal Reports, Quick-Release Technical Memorandums, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and Other Publications, Meeting Presentations, Technical Talks, Computer Programs, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

Contributions of the Akamai Workforce Initiative

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

St. John, Mark; Castori, Pam

2014-01-01

This brief presents a third party, external perspective on the Akamai Workforce Initiative (AWI), highlighting some of the contributions of the initiative over the last ten years. AWI is a program that seeks to develop a skilled local STEM workforce to meet the needs of Hawai'i's growing high-tech industry. It began as an internship program…

Scientific and technical information output of the Langley Research Center for calendar year 1984

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

The scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center produced during the calendar year 1984 is compiled. Approximately 1650 citations are included comprising formal reports, quick-release technical memorandums, contractor reports, journal articles and other publications, meeting presentations, technical talks, computer programs, tech briefs, and patents.

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring/Summer 1982. Volume 6, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; and Machinery.

Development of quality standards for inclusion of high recycled asphalt pavement content in asphalt mixtures - phase II, [tech brief].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-03-01

The objective of this research is to 1) build a test section utilizing HMA : mix designs with up to 40% RAP materials, 2) evaluate the moisture : sensitivity of High-RAP mixtures, 3) characterize the low-temperature : fracture behavior of High-RAP mi...

NASA Langley Scientific and Technical Information Output: 1996

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Susan H. (Compiler); Phillips, Marilou S. (Compiler)

1997-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1996. Included are citations for Formal Reports, High-Numbered Conference Publications, High-Numbered Technical Memorandums, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and Other Publications, Meeting Presentations, Technical Talks, Computer Programs, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

Automated Detection of Events of Scientific Interest

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

James, Mark

2007-01-01

A report presents a slightly different perspective of the subject matter of Fusing Symbolic and Numerical Diagnostic Computations (NPO-42512), which appears elsewhere in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. Briefly, the subject matter is the X-2000 Anomaly Detection Language, which is a developmental computing language for fusing two diagnostic computer programs one implementing a numerical analysis method, the other implementing a symbolic analysis method into a unified event-based decision analysis software system for real-time detection of events. In the case of the cited companion NASA Tech Briefs article, the contemplated events that one seeks to detect would be primarily failures or other changes that could adversely affect the safety or success of a spacecraft mission. In the case of the instant report, the events to be detected could also include natural phenomena that could be of scientific interest. Hence, the use of X- 2000 Anomaly Detection Language could contribute to a capability for automated, coordinated use of multiple sensors and sensor-output-data-processing hardware and software to effect opportunistic collection and analysis of scientific data.

Two Methods for Efficient Solution of the Hitting-Set Problem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vatan, Farrokh; Fijany, Amir

2005-01-01

A paper addresses much of the same subject matter as that of Fast Algorithms for Model-Based Diagnosis (NPO-30582), which appears elsewhere in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. However, in the paper, the emphasis is more on the hitting-set problem (also known as the transversal problem), which is well known among experts in combinatorics. The authors primary interest in the hitting-set problem lies in its connection to the diagnosis problem: it is a theorem of model-based diagnosis that in the set-theory representation of the components of a system, the minimal diagnoses of a system are the minimal hitting sets of the system. In the paper, the hitting-set problem (and, hence, the diagnosis problem) is translated from a combinatorial to a computational problem by mapping it onto the Boolean satisfiability and integer- programming problems. The paper goes on to describe developments nearly identical to those summarized in the cited companion NASA Tech Briefs article, including the utilization of Boolean-satisfiability and integer- programming techniques to reduce the computation time and/or memory needed to solve the hitting-set problem.

Traffic Monitor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

Intelligent Vision Systems, Inc. (InVision) needed image acquisition technology that was reliable in bad weather for its TDS-200 Traffic Detection System. InVision researchers used information from NASA Tech Briefs and assistance from Johnson Space Center to finish the system. The NASA technology used was developed for Earth-observing imaging satellites: charge coupled devices, in which silicon chips convert light directly into electronic or digital images. The TDS-200 consists of sensors mounted above traffic on poles or span wires, enabling two sensors to view an intersection; a "swing and sway" feature to compensate for movement of the sensors; a combination of electronic shutter and gain control; and sensor output to an image digital signal processor, still frame video and optionally live video.

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1977. Volume 2, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1979. Volume 4, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of neW products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

Career Exploration by Adults. Practice Application Brief No. 14.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kerka, Sandra

In an era of rapid social and economic changes, the demand for adult career exploration services is growing in career-tech and one-stop centers and community college and university reentry programs. Career exploration is a process of acquiring self-knowledge and career knowledge and using this knowledge to formulate plans and prepare for a career.…

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1981. Volume 6, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1980. Volume 5, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you In learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1980. Volume 5, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovatio.ns of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1978. Volume 3, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Topics covered: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1984. Volume 8, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Science.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall/Winter 1981. Vol. 6, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

Topics covered: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

Scientific and technical information output of the Langley Research Center for calendar year 1980

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1980. Approximately 1400 citations are given. Formal reports, quick-release technical memorandums, contractor reports, journal articles, meeting/conference papers, computer programs, tech briefs, patents, and unpublished research are included.

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1978. Volume 3, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1978. Volume 3, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1983. Volume 8, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1982. Volume 7, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1981. Volume 6, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you In learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1984. Volume 8, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1984-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Langley Scientific and Technical Information Output, 1995. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Susan H. (Compiler); Phillips, Marilou S. (Compiler)

1996-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1995. Included are citations for formal reports, high-numbered conference publications, high-numbered technical memorandums, contractor reports, journal articles and other publications, meeting presentations, technical talks, computer programs, tech briefs, and patents.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1976. Volume 1, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of seloc.ted Innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1978

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Solar Energy; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

Federal Highway Administration University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation. TechBrief. Publication No. FHWA-HRT-06-065

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

US Department of Transportation, 2006

2006-01-01

The second edition of the "Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) University Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation", a set of resources designed to provide background materials for an undergraduate or graduate university course on bicycling and walking, is now available from the FHWA. The FHWA distributes this teaching resource to…

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1979. Volume 4, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you In learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected Innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

Scientific and technical information output of the Langley Research Center for calendar year 1986

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

This document is a compilation of the scientific and technical information that the Langley Research Center has produced during the calendar year 1986. Included are citations for Formal Reports, Quick-Release Technical Memorandums, Contractor Reports, Journal Articles and Other Publications, Meeting Presentations, Techncial Talks, Computer Programs, Tech Briefs, and Patents.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1977. Volume 2, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected Innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1980. Volume 5, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1977. Volume 2, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Topics: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selted innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 1995. Volume 19, No. 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

This issue features an resource report on Jet Propulsion Laboratory and a special focus on advanced composites and plastics. It also contains articles on electronic components and circuits, electronic systems, physical sciences, computer programs, mechanics, machinery, manufacturing and fabrication, mathematics and information sciences, and life sciences. This issue also contains a supplement on federal laboratory test and measurements.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 1995. Volume 19, No. 8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

There is a special focus on computer graphics and simulation in this issue. Topics covered include : Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Computer programs, Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; and Mathematics and Information Sciences. There is a section on for Laser Technology, which includes a feature on Moving closer to the suns power.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1982. Volume 7, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the develop ment of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1979. Volume 4, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected Innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1983. Volume 8, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected Innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Winter 1976. Volume 1, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Topics covered include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of val ue to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs Index, 1976. [bibliography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Abstracts of new technology derived from the research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are presented. Emphasis is placed on information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines. Subject matter covered includes: electronic components and circuits; electronic systems; physical sciences; materials; life sciences; mechanics; machinery; fabrication technology; and mathematics and information sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1977. Volume 2, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

Topics: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected Innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1983. Volume 7, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences;

NASA Tech Briefs, Spring 1980. Volume 5, No. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1979. Volume 4, No. 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences.

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1983. Volume 7, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1983-01-01

Topics include: NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology. New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products; Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and information Sciences.

Improved Multiple-DOF SAW Piezoelectric Motors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Bao, Xiaoqi; Hull, Anthony; Wright, John

2003-01-01

Surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) piezoelectric motors of a proposed type would be capable of operating in multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs) simultaneously and would be amenable to integration into diverse structures and mechanisms. These motors would be compact and structurally simple and would not contain bearings or lead screws. One example of a particularly useful motor of this type would be a two-dimensional- translation stage. Another such example would be a self-actuated spherical joint that could be made to undergo controlled, simultaneous rotations about two orthogonal axes: Such a motor could serve as a mechanism for aiming an "eyeball" camera or as a compact transducer in, and an integral part of, a joint in a robot arm. The multiple-DOF SAW piezoelectric motors as now proposed would be successors to the ones reported in "Multiple-DOF Surface-Acoustic-Wave Piezoelectric Motors" (NPO-20735), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 24, No. 12 (December 2000), page 5b. The basic principle of operation of a multiple-DOF SAW piezoelectric motor is a straightforward extension of that of single-DOF SAW piezoelectric motors, which have been reported in several previous NASA Tech Briefs articles: For example, in the case of a linear SAW piezoelectric motor, piezoelectric transducers at opposite ends of a stator excite surface acoustic waves that travel along the surface of the stator. An object (denoted the slider) is pressed against the stator with sufficient pressure (in practice .300 MPa) that it remains in frictional contact with the stator at all times. The slider rides the crests of the waves and is thereby made to move along the surface of the stator. The direction of motion (forward or backward) is controlled by selecting the relative phase of waves generated by the two piezoelectric transducers. The speed increases with the amplitude of the waves and thus with the magnitude of the voltage applied to the transducers.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

Topics covered include: Using Diffusion Bonding in Making Piezoelectric Actuators; Wireless Temperature-Monitoring System; Analog Binaural Circuits for Detecting and Locating Leaks; Mirrors Containing Biomimetic Shape-Control Actuators; Surface-Micromachined Planar Arrays of Thermopiles; Cascade Back-Propagation Learning in Neural Networks; Perovskite Superlattices as Tunable Microwave Devices; Rollable Thin-Shell Nanolaminate Mirrors; Flight Tests of a Ministick Controller in an F/A-18 Airplane; Piezoelectrically Actuated Shutter for High Vacuum; Bio-Inspired Engineering of Exploration Systems; Microscope Cells Containing Multiple Micromachined Wells; Electrophoretic Deposition for Fabricating Microbatteries; Integrated Arrays of Ion-Sensitive Electrodes; Model of Fluidized Bed Containing Reacting Solids and Gases; Membrane Mirrors With Bimorph Shape Actuators; Using Fractional Clock-Period Delays in Telemetry Arraying; Developing Generic Software for Spacecraft Avionics; Numerical Study of Pyrolysis of Biomass in Fluidized Beds; and Assessment of Models of Chemically Reacting Granular Flows.

NASA Tech Briefs Index, 1978. [bibliography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Approximately 601 announcements of new technology derived from the research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration are presented. Emphasis is placed on information considered likely to be transferrable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines. Subject matter covered includes: electronic components and circuits; electron systems; physical sciences; materials; life sciences; mechanics; machinery; fabrication technology; and mathematics and information sciences.

Rhetorical Interpretation of Abstracts in Sci-Tech Theses Based on Burke's Identification Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhong, Jihong

2017-01-01

Abstract of a thesis is the brief and accurate representation of the thesis, with the important function of persuading readers to read on the thesis. So how the writer constructs the abstract and wins readers' recognition is our main focus. On the basis of Burke's Identification Theory, this paper analyzed 10 abstracts from "Nature" from…

Specialized Workshops on the Agricultural Science and Technology Curriculum for Secondary Agricultural Science Teachers. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock.

This brief report describes six 2- to 3-day specialized workshops conducted at Texas Tech University and Stephen F. Austin University campuses for 121 secondary agriscience teachers. The workshops provided teachers with instruction and materials to assist them in teaching the new 100, 200, and 300 level semester courses. Topics were as follows:…

High-Tech or High-Touch? Online Learning and Independent Higher Education. Innovations in Teaching and Learning. Research Brief 5

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katz, Philip M.

2016-01-01

Independent colleges and universities are cautious adopters of online education for undergraduate students. These institutions seek to balance a tradition of student-focused pedagogy in face-to-face settings and faculty wariness of online courses against the promise of lower instructional costs, changing student expectations, and the potential for…

Nanoscience for Insensitive Munitions Development (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-03

reactive material Ni/Al Hypervelocity collisions of ND Melting of nitromethane Shocked energetic materials Self-sustained detonation of model explosive ...deformation by compressing, stretching or twisting the bond. First Observed by Bridgeman as Explosion of Common Substances Subjected to Pressure and Shear...in Energetic Materials as New Means for Designing Nonconventional High Explosives : An analysis of Soviet Research, Tech Report 1991. A. M

NASA Tech Briefs, Summer 1976. Volume 1, No. 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

Topics covered include: Electronic Components and Circuits; Electronic Systems; Physical Sciences; Materials; Life Sciences; Mechanics; Machinery; Fabrication Technology; Mathematics and Information Sciences. Also included are; NASA TU Services: Technology Utilization services that can assist you in learning about and applying NASA technology; and New Product Ideas: A summary of selected innovations of value to manufacturers for the development of new products.

Custom Sky-Image Mosaics from NASA's Information Power Grid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacob, Joseph; Collier, James; Craymer, Loring; Curkendall, David

2005-01-01

yourSkyG is the second generation of the software described in yourSky: Custom Sky-Image Mosaics via the Internet (NPO-30556), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 27, No. 6 (June 2003), page 45. Like its predecessor, yourSkyG supplies custom astronomical image mosaics of sky regions specified by requesters using client computers connected to the Internet. Whereas yourSky constructs mosaics on a local multiprocessor system, yourSkyG performs the computations on NASA s Information Power Grid (IPG), which is capable of performing much larger mosaicking tasks. (The IPG is high-performance computation and data grid that integrates geographically distributed 18 NASA Tech Briefs, September 2005 computers, databases, and instruments.) A user of yourSkyG can specify parameters describing a mosaic to be constructed. yourSkyG then constructs the mosaic on the IPG and makes it available for downloading by the user. The complexities of determining which input images are required to construct a mosaic, retrieving the required input images from remote sky-survey archives, uploading the images to the computers on the IPG, performing the computations remotely on the Grid, and downloading the resulting mosaic from the Grid are all transparent to the user

FORTRAN Versions of Reformulated HFGMC Codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, Steven M.; Aboudi, Jacob; Bednarcyk, Brett A.

2006-01-01

Several FORTRAN codes have been written to implement the reformulated version of the high-fidelity generalized method of cells (HFGMC). Various aspects of the HFGMC and its predecessors were described in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles, the most recent being HFGMC Enhancement of MAC/GMC (LEW-17818-1), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 3 (March 2006), page 34. The HFGMC is a mathematical model of micromechanics for simulating stress and strain responses of fiber/matrix and other composite materials. The HFGMC overcomes a major limitation of a prior version of the GMC by accounting for coupling of shear and normal stresses and thereby affords greater accuracy, albeit at a large computational cost. In the reformulation of the HFGMC, the issue of computational efficiency was addressed: as a result, codes that implement the reformulated HFGMC complete their calculations about 10 times as fast as do those that implement the HFGMC. The present FORTRAN implementations of the reformulated HFGMC were written to satisfy a need for compatibility with other FORTRAN programs used to analyze structures and composite materials. The FORTRAN implementations also afford capabilities, beyond those of the basic HFGMC, for modeling inelasticity, fiber/matrix debonding, and coupled thermal, mechanical, piezo, and electromagnetic effects.

Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-CFx Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smart, Marshall C.; Whitacre, Jay F.; Bugga, Ratnakumar V.; Prakash, G. K. Surya; Bhalla, Pooja; Smith, Kiah

2009-01-01

A report describes a study of electrolyte compositions selected as candidates for improving the low-temperature performances of primary electrochemical cells that contain lithium anodes and fluorinated carbonaceous (CFx) cathodes. This study complements the developments reported in Additive for Low-Temperature Operation of Li-(CF)n Cells (NPO- 43579) and Li/CFx Cells Optimized for Low-Temperature Operation (NPO- 43585), which appear elsewhere in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. Similar to lithium-based electrolytes described in several previous NASA Tech Briefs articles, each of these electrolytes consisted of a lithium salt dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent mixture. Each such mixture consisted of two or more of the following ingredients: propylene carbonate (PC); 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME); trifluoropropylene carbonate; bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl) ether; diethyl carbonate; dimethyl carbonate; and ethyl methyl carbonate. The report describes the physical and chemical principles underlying the selection of the compositions (which were not optimized) and presents results of preliminary tests made to determine effects of the compositions upon the low-temperature capabilities of Li-CFx cells, relative to a baseline composition of LiBF4 at a concentration of 1.0 M in a solvent comprising equal volume parts of PC and DME.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

Topics include: Tool for Bending a Metal Tube Precisely in a Confined Space; Multiple-Use Mechanisms for Attachment to Seat Tracks; Force-Measuring Clamps; Cellular Pressure-Actuated Joint; Block QCA Fault-Tolerant Logic Gates; Hybrid VLSI/QCA Architecture for Computing FFTs; Arrays of Carbon Nanotubes as RF Filters in Waveguides; Carbon Nanotubes as Resonators for RF Spectrum Analyzers; Software for Viewing Landsat Mosaic Images; Updated Integrated Mission Program; Software for Sharing and Management of Information; Optical-Quality Thin Polymer Membranes; Rollable Thin Shell Composite-Material Paraboloidal Mirrors; Folded Resonant Horns for Power Ultrasonic Applications; Touchdown Ball-Bearing System for Magnetic Bearings; Flux-Based Deadbeat Control of Induction-Motor Torque; Block Copolymers as Templates for Arrays of Carbon Nanotubes; Throttling Cryogen Boiloff To Control Cryostat Temperature; Collaborative Software Development Approach Used to Deliver the New Shuttle Telemetry Ground Station; Turbulence in Supercritical O2/H2 and C7H16/N2 Mixing Layers; and Time-Resolved Measurements in Optoelectronic Microbioanal.

Advances in nickel hydrogen technology at Yardney Battery Division

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bentley, J. G.; Hall, A. M.

1987-01-01

The current major activites in nickel hydrogen technology being addressed at Yardney Battery Division are outlined. Five basic topics are covered: an update on life cycle testing of ManTech 50 AH NiH2 cells in the LEO regime; an overview of the Air Force/industry briefing; nickel electrode process upgrading; 4.5 inch cell development; and bipolar NiH2 battery development.

Index to NASA Tech Briefs, 1974

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

The following information was given for 1974: (1) abstracts of reports dealing with new technology derived from the research and development activities of NASA or the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, arranged by subjects: electronics/electrical, electronics/electrical systems, physical sciences, materials/chemistry, life sciences, mechanics, machines, equipment and tools, fabrication technology, and computer programs, (2) indexes for the above documents: subject, personal author, originating center.

Three-Function Logic Gate Controlled by Analog Voltage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zebulum, Ricardo; Stoica, Adrian

2006-01-01

The figure is a schematic diagram of a complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) electronic circuit that performs one of three different logic functions, depending on the level of an externally applied control voltage, V(sub sel). Specifically, the circuit acts as A NAND gate at V(sub sel) = 0.0 V, A wire (the output equals one of the inputs) at V(sub sel) = 1.0 V, or An AND gate at V(sub sel) = -1.8 V. [The nominal power-supply potential (VDD) and logic "1" potential of this circuit is 1.8 V.] Like other multifunctional circuits described in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles, this circuit was synthesized following an automated evolutionary approach that is so named because it is modeled partly after the repetitive trial-and-error process of biological evolution. An evolved circuit can be tested by computational simulation and/or tested in real hardware, and the results of the test can provide guidance for refining the design through further iteration. The evolutionary synthesis of electronic circuits can now be implemented by means of a software package Genetic Algorithms for Circuit Synthesis (GACS) that was developed specifically for this purpose. GACS was used to synthesize the present trifunctional circuit. As in the cases of other multifunctional circuits described in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles, the multiple functionality of this circuit, the use of a single control voltage to select the function, and the automated evolutionary approach to synthesis all contribute synergistically to a combination of features that are potentially advantageous for the further development of robust, multiple-function logic circuits, including, especially, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). These advantages include the following: This circuit contains only 9 transistors about half the number of transistors that would be needed to obtain equivalent NAND/wire/AND functionality by use of components from a standard digital design library. If multifunctional gates like this circuit were used in the place of the configurable logic blocks of present commercial FPGAs, it would be possible to change the functions of the resulting digital systems within shorter times. For example, by changing a single control voltage, one could change the function of thousands of FPGA cells within nanoseconds. In contrast, typically, the reconfiguration in a conventional FPGA by use of bits downloaded from look-up tables via a digital bus takes microseconds.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2005

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Thin-Film Resistance Heat-Flux Sensors Circuit Indicates that Voice-Recording Disks are Nearly Full Optical Sensing of Combustion Instabilities in Gas Turbines Topics include: Crane-Load Contact Sensor; Hexagonal and Pentagonal Fractal Multiband Antennas; Multifunctional Logic Gate Controlled by Temperature; Multifunctional Logic Gate Controlled by Supply Voltage; Power Divider for Waveforms Rich in Harmonics; SCB Quantum Computers Using iSWAP and 1-Qubit Rotations; CSAM Metrology Software Tool; Update on Rover Sequencing and Visualization Program; Selecting Data from a Star Catalog; Rotating Desk for Collaboration by Two Computer Programmers; Variable-Pressure Washer; Magnetically Attached Multifunction Maintenance Rover; Improvements in Fabrication of Sand/Binder Cores for Casting; Solid Freeform Fabrication of Composite-Material Objects; Efficient Computational Model of Hysteresis; Gauges for Highly Precise Metrology of a Compound Mirror; Improved Electrolytic Hydrogen Peroxide Generator; High-Power Fiber Lasers Using Photonic Band Gap Materials; Ontology-Driven Information Integration; Quantifying Traversability of Terrain for a Mobile Robot; More About Arc-Welding Process for Making Carbon Nanotubes; Controlling Laser Spot Size in Outer Space; or Software-Reconfigurable Processors for Spacecraft.

Cooperative Three-Robot System for Traversing Steep Slopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stroupe, Ashley; Huntsberger, Terrance; Aghazarian, Hrand; Younse, Paulo; Garrett, Michael

2009-01-01

Teamed Robots for Exploration and Science in Steep Areas (TRESSA) is a system of three autonomous mobile robots that cooperate with each other to enable scientific exploration of steep terrain (slope angles up to 90 ). Originally intended for use in exploring steep slopes on Mars that are not accessible to lone wheeled robots (Mars Exploration Rovers), TRESSA and systems like TRESSA could also be used on Earth for performing rescues on steep slopes and for exploring steep slopes that are too remote or too dangerous to be explored by humans. TRESSA is modeled on safe human climbing of steep slopes, two key features of which are teamwork and safety tethers. Two of the autonomous robots, denoted Anchorbots, remain at the top of a slope; the third robot, denoted the Cliffbot, traverses the slope. The Cliffbot drives over the cliff edge supported by tethers, which are payed out from the Anchorbots (see figure). The Anchorbots autonomously control the tension in the tethers to counter the gravitational force on the Cliffbot. The tethers are payed out and reeled in as needed, keeping the body of the Cliffbot oriented approximately parallel to the local terrain surface and preventing wheel slip by controlling the speed of descent or ascent, thereby enabling the Cliffbot to drive freely up, down, or across the slope. Due to the interactive nature of the three-robot system, the robots must be very tightly coupled. To provide for this tight coupling, the TRESSA software architecture is built on a combination of (1) the multi-robot layered behavior-coordination architecture reported in "An Architecture for Controlling Multiple Robots" (NPO-30345), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 10 (October 2004), page 65, and (2) the real-time control architecture reported in "Robot Electronics Architecture" (NPO-41784), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 1 (January 2008), page 28. The combination architecture makes it possible to keep the three robots synchronized and coordinated, to use data from all three robots for decision- making at each step, and to control the physical connections among the robots. In addition, TRESSA (as in prior systems that have utilized this architecture) , incorporates a capability for deterministic response to unanticipated situations from yet another architecture reported in Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing (NPO-43635), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 10 (October 2008), page 40. Tether tension control is a major consideration in the design and operation of TRESSA. Tension is measured by force sensors connected to each tether at the Cliffbot. The direction of the tension (both azimuth and elevation) is also measured. The tension controller combines a controller to counter gravitational force and an optional velocity controller that anticipates the motion of the Cliffbot. The gravity controller estimates the slope angle from the inclination of the tethers. This angle and the weight of the Cliffbot determine the total tension needed to counteract the weight of the Cliffbot. The total needed tension is broken into components for each Anchorbot. The difference between this needed tension and the tension measured at the Cliffbot constitutes an error signal that is provided to the gravity controller. The velocity controller computes the tether speed needed to produce the desired motion of the Cliffbot. Another major consideration in the design and operation of TRESSA is detection of faults. Each robot in the TRESSA system monitors its own performance and the performance of its teammates in order to detect any system faults and prevent unsafe conditions. At startup, communication links are tested and if any robot is not communicating, the system refuses to execute any motion commands. Prior to motion, the Anchorbots attempt to set tensions in the tethers at optimal levels for counteracting the weight of the Cliffbot; if either Anchorbot fails to reach its optimal tension level within a specified time, it sends message to the other robots and the commanded motion is not executed. If any mechanical error (e.g., stalling of a motor) is detected, the affected robot sends a message triggering stoppage of the current motion. Lastly, messages are passed among the robots at each time step (10 Hz) to share sensor information during operations. If messages from any robot cease for more than an allowable time interval, the other robots detect the communication loss and initiate stoppage.

MONTE: the next generation of mission design and navigation software

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, Scott; Taber, William; Drain, Theodore; Smith, Jonathon; Wu, Hsi-Cheng; Guevara, Michelle; Sunseri, Richard; Evans, James

2018-03-01

The Mission analysis, Operations and Navigation Toolkit Environment (MONTE) (Sunseri et al. in NASA Tech Briefs 36(9), 2012) is an astrodynamic toolkit produced by the Mission Design and Navigation Software Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It provides a single integrated environment for all phases of deep space and Earth orbiting missions. Capabilities include: trajectory optimization and analysis, operational orbit determination, flight path control, and 2D/3D visualization. MONTE is presented to the user as an importable Python language module. This allows a simple but powerful user interface via CLUI or script. In addition, the Python interface allows MONTE to be used seamlessly with other canonical scientific programming tools such as SciPy, NumPy, and Matplotlib. MONTE is the prime operational orbit determination software for all JPL navigated missions.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2013

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2013-01-01

Topics include: Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector With; Selective Polarization Coupling; Flexible Microstrip Circuits for; Superconducting Electronics; CFD Extraction Tool for TecPlot From DPLR Solutions; RECOVIR Software for Identifying Viruses; Enhanced Contact Graph Routing (ECGR) MACHETE Simulation Model; Orbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM) v.3; Scatter-Reducing Sounding Filtration Using a Genetic Algorithm and Mean Monthly Standard Deviation; Thermo-Mechanical Methodology for Stabilizing Shape Memory Alloy Response; Hermetic Seal Designs for Sample Return Sample Tubes; Silicon Alignment Pins: An Easy Way To Realize a Wafer-to-Wafer Alignment; Positive-Buoyancy Rover for Under Ice Mobility; Electric Machine With Boosted Inductance to Stabilize Current Control; International Space Station-Based Electromagnetic Launcher for Space Science Payloads; Advanced Hybrid Spacesuit Concept Featuring Integrated Open Loop and Closed Loop Ventilation Systems; Data Quality Screening Service.

Traffic-Light-Preemption Vehicle-Transponder Software Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachelder, Aaron; Foster, Conrad

2005-01-01

A prototype wireless data-communication and control system automatically modifies the switching of traffic lights to give priority to emergency vehicles. The system, which was reported in several NASA Tech Briefs articles at earlier stages of development, includes a transponder on each emergency vehicle, a monitoring and control unit (an intersection controller) at each intersection equipped with traffic lights, and a central monitoring subsystem. An essential component of the system is a software module executed by a microcontroller in each transponder. This module integrates and broadcasts data on the position, velocity, acceleration, and emergency status of the vehicle. The position, velocity, and acceleration data are derived partly from the Global Positioning System, partly from deductive reckoning, and partly from a diagnostic computer aboard the vehicle. The software module also monitors similar broadcasts from other vehicles and from intersection controllers, informs the driver of which intersections it controls, and generates visible and audible alerts to inform the driver of any other emergency vehicles that are close enough to create a potential hazard. The execution of the software module can be monitored remotely and the module can be upgraded remotely and, hence, automatically

Processing AIRS Scientific Data Through Level 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Granger, Stephanie; Oliphant, Robert; Manning, Evan

2010-01-01

The Atmospheric Infra-Red Sounder (AIRS) Science Processing System (SPS) is a collection of computer programs, known as product generation executives (PGEs). The AIRS SPS PGEs are used for processing measurements received from the AIRS suite of infrared and microwave instruments orbiting the Earth onboard NASA's Aqua spacecraft. Early stages of the AIRS SPS development were described in a prior NASA Tech Briefs article: Initial Processing of Infrared Spectral Data (NPO-35243), Vol. 28, No. 11 (November 2004), page 39. In summary: Starting from Level 0 (representing raw AIRS data), the AIRS SPS PGEs and the data products they produce are identified by alphanumeric labels (1A, 1B, 2, and 3) representing successive stages or levels of processing. The previous NASA Tech Briefs article described processing through Level 2, the output of which comprises geo-located atmospheric data products such as temperature and humidity profiles among others. The AIRS Level 3 PGE samples selected information from the Level 2 standard products to produce a single global gridded product. One Level 3 product is generated for each day s collection of Level 2 data. In addition, daily Level 3 products are aggregated into two multiday products: an eight-day (half the orbital repeat cycle) product and monthly (calendar month) product.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2009

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2009-01-01

Tech Briefs are short announcements of innovations originating from research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. They emphasize information considered likely to be transferable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. Topics covered include: Measuring Low Concentrations of Liquid Water in Soil; The Mars Science Laboratory Touchdown Test Facility; Non-Contact Measurement of Density and Thickness Variation in Dielectric Materials; Compact Microwave Fourier Spectrum Analyzer; InP Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor Amplifiers to 255 GHz; Combinatorial Generation of Test Suites; In-Phase Power-Combined Frequency Tripler at 300 GHz; Electronic System for Preventing Airport Runway Incursions; Smaller but Fully Functional Backshell for Cable Connector; Glove-Box or Desktop Virtual-Reality System; Composite Layer Manufacturing with Fewer Interruptions; Improved Photoresist Coating for Making CNT Field Emitters; A Simplified Diagnostic Method for Elastomer Bond Durability; Complex Multifunctional Polymer/Carbon-Nanotube Composites; Very High Output Thermoelectric Devices Based on ITO Nanocomposites; Reducing Unsteady Loads on a Piggyback Miniature Submarine; Ultrasonic/Sonic Anchor; Grooved Fuel Rings for Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines; Pulsed Operation of an Ion Accelerator; Autonomous Instrument Placement for Mars Exploration Rovers; Mission and Assets Database; TCP/IP Interface for the Satellite Orbit Analysis Program (SOAP); Trajectory Calculator for Finite-Radius Cutter on a Lathe; Integrated System Health Management Development Toolkit.

The Virginia Tech Library System (VTLS).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGrath, Deborah Hall; Lee, Carl R.

1989-01-01

Discusses topics relating to the Virginia Tech Library System: the company (VTLS, Inc.); the software; data structure; cataloging, status, and authority control; circulation; serials control and acquisitions; the online catalog; management reporting; networking; and the operating environment. Sidebars discuss the Vanilla Network; LINNEA--a network…

NASA new technology identification and evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lizak, R. M.

1983-01-01

Before disclosure in NASA Tech Briefs, reports of new technology are transmitted to the cognizant NASA Field Center Technology Utilization Office (TUO) where they are evaluated for novelty, technical validity and significance, and nonaerospace utility. If uncertainty exists regarding these criteria, the documentation may be forwarded to SRI International for evaluation before recommending publication. From November 1980 to November 1983, some 3,103 technologies were evaluated by SRI. Activities performed and progress made are summarized.

Single-Mode WGM Resonators Fabricated by Diamond Turning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grudinin, Ivan; Maleki, Lute; Savchenkov, Anatoliy; Matsko, Andrewy; Strekalov, Dmitry; Iltchenko, Vladimir

2008-01-01

A diamond turning process has made possible a significant advance in the art of whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) optical resonators. By use of this process, it is possible to fashion crystalline materials into WGM resonators that have ultrahigh resonance quality factors (high Q values), are compact (ranging in size from millimeters down to tens of microns), and support single electromagnetic modes. This development combines and extends the developments reported in "Few- Mode Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonators" (NPO-41256), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 1 (January 2006), page 16a and "Fabrication of Submillimeter Axisymmetric Optical Components" (NPO-42056), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 31, No. 5 (May 2007), page 10a. To recapitulate from the first cited prior article: A WGM resonator of this special type consists of a rod, made of a suitable transparent material, from which protrudes a thin circumferential belt of the same material. The belt is integral with the rest of the rod and acts as a circumferential waveguide. If the depth and width of the belt are made appropriately small, then the belt acts as though it were the core of a single-mode optical fiber: the belt and the rod material adjacent to it support a single, circumferentially propagating mode or family of modes. To recapitulate from the second cited prior article: A major step in the fabrication of a WGM resonator of this special type is diamond turning or computer numerically controlled machining of a rod of a suitable transparent crystalline material on an ultrahigh-precision lathe. During the rotation of a spindle in which the rod is mounted, a diamond tool is used to cut the rod. A computer program is used to control stepping motors that move the diamond tool, thereby controlling the shape cut by the tool. Because the shape can be controlled via software, it is possible to choose a shape designed to optimize a resonator spectrum, including, if desired, to limit the resonator to supporting a single mode. After diamond turning, a resonator can be polished to increase its Q. By virtue of its largely automated, computer-controlled nature, the process is suitable for mass production of nominally identical single-mode WGM resonators. In a demonstration of the capabilities afforded by this development, a number of WGM resonators of various designs were fabricated side by side on the surface of a single CaF2 rod (see figure).

Reconfigurable Hardware for Compressing Hyperspectral Image Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aranki, Nazeeh; Namkung, Jeffrey; Villapando, Carlos; Kiely, Aaron; Klimesh, Matthew; Xie, Hua

2010-01-01

High-speed, low-power, reconfigurable electronic hardware has been developed to implement ICER-3D, an algorithm for compressing hyperspectral-image data. The algorithm and parts thereof have been the topics of several NASA Tech Briefs articles, including Context Modeler for Wavelet Compression of Hyperspectral Images (NPO-43239) and ICER-3D Hyperspectral Image Compression Software (NPO-43238), which appear elsewhere in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. As described in more detail in those articles, the algorithm includes three main subalgorithms: one for computing wavelet transforms, one for context modeling, and one for entropy encoding. For the purpose of designing the hardware, these subalgorithms are treated as modules to be implemented efficiently in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). The design takes advantage of industry- standard, commercially available FPGAs. The implementation targets the Xilinx Virtex II pro architecture, which has embedded PowerPC processor cores with flexible on-chip bus architecture. It incorporates an efficient parallel and pipelined architecture to compress the three-dimensional image data. The design provides for internal buffering to minimize intensive input/output operations while making efficient use of offchip memory. The design is scalable in that the subalgorithms are implemented as independent hardware modules that can be combined in parallel to increase throughput. The on-chip processor manages the overall operation of the compression system, including execution of the top-level control functions as well as scheduling, initiating, and monitoring processes. The design prototype has been demonstrated to be capable of compressing hyperspectral data at a rate of 4.5 megasamples per second at a conservative clock frequency of 50 MHz, with a potential for substantially greater throughput at a higher clock frequency. The power consumption of the prototype is less than 6.5 W. The reconfigurability (by means of reprogramming) of the FPGAs makes it possible to effectively alter the design to some extent to satisfy different requirements without adding hardware. The implementation could be easily propagated to future FPGA generations and/or to custom application-specific integrated circuits.

Perspectives on Advanced Learning Technologies and Learning Networks and Future Aerospace Workforce Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, Ahmed K. (Compiler)

2003-01-01

An overview of the advanced learning technologies is given in this presentation along with a brief description of their impact on future aerospace workforce development. The presentation is divided into five parts (see Figure 1). In the first part, a brief historical account of the evolution of learning technologies is given. The second part describes the current learning activities. The third part describes some of the future aerospace systems, as examples of high-tech engineering systems, and lists their enabling technologies. The fourth part focuses on future aerospace research, learning and design environments. The fifth part lists the objectives of the workshop and some of the sources of information on learning technologies and learning networks.

Quality Control Technician.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio State Univ., Columbus. Center on Education and Training for Employment.

This document contains 18 units to consider for use in a tech prep competency profile for the occupation of quality control technician. All the units listed will not necessarily apply to every situation or tech prep consortium, nor will all the competencies within each unit be appropriate. Several units appear within each specific occupation and…

Instrumentation Control Technician.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ohio State Univ., Columbus. Center on Education and Training for Employment.

This document contains 22 units to consider for use in a tech prep competency profile for the occupation of instrumentation control technician. All the units listed will not necessarily apply to every situation or tech prep consortium, nor will all the competencies within each unit be appropriate. Several units appear within each specific…

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

Topics covered include: Tool for Bending a Metal Tube Precisely in a Confined Space; Multiple-Use Mechanisms for Attachment to Seat Tracks; Force-Measuring Clamps; Cellular Pressure-Actuated Joint; Block QCA Fault-Tolerant Logic Gates; Hybrid VLSI/QCA Architecture for Computing FFTs; Arrays of Carbon Nanotubes as RF Filters in Waveguides; Carbon Nanotubes as Resonators for RF Spectrum Analyzers; Software for Viewing Landsat Mosaic Images; Updated Integrated Mission Program; Software for Sharing and Management of Information; Update on Integrated Optical Design Analyzer; Optical-Quality Thin Polymer Membranes; Rollable Thin Shell Composite-Material Paraboloidal Mirrors; Folded Resonant Horns for Power Ultrasonic Applications; Touchdown Ball-Bearing System for Magnetic Bearings; Flux-Based Deadbeat Control of Induction-Motor Torque; Block Copolymers as Templates for Arrays of Carbon Nanotubes; Throttling Cryogen Boiloff To Control Cryostat Temperature; Collaborative Software Development Approach Used to Deliver the New Shuttle Telemetry Ground Station; Turbulence in Supercritical O2/H2 and C7H16/N2 Mixing Layers; and Time-Resolved Measurements in Optoelectronic Microbioanal.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

opics include: High-Rate Digital Receiver Board; Signal Design for Improved Ranging Among Multiple Transceivers; Automated Analysis, Classification, and Display of Waveforms; Fast-Acquisition/Weak-Signal-Tracking GPS Receiver for HEO; Format for Interchange and Display of 3D Terrain Data; Program Analyzes Radar Altimeter Data; Indoor Navigation using Direction Sensor and Beacons; Software Assists in Responding to Anomalous Conditions; Software for Autonomous Spacecraft Maneuvers; WinPlot; Software for Automated Testing of Mission-Control Displays; Nanocarpets for Trapping Microscopic Particles; Precious-Metal Salt Coatings for Detecting Hydrazines; Amplifying Electrochemical Indicators; Better End-Cap Processing for Oxidation-Resistant Polyimides; Carbon-Fiber Brush Heat Exchangers; Solar-Powered Airplane with Cameras and WLAN; A Resonator for Low-Threshold Frequency Conversion; Masked Proportional Routing; Algorithm Determines Wind Speed and Direction from Venturi-Sensor Data; Feature-Identification and Data-Compression Software; Alternative Attitude Commanding and Control for Precise Spacecraft Landing; Inspecting Friction Stir Welding using Electromagnetic Probes; and Helicity in Supercritical O2/H2 and C7H16/N2 Mixing Layers.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Topics covered include: Analysis of SSEM Sensor Data Using BEAM; Hairlike Percutaneous Photochemical Sensors; Video Guidance Sensors Using Remotely Activated Targets; Simulating Remote Sensing Systems; EHW Approach to Temperature Compensation of Electronics; Polymorphic Electronic Circuits; Micro-Tubular Fuel Cells; Whispering-Gallery-Mode Tunable Narrow-Band-Pass Filter; PVM Wrapper; Simulation of Hyperspectral Images; Algorithm for Controlling a Centrifugal Compressor; Hybrid Inflatable Pressure Vessel; Double-Acting, Locking Carabiners; Position Sensor Integral with a Linear Actuator; Improved Electromagnetic Brake; Flow Straightener for a Rotating-Drum Liquid Separator; Sensory-Feedback Exoskeletal Arm Controller; Active Suppression of Instabilities in Engine Combustors; Fabrication of Robust, Flat, Thinned, UV-Imaging CCDs; Chemical Thinning Process for Fabricating UV-Imaging CCDs; Pseudoslit Spectrometer; Waste-Heat-Driven Cooling Using Complex Compound Sorbents; Improved Refractometer for Measuring Temperatures of Drops; Semiconductor Lasers Containing Quantum Wells in Junctions; Phytoplankton-Fluorescence-Lifetime Vertical Profiler; Hexagonal Pixels and Indexing Scheme for Binary Images; Finding Minimum-Power Broadcast Trees for Wireless Networks; and Automation of Design Engineering Processes.

Scanning Microscopes Using X Rays and Microchannels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Yu

2003-01-01

Scanning microscopes that would be based on microchannel filters and advanced electronic image sensors and that utilize x-ray illumination have been proposed. Because the finest resolution attainable in a microscope is determined by the wavelength of the illumination, the xray illumination in the proposed microscopes would make it possible, in principle, to achieve resolutions of the order of nanometers about a thousand times as fine as the resolution of a visible-light microscope. Heretofore, it has been necessary to use scanning electron microscopes to obtain such fine resolution. In comparison with scanning electron microscopes, the proposed microscopes would likely be smaller, less massive, and less expensive. Moreover, unlike in scanning electron microscopes, it would not be necessary to place specimens under vacuum. The proposed microscopes are closely related to the ones described in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles; namely, Miniature Microscope Without Lenses (NPO-20218), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 22, No. 8 (August 1998), page 43; and Reflective Variants of Miniature Microscope Without Lenses (NPO-20610), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 9 (September 2002) page 6a. In all of these microscopes, the basic principle of design and operation is the same: The focusing optics of a conventional visible-light microscope are replaced by a combination of a microchannel filter and a charge-coupled-device (CCD) image detector. A microchannel plate containing parallel, microscopic-cross-section holes much longer than they are wide is placed between a specimen and an image sensor, which is typically the CCD. The microchannel plate must be made of a material that absorbs the illuminating radiation reflected or scattered from the specimen. The microchannels must be positioned and dimensioned so that each one is registered with a pixel on the image sensor. Because most of the radiation incident on the microchannel walls becomes absorbed, the radiation that reaches the image sensor consists predominantly of radiation that was launched along the longitudinal direction of the microchannels. Therefore, most of the radiation arriving at each pixel on the sensor must have traveled along a straight line from a corresponding location on the specimen. Thus, there is a one-to-one mapping from a point on a specimen to a pixel in the image sensor, so that the output of the image sensor contains image information equivalent to that from a microscope.

Hardware Implementation of Lossless Adaptive Compression of Data From a Hyperspectral Imager

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keymeulen, Didlier; Aranki, Nazeeh I.; Klimesh, Matthew A.; Bakhshi, Alireza

2012-01-01

Efficient onboard data compression can reduce the data volume from hyperspectral imagers on NASA and DoD spacecraft in order to return as much imagery as possible through constrained downlink channels. Lossless compression is important for signature extraction, object recognition, and feature classification capabilities. To provide onboard data compression, a hardware implementation of a lossless hyperspectral compression algorithm was developed using a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The underlying algorithm is the Fast Lossless (FL) compression algorithm reported in Fast Lossless Compression of Multispectral- Image Data (NPO-42517), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 8 (August 2006), p. 26 with the modification reported in Lossless, Multi-Spectral Data Comressor for Improved Compression for Pushbroom-Type Instruments (NPO-45473), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 7 (July 2008) p. 63, which provides improved compression performance for data from pushbroom-type imagers. An FPGA implementation of the unmodified FL algorithm was previously developed and reported in Fast and Adaptive Lossless Onboard Hyperspectral Data Compression System (NPO-46867), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 36, No. 5 (May 2012) p. 42. The essence of the FL algorithm is adaptive linear predictive compression using the sign algorithm for filter adaption. The FL compressor achieves a combination of low complexity and compression effectiveness that exceeds that of stateof- the-art techniques currently in use. The modification changes the predictor structure to tolerate differences in sensitivity of different detector elements, as occurs in pushbroom-type imagers, which are suitable for spacecraft use. The FPGA implementation offers a low-cost, flexible solution compared to traditional ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) and can be integrated as an intellectual property (IP) for part of, e.g., a design that manages the instrument interface. The FPGA implementation was benchmarked on the Xilinx Virtex IV LX25 device, and ported to a Xilinx prototype board. The current implementation has a critical path of 29.5 ns, which dictated a clock speed of 33 MHz. The critical path delay is end-to-end measurement between the uncompressed input data and the output compression data stream. The implementation compresses one sample every clock cycle, which results in a speed of 33 Msample/s. The implementation has a rather low device use of the Xilinx Virtex IV LX25, making the total power consumption of the implementation about 1.27 W.

Develop applications based on android: Teacher Engagement Control of Health (TECH)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasmoko; Manalu, S. R.; Widhoyoko, S. A.; Indrianti, Y.; Suparto

2018-03-01

Physical and psychological condition of teachers is very important because it helped determine the realization of a positive school climate and productive so that they can run their profession optimally. This research is an advanced research on the design of ITEI application that able to see the profile of teacher’s engagement in Indonesia and to optimize the condition is needed an application that can detect the health of teachers both physically and psychologically. The research method used is the neuroresearch method combined with the development of IT system design for TECH which includes server design, database and android TECH application display. The study yielded 1) mental health benchmarks, 2) physical health benchmarks, and 3) the design of Android Application for Teacher Engagement Control of Health (TECH).

Effects of an 8-Week Outdoor Brisk Walking Program on Fatigue in Hi-Tech Industry Employees: A Randomized Control Trial.

PubMed

Wu, Li-Ling; Wang, Kuo-Ming; Liao, Po-I; Kao, Yu-Hsiu; Huang, Yi-Ching

2015-10-01

Over 73% of hi-tech industry employees in Taiwan lack regular exercise. They are exposed to a highly variable and stressful work environment for extended periods of time, and may subsequently experience depression, detrimental to workers' physiological and mental health. In this cross-sectional survey, the authors explored the effect of an 8-week brisk walking program on the fatigue of employees in the hi-tech industry. The participants, from a hi-tech company in northern Taiwan, were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG; 41 subjects, Mage = 33.34 ± 6.40) or control group (CG; 45 subjects, Mage = 29.40 ± 3.60). Following the 8-week brisk walking program, the EG showed significantly lower scores for subjective fatigue, working motivation, attention, and overall fatigue. The authors confirmed that the 8-week outdoor brisk walking program significantly improved the level of fatigue among employees of the hi-tech industry. The finding serves as an important reference for health authorities in Taiwan and provides awareness of workplace health promotion in the hi-tech industry. © 2015 The Author(s).

Evaluation of Dipsol IZ-C17 LHE Zinc-Nickel Plating (Briefing Charts)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-24

Results • Based on Successful Test Results an LHE Alkaline Zn-Ni Formula was Selected for Further Development – Identified as Dipsol IZ-C17 (13 to...Hydrogen Embrittlement Test Methods • Select Repair Procedures 16. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSURANCE 2006 Status • IZ-C17 Tech Bulletin (Draft) Prepared...Corrosion Testing (Salt Spray and Galvanic) – Fluid Immersion (ASTM F 483) – Lubricity (Fasteners) – Strippability (BCA – Ammonium Nitrate pH 10) – Throwing

Technology transfer from NASA to targeted industries, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccain, Wayne; Schroer, Bernard J.; Souder, William E.; Spann, Mary S.; Watters, Harry; Ziemke, M. Carl

1993-01-01

This report summarizes the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) technology transfer to three target industries with focus on the apparel manufacturing industry in Alabama. Also included in this report are an analysis of the 1992 problem statements submitted by Alabama firms, the results of the survey of 1987-88 NASA Tech Brief requests, the results of the followup to Alabama submitted problem statements, and the development of the model describing the MSFC technology transfer process.

Ester-Based Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smart, Marshall; Bugga, Ratnakumar

2005-01-01

Electrolytes comprising LiPF6 dissolved at a concentration of 1.0 M in five different solvent mixtures of alkyl carbonates have been found to afford improved performance in rechargeable lithium-ion electrochemical cells at temperatures as low as -70 C. These and other electrolytes have been investigated in continuing research directed toward extending the lower limit of practical operating temperatures of Li-ion cells. This research at earlier stages, and the underlying physical and chemical principles, were reported in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles, the most recent being Low-EC-Content Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells (NPO-30226), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 27, No. 1 (January 2003), page 46. The ingredients of the present solvent mixtures are ethylene carbonate (EC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), methyl butyrate (MB), methyl propionate (MP), ethyl propionate (EP), ethyl butyrate (EB), and ethyl valerate (EV). In terms of volume proportions of these ingredients, the present solvent mixtures are 1EC + 1EMC + 8MB, 1EC + 1EMC + 8EB, 1EC + 1EMC + 8MP, 1EC + 1EMC + 8EV, and 1EC + 9EMC. These electrolytes were placed in Liion cells containing carbon anodes and LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 cathodes, and the low-temperature electrical performances of the cells were measured. The cells containing the MB and MP mixtures performed best.

Insect-Inspired Flight Control for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thakoor, Sarita; Stange, G.; Srinivasan, M.; Chahl, Javaan; Hine, Butler; Zornetzer, Steven

2005-01-01

Flight-control and navigation systems inspired by the structure and function of the visual system and brain of insects have been proposed for a class of developmental miniature robotic aircraft called "biomorphic flyers" described earlier in "Development of Biomorphic Flyers" (NPO-30554), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 11 (November 2004), page 54. These form a subset of biomorphic explorers, which, as reported in several articles in past issues of NASA Tech Briefs ["Biomorphic Explorers" (NPO-20142), Vol. 22, No. 9 (September 1998), page 71; "Bio-Inspired Engineering of Exploration Systems" (NPO-21142), Vol. 27, No. 5 (May 2003), page 54; and "Cooperative Lander-Surface/Aerial Microflyer Missions for Mars Exploration" (NPO-30286), Vol. 28, No. 5 (May 2004), page 36], are proposed small robots, equipped with microsensors and communication systems, that would incorporate crucial functions of mobility, adaptability, and even cooperative behavior. These functions are inherent to biological organisms but are challenging frontiers for technical systems. Biomorphic flyers could be used on Earth or remote planets to explore otherwise difficult or impossible to reach sites. An example of an exploratory task of search/surveillance functions currently being tested is to obtain high-resolution aerial imagery, using a variety of miniaturized electronic cameras. The control functions to be implemented by the systems in development include holding altitude, avoiding hazards, following terrain, navigation by reference to recognizable terrain features, stabilization of flight, and smooth landing. Flying insects perform these and other functions remarkably well, even though insect brains contains fewer than 10(exp -4) as many neurons as does the human brain. Although most insects have immobile, fixed-focus eyes and lack stereoscopy (and hence cannot perceive depth directly), they utilize a number of ingenious strategies for perceiving, and navigating in, three dimensions. Despite their lack of stereoscopy, insects infer distances to potential obstacles and other objects from image motion cues that result from their own motions in the environment. The concept of motion of texture in images as a source of motion cues is denoted generally as the concept of optic or optical flow. Computationally, a strategy based on optical flow is simpler than is stereoscopy for avoiding hazards and following terrain. Hence, this strategy offers the potential to design vision-based control computing subsystems that would be more compact, would weigh less, and would demand less power than would subsystems of equivalent capability based on a conventional stereoscopic approach.

Inspection Tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1989-01-01

A "NASA Tech Briefs" article describing an inspection tool and technique known as Optically Stimulated Electron Emission (OSEE) led to the formation of Photo Acoustic Technology, Inc. (PAT). PAT produces sensors and scanning systems which assure surface cleanliness prior to bonding, coating, painting, etc. The company's OP1000 series realtime pre-processing detection capability assures 100 percent surface quality testing. The technique involves brief exposure of the inspection surface to ultraviolet radiation. The energy interacts with the surface layer, causing free electrons to be emitted from the surface to be picked up by the detector. When contamination is present, it interferes with the electron flow in proportion to the thickness of the contaminant layer enabling measurement by system signal output. OP1000 systems operate in conventional atmospheres on all types of material and detect both organic and inorganic contamination.

Simulation of Hazards and Poses for a Rocker-Bogie Rover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Backes, Paul; Norris, Jeffrey; Powell, Mark; Tharp, Gregory

2004-01-01

Provisions for specification of hazards faced by a robotic vehicle (rover) equipped with a rocker-bogie suspension, for prediction of collisions between the vehicle and the hazards, and for simulation of poses of the vehicle at selected positions on the terrain have been incorporated into software that simulates the movements of the vehicle on planned paths across the terrain. The software in question is that of the Web Interface for Telescience (WITS), selected aspects of which have been described in a number of prior NASA Tech Briefs articles. To recapitulate: The WITS is a system of computer software that enables scientists, located at geographically dispersed computer terminals connected to the World Wide Web, to command instrumented robotic vehicles (rovers) during exploration of Mars and perhaps eventually of other planets. The WITS also has potential for adaptation to terrestrial use in telerobotics and other applications that involve computer-based remote monitoring, supervision, control, and planning.

Riblet Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1985-01-01

Research at Langley on skin friction drag was described in Tech Briefs. 3M engineers suggested to Langley that grooves molded into a lightweight plastic film with adhesive backing and pressed on an airplane would be simpler than cutting grooves directly onto the surface. Boeing became involved and tested the "riblet" on an olympic rowing shell; the US won a silver medal. Based on the riblet-like projections on shark's skins, the technology may provide a 5 percent fuel saving for airplanes. Product is no longer commercially available.

The Development of Shared Mental Models during Air Battlespace Collective Training using Dispersed Networked Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

participants. A day in the life of the MTDS CCD facility followed the cycle of PBED. The day began with mass briefings setting the context and overall...debriefings, beginning with a formation level debriefing. The final activity was a mass debriefing in which all participants ran through a...lessons learned and little of tech issues” - EXERCISE NORTHERN GOSHAWK Tornado GR4 • “ Mass debrief was very information with many tactical lessons being

Federal Technology Catalog 1982: Summaries of practical technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

The catalog presents summaries of practical technology selected for commercial potential and/or promising applications to the fields of computer technology, electrotechnology, energy, engineering, life sciences, machinery and tools, manufacturing, materials, physical sciences, and testing and instrumentation. Each summary not only describes a technology, but gives a source for further information. This publication describes some 1,100 new processes, inventions, equipment, software, and techniques developed by and for dozens of Federal agencies during 1982. Included is coverage of NASA Tech Briefs, DOE Energygrams, and Army Manufacturing Notes.

The ORNL Chemical Technology Division, 1950-1994

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jolley, R.L.; Genung, R.K.; McNeese, L.E.

1994-10-01

This document attempts to reconstruct the role played by the Chemical Technology Division (Chem Tech) of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in the atomic era since the 1940`s related to the development and production of nuclear weapons and power reactors. Chem Tech`s early contributions were landmark pioneering studies. Unknown and dimly perceived problems like chemical hazards, radioactivity, and criticality had to be dealt with. New chemical concepts and processes had to be developed to test the new theories being developed by physicists. New engineering concepts had to be developed and demonstrated in order to build facilities and equipment thatmore » had never before been attempted. Chem Tech`s role was chemical separations, especially uranium and plutonium, and nuclear fuel reprocessing. With diversification of national and ORNL missions, Chem Tech undertook R&D studies in many areas including biotechnology; clinical and environmental chemistry; nuclear reactors; safety regulations; effective and safe waste management and disposal; computer modeling and informational databases; isotope production; and environmental control. The changing mission of Chem Tech are encapsulated in the evolving activities.« less

Supercapacitor Electrolyte Solvents with Liquid Range Below -80 C

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brandon, Erik; Smart, Marshall; West, William

2010-01-01

A previous NASA Tech Brief ["Low-Temperature Supercapacitors" (NPO-44386) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No 7 (July 2008), page 32] detailed ongoing efforts to develop non-aqueous supercapacitor electrolytes capable of supporting operation at temperatures below commercially available cells (which are typically limited to charging and discharging at > or equal to -40 C). These electrolyte systems may enable energy storage and power delivery for systems operating in extreme environments, such as those encountered in the Polar regions on Earth or in the exploration of space. Supercapacitors using these electrolytes may also offer improved power delivery performance at moderately low temperatures (e.g. -40 to 0 C) relative to currently available cells, offering improved cold-cranking and cold-weather acceleration capabilities for electrical or hybrid vehicles. Supercapacitors store charge at the electrochemical double-layer, formed at the interface between a high surface area electrode material and a liquid electrolyte. The current approach to extending the low-temperature limit of the electrolyte focuses on using binary solvent systems comprising a high-dielectric-constant component (such as acetonitrile) in conjunction with a low-melting-point co-solvent (such as organic formates, esters, and ethers) to depress the freezing point of the system, while maintaining sufficient solubility of the salt. Recent efforts in this area have led to the identification of an electrolyte solvent formulation with a freezing point of -85.7 C, which is achieved by using a 1:1 by volume ratio of acetonitrile to 1,3-dioxolane

Mixed-Salt/Ester Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li+ Cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smart, Marshall; Bugga, Ratnakumar

2006-01-01

Electrolytes comprising, variously, LiPF6 or LiPF6 plus LiBF4 dissolved at various concentrations in mixtures of alkyl carbonates and alkyl esters have been found to afford improved low-temperature performance in rechargeable lithium-ion electrochemical cells. These and other electrolytes have been investigated in a continuing effort to extend the lower limit of operating temperatures of such cells. This research at earlier stages, and the underlying physical and chemical principles, were reported in numerous previous NASA Tech Briefs articles, the most recent being Ester-Based Electrolytes for Low-Temperature Li-Ion Cells (NPO-41097), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 12 (December 2005), page 59. The ingredients of the solvent mixtures include ethylene carbonate (EC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), methyl butyrate (MB), and methyl propionate (MP). The electrolytes were placed in Li-ion cells containing carbon anodes and LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 cathodes, and the electrical performances of the cells were measured over a range of temperatures down to 60 C. The electrolytes that yielded the best low-temperature performances were found to consist, variously, of 1.0 M LiPF6 + 0.4 M LiBF4 or 1.4 LiPF6 in 1EC + 1EMC + 8MP or 1EC + 1EMC + 8MB, where the concentrations of the salts are given in molar units and the proportions of the solvents are by relative volume.

Test Waveform Applications for JPL STRS Operating Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lux, James P.; Peters, Kenneth J.; Taylor, Gregory H.; Lang, Minh; Stern, Ryan A.; Duncan, Courtney B.

2013-01-01

This software demonstrates use of the JPL Space Telecommunications Radio System (STRS) Operating Environment (OE), tests APIs (application programming interfaces) presented by JPL STRS OE, and allows for basic testing of the underlying hardware platform. This software uses the JPL STRS Operating Environment ["JPL Space Tele com - munications Rad io System Operating Environment,"(NPO-4776) NASA Tech Briefs, commercial edition, Vol. 37, No. 1 (January 2013), p. 47] to interact with the JPL-SDR Software Defined Radio developed for the CoNNeCT (COmmunications, Navigation, and Networking rEconfigurable Testbed) Project as part of the SCaN Testbed installed on the International Space Station (ISS). These are the first applications that are compliant with the new NASA STRS Architecture Standard. Several example waveform applications are provided to demonstrate use of the JPL STRS OE for the JPL-SDR platform used for the CoNNeCT Project. The waveforms provide a simple digitizer and playback capability for the SBand RF slice, and a simple digitizer for the GPS slice [CoNNeCT Global Positioning System RF Module, (NPO-47764) NASA Tech Briefs, commercial edition, Vol. 36, No. 3 (March 2012), p. 36]. These waveforms may be used for hardware test, as well as for on-orbit or laboratory checkout. Additional example waveforms implement SpaceWire and timer modules, which can be used for time transfer and demonstration of communication between the two Xilinx FPGAs in the JPLSDR. The waveforms are also compatible with ground-based use of the JPL STRS OE on radio breadboards and Linux.

Progress in Insect-Inspired Optical Navigation Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thakoor, Sarita; Chahl, Javaan; Zometzer, Steve

2005-01-01

Progress has been made in continuing efforts to develop optical flight-control and navigation sensors for miniature robotic aircraft. The designs of these sensors are inspired by the designs and functions of the vision systems and brains of insects. Two types of sensors of particular interest are polarization compasses and ocellar horizon sensors. The basic principle of polarization compasses was described (but without using the term "polarization compass") in "Insect-Inspired Flight Control for Small Flying Robots" (NPO-30545), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 1 (January 2005), page 61. To recapitulate: Bees use sky polarization patterns in ultraviolet (UV) light, caused by Rayleigh scattering of sunlight by atmospheric gas molecules, as direction references relative to the apparent position of the Sun. A robotic direction-finding technique based on this concept would be more robust in comparison with a technique based on the direction to the visible Sun because the UV polarization pattern is distributed across the entire sky and, hence, is redundant and can be extrapolated from a small region of clear sky in an elsewhere cloudy sky that hides the Sun.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2006

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

The topics covered include: 1) Replaceable Sensor System for Bioreactor Monitoring; 2) Unitary Shaft-Angle and Shaft-Speed Sensor Assemblies; 3) Arrays of Nano Tunnel Junctions as Infrared Image Sensors; 4) Catalytic-Metal/PdO(sub x)/SiC Schottky-Diode Gas Sensors; 5) Compact, Precise Inertial Rotation Sensors for Spacecraft; 6) Universal Controller for Spacecraft Mechanisms; 7) The Flostation - an Immersive Cyberspace System; 8) Algorithm for Aligning an Array of Receiving Radio Antennas; 9) Single-Chip T/R Module for 1.2 GHz; 10) Quantum Entanglement Molecular Absorption Spectrum Simulator; 11) FuzzObserver; 12) Internet Distribution of Spacecraft Telemetry Data; 13) Semi-Automated Identification of Rocks in Images; 14) Pattern-Recognition Algorithm for Locking Laser Frequency; 15) Designing Cure Cycles for Matrix/Fiber Composite Parts; 16) Controlling Herds of Cooperative Robots; 17) Modification of a Limbed Robot to Favor Climbing; 18) Vacuum-Assisted, Constant-Force Exercise Device; 19) Production of Tuber-Inducing Factor; 20) Quantum-Dot Laser for Wavelengths of 1.8 to 2.3 micron; 21) Tunable Filter Made From Three Coupled WGM Resonators; and 22) Dynamic Pupil Masking for Phasing Telescope Mirror Segments.

NASA Tech Briefs, May 2005

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Topics covered include: Fastener Starter; Multifunctional Deployment Hinges Rigidified by Ultraviolet; Temperature-Controlled Clamping and Releasing Mechanism; Long-Range Emergency Preemption of Traffic Lights; High-Efficiency Microwave Power Amplifier; Improvements of ModalMax High-Fidelity Piezoelectric Audio Device; Alumina or Semiconductor Ribbon Waveguides at 30 to 1,000 GHz; HEMT Frequency Doubler with Output at 300 GHz; Single-Chip FPGA Azimuth Pre-Filter for SAR; Autonomous Navigation by a Mobile Robot; Software Would Largely Automate Design of Kalman Filter; Predicting Flows of Rarefied Gases; Centralized Planning for Multiple Exploratory Robots; Electronic Router; Piezo-Operated Shutter Mechanism Moves 1.5 cm; Two SMA-Actuated Miniature Mechanisms; Vortobots; Ultrasonic/Sonic Jackhammer; Removing Pathogens Using Nano-Ceramic-Fiber Filters; Satellite-Derived Management Zones; Digital Equivalent Data System for XRF Labeling of Objects; Identifying Objects via Encased X-Ray-Fluorescent Materials - the Bar Code Inside; Vacuum Attachment for XRF Scanner; Simultaneous Conoscopic Holography and Raman Spectroscopy; Adding GaAs Monolayers to InAs Quantum-Dot Lasers on (001) InP; Vibrating Optical Fibers to Make Laser Speckle Disappear; Adaptive Filtering Using Recurrent Neural Networks; and Applying Standard Interfaces to a Process-Control Language.

Ultrasonic/Sonic Mechanisms for Drilling and Coring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Sherrit, Stewart; Dolgin, Benjamin; Askin, Steve; Peterson, Thomas M.; Bell, Bill; Kroh, Jason; Pal, Dharmendra; Krahe, Ron; Du, Shu

2003-01-01

Two apparatuses now under development are intended to perform a variety of deep-drilling, coring, and sensing functions for subsurface exploration of rock and soil. These are modified versions of the apparatuses described in Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corers With Integrated Sensors (NPO-20856), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 1 (January 2001), page 38. In comparison with the drilling equipment traditionally used in such exploration, these apparatuses weigh less and consume less power. Moreover, unlike traditional drills and corers, these apparatuses function without need for large externally applied axial forces.

SpaceX CRS-14 What's On Board Science Briefing

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-04-01

Dan Close, chief scientific officer at 490 BioTech, discusses the company's Metabolic Tracking investigation to evaluate the use of a new method to test, in microgravity, the metabolic impacts of pharmaceutical drugs. This is one of the scientific materials that will be aboard a Dragon spacecraft scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:30 p.m. EST, on April 2, 2018. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the company's 14th Commercial Resupply Services mission to the space station.

Quarterly literature review of the remote sensing of natural resources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fears, C. B. (Editor); Inglis, M. H. (Editor)

1977-01-01

The Technology Application Center reviewed abstracted literature sources, and selected document data and data gathering techniques which were performed or obtained remotely from space, aircraft or groundbased stations. All of the documentation was related to remote sensing sensors or the remote sensing of the natural resources. Sensors were primarily those operating within the 10 to the minus 8 power to 1 meter wavelength band. Included are NASA Tech Briefs, ARAC Industrial Applications Reports, U.S. Navy Technical Reports, U.S. Patent reports, and other technical articles and reports.

Mission and spacecraft support functions of the Materials Engineering Branch: A space oriented technology resource

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, A.; Staugaitis, C. L.

1974-01-01

The capabilities of the Materials Engineering Branch (MEB) of the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, are surveyed. The specific functions of spacecraft materials review, materials processing and information dissemination, and laboratory support, are outlined in the Activity Report. Further detail is provided by case histories of laboratory satellite support and equipment. Project support statistics are shown, and complete listings of MEB publications, patents, and tech briefs are included. MEB staff, and their respective discipline areas and spacecraft liaison associations, are listed.

Emergency Lighting System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

When power outages occurred at Landmark Plastic Corporation, it took seven to twelve minutes for the primary mercury lamps to cool down enough to relight and two to seven minutes for the ELS incandescent lamps to relight. Production could not resume for as much as seven minutes. An article in NASA Tech Briefs describing the capabilities of photosensing devices led Landmark employee, Steve Keller to design a system now activated by any voltage loss in the main lamp circuit and coupled with photosensing devices used to keep them on until the primary mercury lamps reach full brightness.

Bringing space technology down to earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gray, E. Z.

1974-01-01

The direct transfer of space technology to terrestial applications is demonstrated by the use of fuel cells to augment existing electric power-generation facilities. The role of NASA's Technology Utilization Program is discussed in regard to indirect transfer of technology. The Tech Brief program for identifying and reporting innovations, the regional dissemination centers, and the Applications Teams working with other government agencies and the medical community are described. Projects discussed include the development of a lightweight breathing apparatus for firemen, a practical method for separating nonferrous metals from automobile scrap, and a rechargeable heart pacemaker.

Substituted Quaternary Ammonium Salts Improve Low-Temperature Performance of Double-Layer Capacitors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brandon, Erik J.; Smart, Marshall C.; West, William C.

2011-01-01

Double-layer capacitors are unique energy storage devices, capable of supporting large current pulses as well as a very high number of charging and discharging cycles. The performance of doublelayer capacitors is highly dependent on the nature of the electrolyte system used. Many applications, including for electric and fuel cell vehicles, back-up diesel generators, wind generator pitch control back-up power systems, environmental and structural distributed sensors, and spacecraft avionics, can potentially benefit from the use of double-layer capacitors with lower equivalent series resistances (ESRs) over wider temperature limits. Higher ESRs result in decreased power output, which is a particular problem at lower temperatures. Commercially available cells are typically rated for operation down to only 40 C. Previous briefs [for example, Low Temperature Supercapacitors (NPO-44386), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 7 (July 2008), p. 32, and Supercapacitor Electrolyte Solvents With Liquid Range Below 80 C (NPO-44855), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 34, No. 1 (January 2010), p. 44] discussed the use of electrolytes that employed low-melting-point co-solvents to depress the freezing point of traditional acetonitrile-based electrolytes. Using these modified electrolyte formulations can extend the low-temperature operational limit of double-layer capacitors beyond that of commercially available cells. This previous work has shown that although the measured capacitance is relatively insensitive to temperature, the ESR can rise rapidly at low temperatures, due to decreased electrolyte conductance within the pores of the high surface- area carbon electrodes. Most of these advanced electrolyte systems featured tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEATFB) as the salt. More recent work at JPL indicates the use of the asymmetric quaternary ammonium salt triethylmethylammonium tetrafluoroborate (TEMATFB) or spiro-(l,l')-bipyrrolidium tetrafluoroborate (SBPBF4) in a 1:1 by volume solvent mixture of acetonitrile (AN) and methyl formate (MF) enables double-layer capacitor cells to operate well below -40 C with a relatively low ESR. Typically, a less than twofold increase in ESR is observed at -65 C relative to room-temperature values, when these modified electrolyte blends are used in prototype cells. Double-layer capacitor coin cells filled with these electrolytes have displayed the lowest measured ESR for an organic electrolyte to date at low temperature (based on a wide range of electrolyte screening studies at JPL). The cells featured high-surface-area (approximately equal to 2,500 m/g) carbon electrodes that were 0.50 mm thick and 1.6 cm in diameter, and coated with a thin layer of platinum to reduce cell resistance. A polyethylene separator was used to electrically isolate the electrodes.

Insect-Inspired Optical-Flow Navigation Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thakoor, Sarita; Morookian, John M.; Chahl, Javan; Soccol, Dean; Hines, Butler; Zornetzer, Steven

2005-01-01

Integrated circuits that exploit optical flow to sense motions of computer mice on or near surfaces ( optical mouse chips ) are used as navigation sensors in a class of small flying robots now undergoing development for potential use in such applications as exploration, search, and surveillance. The basic principles of these robots were described briefly in Insect-Inspired Flight Control for Small Flying Robots (NPO-30545), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 1 (January 2005), page 61. To recapitulate from the cited prior article: The concept of optical flow can be defined, loosely, as the use of texture in images as a source of motion cues. The flight-control and navigation systems of these robots are inspired largely by the designs and functions of the vision systems and brains of insects, which have been demonstrated to utilize optical flow (as detected by their eyes and brains) resulting from their own motions in the environment. Optical flow has been shown to be very effective as a means of avoiding obstacles and controlling speeds and altitudes in robotic navigation. Prior systems used in experiments on navigating by means of optical flow have involved the use of panoramic optics, high-resolution image sensors, and programmable imagedata- processing computers.

Further Improvement in 3DGRAPE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alter, Stephen

2004-01-01

3DGRAPE/AL:V2 denotes version 2 of the Three-Dimensional Grids About Anything by Poisson's Equation with Upgrades from Ames and Langley computer program. The preceding version, 3DGRAPE/AL, was described in Improved 3DGRAPE (ARC-14069) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 21, No. 5 (May 1997), page 66. These programs are so named because they generate volume grids by iteratively solving Poisson's Equation in three dimensions. The grids generated by the various versions of 3DGRAPE have been used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The main novel feature of 3DGRAPE/AL:V2 is the incorporation of an optional scheme in which anisotropic Lagrange-based trans-finite interpolation (ALBTFI) is coupled with exponential decay functions to compute and blend interior source terms. In the input to 3DGRAPE/AL:V2 the user can specify whether or not to invoke ALBTFI in combination with exponential-decay controls, angles, and cell size for controlling the character of grid lines. Of the known programs that solve elliptic partial differential equations for generating grids, 3DGRAPE/AL:V2 is the only code that offers a combination of speed and versatility with most options for controlling the densities and other characteristics of grids for CFD.

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Topics include: Relative-Motion Sensors and Actuators for Two Optical Tables; Improved Position Sensor for Feedback Control of Levitation; Compact Tactile Sensors for Robot Fingers; Improved Ion-Channel Biosensors; Suspended-Patch Antenna With Inverted, EM-Coupled Feed; System Would Predictively Preempt Traffic Lights for Emergency Vehicles; Optical Position Encoders for High or Low Temperatures; Inter-Valence-Subband/Conduction-Band-Transport IR Detectors; Additional Drive Circuitry for Piezoelectric Screw Motors; Software for Use with Optoelectronic Measuring Tool; Coordinating Shared Activities; Software Reduces Radio-Interference Effects in Radar Data; Using Iron to Treat Chlorohydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil; Thermally Insulating, Kinematic Tensioned-Fiber Suspension; Back Actuators for Segmented Mirrors and Other Applications; Mechanism for Self-Reacted Friction Stir Welding; Lightweight Exoskeletons with Controllable Actuators; Miniature Robotic Submarine for Exploring Harsh Environments; Electron-Spin Filters Based on the Rashba Effect; Diffusion-Cooled Tantalum Hot-Electron Bolometer Mixers; Tunable Optical True-Time Delay Devices Would Exploit EIT; Fast Query-Optimized Kernel-Machine Classification; Indentured Parts List Maintenance and Part Assembly Capture Tool - IMPACT; An Architecture for Controlling Multiple Robots; Progress in Fabrication of Rocket Combustion Chambers by VPS; CHEM-Based Self-Deploying Spacecraft Radar Antennas; Scalable Multiprocessor for High-Speed Computing in Space; and Simple Systems for Detecting Spacecraft Meteoroid Punctures.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2009

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2009-01-01

Tech Briefs are short announcements of innovations originating from research and development activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. They emphasize information considered likely to be transferable across industrial, regional, or disciplinary lines and are issued to encourage commercial application. Topics covered include: The Radio Frequency Health Node Wireless Sensor System; Effects of Temperature on Polymer/Carbon Chemical Sensors; Small CO2 Sensors Operate at Lower Temperature; Tele-Supervised Adaptive Ocean Sensor Fleet; Synthesis of Submillimeter Radiation for Spectroscopy; 100-GHz Phase Switch/Mixer Containing a Slot-Line Transition; Generating Ka-Band Signals Using an X-Band Vector Modulator; SiC Optically Modulated Field-Effect Transistor; Submillimeter-Wave Amplifier Module with Integrated Waveguide Transitions; Metrology System for a Large, Somewhat Flexible Telescope; Economical Implementation of a Filter Engine in an FPGA; Improved Joining of Metal Components to Composite Structures; Machined Titanium Heat-Pipe Wick Structure; Gadolinia-Doped Ceria Cathodes for Electrolysis of CO2; Utilizing Ocean Thermal Energy in a Submarine Robot; Fuel-Cell Power Systems Incorporating Mg-Based H2 Generators; Alternative OTEC Scheme for a Submarine Robot; Sensitive, Rapid Detection of Bacterial Spores; Adenosine Monophosphate-Based Detection of Bacterial Spores; Silicon Microleaks for Inlets of Mass Spectrometers; CGH Figure Testing of Aspherical Mirrors in Cold Vacuums; Series-Coupled Pairs of Silica Microresonators; Precise Stabilization of the Optical Frequency of WGMRs; Formation Flying of Components of a Large Space Telescope; Laser Metrology Heterodyne Phase-Locked Loop; Spatial Modulation Improves Performance in CTIS; High-Performance Algorithm for Solving the Diagnosis Problem; Truncation Depth Rule-of-Thumb for Convolutional Codes; Efficient Method for Optimizing Placement of Sensors.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2010

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2010-01-01

Topics covered include: Active and Passive Hybrid Sensor; Quick-Response Thermal Actuator for Use as a Heat Switch; System for Hydrogen Sensing; Method for Detecting Perlite Compaction in Large Cryogenic Tanks; Using Thin-Film Thermometers as Heaters in Thermal Control Applications; Directional Spherical Cherenkov Detector; AlGaN Ultraviolet Detectors for Dual-Band UV Detection; K-Band Traveling-Wave Tube Amplifier; Simplified Load-Following Control for a Fuel Cell System; Modified Phase-meter for a Heterodyne Laser Interferometer; Loosely Coupled GPS-Aided Inertial Navigation System for Range Safety; Sideband-Separating, Millimeter-Wave Heterodyne Receiver; Coaxial Propellant Injectors With Faceplate Annulus Control; Adaptable Diffraction Gratings With Wavefront Transformation; Optimizing a Laser Process for Making Carbon Nanotubes; Thermogravimetric Analysis of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes; Robotic Arm Comprising Two Bending Segments; Magnetostrictive Brake; Low-Friction, Low-Profile, High-Moment Two-Axis Joint; Foil Gas Thrust Bearings for High-Speed Turbomachinery; Miniature Multi-Axis Mechanism for Hand Controllers; Digitally Enhanced Heterodyne Interferometry; Focusing Light Beams To Improve Atomic-Vapor Optical Buffers; Landmark Detection in Orbital Images Using Salience Histograms; Efficient Bit-to-Symbol Likelihood Mappings; Capacity Maximizing Constellations; Natural-Language Parser for PBEM; Policy Process Editor for P(sup 3)BM Software; A Quality System Database; Trajectory Optimization: OTIS 4; and Computer Software Configuration Item-Specific Flight Software Image Transfer Script Generator.

Ada Software Design Methods Formulation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-10-01

aside for one-to-one, non -judgemental discussions between SofTech and the design teams. SofTech’s role in the meetings was to address any Ada-specific...assurance 1.0 prepare version audits 1.0 monitoring contracts 1.0 library control 1.0 other development 1.0 correspondence 1.0 conduct support design ...quality assurance 2.0 Control Board update training manuals 2.0 participation 2.5 being trained 2.0 formulation of policy 2.5 functional system design

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2010

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2010-01-01

Topics covered include: Insulation-Testing Cryostat With Lifting Mechanism; Optical Testing of Retroreflectors for Cryogenic Applications; Measuring Cyclic Error in Laser Heterodyne Interferometers; Self-Referencing Hartmann Test for Large-Aperture Telescopes; Measuring a Fiber-Optic Delay Line Using a Mode-Locked Laser; Reconfigurable Hardware for Compressing Hyperspectral Image Data; Spatio-Temporal Equalizer for a Receiving-Antenna Feed Array; High-Speed Ring Bus; Nanoionics-Based Switches for Radio-Frequency Applications; Lunar Dust-Tolerant Electrical Connector; Compact, Reliable EEPROM Controller; Quad-Chip Double-Balanced Frequency Tripler; Ka-Band Waveguide Two-Way Hybrid Combiner for MMIC Amplifiers; Radiation-Hardened Solid-State Drive; Use of Nanofibers to Strengthen Hydrogels of Silica, Other Oxides, and Aerogels; Two Concepts for Deployable Trusses; Concentric Nested Toroidal Inflatable Structures; Investigating Dynamics of Eccentricity in Turbomachines; Improved Low-Temperature Performance of Li-Ion Cells Using New Electrolytes; Integrity Monitoring of Mercury Discharge Lamps; White-Light Phase-Conjugate Mirrors as Distortion Correctors; Biasable, Balanced, Fundamental Submillimeter Monolithic Membrane Mixer; ICER-3D Hyperspectral Image Compression Software; and Context Modeler for Wavelet Compression of Spectral Hyperspectral Images.

Patient Autonomy in a High-Tech Care Context - A Theoretical Framework.

PubMed

Lindberg, Catharina; Fagerström, Cecilia; Willman, Ania

2018-06-12

To synthesise and interpret previous findings with the aim of developing a theoretical framework for patient autonomy in a high-tech care context. Putting the somewhat abstract concept of patient autonomy into practice can prove difficult since when it is highlighted in healthcare literature the patient perspective is often invisible. Autonomy presumes that a person has experience, education, self-discipline and decision-making capacity. Reference to autonomy in relation to patients in high-tech care environments could therefore be considered paradoxical, as in most cases these persons are vulnerable, with impaired physical and/or metacognitive capacity, thus making extended knowledge of patient autonomy for these persons even more important. Theory development. The basic approaches in theory development by Walker and Avant were used to create a theoretical framework through an amalgamation of the results from three qualitative studies conducted previously by the same research group. A theoretical framework - the control-partnership-transition framework - was delineated disclosing different parts co-creating the prerequisites for patient autonomy in high-tech care environments. Assumptions and propositional statements that guide theory development were also outlined, as were guiding principles for use in day-to-day nursing care. Four strategies used by patients were revealed: the strategy of control, the strategy of partnership, the strategy of trust, and the strategy of transition. An extended knowledge base, founded on theoretical reasoning about patient autonomy, could facilitate nursing care that would allow people to remain/become autonomous in the role of patient in high-tech care environments. The control-partnership-transition framework would be of help in supporting and defending patient autonomy when caring for individual patients, as it provides an understanding of the strategies employed by patients to achieve autonomy in high-tech care contexts. The guiding principles for patient autonomy presented could be used in nursing guidelines. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effects of an Abbreviated Obesity Intervention Supported by Mobile Technology: The ENGAGED Randomized Clinical Trial

PubMed Central

Spring, Bonnie; Pellegrini, Christine A.; Pfammatter, Angela; Duncan, Jennifer M.; Pictor, Alex; McFadden, H. Gene; Siddique, Juned; Hedeker, Donald

2017-01-01

Objectives To determine the effects on weight loss of three abbreviated behavioral weight loss interventions with and without coaching and mobile technology. Methods Randomized controlled efficacy study of three six-month weight loss treatments delivered to 96 adults with obesity: 1) self-guided [SELF], 2) standard [STND], or 3) technology-supported [TECH]. STND and TECH received 8 in-person group treatment sessions. SELF and STND used paper diaries to self-monitor diet, activity, and weight; TECH used a smartphone application with social networking features and wireless accelerometer. Results Weight loss was greater for TECH and STND than SELF at 6 months [−5.7kg (95% CI: −7.2, −4.1) vs. −2.7kg (95% CI: −5.1, −0.3), p<.05]), but not 12 months. TECH and STND did not differ except that more STND (59%) than TECH (34%) achieved ≥5% weight loss at 6 months (P < 0.05). Self-monitoring adherence was greater in TECH than STND (P <0.001), greater in both interventions than SELF (P <0.001), and covaried with weight loss (r(84) = 0.36 − 0.51, P<.001). Conclusions Abbreviated behavioral counseling can produce clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of whether self-monitoring is performed on paper or smartphone, but long-term superiority over standard of care self-guided treatment is challenging to maintain. PMID:28494136

High-tech tools for exercise motivation: use and role of technologies such as the internet, mobile applications, social media, and video games.

PubMed

Tate, Deborah F; Lyons, Elizabeth J; Valle, Carmina G

2015-01-01

IN BRIEF The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes are not active at recommended levels, and many do not have access to behavior change programs to support lifestyle change. Thus, tools and programs designed to promote the adoption and maintenance of physical activity using technology may be helpful. This article reviews the evidence regarding the use of technology tools such as the Internet, mobile applications, social media, and video games and provides suggestions for evaluating the potential benefit of such tools for behavior change.

Improved Ball-and-Socket Docking Mechanism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cloyd, Richard; Bryan, Tom

2004-01-01

A proposed docking mechanism would form a ball-and-socket joint in the docked condition. The mechanism could tolerate significant initial misalignment because it would include an alignment cone that would guide the ball into the socket. Like other ball-and-socket joints, the joint would have three rotational degrees of freedom. This docking mechanism would be a successor to the one described in Passive Capture Joint With Three Degrees of Freedom (MFS-31146), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 22, No. 7 (July 1998), page 65. It would contain most of the components of the prior mechanism, plus some additional components that would expand its capabilities.

High-Tech Tools for Exercise Motivation: Use and Role of Technologies Such as the Internet, Mobile Applications, Social Media, and Video Games

PubMed Central

Lyons, Elizabeth J.; Valle, Carmina G.

2015-01-01

IN BRIEF The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes are not active at recommended levels, and many do not have access to behavior change programs to support lifestyle change. Thus, tools and programs designed to promote the adoption and maintenance of physical activity using technology may be helpful. This article reviews the evidence regarding the use of technology tools such as the Internet, mobile applications, social media, and video games and provides suggestions for evaluating the potential benefit of such tools for behavior change. PMID:25717278

Composite Silica Aerogels Opacified with Titania

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paik, Jon-Ah; Sakamoto, Jeffrey; Jones, Steven; Fleurial, Jean-Pierre; DiStefano, Salvador; Nesmith, Bill

2009-01-01

A further improvement has been made to reduce the high-temperature thermal conductivities of the aerogel-matrix composite materials described in Improved Silica Aerogel Composite Materials (NPO-44287), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 9 (September 2008), page 50. Because the contribution of infrared radiation to heat transfer increases sharply with temperature, the effective high-temperature thermal conductivity of a thermal-insulation material can be reduced by opacifying the material to reduce the radiative contribution. Therefore, the essence of the present improvement is to add an opacifying constituent material (specifically, TiO2 powder) to the aerogel-matrix composites.

Dog-Bone Horns for Piezoelectric Ultrasonic/Sonic Actuators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherrit, Stewart; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Chang, Zensheu; Bao, Xiaoqi

2007-01-01

A shape reminiscent of a dog bone has been found to be superior to other shapes for mechanical-amplification horns that are components of piezoelectrically driven actuators used in a series of related devices denoted generally as ultrasonic/sonic drill/corers (USDCs). The first of these devices was reported in Ultrasonic/Sonic Drill/Corers With Integrated Sensors (NPO-20856), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 25, No. 1 (January 2001), page 38. The dog-bone shape was conceived especially for use in a more recent device in the series, denoted an ultrasonic/ sonic gopher, that was described in Ultrasonic/Sonic Mechanisms for Drilling and Coring (NPO-30291), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 27, No. 9 (September 2003), page 65. The figure shows an example of a dog-bone-shaped horn and other components of an ultrasonic gopher. Prerequisite to a meaningful description of this development is an unavoidably lengthy recapitulation of the principle of operation of a USDC and, more specifically, of the ultrasonic/sonic gopher as described previously in NASA Tech Briefs. The ultrasonic actuator includes a stack of piezoelectric rings, the horn, a metal backing, and a bolt that connects the aforementioned parts and provides compressive pre-strain to the piezoelectric stack to prevent breakage of the rings during extension. The stack of piezoelectric rings is excited at the resonance frequency of the overall ultrasonic actuator. Through mechanical amplification by the horn, the displacement in the ultrasonic vibration reaches tens of microns at the tip of the horn. The horn hammers an object that is denoted the free mass because it is free to move longitudinally over a limited distance between hard stops: The free mass bounces back and forth between the ultrasonic horn and a tool bit (a drill bit or a corer). Because the longitudinal speed of the free mass is smaller than the longitudinal speed of vibration of the tip of the horn, contact between the free mass and the horn tip usually occurs at a phase of the vibration favorable to transfer of momentum from the horn to the free mass. Therefore, the free mass picks up momentum and is accelerated back to the tool bit. Upon impact of the free mass on the tool bit, momentum is transferred to the tool bit. The impacts of the free mass on the tool bit repeat at a sonic frequency that can range from tens of hertz to about 1 kHz. The shock waves caused by the impacts of the free mass propagate to the interface between the tool bit and the medium (typically, rock, ice, or other brittle material) to be drilled or cored. The medium becomes fractured when its ultimate strain is exceeded at the medium/tool-bit interface. This concludes the description of the principle of operation.

Eclipse SteerTech liquid lenslet beam steering technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westfall, Raymond T.; Rogers, Stanley; Shannon, Kenneth C., III

2007-09-01

Eclipse SteerTech TM transmissive fluid state electrowetting technology has successfully demonstrated the ability to control the shape and position of a fluid lenslet. In its final form, the technology will incorporate a dual fluid lenslet approach capable of operating in extremely high acceleration environments. The beam steering system works on the principle of electro-wetting. A substrate is covered with a closely spaced array of, independently addressable, transparent, electrically conductive pixels utilizing Eclipse's proprietary EclipseTEC TM technology. By activating and deactivating selected EclipseTEC TM pixels in the proper sequence, the shape and position of fluid lenslets or arrays of lenslets can be dynamically changed at will. The position and shape of individual fluid lenslets may be accurately controlled on any flat, simply curved, or complex curved, transparent or reflective surface. The smaller the pixels the better control of the position and shape of the fluid lenslets. Information on the successful testing of the Eclipse SteerTech TM lenslet and discussion of its use in a de-centered lenslet array will be presented.

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2006

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

Topics discussed include: Nearly Direct Measurement of Relative Permittivity; DCS-Neural-Network Program for Aircraft Control and Testing; Dielectric Heaters for Testing Spacecraft Nuclear Reactors; Using Doppler Shifts of GPS Signals To Measure Angular Speed; Monitoring Temperatures of Tires Using Luminescent Materials; Highly Efficient Multilayer Thermoelectric Devices; Very High-Speed Digital Video Capability for In-Flight Use; MMIC DHBT Common-Base Amplifier for 172 GHz; Modular, Microprocessor-Controlled Flash Lighting System; Generic Environment for Simulating Launch Operations; Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation; X-Windows Socket Widget Class; Infrastructure for Rapid Development of Java GUI Programs; Processing Raman Spectra of High-Pressure Hydrogen Flames; X-Windows Information Sharing Protocol Widget Class; Simulating Humans as Integral Parts of Spacecraft Missions; Analyzing Power Supply and Demand on the ISS; Polyimides From a-BPDA and Aromatic Diamines; Making Plant-Support Structures From Waste Plant Fiber; Large Deployable Reflectarray Antenna; Periodically Discharging, Gas-Coalescing Filter; Ion Milling On Steps for Fabrication of Nanowires; Neuro-Prosthetic Implants With Adjustable Electrode Arrays; Microfluidic Devices for Studying Biomolecular Interactions; Studying Functions of All Yeast Genes Simultaneously; Polarization Phase-Compensating Coats for Metallic Mirrors; Tunable-Bandwidth Filter System; Methodology for Designing Fault-Protection Software; and Ground-Based Localization of Mars Rovers.

NASA Tech Briefs, January 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Topics covered include: Multisensor Instrument for Real-Time Biological Monitoring; Sensor for Monitoring Nanodevice-Fabrication Plasmas; Backed Bending Actuator; Compact Optoelectronic Compass; Micro Sun Sensor for Spacecraft; Passive IFF: Autonomous Nonintrusive Rapid Identification of Friendly Assets; Finned-Ladder Slow-Wave Circuit for a TWT; Directional Radio-Frequency Identification Tag Reader; Integrated Solar-Energy-Harvesting and -Storage Device; Event-Driven Random-Access-Windowing CCD Imaging System; Stroboscope Controller for Imaging Helicopter Rotors; Software for Checking State-charts; Program Predicts Broadband Noise from a Turbofan Engine; Protocol for a Delay-Tolerant Data-Communication Network; Software Implements a Space-Mission File-Transfer Protocol; Making Carbon-Nanotube Arrays Using Block Copolymers: Part 2; Modular Rake of Pitot Probes; Preloading To Accelerate Slow-Crack-Growth Testing; Miniature Blimps for Surveillance and Collection of Samples; Hybrid Automotive Engine Using Ethanol-Burning Miller Cycle; Fabricating Blazed Diffraction Gratings by X-Ray Lithography; Freeze-Tolerant Condensers; The StarLight Space Interferometer; Champagne Heat Pump; Controllable Sonar Lenses and Prisms Based on ERFs; Measuring Gravitation Using Polarization Spectroscopy; Serial-Turbo-Trellis-Coded Modulation with Rate-1 Inner Code; Enhanced Software for Scheduling Space-Shuttle Processing; Bayesian-Augmented Identification of Stars in a Narrow View; Spacecraft Orbits for Earth/Mars-Lander Radio Relay; and Self-Inflatable/Self-Rigidizable Reflectarray Antenna.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2005

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Topics include: Hidden Identification on Parts: Magnetic Machine-Readable Matrix Symbols; System for Processing Coded OFDM Under Doppler and Fading; Multipurpose Hyperspectral Imaging System; Magnetic-Flux-Compensated Voltage Divider; High-Performance Satellite/Terrestrial-Network Gateway; Internet-Based System for Voice Communication With the ISS; Stripline/Microstrip Transition in Multilayer Circuit Board; Dual-Band Feed for a Microwave Reflector Antenna; Quadratic Programming for Allocating Control Effort; Range Process Simulation Tool; Simulator of Space Communication Networks; Computing Q-D Relationships for Storage of Rocket Fuels; Contour Error Map Algorithm; Portfolio Analysis Tool; Glass Frit Filters for Collecting Metal Oxide Nanoparticles; Anhydrous Proton-Conducting Membranes for Fuel Cells; Portable Electron-Beam Free-Form Fabrication System; Miniature Laboratory for Detecting Sparse Biomolecules; Multicompartment Liquid-Cooling/Warming Protective Garments; Laser Metrology for an Optical-Path-Length Modulator; PCM Passive Cooling System Containing Active Subsystems; Automated Electrostatics Environmental Chamber; Estimating Aeroheating of a 3D Body Using a 2D Flow Solver; Artificial Immune System for Recognizing Patterns; Computing the Thermodynamic State of a Cryogenic Fluid; Safety and Mission Assurance Performance Metric; Magnetic Control of Concentration Gradient in Microgravity; Avionics for a Small Robotic Inspection Spacecraft; and Simulation of Dynamics of a Flexible Miniature Airplane.

Faster Evolution of More Multifunctional Logic Circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stoica, Adrian; Zebulum, Ricardo

2005-01-01

A modification in a method of automated evolutionary synthesis of voltage-controlled multifunctional logic circuits makes it possible to synthesize more circuits in less time. Prior to the modification, the computations for synthesizing a four-function logic circuit by this method took about 10 hours. Using the method as modified, it is possible to synthesize a six-function circuit in less than half an hour. The concepts of automated evolutionary synthesis and voltage-controlled multifunctional logic circuits were described in a number of prior NASA Tech Briefs articles. To recapitulate: A circuit is designed to perform one of several different logic functions, depending on the value of an applied control voltage. The circuit design is synthesized following an automated evolutionary approach that is so named because it is modeled partly after the repetitive trial-and-error process of biological evolution. In this process, random populations of integer strings that encode electronic circuits play a role analogous to that of chromosomes. An evolved circuit is tested by computational simulation (prior to testing in real hardware to verify a final design). Then, in a fitness-evaluation step, responses of the circuit are compared with specifications of target responses and circuits are ranked according to how close they come to satisfying specifications. The results of the evaluation provide guidance for refining designs through further iteration.

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2004

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

Topics covered include: Brazing SiC/SiC Composites to Metals; Composite-Material Tanks with Chemically Resistant Liners; Thermally Conductive Metal-Tube/Carbon-Composite Joints; Improved BN Coatings on SiC Fibers in SiC Matrices; Iterative Demodulation and Decoding of Non-Square QAM; Measuring Radiation Patterns of Reconfigurable Patch Antennas on Wafers; Low-Cutoff, High-Pass Digital Filtering of Neural Signals; Further Improvement in 3DGRAPE; Ground Support Software for Spaceborne Instrumentation; MER SPICE Interface; Simulating Operation of a Planetary Rover; Analyzing Contents of a Computer Cache; Discrepancy Reporting Management System; Silicone-Rubber Microvalves Actuated by Paraffin; Hydraulic Apparatus for Mechanical Testing of Nuts; Heat Control via Torque Control in Friction Stir Welding; Manufacturing High-Quality Carbon Nanotubes at Lower Cost; Setup for Visual Observation of Carbon-Nanotube Arc Process; Solution Preserves Nucleic Acids in Body-Fluid Specimens; Oligodeoxynucleotide Probes for Detecting Intact Cells; Microwave-Spectral Signatures Would Reveal Concealed Objects; Digital Averaging Phasemeter for Heterodyne Interferometry; Optoelectronic Instrument Monitors pH in a Culture Medium; Imaging of gamma-Irradiated Regions of a Crystal; Photodiode-Based, Passive Ultraviolet Dosimeters; Discrete Wavelength-Locked External Cavity Laser; Flexible Shields for Protecting Spacecraft Against Debris; Part 2 of a Computational Study of a Drop-Laden Mixing Layer; Controllable Curved Mirrors Made from Single-Layer EAP Films; and Demonstration of a Pyrotechnic Bolt-Retractor System.

Crew Integration & Automation Testbed and Robotic Follower Programs

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-05-30

Evolving Technologies for Reduced Crew Operation” Vehicle Tech Demo #1 (VTT) Vehicle Tech Demo #2 ( CAT ATD) Two Man Transition Future Combat...Simulation Advanced Electronic Architecture Concept Vehicle Shown with Onboard Safety Driver Advanced Interfaces CAT ATD Exit Criteria...Provide 1000 Hz control loop for critical real-time tasks CAT Workload IPT Process and Product Schedule Crew Task List Task Timelines Workload Analysis

Effects of an abbreviated obesity intervention supported by mobile technology: The ENGAGED randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Spring, Bonnie; Pellegrini, Christine A; Pfammatter, Angela; Duncan, Jennifer M; Pictor, Alex; McFadden, H Gene; Siddique, Juned; Hedeker, Donald

2017-07-01

To determine the effects on weight loss of three abbreviated behavioral weight loss interventions with and without coaching and mobile technology. A randomized controlled efficacy study of three 6-month weight loss treatments was conducted in 96 adults with obesity: 1) self-guided (SELF), 2) standard (STND), or 3) technology-supported (TECH). STND and TECH received eight in-person group treatment sessions. SELF and STND used paper diaries to self-monitor diet, activity, and weight; TECH used a smartphone application with social networking features and wireless accelerometer. Weight loss was greater for TECH and STND than SELF at 6 months (-5.7 kg [95% confidence interval: -7.2 to -4.1] vs. -2.7 kg [95% confidence interval: -5.1 to -0.3], P < 0.05) but not 12 months. TECH and STND did not differ except that more STND (59%) than TECH (34%) achieved ≥ 5% weight loss at 6 months (P < 0.05). Self-monitoring adherence was greater in TECH than STND (P < 0.001), greater in both interventions than SELF (P < 0.001), and covaried with weight loss (r(84) = 0.36-0.51, P < 0.001). Abbreviated behavioral counseling can produce clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of whether self-monitoring is performed on paper or smartphone, but long-term superiority over standard of care self-guided treatment is challenging to maintain. © 2017 The Obesity Society.

A Safe, Self-Calibrating, Wireless System for Measuring Volume of Any Fuel at Non-Horizontal Orientation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Woodward, Stanley E.; Taylor, Bryant D.

2010-01-01

A system for wirelessly measuring the volume of fluid in tanks at non-horizontal orientation is predicated upon two technologies developed at Langley Research Center. The first is a magnetic field response recorder that powers and interrogates magnetic field response sensors [ Magnetic Field Response Measurement Acquisition System, (LAR-16908), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 6 (June 2006), page 28]. Magnetic field response sensors are a class of sensors that are powered via oscillating magnetic fields and when electrically active respond with their own magnetic fields whose attributes are dependent upon the magnitude of the physical quantity being measured. The response recorder facilitates the use of the second technology, which is a magnetic field response fluid-level sensor ["Wireless Fluid- Level Sensors for Harsh Environments," (LAR-17155), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 33, No. 4 (April 2009), page 30]. The method for powering and interrogating the sensors allows them to be completely encased in materials (Fig. 1) that are chemically resilient to the fluid being measured, thereby facilitating measurement of substances (e.g., acids, petroleum, cryogenic, caustic, and the like) that would normally destroy electronic circuitry. When the sensors are encapsulated, no fluid (or fluid vapor) is exposed to any electrical component of the measurement system. There is no direct electrical line from the vehicle or plant power into a fuel container. The means of interrogating and powering the sensors can be completely physically and electrically isolated from the fuel and vapors by placing the sensor on the other side of an electrically non-conductive bulkhead (Fig. 2). These features prevent the interrogation system and its electrical components from becoming an ignition source.

Finite-Element Methods for Real-Time Simulation of Surgery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Basdogan, Cagatay

2003-01-01

Two finite-element methods have been developed for mathematical modeling of the time-dependent behaviors of deformable objects and, more specifically, the mechanical responses of soft tissues and organs in contact with surgical tools. These methods may afford the computational efficiency needed to satisfy the requirement to obtain computational results in real time for simulating surgical procedures as described in Simulation System for Training in Laparoscopic Surgery (NPO-21192) on page 31 in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. Simulation of the behavior of soft tissue in real time is a challenging problem because of the complexity of soft-tissue mechanics. The responses of soft tissues are characterized by nonlinearities and by spatial inhomogeneities and rate and time dependences of material properties. Finite-element methods seem promising for integrating these characteristics of tissues into computational models of organs, but they demand much central-processing-unit (CPU) time and memory, and the demand increases with the number of nodes and degrees of freedom in a given finite-element model. Hence, as finite-element models become more realistic, it becomes more difficult to compute solutions in real time. In both of the present methods, one uses approximate mathematical models trading some accuracy for computational efficiency and thereby increasing the feasibility of attaining real-time up36 NASA Tech Briefs, October 2003 date rates. The first of these methods is based on modal analysis. In this method, one reduces the number of differential equations by selecting only the most significant vibration modes of an object (typically, a suitable number of the lowest-frequency modes) for computing deformations of the object in response to applied forces.

Accounting for Uncertainties in Strengths of SiC MEMS Parts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Noel; Evans, Laura; Beheim, Glen; Trapp, Mark; Jadaan, Osama; Sharpe, William N., Jr.

2007-01-01

A methodology has been devised for accounting for uncertainties in the strengths of silicon carbide structural components of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The methodology enables prediction of the probabilistic strengths of complexly shaped MEMS parts using data from tests of simple specimens. This methodology is intended to serve as a part of a rational basis for designing SiC MEMS, supplementing methodologies that have been borrowed from the art of designing macroscopic brittle material structures. The need for this or a similar methodology arises as a consequence of the fundamental nature of MEMS and the brittle silicon-based materials of which they are typically fabricated. When tested to fracture, MEMS and structural components thereof show wide part-to-part scatter in strength. The methodology involves the use of the Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures Life (CARES/Life) software in conjunction with the ANSYS Probabilistic Design System (PDS) software to simulate or predict the strength responses of brittle material components while simultaneously accounting for the effects of variability of geometrical features on the strength responses. As such, the methodology involves the use of an extended version of the ANSYS/CARES/PDS software system described in Probabilistic Prediction of Lifetimes of Ceramic Parts (LEW-17682-1/4-1), Software Tech Briefs supplement to NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 9 (September 2006), page 10. The ANSYS PDS software enables the ANSYS finite-element-analysis program to account for uncertainty in the design-and analysis process. The ANSYS PDS software accounts for uncertainty in material properties, dimensions, and loading by assigning probabilistic distributions to user-specified model parameters and performing simulations using various sampling techniques.

Six Decades of Flight Research: Dryden Flight Research Center, 1946 - 2006 [DVD

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, David F.; Parcel, Steve

2007-01-01

This DVD contains an introduction by Center Director Kevin Peterson, two videos on the history of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and a bibliography of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center publications from 1946 through 2006. The NASA Dryden 60th Anniversary Summary Documentary video is narrated by Michael Dorn and give a brief history of Dryden. The Six Decades of Flight Research at NASA Dryden lasts approximately 75 minutes and is broken up in six decades: 1. The Early X-Plane Era; 2. The X-15 Era; 3. The Lifting Body Era; 4. The Space Shuttle Era; 5. The High Alpha and Thrust Vectoring Era; and 6. The technology Demonstration Era. The bibliography provides citations for NASA Technical Reports and Conference Papers, Tech Briefs, Contractor Reports, UCLA Flight Systems Research Center publications and Dryden videos. Finally, a link is provided to the NASA Dryden Gallery that features video clips and photos of the many unique aircraft flown at NASA Dryden and its predecessor organizations.

Acoustical Applications of the HHT Method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huang, Norden E.

2003-01-01

A document discusses applications of a method based on the Huang-Hilbert transform (HHT). The method was described, without the HHT name, in Analyzing Time Series Using EMD and Hilbert Spectra (GSC-13817), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 24, No. 10 (October 2000), page 63. To recapitulate: The method is especially suitable for analyzing time-series data that represent nonstationary and nonlinear physical phenomena. The method involves the empirical mode decomposition (EMD), in which a complicated signal is decomposed into a finite number of functions, called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), that admit well-behaved Hilbert transforms. The HHT consists of the combination of EMD and Hilbert spectral analysis.

Automated Analysis Workstation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Information from NASA Tech Briefs of work done at Langley Research Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory assisted DiaSys Corporation in manufacturing their first product, the R/S 2000. Since then, the R/S 2000 and R/S 2003 have followed. Recently, DiaSys released their fourth workstation, the FE-2, which automates the process of making and manipulating wet-mount preparation of fecal concentrates. The time needed to read the sample is decreased, permitting technologists to rapidly spot parasites, ova and cysts, sometimes carried in the lower intestinal tract of humans and animals. Employing the FE-2 is non-invasive, can be performed on an out-patient basis, and quickly provides confirmatory results.

Cable Tester

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

NASA Tech Brief's provided Sonics Associates, Inc. with a method of saving many hours of testing time and money. James B. Cawthon, Sonics Vice-President, read about a device developed at Ames Research Center. Sonics adapted the device and produced an effective tester that uses a clocked shift register to apply a voltage to a cable under test. This is the active part of the Ames development, and the passive is a small box containing light emitting diodes (LEDs). When connected to the other end of the tested cable, the LEDs light in the same sequence as the generator. This procedure allows the technician to immediately identify a miswired cable.

Parallel-Processing CMOS Circuitry for M-QAM and 8PSK TCM

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gray, Andrew; Lee, Dennis; Hoy, Scott; Fisher, Dave; Fong, Wai; Ghuman, Parminder

2009-01-01

There has been some additional development of parts reported in "Multi-Modulator for Bandwidth-Efficient Communication" (NPO-40807), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 6 (June 2009), page 34. The focus was on 1) The generation of M-order quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM) and octonary-phase-shift-keying, trellis-coded modulation (8PSK TCM), 2) The use of square-root raised-cosine pulse-shaping filters, 3) A parallel-processing architecture that enables low-speed [complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS)] circuitry to perform the coding, modulation, and pulse-shaping computations at a high rate; and 4) Implementation of the architecture in a CMOS field-programmable gate array.

Rapid and Quiet Drill

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherrit, Stewart; Badescu, Mircea; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Chang, Zensheu; Bao, Xiaoqi

2007-01-01

This describes aspects of the rapid and quiet drill (RAQD), which is a prototype apparatus for drilling concrete or bricks. The design and basic principle of operation of the RAQD overlap, in several respects, with those of ultrasonic/ sonic drilling and coring apparatuses described in a number of previous NASA Tech Briefs articles. The main difference is that whereas the actuation scheme of the prior apparatuses is partly ultrasonic and partly sonic, the actuation scheme of the RAQD is purely ultrasonic. Hence, even though the RAQD generates considerable sound, it is characterized as quiet because most or all of the sound is above the frequency range of human hearing.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2006

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

Topics covered include: Airport Remote Tower Sensor Systems; Implantable Wireless MEMS Sensors for Medical Uses; Embedded Sensors for Measuring Surface Regression; Coordinating an Autonomous Earth-Observing Sensorweb; Range-Measuring Video Sensors; Stability Enhancement of Polymeric Sensing Films Using Fillers; Sensors for Using Times of Flight to Measure Flow Velocities; Receiver Would Control Phasing of a Phased-Array Antenna; Modern Design of Resonant Edge-Slot Array Antennas; Carbon-Nanotube Schottky Diodes; Simplified Optics and Controls for Laser Communications; Coherent Detection of High-Rate Optical PPM Signals; Multichannel Phase and Power Detector; Using Satellite Data in Weather Forecasting: I; Using Dissimilarity Metrics to Identify Interesting Designs; X-Windows PVT Widget Class; Shuttle Data Center File-Processing Tool in Java; Statistical Evaluation of Utilization of the ISS; Nanotube Dispersions Made With Charged Surfactant; Aerogels for Thermal Insulation of Thermoelectric Devices; Low-Density, Creep-Resistant Single-Crystal Superalloys; Excitations for Rapidly Estimating Flight-Control Parameters; Estimation of Stability and Control Derivatives of an F-15; Tool for Coupling a Torque Wrench to a Round Cable Connector; Ultrasonically Actuated Tools for Abrading Rock Surfaces; Active Struts With Variable Spring Stiffness and Damping; Multiaxis, Lightweight, Computer-Controlled Exercise System; Dehydrating and Sterilizing Wastes Using Supercritical CO2; Alpha-Voltaic Sources Using Liquid Ga as Conversion Medium; Ice-Borehole Probe; Alpha-Voltaic Sources Using Diamond as Conversion Medium; White-Light Whispering-Gallery-Mode Optical Resonators; Controlling Attitude of a Solar-Sail Spacecraft Using Vanes; and Wire-Mesh-Based Sorber for Removing Contaminants from Air.

Modifying the Sleep Treatment Education Program for Students to include technology use (STEPS-TECH): Intervention effects on objective and subjective sleep outcomes.

PubMed

Barber, Larissa K; Cucalon, Maria S

2017-12-01

University students often have sleep issues that arise from poor sleep hygiene practices and technology use patterns. Yet, technology-related behaviors are often neglected in sleep hygiene education. This study examined whether the Sleep Treatment Education Program for Students-modified to include information regarding managing technology use (STEPS-TECH)-helps improve both subjective and objective sleep outcomes among university students. Results of an experimental study among 78 university students showed improvements in objective indicators of sleep quantity (total sleep time) and sleep quality (less awakenings) during the subsequent week for students in the STEPS-TECH intervention group compared to a control group. Exploratory analyses indicated that effects were driven by improvements in weekend days immediately following the intervention. There were also no intervention effects on subjective sleep quality or quantity outcomes. In terms of self-reported behavioral responses to educational content in the intervention, there were no group differences in sleep hygiene practices or technology use before bedtime. However, the intervention group reported less technology use during sleep periods than the control group. These preliminary findings suggest that STEPS-TECH may be a useful educational tool to help improve objective sleep and reduce technology use during sleep periods among university students. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

High-Tech Versus High-Touch: Components of Hospital Costs Vary Widely.

PubMed

Song, Paula H; Reiter, Kristin L; Yi Xu, Wendy

The recent release by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of hospital charge and payment data to the public has renewed a national dialogue on hospital costs and prices. However, to better understand the driving force of hospital pricing and to develop strategies for controlling expenditures, it is important to understand the underlying costs of providing hospital services. We use Medicare Provider and Analysis Review inpatient claims data and Medicare cost report data for fiscal years 2008 and 2012 to examine variations in the contribution of "high-tech" resources (i.e., technology/medical device-intensive resources) versus "high-touch" resources (i.e., labor-intensive resources) to the total costs of providing two common services, as well as assess how these costs have changed over time. We found that high-tech inputs accounted for a greater proportion of the total costs of surgical service, whereas medical service costs were primarily attributable to high-touch inputs. Although the total costs of services did not change significantly over time, the distribution of high-tech, high-touch, and other costs for each service varied considerably across hospitals. Understanding resource inputs and the varying contribution of these inputs by clinical condition is an important first step in developing effective cost control strategies.

NASA Tech Briefs, August 2013

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2013-01-01

Topics covered include: Radial Internal Material Handling System (RIMS) for Circular Habitat Volumes; Conical Seat Shut-Off Valve; Impact-Actuated Digging Tool for Lunar Excavation; Flexible Mechanical Conveyors for Regolith Extraction and Transport; Remote Memory Access Protocol Target Node Intellectual Property; Soft Decision Analyzer; Distributed Prognostics and Health Management with a Wireless Network Architecture; Minimal Power Latch for Single-Slope ADCs; Bismuth Passivation Technique for High-Resolution X-Ray Detectors; High-Strength, Super-elastic Compounds; Cu-Cr-Nb-Zr Alloy for Rocket Engines and Other High-Heat- Flux Applications; Microgravity Storage Vessels and Conveying-Line Feeders for Cohesive Regolith; CRUQS: A Miniature Fine Sun Sensor for Nanosatellites; On-Chip Microfluidic Components for In Situ Analysis, Separation, and Detection of Amino Acids; Spectroscopic Determination of Trace Contaminants in High-Purity Oxygen; Method of Separating Oxygen From Spacecraft Cabin Air to Enable Extravehicular Activities; Atomic Force Microscope Mediated Chromatography; Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Simulator; Access Control of Web- and Java-Based Applications; Tool for Automated Retrieval of Generic Event Tracks (TARGET); Bilayer Protograph Codes for Half-Duplex Relay Channels; Influence of Computational Drop Representation in LES of a Droplet-Laden Mixing Layer.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2008

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2008-01-01

Topics covered include: Gas Sensors Based on Coated and Doped Carbon Nanotubes; Tactile Robotic Topographical Mapping Without Force or Contact Sensors; Thin-Film Magnetic-Field-Response Fluid-Level Sensor for Non-Viscous Fluids; Progress in Development of Improved Ion-Channel Biosensors; Simulating Operation of a Complex Sensor Network; Using Transponders on the Moon to Increase Accuracy of GPS; Controller for Driving a Piezoelectric Actuator at Resonance; Coaxial Electric Heaters; Dual-Input AND Gate From Single-Channel Thin-Film FET; High-Density, High-Bandwidth, Multilevel Holographic Memory; Fabrication of Gate-Electrode Integrated Carbon-Nanotube Bundle Field Emitters; Hydroxide-Assisted Bonding of Ultra-Low-Expansion Glass; Photochemically Synthesized Polyimides; Optimized Carbonate and Ester-Based Li-Ion Electrolytes; Compact 6-DOF Stage for Optical Adjustments; Ultrasonic/Sonic Impacting Penetrators; Miniature, Lightweight, One-Time-Opening Valve; Supplier Management System; Improved CLARAty Functional-Layer/Decision-Layer Interface; JAVA Stereo Display Toolkit; Remote-Sensing Time Series Analysis, a Vegetation Monitoring Tool; PyPele Rewritten To Use MPI; Data Assimilation Cycling for Weather Analysis; Hydrocyclone/Filter for Concentrating Biomarkers from Soil; Activating STAT3 Alpha for Promoting Healing of Neurons; and Probing a Spray Using Frequency-Analyzed Light Scattering.

NASA Tech Briefs, December 2006

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

Topic include: Inferring Gear Damage from Oil-Debris and Vibration Data; Forecasting of Storm-Surge Floods Using ADCIRC and Optimized DEMs; User Interactive Software for Analysis of Human Physiological Data; Representation of Serendipitous Scientific Data; Automatic Locking of Laser Frequency to an Absorption Peak; Self-Passivating Lithium/Solid Electrolyte/Iodine Cells; Four-Quadrant Analog Multipliers Using G4-FETs; Noise Source for Calibrating a Microwave Polarimeter; Hybrid Deployable Foam Antennas and Reflectors; Coating MCPs with AlN and GaN; Domed, 40-cm-Diameter Ion Optics for an Ion Thruster; Gesture-Controlled Interfaces for Self-Service Machines; Dynamically Alterable Arrays of Polymorphic Data Types; Identifying Trends in Deep Space Network Monitor Data; Predicting Lifetime of a Thermomechanically Loaded Component; Partial Automation of Requirements Tracing; Automated Synthesis of Architecture of Avionic Systems; SSRL Emergency Response Shore Tool; Wholly Aromatic Ether-Imides as n-Type Semiconductors; Carbon-Nanotube-Carpet Heat-Transfer Pads; Pulse-Flow Microencapsulation System; Automated Low-Gravitation Facility Would Make Optical Fibers; Alignment Cube with One Diffractive Face; Graphite Composite Booms with Integral Hinges; Tool for Sampling Permafrost on a Remote Planet; and Special Semaphore Scheme for UHF Spacecraft Communications.

E-health blood pressure control program.

PubMed

Ahern, David K; Stinson, Lynda J; Uebelacker, Lisa A; Wroblewski, Joseph P; McMurray, Jerome H; Eaton, Charles B

2012-01-01

Both technological and human factors design requirements for integration of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) into a patient centered medical home (PCMH) model primary care practice are described. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension were given home blood pressure (BP) monitors, and after a three-month run-in period introduced to either a high-tech only (HBPM connectivity to personal health record and tailored Web portal access) or a high-tech/"high-touch" (high-tech solution plus patient navigator [PN]) solution. Features of the Web portal included: BP graphing function, traffic-light feedback system of BP goal attainment, economic incentives for self-monitoring, and dual patient-facing and care-team-facing dashboard functions. The e-health BP control system with PN support was well received by patients, providers, and the healthcare team. Current e-health technology and limited technological literacy of many patients suggest that a PN or some other personnel resource may be required for the adoption of patient-facing technology in primary care.

Applications of Human Performance Models to System Design: Defense Research Series. Volume 2

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

definition of display-ccntrol task demands. For first use, derivation is manual. For initial aplication , the sources of data for estimating task...describing human operator control of slowly responding complex systems. Delft (The Netherlands) Delft Univ. Tech., 235 pp., Ph.D. Thesis . Kok, J.J. and...Netherlands), Delft Univ. Tech., 157 pp., Ph.D. Thesis . van Lunteren, A. and Stassen, H.G. (1967). Investigations on the charac- teristics of the

Robotic technology evolution and transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marzwell, Neville I.

1992-01-01

A report concerning technology transfer in the area of robotics is presented in vugraph form. The following topics are discussed: definition of technology innovation and tech-transfer; concepts relevant for understanding tech-transfer; models advanced to portray tech-transfer process; factors identified as promoting tech-transfer; factors identified as impeding tech-transfer; what important roles do individuals fulfill in tech-transfer; federal infrastructure for promoting tech-transfer; federal infrastructure for promoting tech-transfer; robotic technology evolution; robotic technology transferred; and recommendations for successful robotics tech-transfer.

Annual Review of Research Under the Joint Services Electronics Program.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-10-01

Electronic Science at Texas Tech University. Specific topics covered include fault analysis, Stochastic control and estimation, nonlinear control, multidimensional system theory , Optical noise, and pattern recognition.

Occupational Field 66 (Avionics) Less MOS’s 6682, 6683 and 6689 Task Analysis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-04-01

EQUIPMENT ( SACE ) TECH 011 ACFT CRYPTOGRAPHIC SYS TECI-, IMA 018 ACFT INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM (INS) SACE TECH 019 ACFT SEARCH/TRACK (SIT) SACE TECH...020 SACE SYS TECH 021 ACFT DECEPTIVE ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES IDECM) TECH 022 ELECTRONIC COUNTERMEASURES (ECM) MODULE REPAIR TECH 023 ACFT ECM TECH

NASA Tech Briefs, November 2005

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Topics covered include: Laser System for Precise, Unambiguous Range Measurements; Flexible Cryogenic Temperature and Liquid-Level Probes; Precision Cryogenic Dilatometer; Stroboscopic Interferometer for Measuring Mirror Vibrations; Some Improvements in H-PDLCs; Multiple-Bit Differential Detection of OQPSK; Absolute Position Encoders With Vertical Image Binning; Flexible, Carbon-Based Ohmic Contacts for Organic Transistors; GaAs QWIP Array Containing More Than a Million Pixels; AutoChem; Virtual Machine Language; Two-Dimensional Ffowcs Williams/Hawkings Equation Solver; Full Multigrid Flow Solver; Doclet To Synthesize UML; Computing Thermal Effects of Cavitation in Cryogenic Liquids; GUI for Computational Simulation of a Propellant Mixer; Control Program for an Optical-Calibration Robot; SQL-RAMS; Distributing Data from Desktop to Hand-Held Computers; Best-Fit Conic Approximation of Spacecraft Trajectory; Improved Charge-Transfer Fluorescent Dyes; Stability-Augmentation Devices for Miniature Aircraft; Tool Measures Depths of Defects on a Case Tang Joint; Two Heat-Transfer Improvements for Gas Liquefiers; Controlling Force and Depth in Friction Stir Welding; Spill-Resistant Alkali-Metal-Vapor Dispenser; A Methodology for Quantifying Certain Design Requirements During the Design Phase; Measuring Two Key Parameters of H3 Color Centers in Diamond; Improved Compression of Wavelet-Transformed Images; NASA Interactive Forms Type Interface - NIFTI; Predicting Numbers of Problems in Development of Software; Hot-Electron Photon Counters for Detecting Terahertz Photons; Magnetic Variations Associated With Solar Flares; and Artificial Intelligence for Controlling Robotic Aircraft.

Efficacy of It's Your Game-Tech: A Computer-Based Sexual Health Education Program for Middle School Youth.

PubMed

Peskin, Melissa F; Shegog, Ross; Markham, Christine M; Thiel, Melanie; Baumler, Elizabeth R; Addy, Robert C; Gabay, Efrat K; Emery, Susan Tortolero

2015-05-01

Few computer-based HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI), and pregnancy prevention programs are available, and even fewer target early adolescents. In this study, we tested the efficacy of It's Your Game (IYG)-Tech, a completely computer-based, middle school sexual health education program. The primary hypothesis was that students who received IYG-Tech would significantly delay sexual initiation by ninth grade. We evaluated IYG-Tech using a randomized, two-arm nested design among 19 schools in a large, urban school district in southeast Texas (20 schools were originally randomized). The target population was English-speaking eighth-grade students who were followed into the ninth grade. The final analytic sample included 1,374 students. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to test for differences in sexual initiation between intervention and control students, while adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, time between measures, and family structure. There was no significant difference in the delay of sexual activity or in any other sexual behavior between intervention and control students. However, there were significant positive between-group differences for psychosocial variables related to STI and condom knowledge, attitudes about abstinence, condom use self-efficacy, and perceived norms about sex. Post hoc analyses conducted among intervention students revealed some significant associations: "full exposure" (completion of all 13 lessons) and "mid-exposure" (5-8 lessons) students were less likely than "low exposure" (1-4 lessons) students to initiate sex. Collectively, our findings indicate that IYG-Tech impacts some determinants of sexual behavior, and that additional efficacy evaluation with full intervention exposure may be warranted. Copyright © 2015 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Difference of the associations between self-rated health and demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and psychosocial work environment between two types of Chinese worksite.

PubMed

Jia, Yingnan; Gao, Junling; Dai, Junming; Zheng, Pinpin; Wu, Xiaoyu; Li, Guangyao; Fu, Hua

2014-08-15

Although studies of self-rated health (SRH) are conducted widely in developed countries, comprehensive assessments of the determinants of SRH in Chinese are scarce, particularly for working Chinese individuals. Determinants of SRH might differ among worksites based on differences in the nature and stress associated with different jobs, work intensity, and the lifestyles of employees. Two thousand and forty questionnaires that addressed SRH, demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and the psychosocial work environment were administered to employees at two worksites. A total of 1644 subjects provided complete data for analysis (80.6% response rate). Participants from government departments had significantly better SRH than did those from high-tech enterprises (61.1% vs. 67.5%, respectively). Lifestyles were significantly less healthy at government departments compared with high-tech enterprises, whereas the psychosocial work environment was better. The results of unadjusted and adjusted models revealed differences between the potential health-influencing factors of participants based on their type of worksite. In logistic regression models, gender was strongly associated with SRH in all participants, whereas length of service was correlated with SRH only in participants from high-tech enterprises. In high-tech enterprises, good SRH was less common in physically inactive subjects vs. physically active participants (OR = 0.561). In government departments, passive smoking was negatively associated with SRH significantly. Social capital (OR = 1.073) and job control (OR = 1.550) were positively correlated with SRH in high-tech enterprises. Job control was the only psychosocial factor significantly associated with SRH in government departments. Participants from different types of worksite reported different SRH, healthy lifestyles, and psychosocial work environments. Moreover, the association between SRH and demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and the psychosocial work environment significantly differed by type of worksite.

ALSSAT Version 6.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yeh, Hue-Hsia; Brown, Cheryl; Jeng, Frank

2012-01-01

Advanced Life Support Sizing Analysis Tool (ALSSAT) at the time of this reporting has been updated to version 6.0. A previous version was described in Tool for Sizing Analysis of the Advanced Life Support System (MSC- 23506), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 29, No. 12 (December 2005), page 43. To recapitulate: ALSSAT is a computer program for sizing and analyzing designs of environmental-control and life-support systems for spacecraft and surface habitats to be involved in exploration of Mars and the Moon. Of particular interest for analysis by ALSSAT are conceptual designs of advanced life-support (ALS) subsystems that utilize physicochemical and biological processes to recycle air and water and process human wastes to reduce the need of resource resupply. ALSSAT is a means of investigating combinations of such subsystems technologies featuring various alternative conceptual designs and thereby assisting in determining which combination is most cost-effective. ALSSAT version 6.0 has been improved over previous versions in several respects, including the following additions: an interface for reading sizing data from an ALS database, computational models of a redundant regenerative CO2 and Moisture Removal Amine Swing Beds (CAMRAS) for CO2 removal, upgrade of the Temperature & Humidity Control's Common Cabin Air Assembly to a detailed sizing model, and upgrade of the Food-management subsystem.

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2007

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Topics covered include: Miniature Intelligent Sensor Module; "Smart" Sensor Module; Portable Apparatus for Electrochemical Sensing of Ethylene; Increasing Linear Dynamic Range of a CMOS Image Sensor; Flight Qualified Micro Sun Sensor; Norbornene-Based Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Cells; Making Single-Source Precursors of Ternary Semiconductors; Water-Free Proton-Conducting Membranes for Fuel Cells; Mo/Ti Diffusion Bonding for Making Thermoelectric Devices; Photodetectors on Coronagraph Mask for Pointing Control; High-Energy-Density, Low-Temperature Li/CFx Primary Cells; G4-FETs as Universal and Programmable Logic Gates; Fabrication of Buried Nanochannels From Nanowire Patterns; Diamond Smoothing Tools; Infrared Imaging System for Studying Brain Function; Rarefying Spectra of Whispering-Gallery-Mode Resonators; Large-Area Permanent-Magnet ECR Plasma Source; Slot-Antenna/Permanent-Magnet Device for Generating Plasma; Fiber-Optic Strain Gauge With High Resolution And Update Rate; Broadband Achromatic Telecentric Lens; Temperature-Corrected Model of Turbulence in Hot Jet Flows; Enhanced Elliptic Grid Generation; Automated Knowledge Discovery From Simulators; Electro-Optical Modulator Bias Control Using Bipolar Pulses; Generative Representations for Automated Design of Robots; Mars-Approach Navigation Using In Situ Orbiters; Efficient Optimization of Low-Thrust Spacecraft Trajectories; Cylindrical Asymmetrical Capacitors for Use in Outer Space; Protecting Against Faults in JPL Spacecraft; Algorithm Optimally Allocates Actuation of a Spacecraft; and Radar Interferometer for Topographic Mapping of Glaciers and Ice Sheets.

DSMC (Defense Systems Management College) CALS (Computer-Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support) Briefing: Program Manager Course.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-11-01

library . o Air Force Tech Order Management System - Final Report, library o DLA CALS 1988 Implementation Plan, library . Where to go for Additional...0. ~l l LU; 0. 0 0 2. o 3 0 I) 0 U no V) 4- C 4. U) 00 u c.C0 Cco C Cl) cc m~0-CU . d" CD 0 m mooc Er.C 0 .0> s -w 2 c IM CO (aC wi E 0 r. X 0-0 a 0...as well as wider application. The Air Force AFTOMS Automation Plan, a copy of which is in the library , has excellent discussions of the expected

COSMIC monthly progress report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Activities of the Computer Software Management and Information Center (COSMIC) are summarized for the month of April 1994. Tables showing the current inventory of programs available from COSMIC are presented and program processing and evaluation activities are summarized. Five articles were prepared for publication in the NASA Tech Brief Journal. These articles (included in this report) describe the following software items: GAP 1.0 - Groove Analysis Program, Version 1.0; SUBTRANS - Subband/Transform MATLAB Functions for Image Processing; CSDM - COLD-SAT Dynamic Model; CASRE - Computer Aided Software Reliability Estimation; and XOPPS - OEL Project Planner/Scheduler Tool. Activities in the areas of marketing, customer service, benefits identification, maintenance and support, and disseminations are also described along with a budget summary.

Recent development of plasma optical systems (invited)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Goncharov, A. A., E-mail: gonchar@iop.kiev.ua

2016-02-15

The article devotes a brief description of the recent development and current status of an ongoing research of plasma optical systems based on the fundamental plasma optical idea magnetic electron isolation, equipotentialization magnetic field lines, and the axi-symmetric cylindrical electrostatic plasma lens (PL) configuration. The experimental, theoretical, and simulation investigations have been carried out over recent years collaboratively between IP NASU (Kiev), LBNL (Berkeley, USA), and HCEI RAS (Tomsk). The crossed electric and magnetic fields inherent the PL configuration that provides the attractive method for establishing a stable plasma discharge at low pressure. Using PL configuration, several high reliability plasmamore » devices were developed. These devices are attractive for many high-tech applications.« less

NASA Tech Briefs, February 2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

opics covered include: Integrated Electrode Arrays for Neuro-Prosthetic Implants; Eroding Potentiometers; Common/Dependent-Pressure-Vessel Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries; 120-GHz HEMT Oscillator With Surface-Wave-Assisted Antenna; 80-GHz MMIC HEMT Voltage-Controlled Oscillator; High-Energy-Density Capacitors; Microscale Thermal-Transpiration Gas Pump; Instrument for Measuring Temperature of Water; Improved Measurement of Coherence in Presence of Instrument Noise; Compact Instruments Measure Helium-Leak Rates; Irreversible Entropy Production in Two-Phase Mixing Layers; Subsonic and Supersonic Effects in Bose-Einstein Condensate; Nanolaminate Mirrors With "Piston" Figure-Control Actuators; Mixed Conducting Electrodes for Better AMTEC Cells; Process for Encapsulating Protein Crystals; Lightweight, Self-Deployable Wheels; Grease-Resistant O Rings for Joints in Solid Rocket Motors; LabVIEW Serial Driver Software for an Electronic Load; Software Computes Tape-Casting Parameters; Software for Tracking Costs of Mars Projects; Software for Replicating Data Between X.500 and LDAP Directories; The Technical Work Plan Tracking Tool; Improved Multiple-DOF SAW Piezoelectric Motors; Propulsion Flight-Test Fixture; Mechanical Amplifier for a Piezoelectric Transducer; Swell Sleeves for Testing Explosive Devices; Linear Back-Drive Differentials; Miniature Inchworm Actuators Fabricated by Use of LIGA; Using ERF Devices to Control Deployments of Space Structures; High-Temperature Switched-Reluctance Electric Motor; System for Centering a Turbofan in a Nacelle During Tests; Fabricating Composite-Material Structures Containing SMA Ribbons; Optimal Feedback Control of Thermal Networks; Artifacts for Calibration of Submicron Width Measurements; Navigating a Mobile Robot Across Terrain Using Fuzzy Logic; Designing Facilities for Collaborative Operations; and Quantitating Iron in Serum Ferritin by Use of ICP-MS.

NASA Tech Briefs, April 2002. Volume 26, No. 4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

The contents include: 1) Application Briefs; 2) Sneak Preview of Sensors Expo; 3) The Complexity of the Diagnosis Problem; 4) Design Concepts for the ISS TransHab Module; 5) Characteristics of Supercritical Transitional Mixing Layers; 6) Electrometer for Triboelectric Evaluation of Materials; 7) Infrared CO2 Sensor With Built-In Calibration Chambers; 8) Solid-State Potentiometric CO Sensor; 9) Planetary Rover Absolute Heading Detection Using a Sun Sensor; 10) Concept for Utilizing Full Areas of STJ Photodetector Arrays; 11) Development of Cognitive Sensors; 12) Enabling Higher-Voltage Operation of SOl CMOS Transistors; 13) Estimating Antenna-Pointing Errors From Beam Squints; 14) Advanced-Fatigue-Crack-Growth and Fracture- Mechanics Program; 15) Software for Sequencing Spacecraft Actions; 16) Program Distributes and Tracks Organizational Memoranda; 16) Flat Membrane Device for Dehumidification of Air; 17) Inverted Hindle Mount Reduces Sag of a Large, Precise Mirror; 18) Heart-Pump-Outlet/Cannula Coupling; 19) Externally Triggered Microcapsules Release Drugs In Situ; 20) Combinatorial Drug Design Augmented by Information Theory; 21) Multiple-Path-Length Optical Absorbance Cell; 22) Model of a Fluidized Bed Containing a Mixture of Particles; 23) Refractive Secondary Concentrators for Solar Thermal Systems; 24) Cold Flow Calorimeter; 25) Methodology for Tracking Hazards and Predicting Failures; 26) Estimating Heterodyne-Interferometer Polarization Leakage; 27) An Efficient Algorithm for Propagation of Temporal- Constraint Networks; 28) Software for Continuous Replanning During Execution; 29) Surface-Launched Explorers for Reconnaissance/Scouting; 30) Firmware for a Small Motion-Control Processor; 31) Gear Bearings and Gear-Bearing Transmissions; and 32) Linear Dynamometer With Variable Stroke and Frequency.

75 FR 1020 - Amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Based Upon the Accession of Albania and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-08

...--Commerce Country Chart [Reason for control] Countries Chemical & biological Nuclear National Security Missile Regional Stability Firearms Crime control Anti-terrorism weapons nonproliferation Tech convention...

Delta-Doped CCDs as Detector Arrays in Mass Spectrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nikzad, Shouleh; Jones, Todd; Jewell, April; Sinha, Mahadeva

2007-01-01

In a conventional mass spectrometer, charged particles (ions) are dispersed through a magnetic sector onto an MCP at an output (focal) plane. In the MCP, the impinging charged particles excite electron cascades that afford signal gain. Electrons leaving the MCP can be read out by any of a variety of means; most commonly, they are post-accelerated onto a solid-state detector array, wherein the electron pulses are converted to photons, which, in turn, are converted to measurable electric-current pulses by photodetectors. Each step in the conversion from the impinging charged particles to the output 26 NASA Tech Briefs, February 2007 current pulses reduces spatial resolution and increases noise, thereby reducing the overall sensitivity and performance of the mass spectrometer. Hence, it would be preferable to make a direct measurement of the spatial distribution of charged particles impinging on the focal plane. The utility of delta-doped CCDs as detectors of charged particles was reported in two articles in NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 22, No. 7 (July 1998): "Delta-Doped CCDs as Low-Energy-Particle Detectors" (NPO-20178) on page 48 and "Delta- Doped CCDs for Measuring Energies of Positive Ions" (NPO-20253) on page 50. In the present developmental miniature mass spectrometers, the above mentioned miniaturization and performance advantages contributed by the use of delta-doped CCDs are combined with the advantages afforded by the Mattauch-Herzog design. The Mattauch- Herzog design is a double-focusing spectrometer design involving an electric and a magnetic sector, where the ions of different masses are spatially separated along the focal plane of magnetic sector. A delta-doped CCD at the focal plane measures the signals of all the charged-particle species simultaneously at high sensitivity and high resolution, thereby nearly instantaneously providing a complete, high-quality mass spectrum. The simultaneous nature of the measurement of ions stands in contrast to that of a scanning mass spectrometer, in which abundances of different masses are measured at successive times.

Automatic Tie Pointer for In-Situ Pointing Correction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deen, Robert G/

2011-01-01

The MARSAUTOTIE program generates tie points for use with the Mars pointing correction software "In-Situ Pointing Correction and Rover Microlocalization," (NPO-46696) Soft ware Tech Briefs, Vol. 34, No. 9 (September 2010), page 18, in a completely automated manner, with no operator intervention. It takes the place of MARSTIE, although MARSTIE can be used to interactively edit the tie points afterwards. These tie points are used to create a mosaic whose seams (boundaries of input images) have been geometrically corrected to reduce or eliminate errors and mis-registrations. The methods used to find appropriate tie points for use in creating a mosaic are unique, having been designed to work in concert with the "MARSNAV" program to be most effective in reducing or eliminating geometric seams in a mosaic. The program takes the input images and finds overlaps according to the nominal pointing. It then finds the most interesting areas using a scene activity metric. Points with higher scene activity are more likely to correlate successfully in the next step. It then uses correlation techniques to find matching points in the overlapped image. Finally, it performs a series of steps to reduce the number of tie points to a manageable level. These steps incorporate a number of heuristics that have been devised using experience gathered by tie pointing mosaics manually during MER operations. The software makes use of the PIG library as described in "Planetary Image Geometry Library" (NPO-46658), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 34, No. 12 (December 2010), page 30, so it is multi-mission, applicable without change to any in-situ mission supported by PIG. The MARSAUTOTIE algorithm is automated, so it requires no user intervention. Although at the time of this reporting it has not been done, this program should be suitable for integration into a fully automated mosaic production pipeline.

New generation extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with MedTech Mag-Lev, a single-use, magnetically levitated, centrifugal blood pump: preclinical evaluation in calves.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Tatsuki; Nagaoka, Eiki; Watanabe, Taiju; Miyagi, Naoto; Kitao, Takashi; Sakota, Daisuke; Mamiya, Taichi; Shinshi, Tadahiko; Arai, Hirokuni; Takatani, Setsuo

2013-05-01

We have evaluated the feasibility of a newly developed single-use, magnetically levitated centrifugal blood pump, MedTech Mag-Lev, in a 3-week extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) study in calves against a Medtronic Bio-Pump BPX-80. A heparin- and silicone-coated polypropylene membrane oxygenator MERA NHP Excelung NSH-R was employed as an oxygenator. Six healthy male Holstein calves with body weights of about 100 kg were divided into two groups, four in the MedTech group and two in the Bio-Pump group. Under general anesthesia, the blood pump and oxygenator were inserted extracorporeally between the main pulmonary artery and the descending aorta via a fifth left thoracotomy. Postoperatively, both the pump and oxygen flow rates were controlled at 3 L/min. Heparin was continuously infused to maintain the activated clotting time at 200-240 s. All the MedTech ECMO calves completed the study duration. However, the Bio-Pump ECMO calves were terminated on postoperative days 7 and 10 because of severe hemolysis and thrombus formation. At the start of the MedTech ECMO, the pressure drop across the oxygenator was about 25 mm Hg with the pump operated at 2800 rpm and delivering 3 L/min flow. The PO2 of the oxygenator outlet was higher than 400 mm Hg with the PCO2 below 45 mm Hg. Hemolysis and thrombus were not seen in the MedTech ECMO circuits (plasma-free hemoglobin [PFH] < 5 mg/dL), while severe hemolysis (PFH > 20 mg/dL) and large thrombus were observed in the Bio-Pump ECMO circuits. Plasma leakage from the oxygenator did not occur in any ECMO circuits. Three-week cardiopulmonary support was performed successfully with the MedTech ECMO without circuit exchanges. The MedTech Mag-Lev could help extend the durability of ECMO circuits by the improved biocompatible performances. © 2013, Copyright the Authors. Artificial Organs © 2013, International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tech Prep Marketing Guide. The Complete Book of Strategies and Practical Experiences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williamson, Patty

This guide explains the concept of marketing tech prep and provides marketing principles and strategies to promote tech prep programs. The guide covers the following topics: (1) why it is necessary to market tech prep; (2) what a comprehensive tech prep marketing plan should include; (3) targeting the benefits message; (4) marketing tech prep to…

A randomized trial using telehealth technology to link caregivers with dementia care experts for in-home caregiving support: FamTechCare protocol.

PubMed

Williams, Kristine; Blyler, Diane; Vidoni, Eric D; Shaw, Clarissa; Wurth, JoEllen; Seabold, Denise; Perkhounkova, Yelena; Van Sciver, Angela

2018-06-01

The number of persons with dementia (PWD) in the United States is expected to reach 16 million by 2050. Due to the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, caregivers face challenging in-home care situations that lead to a range of negative health outcomes such as anxiety and depression for the caregivers and nursing home placement for PWD. Supporting Family Caregivers with Technology for Dementia Home Care (FamTechCare) is a multisite randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a telehealth intervention on caregiver well-being and PWD behavioral symptoms. The FamTechCare intervention provides individualized dementia-care strategies to in-home caregivers based on video recordings that the caregiver creates of challenging care situations. A team of dementia care experts review videos submitted by caregivers and provide interventions to improve care weekly for the experimental group. Caregivers in the control group receive feedback for improving care based on a weekly phone call with the interventionist and receive feedback on their videos at the end of the 3-month study. Using linear mixed modeling, we will compare experimental and control group outcomes (PWD behavioral symptoms and caregiver burden) after 1 and 3 months. An exploratory descriptive design will identify a typology of interventions for telehealth support for in-home dementia caregivers. Finally, the cost for FamTechCare will be determined and examined in relation to hypothesized effects on PWD behavioral symptoms, placement rates, and caregiver burden. This research will provide the foundation for future research for telehealth interventions with this population, especially for families in rural or remote locations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Complexity for Survival of Living Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zak, Michail

2009-01-01

A logical connection between the survivability of living systems and the complexity of their behavior (equivalently, mental complexity) has been established. This connection is an important intermediate result of continuing research on mathematical models that could constitute a unified representation of the evolution of both living and non-living systems. Earlier results of this research were reported in several prior NASA Tech Briefs articles, the two most relevant being Characteristics of Dynamics of Intelligent Systems (NPO- 21037), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 12 (December 2002), page 48; and Self-Supervised Dynamical Systems (NPO- 30634) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 27, No. 3 (March 2003), page 72. As used here, living systems is synonymous with active systems and intelligent systems. The quoted terms can signify artificial agents (e.g., suitably programmed computers) or natural biological systems ranging from single-cell organisms at one extreme to the whole of human society at the other extreme. One of the requirements that must be satisfied in mathematical modeling of living systems is reconciliation of evolution of life with the second law of thermodynamics. In the approach followed in this research, this reconciliation is effected by means of a model, inspired partly by quantum mechanics, in which the quantum potential is replaced with an information potential. The model captures the most fundamental property of life - the ability to evolve from disorder to order without any external interference. The model incorporates the equations of classical dynamics, including Newton s equations of motion and equations for random components caused by uncertainties in initial conditions and by Langevin forces. The equations of classical dynamics are coupled with corresponding Liouville or Fokker-Planck equations that describe the evolutions of probability densities that represent the uncertainties. The coupling is effected by fictitious information-based forces that are gradients of the information potential, which, in turn, is a function of the probability densities. The probability densities are associated with mental images both self-image and nonself images (images of external objects that can include other agents). The evolution of the probability densities represents mental dynamics. Then the interaction between the physical and metal aspects of behavior is implemented by feedback from mental to motor dynamics, as represented by the aforementioned fictitious forces. The interaction of a system with its self and nonself images affords unlimited capacity for increase of complexity. There is a biological basis for this model of mental dynamics in the discovery of mirror neurons that learn by imitation. The levels of complexity attained by use of this model match those observed in living systems. To establish a mechanism for increasing the complexity of dynamics of an active system, the model enables exploitation of a chain of reflections exemplified by questions of the form, "What do you think that I think that you think...?" Mathematically, each level of reflection is represented in the form of an attractor performing the corresponding level of abstraction with more details removed from higher levels. The model can be used to describe the behaviors, not only of biological systems, but also of ecological, social, and economics ones.

Effectiveness of a physical activity program on weight, physical fitness, occupational stress, job satisfaction and quality of life of overweight employees in high-tech industries: a randomized controlled study.

PubMed

Fang, Yun-Ya; Huang, Chien-Yuan; Hsu, Mei-Chi

2018-03-27

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a physical activity (PA) program on weight control, physical fitness, occupational stress, job satisfaction and quality of life of overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries. Participants in the intervention group (n = 37) were instructed to carry out a PA program at moderate intensity for 60 min/session, 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks. Those in the control group (n = 38) received no PA program and were asked to continue their routine lifestyle. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Results of structured questionnaires and blood biochemistry tests and evaluations of physical fitness were analyzed. The PA program effectively reduced the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome and body fat percentage, and improved physical fitness such as flexibility, muscular strength and endurance and cardiorespiratory endurance. The intervention also significantly decreased levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Significant positive effects on work control, interpersonal relationships at work, global job satisfaction and quality of life were also demonstrated. This study showed that a PA program can be helpful in improving physical, physiological and psychological outcomes for overweight and sedentary employees in high-tech industries.

Planning for organization development in operations control centers.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-06-01

The first step in a proposed program of organization development (OD) was to assess organizational processes within the : Technical Operations Services (TechOps) Operations Control Centers (OCCs). The aim of the OD program was to : improve effectiven...

Industrial applications of nanoparticles.

PubMed

Stark, W J; Stoessel, P R; Wohlleben, W; Hafner, A

2015-08-21

Research efforts in the past two decades have resulted in thousands of potential application areas for nanoparticles - which materials have become industrially relevant? Where are sustainable applications of nanoparticles replacing traditional processing and materials? This tutorial review starts with a brief analysis on what makes nanoparticles attractive to chemical product design. The article highlights established industrial applications of nanoparticles and then moves to rapidly emerging applications in the chemical industry and discusses future research directions. Contributions from large companies, academia and high-tech start-ups are used to elucidate where academic nanoparticle research has revolutionized industry practice. A nanomaterial-focused analysis discusses new trends, such as particles with an identity, and the influence of modern instrument advances in the development of novel industrial products.

Editorial Introduction on Proceedings of the 2015 International Congress on Ultrasonics, 2015 ICU Metz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patin, Nico Felicien Declercq de

A brief summary of the 2015 International Congress on Ultrasonics is presented. The 2015 ICU has taken place in Metz, France, at the Arsenal and was hosted by Georgia Tech Lorraine in collaboration with the French Acoustical Society. The congress hosted a record number of 700 participants. The report focuses on the awards presented during the congress, the invited speakers and some statistics. Other details can be found in reports available on the congress website. The author N. F. Declercq, president of 2015 ICU and Editor of the congress proceedings, wishes to publish the congress proceedings in loving memory of his father Maurice Alois who suddenly passed away 5 weeks after the end of the congress.

Technical support package: Large, easily deployable structures. NASA Tech Briefs, Fall 1982, volume 7, no. 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Design and test data for packaging, deploying, and assembling structures for near term space platform systems, were provided by testing light type hardware in the Neutral Buoyancy Simulator. An optimum or near optimum structural configuration for varying degrees of deployment utilizing different levels of EVA and RMS was achieved. The design of joints and connectors and their lock/release mechanisms were refined to improve performance and operational convenience. The incorporation of utilities into structural modules to determine their effects on packaging and deployment was evaluated. By simulation tests, data was obtained for stowage, deployment, and assembly of the final structural system design to determine construction timelines, and evaluate system functioning and techniques.

Technology transfer at NASA - A librarian's view

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buchan, Ronald L.

1991-01-01

The NASA programs, publications, and services promoting the transfer and utilization of aerospace technology developed by and for NASA are briefly surveyed. Topics addressed include the corporate sources of NASA technical information and its interest for corporate users of information services; the IAA and STAR abstract journals; NASA/RECON, NTIS, and the AIAA Aerospace Database; the RECON Space Commercialization file; the Computer Software Management and Information Center file; company information in the RECON database; and services to small businesses. Also discussed are the NASA publications Tech Briefs and Spinoff, the Industrial Applications Centers, NASA continuing bibliographies on management and patent abstracts (indexed using the NASA Thesaurus), the Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches, and the Aerospace Research Information Network (ARIN).

Intersection Monitor for Traffic-Light-Preemption System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bachelder, Aaron; Foster, Conrad

2006-01-01

The figure shows an intersection monitor that is a key subsystem of an emergency traffic-light-preemption system that could be any of the systems described in the three immediately preceding articles and in Systems Would Preempt Traffic Lights for Emergency Vehicles (NPO-30573), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 10 (October 2004), page 36. This unit is so named because it is installed at an intersection, where it monitors the phases (in the sense of timing) of the traffic lights. The mode of operation of this monitor is independent of the type of traffic-light-controller hardware or software in use at the intersection. Moreover, the design of the monitor is such that (1) the monitor does not, by itself, affect the operation of the traffic- light controller and (2) in the event of a failure of the monitor, the trafficlight controller continues to function normally (albeit without preemption). The monitor is installed in series with the traffic-light controller at an intersection. The control signals of interest are monitored by use of high-impedance taps on affected control lines. These taps are fully isolated and further protected by high-voltage diodes that prevent any voltages or short circuits that arise within the monitor from affecting the controller. The signals from the taps are processed digitally and cleaned up by use of high-speed logic gates, and the resulting data are passed on to other parts of the traffic-light-preemption intersection subsystem. The data are compared continuously with data from vehicles and used to calculate timing for reliable preemption of the traffic lights. The pedestrian crossing at the intersection is also monitored, and pedestrians are warned not to cross during preemption.

Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Huntsberger, Terrance; Aghazarian, Hrand; Estlin, Tara; Gaines, Daniel

2008-01-01

Control Architecture for Robotic Agent Command and Sensing (CARACaS) is a recent product of a continuing effort to develop architectures for controlling either a single autonomous robotic vehicle or multiple cooperating but otherwise autonomous robotic vehicles. CARACaS is potentially applicable to diverse robotic systems that could include aircraft, spacecraft, ground vehicles, surface water vessels, and/or underwater vessels. CARACaS incudes an integral combination of three coupled agents: a dynamic planning engine, a behavior engine, and a perception engine. The perception and dynamic planning en - gines are also coupled with a memory in the form of a world model. CARACaS is intended to satisfy the need for two major capabilities essential for proper functioning of an autonomous robotic system: a capability for deterministic reaction to unanticipated occurrences and a capability for re-planning in the face of changing goals, conditions, or resources. The behavior engine incorporates the multi-agent control architecture, called CAMPOUT, described in An Architecture for Controlling Multiple Robots (NPO-30345), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 28, No. 11 (November 2004), page 65. CAMPOUT is used to develop behavior-composition and -coordination mechanisms. Real-time process algebra operators are used to compose a behavior network for any given mission scenario. These operators afford a capability for producing a formally correct kernel of behaviors that guarantee predictable performance. By use of a method based on multi-objective decision theory (MODT), recommendations from multiple behaviors are combined to form a set of control actions that represents their consensus. In this approach, all behaviors contribute simultaneously to the control of the robotic system in a cooperative rather than a competitive manner. This approach guarantees a solution that is good enough with respect to resolution of complex, possibly conflicting goals within the constraints of the mission to be accomplished by the vehicle(s).

Improvement in Recursive Hierarchical Segmentation of Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tilton, James C.

2006-01-01

A further modification has been made in the algorithm and implementing software reported in Modified Recursive Hierarchical Segmentation of Data (GSC- 14681-1), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 30, No. 6 (June 2006), page 51. That software performs recursive hierarchical segmentation of data having spatial characteristics (e.g., spectral-image data). The output of a prior version of the software contained artifacts, including spurious segmentation-image regions bounded by processing-window edges. The modification for suppressing the artifacts, mentioned in the cited article, was addition of a subroutine that analyzes data in the vicinities of seams to find pairs of regions that tend to lie adjacent to each other on opposite sides of the seams. Within each such pair, pixels in one region that are more similar to pixels in the other region are reassigned to the other region. The present modification provides for a parameter ranging from 0 to 1 for controlling the relative priority of merges between spatially adjacent and spatially non-adjacent regions. At 1, spatially-adjacent-/spatially- non-adjacent-region merges have equal priority. At 0, only spatially-adjacent-region merges (no spectral clustering) are allowed. Between 0 and 1, spatially-adjacent- region merges have priority over spatially- non-adjacent ones.

Turbulence and the Stabilization Principle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zak, Michail

2010-01-01

Further results of research, reported in several previous NASA Tech Briefs articles, were obtained on a mathematical formalism for postinstability motions of a dynamical system characterized by exponential divergences of trajectories leading to chaos (including turbulence). To recapitulate: Fictitious control forces are introduced to couple the dynamical equations with a Liouville equation that describes the evolution of the probability density of errors in initial conditions. These forces create a powerful terminal attractor in probability space that corresponds to occurrence of a target trajectory with probability one. The effect in ordinary perceived three-dimensional space is to suppress exponential divergences of neighboring trajectories without affecting the target trajectory. Con sequently, the postinstability motion is represented by a set of functions describing the evolution of such statistical quantities as expectations and higher moments, and this representation is stable. The previously reported findings are analyzed from the perspective of the authors Stabilization Principle, according to which (1) stability is recognized as an attribute of mathematical formalism rather than of underlying physics and (2) a dynamical system that appears unstable when modeled by differentiable functions only can be rendered stable by modifying the dynamical equations to incorporate intrinsic stochasticity.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2005

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Topics covered include: Scheme for Entering Binary Data Into a Quantum Computer; Encryption for Remote Control via Internet or Intranet; Coupled Receiver/Decoders for Low-Rate Turbo Codes; Processing GPS Occultation Data To Characterize Atmosphere; Displacing Unpredictable Nulls in Antenna Radiation Patterns; Integrated Pointing and Signal Detector for Optical Receiver; Adaptive Thresholding and Parameter Estimation for PPM; Data-Driven Software Framework for Web-Based ISS Telescience; Software for Secondary-School Learning About Robotics; Fuzzy Logic Engine; Telephone-Directory Program; Simulating a Direction-Finder Search for an ELT; Formulating Precursors for Coating Metals and Ceramics; Making Macroscopic Assemblies of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes; Ball Bearings Equipped for In Situ Lubrication on Demand; Synthetic Bursae for Robots; Robot Forearm and Dexterous Hand; Making a Metal-Lined Composite-Overwrapped Pressure Vessel; Ex Vivo Growth of Bioengineered Ligaments and Other Tissues; Stroboscopic Goggles for Reduction of Motion Sickness; Articulating Support for Horizontal Resistive Exercise; Modified Penning-Malmberg Trap for Storing Antiprotons; Tumbleweed Rovers; Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscope for Microgravity Research; Biased Randomized Algorithm for Fast Model-Based Diagnosis; Fast Algorithms for Model-Based Diagnosis; Simulations of Evaporating Multicomponent Fuel Drops; Formation Flying of Tethered and Nontethered Spacecraft; and Two Methods for Efficient Solution of the Hitting- Set Problem.

NASA Tech Briefs, June 2007

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Topics covered include: High-Accuracy, High-Dynamic-Range Phase-Measurement System; Simple, Compact, Safe Impact Tester; Multi-Antenna Radar Systems for Doppler Rain Measurements; 600-GHz Electronically Tunable Vector Measurement System; Modular Architecture for the Measurement of Space Radiation; VLSI Design of a Turbo Decoder; Architecture of an Autonomous Radio Receiver; Improved On-Chip Measurement of Delay in an FPGA or ASIC; Resource Selection and Ranking; Accident/Mishap Investigation System; Simplified Identification of mRNA or DNA in Whole Cells; Printed Multi-Turn Loop Antennas for RF Biotelemetry; Making Ternary Quantum Dots From Single-Source Precursors; Improved Single-Source Precursors for Solar-Cell Absorbers; Spray CVD for Making Solar-Cell Absorber Layers; Glass/BNNT Composite for Sealing Solid Oxide Fuel Cells; A Method of Assembling Compact Coherent Fiber-Optic Bundles; Manufacturing Diamond Under Very High Pressure; Ring-Resonator/Sol-Gel Interferometric Immunosensor; Compact Fuel-Cell System Would Consume Neat Methanol; Algorithm Would Enable Robots to Solve Problems Creatively; Hypothetical Scenario Generator for Fault-Tolerant Diagnosis; Smart Data Node in the Sky; Pseudo-Waypoint Guidance for Proximity Spacecraft Maneuvers; Update on Controlling Herds of Cooperative Robots; and Simulation and Testing of Maneuvering of a Planetary Rover.

Improved CLARAty Functional-Layer/Decision-Layer Interface

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Estlin, Tara; Rabideau, Gregg; Gaines, Daniel; Johnston, Mark; Chouinard, Caroline; Nessnas, Issa; Shu, I-Hsiang

2008-01-01

Improved interface software for communication between the CLARAty Decision and Functional layers has been developed. [The Coupled Layer Architecture for Robotics Autonomy (CLARAty) was described in Coupled-Layer Robotics Architecture for Autonomy (NPO-21218), NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, No. 12 (December 2002), page 48. To recapitulate: the CLARAty architecture was developed to improve the modularity of robotic software while tightening coupling between planning/execution and basic control subsystems. Whereas prior robotic software architectures typically contained three layers, the CLARAty contains two layers: a decision layer (DL) and a functional layer (FL).] Types of communication supported by the present software include sending commands from DL modules to FL modules and sending data updates from FL modules to DL modules. The present software supplants prior interface software that had little error-checking capability, supported data parameters in string form only, supported commanding at only one level of the FL, and supported only limited updates of the state of the robot. The present software offers strong error checking, and supports complex data structures and commanding at multiple levels of the FL, and relative to the prior software, offers a much wider spectrum of state-update capabilities.

Embankment quality and assessment of moisture control implementation : tech transfer summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-02-01

The motivation for this project was based on work by : Iowa State University (ISU) researchers at a few recent : grading projects that demonstrated embankments were : being constructed outside moisture control limits, even : though the contractor QC ...