The Commercial B iomedical T esting M odule CBMT developed at Ames houses mice for experimentation in microgravity to study the problem Ames Research Center Amgen Inc Thousand Oaks California ID: 935823
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Slide1
Slide2Slide3NASA Technology
NASA needs to learn how to protect bone density and muscle strength in astronauts while in space
The
Commercial Biomedical Testing Module (CBMT) developed at Ames houses mice for experimentation in microgravity to study the problem
Ames Research CenterAmgen Inc.Thousand Oaks, California
Benefits
One of the three treatments is now available as Prolia, an osteoporosis treatment, and a second is in clinical trials Prolia is shown to increase bone density and significantly reduce risk of bone fractures
Spinoff 2016
Health and Medicine
Rodent Research Contributes to Osteoporosis Treatments
Technology Transfer
Amgen, through
BioServe
Space Technologies, arranged to test three treatments for maintaining bone health and density on mice aboard space shuttlesExperiments traveled aboard missions in 2001, 2007, and 2011, yielding promising results
Slide4NASA Technology
G-suits are worn by aviators and astronauts to prevent pooling of blood in lower body during extreme acceleration and reentry from orbit
NASA discovered that similar compression garments can be used to treat women who experience severe bleeding after giving birth
Ames Research Center
Safe MotherhoodSan Francisco, California
Benefits
The NASG is backed by the World Health Organization and used in 20 countries. Mortality rate among women suffering obstetric hemorrhaging reduced by 50 percent in studies conducted in Egypt, NigeriaGarment can be used at least 70 times, which comes out to less than a dollar per application.Spinoff
2016Health and Medicine
Pressure Garments Save New Mothers’ Lives
Technology Transfer
In the 1990s, the company ZOEX utilized NASA’s research to develop the Non-Inflatable Anti-Shock Garment
Later, an obstetrics professor designed a similar garment, the Non-Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG), to stabilize women suffering from post-natal bleeding until they can receive medical care
Slide5NASA Technology
NASA will need new diagnostic capabilities to monitor astronauts’ health as they travel to Mars
Antibodies, commonly used to detect biomarkers, degrade when exposed to radiation and are only viable for a few months
Johnson Space Center
AM Biotechnologies LLCHouston, Texas
Benefits
X-Aptamer Selection Kit, already being used by universities and industry, takes days, not weeks, to create the desired aptamers X-Aptamers could be used to target drug treatments for cancer, other diseases
One aptamer, Pegaptanib, approved by the FDA as a treatment for macular degeneration
Spinoff
2016
Health and Medicine
Tool Kit Simplifies Development of High-Affinity Molecules
Technology Transfer
Short strands of DNA and RNA can fold themselves into three-dimensional structures called aptamers
, which can be used for diagnostics, are impervious to radiation, and don’t degrade
After securing an SBIR contract, AM Biotechnologies developed a new method to rapidly create precise diagnostic
aptamers
using micro-beads that
aptamers
stick to
Slide6NASA Technology
In the 1990s, NASA was looking for a rugged spectrometer for a lander to be carried by the European Space Agency’s Rosetta comet orbiter
Chemical composition analysis was to be conducted by spectroscopy in the near-infrared and visible light spectra
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Brimrose CorporationSparks, Maryland
Benefits
Brimorse’s Luminar AOTF analyzers now widely used by pharmaceutical industry, agriculture, healthcare, material science, oil companiesNew versions include touchscreens, longer battery life, and Linux compatibilityCompany uses AOTF in other applications, including acousto-optic modulator flown on ISS Spinoff
2016Health and Medicine
Space-Ready Spectrometer Offers Terrestrial Advantages
Partnership
Brimrose
secured two SBIR contracts to make a space-ready acousto-optic
tunable filter (AOTF)
spectrometer, but NASA pulled out of the lander projectSpectrometer made to be lightweight, energy-efficient, and able to withstand extreme temperatures and radiation exposure
Slide7Slide8NASA Technology
Circulation control wings were envisioned as a way for airplanes to take off on shorter runways
Using increased amounts of high-pressure air over the leading and trailing edges of the wings, supplied either by the jet engines or separate compressors,
aircraft using these wings have greater lift
Armstrong Flight Research CenterArea-I Inc.Kennesaw, Georgia
Benefits
Prototype-Technology Evaluation Research Aircraft (PTERA) is the commercial version of the test aircraftUS Navy, Air Force working with Area-I to develop other unmanned aerial vehicle airframesPTERA is a low-cost, dependable, adaptable test bed, used by companies and universities Spinoff
2016Transportation
Unmanned Research Aircraft Test Cutting-Edge Innovations
Technology Transfer
Area-I secured Phase I and II SBIR funding from Armstrong to design an unmanned, medium-range, sub-scale aircraft for aerodynamics testing
Additional Phase I and II SBIR funding from Langley allowed the company to create a second sub-scale plane with a design to maximize data on stall causes and recovery
Slide9NASA Technology
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) shows the interaction of fluids like air and water with solid structures
NASA had been developing a solver to improve post-processing and visualization capabilities
Langley Research Center
Intelligent LightRutherford, New Jersey
Benefits
FieldView is a post-processing tool capable of providing specific, detailed information based on steady and unsteady dataWidely used by aircraft designers, auto makers, and defense contractorsUsers can quickly access and work with large amounts of remotely stored dataSpinoff
2016Transportation
CFD Capabilities Zoom Past Visualization to Assist Cars, Consumers
Technology Transfer
Through a series of SBIR contracts, Intelligent Light created visualization tools for steady and unsteady test results
The ability to visualize large quantities of data makes it easier to determine where improvements can be made in the design of the bodies or the moving parts of vehicles or structures
Slide10NASA Technology
Carbon nanotubes are well known to provide strength, elasticity, and electrical conductivity
Similar nanotubes, made of boron and nitrogen, can withstand even higher temperatures (up to 1,650 °F), and also absorb radiation and have attracted NASA’s attention
Langley Research Center
BNNT LLCNewport News, Virginia
Benefits
BNNTs can now be produced in large quantities, up to 200 milligrams per hourNow commercially available to researchers, with potential uses in protective gear, electrical insulation, soft-tissue cancer therapyNASA and BNNT LLC continue to work together to decrease production costs
Spinoff 2016
Transportation
Lightweight, Ultra-Strong Nanotubes to Transform Industry
Technology Transfer
A team of Langley scientists experimented with ways to mass-produce boron nitrogen nanotubes (BNNT) by bonding the elements together using a laser fired into a highly pressurized chamber
Licensing NASA’s patented procedure, a new company formed to meet increasing interest in nanotube technologies
Slide11NASA Technology
NASA has long been a leader in aviation and worked with industry to improve its engineering and design
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to make major improvements to aircraft on a piece-by-piece basis because of how such changes affect the rest of the vehicle
Glenn Research Center
University of MichiganAnn Arbor, Michigan
Benefits
OpenMDAO is open source, publicly available software, now part of NASA’s Transformational Tools and Technologies ProgramThe University of Michigan, among others, is using OpenMDAO to reduce noise from slats on aircraft wings, while the wind energy community is using the program to build high-fidelity models of more efficient turbinesSpinoff
2016Transportation
Multidisciplinary Software to Help Take Aircraft to the Next Level
Technology Transfer
NASA created the multidisciplinary analysis and optimization (MDAO) process to look how aircraft components function as a whole to find areas for improvement
Leading Edge Aeronautics Research for NASA (LEARN), part of the agency’s Aeronautics Research Institute, is using MDAO to design a new truss-braced wing aircraft with better fuel efficiency
Slide12NASA Technology
Complex mathematical equations are required to determine the best trajectory for a spacecraft launch
When NASA needed a new program for planning launch trajectories, a team at Goddard decided to create a new system to automate the process
Goddard Space Flight Center
Applied Defense Solutions IncColumbia, Maryland
Benefits
The free, open source software has been embraced by universities and international space program partnersMore than 30 peer-reviewed publications have cited analysis performed using GMAT in the first few years of availability Spinoff 2016
Transportation
Orbital Trajectory Analyzer Takes Mission Planning to New Heights
Technology Transfer
The General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT) was developed by NASA, contains 540,000 lines of C++ code, and was beta tested for several years before a flight-qualified edition was first released in 2013
GMAT already has been used on four NASA missions, with two more in the pipeline
The program is compatible with similar programs used by aerospace industry partners
Slide13NASA Technology
Aircraft design has long used computer-aided design (CAD) software, which required building analysis-specific geometries that couldn’t be changed in isolation
Only engineers and professional designers had access to CAD systems
Langley Research Center
Desktop Aeronautics Inc.Palo Alto, California
Benefits
OpenVSP is free, open source software available for professionals and novices alikeThe program is similar to proprietary ones used by aviation companies and can be used in concert with those systemsGovernment agencies, universities use OpenVSP as learning and design tool Spinoff
2016Transportation
Open Source Aircraft Design Software Helps Industry, Hobbyists
Technology Transfer
Design engineers from NASA, California Polytechnic State University, and Silicon Valley created a design tool that allows for more flexible drafting capabilities
Their program,
OpenVSP
, or vehicle sketch pad, provides 3D models of conceptual vehiclesChanges to the overall design can be made by adjusting a single parameter
Slide14Slide15NASA Technology
A spike in global food prices in 2007 and 2008 caused shortages and unrest around the world
Rice production is especially hard to predict, resulting in market volatility
Data from satellites built by NASA and others can help track crop growth and health
Stennis Space CenterApplied GeoSolutionsNewmarket, New Hampshire
Benefits
RDSS provides crop producers around the world with real-time information on expected crop yields, allowing governments and investors to make better decisions, stabilizing the marketIn the United States, rice farmers are using RDSS data to implement more sustainable water management practices Spinoff
2016Public Safety
Rice Crop Models Stabilize Global Markets, Enable Efficient Irrigation
Technology Transfer
Applied
GeoSolutions
approached NASA with an idea for web-based software combining satellite images and historical data to predict rice crop growth
Stennis Space Center provided Phase I and II SBIR contracts to create the Rice Decision Support System (RDSS)RDSS also uses data from European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Slide16NASA Technology
NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office funded a network of sensors to be an early warning system for dangerous weather and seismic events
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography are partners in the project
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
San Francisco Weather Forecast OfficeSan Francisco, California
Benefits
The monsoons in the American Southwest are dangerous and hard to predict With timely atmospheric data from across the region, San Francisco and Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Forecast Offices can better predict storms and issue flash flood warnings, alerting emergency response teams and saving livesSpinoff 2016Public Safety
GPS Sensor Web Helps Forecasters Warn of Monsoon Flash Floods
Technology Transfer
37 Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors have been added to NOAA’s meteorological GPS network throughout Southern California, reading airborne humidity and seismic activity
GPS signal delays indicate humidity
Moisture, temperature, and air pressure data are collected at each site and broadcast every 30 minutes
Slide17NASA Technology
E
ngineers need to know the fracture toughness of materials used to build spacecraft in order to determine when defects might cause structural failures
Deriving fracture toughness for lightweight metals required a costly and time-consuming analysisMarshall Space Flight Center
Quest Integrity Group LLCBoulder, Colorado
Benefits
Tool for Analysis of Surface Cracks (TASC) performs in 20 to 30 minutes calculations that otherwise would take four or five hours Quest Integrity Group, one of 670 users in 60 countries, relies on TASC for risk analysis Recipient of NASA’s Software of the Year Award in 2014Spinoff 2016
Public Safety
Analytic Tool Simplifies Metal Fracture Assessments
Technology Transfer
An engineer at Marshall created a software program for deriving fracture toughness based on the American Society for Testing and Materials standard for testing surface cracks
Six hundred nonlinear models and solutions were automated to arrive at the fracture toughness for specific-sized cracks in various metals
Program is publicly available for free download
Slide18NASA Technology
In preparation for the Mars Science Laboratory, NASA developed a device that could detect methane, carbon dioxide, and water
The Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) became one of three instruments in the Sample Analysis at Mars suite on the Curiosity rover
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Pacific Gas and Electric CompanySan Francisco, California
Benefits
The handheld methane sensor can detect the gas at a level of 10 parts per billion, 100 times more sensitive than previous tools Tested by Pacific Gas &Electric, the device is lightweight, portable, and capable of sensing leaks from 100 feet awayAddition of a voice read-out improves efficiency
Spinoff 2016Public Safety
Mars Methane Detector Identifies Harmful Gas Leaks
Technology Transfer
M
ethane, the primary ingredient in natural gas, is a prevalent and potent greenhouse gas
Natural gas leaks from underground pipes can be difficult to find
A 2013 reimbursable Space Act Agreement between JPL and Pipeline Research Council International led to the development of a small methane-detecting spectrometer based on the TLS
Slide19NASA Technology
Hydrogen is the most efficient propellant, but it leaks easily, is highly flammable, and hard to detect
NASA has explored numerous methods over the years for detecting leaks, inventing several technologies along the way
Kennedy Space Center
HySense Technology LLCRockledge, Florida
Benefits
Intellipigment, sold by HySense, is used by oil refineries, manufacturers, chemical plants, and other industries that rely on hydrogen The tape can detect a leak of pure hydrogen within 10 secondsRecipient of an R&D 100 Award in 2014 and first place in the CAT5 Innovation Competition
Spinoff 2016
Public Safety
Hydrogen Detection Tape Saves Time and Lives
Technology Transfer
With funding from Kennedy, the Florida Solar Energy Center at the University of Central Florida (UCF) created a tape that changes color when exposed to hydrogen
NASA and UCF obtained several patents and passed the licenses to
Nahid Mohajeri, one of the technology’s creators, who founded HySense to commercialize it
Slide20NASA Technology
By 1994, NASA developed a single-photon-sensitive laser ranging system, used to determine the location of satellites
In 2001
NASA’s Airborne Multi-Kilohertz Photon-Counting Microlaser Altimeter turned the technology toward Earth to map its surface
Goddard Space Flight CenterSigma Space CorporationLanham, Maryland
Benefits
The company’s airborne lidar imaging systems are used to gather and sell data Maps of large areas are fast and affordable, enabling military reconnaissance, environmental monitoring, surveying, infrastructure planning Sigma is providing imaging technology for NASA’s Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite 2
Spinoff
2016
Public Safety
Single-Photon
Lidar
Maps Ground Features Quickly, Efficiently
Technology Transfer A former Goddard employee, who worked on both projects, joined Sigma Space, which also worked with NASA on many laser ranging projects and had licensed two related NASA patents They developed high-resolution 3D-imaging
lidars
capable of rapidly mapping Earth’s surface
The systems use 100 streams of laser pulses to make 3.2 million measurements per second
Slide21NASA Technology
Glenn Research Center was tapped by the White House for the Strong Cities, Strong Communities Initiative to provide mentoring to local businesses
Glenn paired NASA technical experts with small companies to help solve problems
Glenn Research Center
Pile Dynamics Inc. Cleveland, Ohio
Benefits
Thermal Integrity Profilers are attached to rebar and collect data within concrete piles after pouringIrregularities in temperature can indicate defects, which might compromise strengthPDI’s sensors have been used in more than 40 projects around the globe Spinoff 2016
Public Safety
Temperature Sensors Cement Integrity of Bridges
Technology Transfer
Pile Dynamics Inc. (PDI) needed assistance selecting a strong, waterproof, airtight glue for the thermal sensors it uses to monitor poured concrete shafts as they cure
Experts from Glenn tested a glue for its strength and ability to keep water away from sensitive electronics, finding it to be incredibly strong
Slide22NASA Technology
The concrete at Kennedy Space Center is exposed to damp, salty air and blistering heat, which causes quick corrosion of infrastructure
Preventing corrosion is usually confined to dealing with the symptoms, not the underlying electrochemical causes
Kennedy Space Center
Surtreat Holding LLCPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Benefits
Volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) does not require rust removal, which can cost $5 per square foot On a rusty surface, application costs about 10 cents per square foot over a 20-year lifespan, versus 57 cents over 10 years for a basic primer US Department of Transportation and Navy are interested in VCI to protect bridges, boats
Spinoff 2016
Public Safety
Primer Stops Corrosion without Requiring Rust Removal
Technology Transfer
Through a 1996 Space Act Agreement, Kennedy tested several corrosion inhibitors and found that a
Surtreat
product whose vapor migrated from a concrete surface to the underlying rebar was one of the most effective Surtreat went on to market the product and recently developed an epoxy primer that works on the same principle and can be directly applied to rusty steel
Slide23Slide24NASA Technology
A
researcher at Ames was
developing sensors based on carbon nanotubes when the Department of Homeland Security requested a sensor capable of detecting dangerous gases using smartphones Engineer George Yu was subcontracted to build the smartphone interface at Ames
Ames Research Center Variable Inc.Chattanooga, Tennessee
Benefits
NODE cylinders can house two sensors at once, and data can be recorded on any smart device Sensors include infrared thermometers, color referencers, motion sensors, barcode readers, and others that detect various harmful gases or measure light or humidity, among others
Recognized by numerous tech publications
Spinoff 2016
Consumer Goods
NODE+ Platform Integrates Sensors with Smartphones
Technology Transfer
Most of the design for the microprocessor, memory, communication protocol, back-end web structure, data storage, and cloud technology
Yu designed for Ames he later incorporated into his own smartphone-based sensing technology
NODE+ platform integrates a line of off-the-shelf sensors with a smartphone via Bluetooth
Slide25NASA Technology
An intern at Ames worked on autonomous robotics, learning about proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controllers, embedded communications, and other principles of robotics engineering
PID controllers continually monitor and correct the output of a controlled system via feedback loops
Ames Research Center
Blossom CoffeeSan Francisco, California Benefits
Blossom One Brewer is a specialty, high-end coffeemaker that can control water temperature to within 2 degrees and can keep all coffee grinds within 10 degrees of each other, ensuring consistent results
Brewing system automatically corrects for altitude, barometric pressure, ambient temperatureSpinoff 2016Consumer Goods
Precision Coffeemaker Adapts Brews to Beans, Taste
Technology Transfer
The intern later helped found Blossom Coffee, applying his experience with PID controllers to control temperatures in coffee-making machines
The advanced machine also uses embedded communications to synchronize brewing processes with recipes stored in the cloud
Slide26NASA Technology
In the mid-1990s, Johnson’s In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) team developed technology to break down elements abundant on Mars into resources for human exploration
Some of this technology manipulated gases’ temperature and pressure to liquefy them
Johnson Space Center
Pioneer EnergyLakewood, Colorado
Benefits
The CO2 Craft Brewery Recovery System can capture enough carbon dioxide to produce 60,000 barrels of beer annually, saving craft brewers about $15,000 per yearThe resulting carbon dioxide is purer and of a higher quality than CO2 from other sources Greenhouse gas pollution is decreased
Spinoff 2016
Consumer Goods
CO
2
Recovery System Saves Brewers Money, Puts Bubbles into Beer
Technology Transfer
As a NASA contractor and then as founder of Pioneer Aeronautics, Robert Zubrin worked with Johnson’s ISRU team to develop such systems Zubrin continued to build on that technological acumen after founding Pioneer Energy Smaller craft brewers don’t have the ability to capture and store carbon dioxide created during fermentation for later use in carbonation
Slide27NASA Technology
In the early days of the space program, NASA developed metalized polyethylene terephthalate (MPET), a flexible reflective material to protect spacecraft from solar radiation
The lightweight material also serves as an insulation to protect from large swings in temperature
Marshall Space Flight Center
Salt Cases LLCPortland, Maine
Benefits
Salt Cases incorporate MPET to safeguard smartphones and tablets from hot and cold temperaturesThe cases protect electronic devices from temperatures in excess of 95 °F or below 32 °FSpinoff 2016
Consumer Goods
Space Blanket-Inspired Cases Protect Expensive Devices
Technology Transfer
MPET first became available commercially as “space blankets,” used in emergency situations and to help runners maintain body temperature after long races
Material is also effective for reflecting heat away from electronic devices or protecting them from bitter cold
Batteries exposed to extreme temperatures lose power, have shorter lifespan
Slide28NASA Technology
Chitosan is one of the most abundant organic compounds on Earth, found in the exoskeletons of
arthopods
NASA studies in space demonstrated its ability to boost plant immunity to pathogens and increase human white blood cells’ immunity to endotoxins Johnson Space Center
TIMEZ5 Global Inc.Calgary, Alberta
Benefits
The TIMEZ5 Prayer and Meditation Mat has a chitosan film on its bottom layer, with microholes allowing traces to pass through the whole mat Eliminates mold, dust, bacteria, and fungi, which can cause respiratory and other problems TIMEZ5 now has customers in three dozen countries and employs about 150 people
Spinoff 2016
Consumer Goods
Antimicrobial Agent Updates Ancient Industry of Prayer Mats
Technology Transfer
The NASA test results prompted one engineer to use chitosan to create the world’s first antimicrobial film, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control
TIMEZ5 hired him as a consultant, and his method for using the steam of a chitosan solution to create an antimicrobial film was applied to the company’s prayer and meditation mat
Slide29NASA Technology
NASA developed a new kind of heat shield technology as it explored the feasibility of various reusable launch vehicles
Protective Ceramic Coating Material (PCCM) has heat-radiating agents and can be applied as a light, paper-thin coating on any surface
Ames Research Center
Trizar TechnologyMooresville, North Carolina
Benefits
With a license from Emissield, Trizar Technology developed a way to use PCCM to line or coat clothing to reflect heat The company also is working to develop a coating to be used on outdoor furniture and child seats to keep objects at ambient temperature Future work could include PCCM-woven fibersSpinoff
2016Consumer Goods
Heat-Reflecting Material Regulates Body Temperature
Technology Transfer
Changes made by
Emisshield
, which licensed the technology from Ames, and Virginia Tech increased PCCM’s shelf life, optimized it for use on metals, and adapted it for use with a spray gun
Manufacturers became interested in using PCCM as coatings for substrates, power generators, commercial ovens for temperature regulation and energy savings
Slide30NASA Technology
Currently, pilots need to mentally translate information displayed on two-dimensional screens into a three-dimensional world
Previous efforts to design a 3D display were limited by depth and clarity of image
Langley Research Center
Dimension Technologies Inc. Rochester, New York
Benefits
DTI Mission Critical 2D/3D could be incorporated into cockpits of planes and later used to help dock capsules with the International Space StationPilots get a better sense of traffic at busy airportsThe technology is being deployed in the video game industrySpinoff 2016
Consumer Goods
Modified Monitor Provides Glasses-Free 3D for Pilots, Gamers
Technology Transfer
Through a series of SBIR contracts, Dimension Technologies created a glasses-free 3D monitor with realistic image depth
Later iterations incorporated eye-tracking capabilities to maintain 3D clarity for two pilots simultaneously, even if they move around in their seats
Monitors can switch between 2D and 3D display mode
Slide31Slide32NASA Technology
Historically, satellites have been large, heavy objects requiring considerable resources to build and launch
A series of technological breakthroughs resulted in smaller, lightweight craft at lower costs, including
CubeSats, measuring just four inches per side
Ames Research Center Planet Labs Inc.San Francisco, California
Benefits
Planet Labs’ Dove fleet of satellites provide a snapshot of Earth every 24 hoursThanks to their tiny size, Dove satellites can be launched as secondary payloadsImaging provides up-to-the-minute data, useful for insurance claims, environmental trackingSpinoff 2016
Energy and Environment
Flock of Nanosatellites Provides a Daily Picture of Earth
Technology Transfer
Inspired by
CubeSats
, a trio of Ames scientists and engineers continued to refine the small satellite concept, eventually forming Planet Labs
Their nanosatellites, using laptop batteries for power and smartphone semiconductors for electronics, are smaller still and capable of snapping continuous three- to five-meter resolution images
Slide33NASA Technology
In the 1980s, NASA provided funding to the University of Minnesota to create a set of applications to use satellite imaging and geospatial data to monitor forests
At the time, servers weren’t powerful or fast enough to distribute large images quickly or widely
Goddard Space Flight Center
Satshot Inc.Fargo, North Dakota
Benefits
Satshot was MapServer’s first commercial userSatshot remains focused on precision agriculture through remote sensing, using various spectral bands for detailed images of fields and cropsWorking with John Deere to integrate computer systems on tractors with the Satshot image archive
Spinoff 2016
Energy and Environment
Multispectral Satellite Imagery Shows Farmers’ Fields in New Light
Technology Transfer
The team from the University of Minnesota created
MapServer
, an open source development environment, for the forest projectYears later, Satshot, a fledgling company, was looking for a way to provide farmers detailed images of their fields—often taken by NASA satellites—but had no mechanism for distribution
MapServer
provided an online map delivery system
Slide34NASA Technology
BLM is tasked with coordinating fire-fighting efforts on federally held lands and must submit a plan for stabilizing and restoring lands destroyed by fire
NASA’s Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science program had an interest in wildfire abatement projects
Goddard Space Flight Center
Idaho Bureau of Land Management (BLM)Pocatello, Idaho
Benefits
Using RECOVER, BLM can examine up to 20 geospatial datasets to create Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation plans quicklyRECOVER can be used for containment effortsBLM created a smartphone and tablet-friendly version of the program to share information in real timeSpinoff 2016
Energy and Environment
Software Helps Restore Fire-Ravaged Habitats
Technology Transfer
Using cloud computing technologies to pool geospatial data from a multitude of sources, NASA created the Rehabilitation Capability Convergence for Ecosystem Recovery (RECOVER)
Data is converted into a single, easy-to-understand visual interface accessible on a standard web browser
Slide35NASA Technology
Two buildings at Ames were specially designed for testing space probes with highly sensitive magnetic instruments to ensure they wouldn’t wobble in orbit
Magnetic fields could be altered by electrifying Helmholtz coils
By 1990s, buildings had fallen out of use
Ames Research CenterGeometrics Inc.San Jose, California
Benefits
Geometrics’ magnetometers are used to detect underground lodes, planted explosives, and other objects, as well as magnetic signatures of the heart and brain The product is used to fine unexploded World War II ordinance in the North Sea, where wind farms are being built Spinoff 2016
Energy and Environment
Buildings for Manipulating Magnetism Revolutionize Magnetometers
Technology Transfer
To save the buildings, a researcher found a company in need of a facility to test its magnetometers, used to measure magnetic fields
Geometrics
uses
the facilities through a Space Act Agreement With the Helmholtz coils, magnetometers can be subjected to magnetic fields duplicating those found anywhere around the world
Slide36NASA Technology
As NASA plans missions deeper into space, it’s also exploring the use of solar cells to generate power and as part of propulsion systems
SBIR contracts have been awarded to advance technology in hopes of reducing costs
Glenn Research Center
MicroLink DevicesNiles, Illinois
Benefits
MicroLink’s flexible, lightweight solar cells are already used by the military on backpacks as a portable source of energy to recharge batteries Recognized by several magazines for innovations in solar cell technologyCurrently working on incorporating panels into unmanned aerial vehicles Spinoff 2016
Energy and Environment
Cost-Saving Method Yields Solar Cells for Exploration, Gadgets
Technology Transfer
MicroLink
Devices has received multiple SBIR contracts from NASA toward developing a new method for growing inverted metamorphic multi-junction solar cells
MicroLink’s
cells are less costly to produce while remaining nearly as efficient as cells from other manufacturers
Slide37NASA Technology
Airborne cameras and sensors used to find forest fires all had the same flaw: They were easily overwhelmed by the intensity of a fire’s signal, resulting in washed-out images
Improvements to existing technology helped, but NASA wanted a tool with more precise imaging
Ames Research Center
Xiomas TechnologiesYpsilanti, Michigan
Benefits
WAI can take several kinds of images at once and layer them into a single outputCombining long-wave infrared images with mid-wave infrared data, it’s possible to distinguish small fires from other heat sources WAI can image geographic areas more quickly and is used by local governments for mappingSpinoff 2016
Energy and Environment
Wide Area Thermal Imaging System Brings the Landscape into Focus
Technology Transfer
SBIR contracts from Ames and other federal agencies, as well as experience working with Ames on airborne sensors as a contractor, led engineer John Green to create
Xiomas
Technologies and its Wide Area Imager (WAI) aerial scanner
WAI’s quantum-well infrared photo detector—a NASA invention—takes pictures with a moving mirror, providing high resolution over a wide area
Slide38NASA Technology
To help support future missions, NASA wants to find ways to separate and recombine molecules found on extraterrestrial bodies
Titanium dioxide was known to be a semiconductor when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, but that’s only 4 percent of the solar spectrum
Ames Research Center
Nanoptek CorporationCocord, Massachusetts
Benefits
Grids dependent on intermittent power, such as solar, require backup storage Unlike batteries, performs well in high heat and never loses power Nanoptek envisions power plants for microgrids in the developing world
Spinoff 2016Energy and Environment
Photocatalytic
Water Splitter Stores Energy as Hydrogen
Technology Transfer
Nanoptek
, through SBIR contracts from NASA, developed a cost-effective method for making titanium dioxide responsive to 29 percent of the sun’s light
Engineered titania uses sunlight to efficiently electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen, with hydrogen stored for later use in fuel cells
Slide39NASA Technology
Glenn has a long history of improving engines, from the first Centaur rocket to ion thrusters
Scientists there also specialize in kinematics of oil decomposition for turbine engines and kerosene rocket engines
Glenn Research Center
Vadxx Energy LLCCleveland, Ohio
Benefits
The company’s technology can process 20,000 tons of plastic waste per year to produce 100,000 barrels of petroleumEstimates are that up to 1,500 units could be used nationally, causing a 7 percent reduction in oil imports, with each facility earning $8 to $12 million per yearSpinoff 2016Energy and Environment
Recycling Technology Converts Plastic Waste to Energy
Technology Transfer
A chemist and oil industry expert teamed up to devise a way to recycle plastic waste into fuel gas and diesel additives, but needed a little help
Through a White House initiative, the men were paired with experts from Glenn to optimize the design of their kiln
Method developed by Glenn scientists resulted in company’s first full-scale commercial kiln design
Slide40NASA Technology
NASA had an interest in creating tiny latex microcapsules containing live cells for antibiotics to be used in space
After difficulty creating uniformly sized and shaped spheres on Earth, a technique was perfected in microgravity and then modified for terrestrial use
Marshall Space Flight Center
RMANNCO Inc. Lenoir, North Carolina
Benefits
First commercialized for petroleum cleanup, the capsules are now used for more efficient use of food ingredients and for self-refreshing lipstickNew treatment for injured military dogs uses wax capsules filled with natural oils and antiseptics Also developing synthetic food for honeybees, to produce honey not containing sugarSpinoff 2016
Energy and Environment
Tiny Capsules Enable a World of Possibilities
Technology Transfer
Inspired by NASA’s work, Joe
Resnick
licensed the machine for manufacturing the microcapsules and tried to make them even smaller
With improvements in technology, he’s now capable of making the microcapsules in sizes ranging from 1 to 9,000 microns Capsules are made from beeswax and are naturally biodegradable
Slide41Slide42NASA Technology
Software was developed at Ames to monitor a hybrid rocket engine test bed
The Inductive Monitoring System collects data including temperature, pressure, fuel flow, voltage from sensors and monitors relationships between various factors
Ames Research Center
CEMSol LLCPhoenix, Arizona
Benefits
Tested on the Lockheed C-130 Hercules plane, ISHM successfully predicted startup failures. Savings on maintenance and delays topped 10 times Lockheed’s investment in the test Believed to be first step toward universal self-monitoring Also successful in analyzing weather systemsSpinoff
2016Information Technology
System-Health Monitor Predicts Failures Before they Happen
Technology Transfer
The software is being integrated into the next-generation launch control at Kennedy Space Center, as well as Orion
and the F-18 fighter jet
CEMSol licensed the program in 2008 and developed applications in system health monitoringIntegrated System Health Management (ISHM) monitors systems to identify deviations from baseline behavior that might preclude a failure
Slide43NASA Technology
NASA launched the
QuikSCAT
satellite in 1999 to use radar pulses to research global weather patternsThe next year, the Space Shuttle Endeavour undertook the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, spending 11 days creating a global topographical map detailing 80 percent of the planet’s surface
Stennis Space CenterWorldWinds Inc.Slidell, Louisiana
Benefits
StormWinds takes advantage of a cluster of 852 processors to compute storm-related issuesTool can help homeowners know which storm damage-related insurance claims to fileStormWinds is being used to redraw storm surge maps for the East Coast and the Gulf of MexicoSimulations predict where storm surges will hit
Spinoff 2016
Information Technology
Algorithm Predicts and Evaluates Storm Surges
Technology Transfer
Using open source software created by the Army Corps of Engineers and two universities, a Stennis engineer’s company combined data from NASA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess coastal terrain and forecast storm surges
An algorithm was formulated to use wind measurement-gathering sources and real-time satellite data to analyze storms over time
Slide44NASA Technology
Alliance
Spacesystems
, whose engineers came from JPL, needed to design and build the robotic arm for the Spirit and Opportunity rovers in two yearsTo meet deadline, they wanted to be more efficient in reviewing and marking up designsJet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Bluebeam Software Inc. Pasadena, California Benefits
Revu is used by 58 percent of the top international design firms, 64 percent of top American design firms, and 74 percent of top American contractors by revenue
JPL is among Bluebeam’s clients and uses the software as a whiteboard to facilitate meetingsEmbraced by construction, oil and gas industriesSpinoff 2016Information Technology
Mars Rover Work Spawns PDF Collaboration Software
Technology Transfer
Pushbutton PDF, which converts computer-aided design models into high-resolution, scalable drawings, became spinoff company Bluebeam’s first product
Revu
, the company’s
current primary offering, includes other tools for PDF creation, markup, and project management
Slide45NASA Technology
A NASA project to standardize NASA websites resulted in OpenStack, the world’s leading open source cloud computing platform
OpenStack is deployed across the world to manage organization’s data in public and private clouds
Ames Research Center
Canonical Ltd. Boston, MassachusettsBenefits
Canonical Distribution of OpenStack is a suite of software that clients can use to build their own cloud
The company also offers services to build and run clouds for business, training in running OpenStack, and moreSpinoff 2016Information Technology
Open Source Tools Popularize Infrastructure for Cloud Computing
Technology Transfer
Most OpenStack deployments are underpinned by Ubuntu, the leading distribution of Linux
Canonical, which created Ubuntu, decided to make officially adopt OpenStack as Ubuntu’s built-in cloud computing program and develop additional tools to support it
Slide46NASA Technology
The National Aerospace Plane, or X-30, was going to be a single-stage-to-orbit vehicle for traveling to low-Earth orbit and back
ST-SIZE software was created to determine the best materials to keep the plane as light as possible
Langley Research Center
Collier Research CorporationNewport News, Virginia
Benefits
Now able to alter designs, decreasing wasteUsed create alternative designs for the Orion capsule and its heat shield carrier Boeing, SpaceX, and other commercial space companies now using HyperSizerAlso used to design wind turbine blades
Spinoff 2016
Information Technology
Software Optimizes Designs from Spaceships to Wind Turbines
Technology Transfer
The X-30 plan was cancelled, but ST-SIZE lived on as software licensed by NASA to Craig Collier, who had developed it at Langley
Renamed
HyperSizer, the program was a design optimizer that could calculate the weight of different vehicles based on materials and suggest changes
NASA SBIR contracts further improved the software
Slide47NASA Technology
NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) has generated 200 terabytes of climate reanalysis data since 2008
Nearly 120 kinds of observations are combined to generate global and regional weather models
Data from 1979 through today used in analysis
Goddard Space Flight CenteriPlant CollaborativeTucson, Arizona
Benefits
iPlant Collaborative was an early user, developing a graphical interface for CAaaS as a research tool to support life science research Storage and calculations occur on NASA servers, minimizing the time and computing power users need to perform calculations Spinoff 2016
Information Technology
NASA Climate Analytics Support Biological Research
Technology Transfer
To share MERRA’s datasets, a team at Goddard used NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science Program funding to allow users remote access to NASA servers for computing
MERRA dataset was broken into a cluster of 36 servers, allowing for simultaneous use of information
Climate-Analytics-as-a-Service (
CAaaS) is offered through NASA’s Climate Data Services application
Slide48NASA Technology
In the 1980s, scientists at JPL developed
the Spacecraft Health Inference Engine (
SHINE), an artificial intelligence program to monitor spacecraftOne of those scientists later created Hunter, a natural language-understanding system based on SHINE
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)Beyond Limits CorporationThousand Oaks, California
Benefits
The software infers an Internet user’s intent based on websites visited, subject matter read, and other observations Beyond Limits’ product delves into a multi-million-dollar targeted advertising market NASA has incorporated software improvements the company made to SHINE
Spinoff 2016
Information Technology
Artificial Intelligence Targets Advertising by Understanding User
Technology Transfer
SHINE has been used to solve problems in cybersecurity and perform diagnostics for robotics and security systems
Beyond Limits licensed SHINE and Hunter to target online advertising to consumers
by determining a person’s intent and sentiment at a given moment
Slide49NASA Technology
NASA worked on the
Fastrac
turbopump fuel injector in the 1990s for smaller, less expensive spacecraftThe turbopump was designed to run more efficiently, using refined kerosene instead of liquid hydrogen
At the time, NASA didn’t have a general-purpose code for analytics testingMarshall Space Flight CenterConcepts NRECWhite River Junction, Vermont
Benefits
GFSSP was licensed by Concepts NREC, which sells the code as part of a software packageMining companies are using GFSSP to analyze the flow of methane through shafts for removalNamed NASA’s Software of the Year in 2001
Latest version looks at mixtures of gas-liquids that move at different speeds
Spinoff 2016
Information Technology
Modeling Software Helps Rocket Scientists Go with the Flow
Technology Transfer
The Generalized Fluid System Simulation
Program (GFSSP) was created to analyze turbopump designs
After the
Fastrac
program was cancelled, other similar
turbopump
engines gained in popularity
GFSSP became a popular computational fluid dynamics code used by NASA and other government agencies
Slide50NASA Technology
Electro-optic ceramic materials promised efficient, rugged components with high response speeds
An SBIR contract from NASA for a Q switch for an all-solid
lidar system let BATi demonstrate a new ceramic with an electro-optic effect nearly 100 times greater than its predecessor
Langley Research CenterBoston Applied Technologies Inc. (BATi)Woburn, Massachusetts
Benefits
BATi’s OptoCeramic material can withstand high humidity and wide temperature swings without compromising performance The materials can be made by hot-pressing, cheaper and easier than growing crystalsDefense contractors, universities, and research institutes use the ceramics
Spinoff 2016
Information Technology
Electro-Optic Ceramic Creates High-Speed Fiber-Optic Networks
Technology Transfer
The material used in the switch, lanthanum-modified magnesium
niobate
titanate (PLMNT), allows for smaller and more compact lasers with a higher electro-optic coefficientBATi used PLMNT to expand its line of products into high-speed optical switches for fiber-optic networks
Slide51Slide52NASA Technology
Sentient Science was working on a tool that could predict the lifespan of a given machine component
Under an SBIR contract from NASA, the company validated its tool with the help of Glenn’s database on helicopter
gear performance Glenn Research Center
Sentient ScienceBuffalo, New York
Benefits
Using the software to predict wear on a component, thousands of test points are generated in days, the equivalent of decades of real-world testing data DigitalClone Live now monitors more than 5,000 wind turbines from eight operators, helping to bring down the cost of wind energySpinoff 2016Industrial Productivity
DigitalClone
Software Predicts, Extends Machine Life
Technology Transfer
A gear
with 25 years’ worth of data available
was selected
Based on materials, surfaces, and working conditions, Sentient was able to predict the gear’s pitting life—when it would have to be replaced—and reached the same results logged in the database
Slide53NASA Technology
NASA needed a way to keep the detectors aboard the
Reuven
Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager at -324 °FIn the interest of saving time and money, the agency reached out to Sunpower, which makes cryocoolers that use the Stirling cycle
Goddard Space Flight CenterSunpower Inc.Athens, Ohio
Benefits
Sunpower’s cryocoolers are used for infrared detectors on high-end telescopes, as well as scientific, commercial, and military applications, and high-temperature superconductors Product line, especially niche applications in commercial and space-oriented cryocoolers, have benefited from NASA work Spinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
Cryocoolers
Fuel Exploration in Space and on Earth
Technology Transfer
Under 18 SBIR contracts with Goddard and Glenn Research Center,
Sunpower
has developed at least a dozen cryocoolers to NASA specifications These cryocoolers have a lifespan of at least 23 years, useful for space missionsAdvancements under these SBIRs included engine efficiency improvements and use of thermoacoustics —using sound waves to transfer heat
Slide54NASA Technology
JPL engineers needed to shield the Cassini probe from temperature fluctuations but didn’t have a viable tape to allow blankets to be tied to the craft
Dunmore made a special tape for the job, just one of the many tapes, insulations, and other products the company has made to NASA specifications
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Dunmore CorporationBristol, Pennsylvania
BenefitsSuch insulations are used in buildings, cryogenic material storage, MRI machines, and particle accelerators
High-temperature labels and electrostatic dissipators are used on circuit boards, and the tapes are used in electronics and aircraft Several commercial space companies are clientsSpinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
Temperature-Resistant Materials Enable Space-Like Cold on Earth
Technology Transfer
The results are light, feathery insulations with many layers that reflect the sun’s heat back into space and interior warmth back into the craft
I
nsulations, tapes, electrostatic
dissipators, and labels made for NASA are now in Dunmore’s catalog
Slide55NASA Technology
NASA has encouraged the public to work on technology that would enable an elevator to space
For NASA’s Power Beaming Challenge, participants had to come up with ways to remotely power robot “climbers” that could one day transport spacecraft and payloads into orbit
NASA Headquarters
LaserMotiveSeattle, Washington
Benefits
The standard model is rated for 10 watts of direct current, far more than other, similar systems, with higher wattages in the works Doesn’t create radio noise, need heavy insulation, or let electricity to return through wires Spinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
Lasers Enable Alternative Power Transmission
Technology Transfer
In 2009, the only team to meet the challenge was
LaserMotive
,
using diode lasers to send power to photovoltaic arrays on its climber, which ascended one kilometer at two meters per second Expertise and money gained from this success allowed LaserMotive to commercialize its Power over Fiber technology, which sends energy from a laser through fiber-optic cables
Slide56NASA Technology
NASA uses up to 100 million cubic feet of helium annually to purge hydrogen lines
around test
sites and launch padsRising costs of helium prompted NASA to look for more efficient and cost-effective supply streamsStennis Space Center
Sustainable Innovations LLCEast Hartford, Connecticut
Benefits
Sustainable Innovations’ H2RENEW offers a cost savings opportunity for industries that use hydrogen H2RENEW cabinet both cleans and pressurizes hydrogen for storageEnergy market for hydrogen could be up to $50 billion annuallySpinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
Helium Recapture System Reclaims Hydrogen for Industry Use
Technology Transfer
Sustainable Innovations received STTR contracts from NASA for development of a reverse form of fuel cell technology that uses an electrical charge to separate and purify hydrogen, leaving helium for reuse
The process is an efficient way for industry to recycle and store hydrogen for future use
Slide57NASA Technology
One of the Hubble Space Telescope’s primary mirrors was initially ground to the wrong shape, resulting in fuzzy images
Before sending up two new tools to correct for the mirror defect, NASA wanted to validate the repair method
Goddard Space Flight Center
AOA XineticsCambridge, Massachusetts
Benefits
AOA’s resulting aberrated beam analyzer (ABA) has since found numerous commercial usesAll major shipping companies now use a package-scanning and dimensioning system based on ABAAOA also used ABA to build a scan tunnel for self-checkout deployed in Kroger grocery stores Spinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
Laser Vision Helps Hubble, Package Shippers See Clearly
Technology Transfer
Optics companies were asked to create an instrument to verify the shape of a mirror and detect any defects
AOA
Xinetics
won the “sense-off” with its newly created tool, which was then used to verify the replacement parts for Hubble
Slide58NASA Technology
NASA created a system for detecting and fixing any damaged or missing tiles from the shuttle’s underbelly once it reached space
However, the agency needed a way to make sure the replacement was fully cured before the shuttle attempted reentry
Johnson Space Center
Rex Gauge Company Inc.Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Benefits
The SG-5000 durometer has been certified by the Space Foundation as a space technology-derived productRex added some of the features NASA requested on its Model DD-4 durometer, leading to a 35 percent increase in sales for the digital gauges Spinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
Space-Ready
Durometers
Measure Hardness on Earth
Technology Transfer
The agency contacted Rex Gauge to ask about a modified
durometer for astronautsDurometers measure the hardness of nonmetallic substancesThe modified durometer has a wider barrel, a modified top, and a dial with a colored background and larger display to read easily in space
Slide59NASA Technology
There was great excitement for high-temperature superconductive (HTS) materials in the mid-1980s
These materials become superconductive at much higher temperatures than metal superconductors
NASA needed an HTS material for the spectrometer it contributed to Japan’s ASTRO-H observatory
Goddard Space Flight Center Energy to Power SolutionsTallahassee, Florida
Benefits
Energy to Power Solutions’ leads, derived from its NASA work, transfer only 100 to 200 microwatts of heat and can operate at temperatures as low as 0.05 KThe company sells its technology for a variety of terrestrial applications, including MRI machines, and continues to work on reducing costs Spinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
High-Temperature Superconductors Deliver Power without Heat
Technology Transfer
Energy to Power Solutions—then called Tai-Yang—had developed a way to slit superconducting tapes down to a size compatible with NASA’s needs
The enabling technology were ceramic wires, made
from yttrium barium copper
oxide, which wouldn’t overwhelm the system with heat
Slide60NASA Technology
JPL engineers were tasked with surveying possible thrusters for a system on the European Space Agency’s LISA Pathfinder mission
The thrusters would need to have an extremely delicate touch for slight adjustments, and exceptionally long life
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
BusekNatick, Massachusetts
Benefits
Busek’s electrospray thrusters operate at about 70 percent efficiency, compared with 50 to 60 percent efficiency from traditional ion thrustersNew goal is to get thrusters designed for CubeSats into spaceBusek also makes Hall effect thrusters and micro-pulsed plasma thrusters, among others
Spinoff 2016
Industrial Productivity
Electrospray Thrusters Boost Efficiency, Precision
Technology Transfer
Through an SBIR contract,
Busek
developed thrusters using electrospray, which applies an electrostatic field to the surface of an ionized liquid, resulting in a miniscule exhaust and thrustThe company was selected to provide electrospray thrusters for LISA Pathfinder’s disturbance reduction system, precise enough to counteract forces as negligible as photons striking the craft’s shell
Slide61Visit the
Spinoff
website for more examples of NASA technology transfer: http://spinoff.nasa.gov
Slide62