Bitsy Thinks Big
AeroAstro, of Herndon, Virginia, developed a nanospacecraft core module capable of developing recyclable spacecraft designs using standard interfaces. From this core module, known as the BitsyT kernel, custom spacecraft are able to connect mission-specific instruments and subsystems for variation in mission usage. The nanospacecraft core module may be used in conjunction with an existing microsatellite bus or customized to meet specific requirements. Building on this premise, AeroAstro has developed a line of satellite communications equipment, sun sensors, and Lithium-Ion batteries which are all incorporated in its complete line of mission-specific nanospacecraft. The Bitsy technology is also a key component in AeroAstro's satellite inspection products and orbital transfer services. In the future, AeroAstro plans to market an even less expensive version of the Bitsy technology. The plan, which is targeted to universities, markets a sort of satellite in a kit for less than $1 million. This technology would allow universities to build true space hardware for a fraction of the cost of launching a regular satellite.
Boiler and pressure balls monopropellant thermal rocket engine
The proposed technology is a rocket engine cycle utilizing as the propulsive fluid a low molecular weight, cryogenic fluid, typically liquid hydrogen, pressure driven, heated, and expelled through a nozzle to generate high velocity and high specific impulse discharge gas. The proposed technology feeds the propellant through the engine cycle without the use of a separate pressurization fluid and without the use of turbomachinery. Advantages of the proposed technology are found in those elements of state-of-the-art systems that it avoids. It does not require a separate pressurization fluid or a thick-walled primary propellant tank as is typically required for a classical pressure-fed system. Further, it does not require the acceptance of intrinsic reliability risks associated with the use of turbomachinery.
William D. Greene
Breadboard Facility
Chrysler operated what was known as Saturn/I/IB Development Breadboard Facility. Originally from the Apollo program, Breadboard" means array of electrical and electronic equipment for performing variety of test and development functions. This development gave Chrysler a broad capability in computerized testing to assure quality control in development of solid state systems. Now a major project is production and quality control testing of lean burn engines one that has built-in computer to control emission timing and allows engine to run on a leaner mixture of fuel and air."
Carbonated Cement for Production of Concrete with Improved Properties
The NASA cement innovation describes a method to make solid carbon material from CO2 captured during the cement-making process, and for using that carbon material in the mixture to improve cement properties. Doing so provides a direct use for the captured CO2, eliminating any CO2 storage/disposal issues and providing an improved cement product. The innovation employs a chemical reaction, known as the Bosch process, which uses hydrogen gas and catalysis to reduce the CO2 to solid carbon and water. Cement manufacturing is uniquely suited to the use of the Bosch process. Cement manufacturing requires high temperatures, and harnessing this excess heat limits the total energy required to maintain a Bosch process at a cement plant. Also, cement contains iron, a metal shown to be an exceptional catalyst for the Bosch process. Thus, the cement product itself can be used as the catalyst for the reaction, also serving as a carbon sink. This eliminates any requirements for the storage or disposal of the waste carbon captured from CO2 emissions. Test evaluations at the bench scale have provided encouraging indications of enhanced mechanical properties for the carbon-containing cement materials. In particular, the findings suggest that the carbon in the concrete might delay the environmental breakdown of concrete due to the blocking effect of the carbon on harmful ions (e.g., chlorine).
NASA&#39s Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a new cement composition and manufacturing method that enables carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction in cement manufacturing while also providing a cement with improved performance capabilities. Building off of their expertise in life-support oxygen-control systems for spacecraft, the researchers have demonstrated a process whereby carbon is reduced to solid form from captured CO2 emissions, and becomes an inherent component of the cement product. The inventors, along with their collaborators at California State University-Chico, have demonstrated the technical viability of the innovation with laboratory testing that has indicated that, in addition to reduced CO2 emissions, cement compositions with enhanced properties can be attained. The inventors are pursuing opportunities to evaluate this innovation in actual cement-making applications.
Provides an integrated systems approach to reducing CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from cement manufacturing with capture as well as storage/use in the cement product itself
Supporting CO2 Emissions Reduction in Cement Manufacturing
MFS-TOPS-68
Charged Particles Kill Pathogens and Round up Dust
To keep plants fresh longer in space, Marshall Space Flight Center awarded funding to the University of Wisconsin-Madision to develop a titanium oxide-based device that reduced the amount of decay-inducing ethylene gas in the air. Electrolux (now Dallas-based Aerus Holdings) furthered the technology by developing an air purification product that kills pathogens both in the atmosphere and on surfaces.
Chemical Equilibrium with Applications in MATLAB (CEAM)
This software is an adaptation of the FORTRAN based Gordon-McBride Chemical Equilibrium with Application (CEAM) computer program developed 50 years ago. This software incorporates modern programming techniques, data management, and adds unique user features.
https://software.nasa.gov/software/MFS-33320-1
MFS-33320-1
U.S. Release Only
Clean Room Apparel
American Hospital Supply Corporation (AHSC), Baxter Healthcare Corporation's predecessor, used the NASA informational base on contamination control technology to improve industrial contamination control technology. When a study determined that microscopic body particles escaping through tiny windows" in woven garments worn by workers were the greatest source of contamination AHSC developed TYVEK. This non-woven material filters 99% of all particulate matter larger than half a micron. Baxter Healthcare added a polyimide coating which seals and ties down any loose fibers providing greater durability. Stress points along seams have been minimized to make the garment almost tearproof. Micro-Clean 212 garments are individually packaged and disposable."
Clean Water for Remote Locations
Marshall Space Flight Center engineers are working on creating the Regenerative Environmental Control Life Support System, a complex system of devices intended to sustain the astronauts living on the ISS and, in the future, sustain those who are blasting off to the Moon or Mars. The devices make use of the available resources, by turning wastewater from respiration, sweat, and urine into drinkable water. One of the devices that Marshall has been working on is the Water Recovery System (WRS). Marshall has teamed with long-time NASA contractor, Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc., of Windsor Locks, Connecticut. Hamilton Sundstrand, the original designer of the life support devices for the space suits, developed the Water Processor Assembly (WPA). It, along with the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) developed by Marshall, combine to make up the total system, which is about the size of two refrigerators, and will support up to a six-member crew. The system is currently undergoing final test and verification. The WPA is tentatively scheduled for launch in 2008. Water Security Corporation, Inc., of Sparks, Nevada, owns the patents for the commercial use of this technology and has begun to offer it throughout the world-anywhere people need affordable, clean water. By combining the benefits of chemical adsorption, ion exchange, and ultra-filtration processes, Water Security Corporation's products yield safe, healthy, good-tasting water from the most challenging water sources, such as in underdeveloped regions where well water may be heavily contaminated with bacteria.
Collapsible Towers
NASA needed a means of orbiting a large radio telescope antenna. Astro Research Corporation developed a new structure that was strong, lightweight, folded into a small storage space, and could be erected by rotation. Later they adapted it to commercial use. Today the Astromast" tower consists of tubular aluminum alloy and stainless steel members that deploy into small three-sided bays each made rigid by six diagonal cables. All joints are flexible to permit folding and unfolding. Tower packs into container 5% of its height can be erected without tools and is reusable. Tower has won "Design of the Year" award from Machine Design. Variations include portable emergency bridges and commercial scaffolding."
ET Component/System Quasi-Static Load Fac 4619
ET Cryogenic Structural Test Facility 4699
ET Dynamics Test Stand (4550)
ET East Vibration Test Facility 4619
ET Flight Environmental Test Facility 4619
ET Hazardous Structural Test Complex 4572
ET Large Structure Quasi-Static Load Fac 4619
ET Modal Test Facility 4619
ET Pyrotechnic Shock Test Facility 4619
ET Structural Dynamics Control Facility 4619