Volume 5, Number 4 July/August 1997
Moving Forward
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Technology Opportunity Showcase highlights some unique technologies that NASA has developed and that we believe have strong potential for commercial application. While the descriptions provided here are brief, they should provide enough information to communicate the potential applications of the technology. For more detailed information, contact the person or office listed. Please mention you read about it in Innovation. |
Langley Research Center is seeking partners to license and cooperatively develop a commercial product using its Mass Density Sensor technology. This technology is a safe, mechanically robust, non-intrusive, low-cost method for determining the resin content of textile materials during manufacturing. The Mass Density Sensor measures mass density, spin finish, resin applied to tows and coating of synthetic yarns like nylon and polyester and optical fibers. The direct use of mechanical vibration and an optical technique for sensing vibrations of the tow is novel to this sensor. The system uses natural mechanical resonance in a moving resin-impregnated yarn or tow to determine the amount of resin that has been applied. The tow is held under tension. Vibration is then induced and sensed at the center of the proposed span by an optical sensor. Finally, the sensor's output is amplified and analyzed. Well-known relationships from physics predict that the natural frequencies of the vibration are inversely proportional to the square root of the desired mass per unit length.
For more information, contact Greg Manuel at Langley Research Center.
Call 757/864-3864
Fax: 757/864-8314
E-mail: g.s.manuel@larc.nasa.gov
Cares Software Assesses Integrity
Lewis Research Center has developed a software series that will provide an innovative and low-cost method for assessing the integrity and reliability of structural ceramic and brittle material components. The Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures (CARES) software package will make it possible to safely determine the life-span and durability of existing brittle-material and ceramic structures while determining the best use of high-value-added materials in high-stress structures. The software combines multi-disciplinary research, including fracture analysis, probabilistic modeling, model validation and brittle structure design. CARES can provide accurate predictions of the product's capabilities before it is manufactured. Input for this software includes material data from simple experiments and stress and temperature distributions obtained from finite element analysis. The software could have numerous applications for testing material in the aerospace, automotive, propulsion and power, bioengineering, and glass industries.
For more information, contact Lesley A. Janosik at Lewis Research Center.
Call 216/433-5160
Fax: 216/43-8300
E-mail: lesley.a.janosik@lerc.nasa.gov
Composite Materials Manufacturing
U.S. industry is invited to use innovative and economical manufacturing techniques that produced composite materials for NASA's Reusable Space Vehicle (RSV) at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Computer-aided drawings and specialized machinery, such as MSFC's automated fabrication systems, work precisely with many different types of materials including glass, Kevlar and carbon/graphite fibers to produce strong, durable and inexpensive materials. Composite materials may be used to increase a product's strength without adding to its overall weight, making it ideal for products that must conform to specific weight, strength or durability requirements. Although many of MSFC's machines produce aerospace materials, they can be used to produce improved consumer products through slight engineering adjustments.
For more information, contact the Technology Transfer Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center.
Call 800/USA-NASA
Next Generation Molded Magnets
An improved, low-cost method of manufacturing molded-magnets will use metallic particles. Langley Research Center developed LaRC-SI, a high performance polymer binder. Magnets produced by this method molded to fit other components, are resistant to thermal shock, exhibit high rupture strength and magnetic anisotropy and experience lower high frequency and eddy current loss than conventional magnets. The environmentally durable process, used for both hard and soft materials, enables tailoring of magnetic properties to a specific application. Waste materials produced from manufacturing are recyclable. LaRC-SI is the binder of choice in this process as it exhibits high-adhesive strength and dielectric properties, is durable and has excellent solvent resistance properties. The biocompatible polymer can be continuously used from cryogenic temperatures to 200 degrees Celsius. This technology has potential for use in transformers, motors; aerospace, agricultural and automotive ignition coils; evaluation and testing equipment and medical devices.
For more information, contact Gaudy M. Bezos-O'Connor at Langley Research Center.
Call 757/864-5083
Fax: 757/864-8314
E-mail: g.m.bezos-o'connor@larc.nasa.gov
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.
