Technology Opportunity Showcase highlights
some unique technologies that NASA has developed
and which 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 listed. Please mention that you read about it in Innovation.
Technology Opportunity Showcase
Durability, High Performance, Multi-Use
Downhole Image Enhancement and Visualization System
ASA Technology Transfer Program at Stennis Space Center
seeks commercial applications of its Downhole Image Enhancement and Visualization
technology. The system includes a camera, a PC, a frame grabber, an NTSC monitor,
a computer monitor, a VGA or SVGA card and an NTSC-to-VGA converter. It features
visualization software that transforms information by mapping continuous downhole
video onto a three-dimensional cylindrical shape that can be freely manipulated and
visualized on a computer display screen. The basic image acquisition and processing
system has been tested and delivered. It is manufacturable, can be modified by the
user, easily maintained and is easy to use with its menu-driven operator interface.
Potential commercial uses are regular inspection of oil wells and wells prepared for
reactivation; inspection of pitting corrosion, stress cracks and splitting; and
removal of well obstructions.
For more information, contact the Technology Transfer Office at Stennis Space Center.
Call (601) 688-1929,
or
Fax (601)688-2408.
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.
Monitoring Daily Activity in Terms of Ground Reaction Forces
ASA Ames Research Center seeks partners to use its Ground
Reaction Force (GRF)-based Activity Monitor in research settings, which could lead to
commercialization possibilities for a consumer monitor. The GRF Activity Monitor
provides an improved method to measure, record, and analyze musculoskeletal loading
histories during daily activities. It will enable research studies on bone and muscle
fitness leading to a product for individuals to monitor their own daily weight-bearing
activity. Potential research applications include high speed optical fiber
communications, all-optical communications networks, optical computing systems
and all-optical logic gates. As a research instrument, the GRF-based activity monitor
could be used in the following fields: bone and muscle physiology; gerontology
research—effects of aging on ambulation, balance and falling, energy requirements;
physical activity; exercise physiology; gait analysis; efficacy of sports/exercise
equipment; and child and adult obesity. Further clinical data could substantiate a
consumer version to monitor for exercise or weight-bearing activity for assessing
individual levels of weight-bearing activity and musculoskeletal loading.
For more information, contact Rick Ballard, NASA Ames Research Center.
Call (650) 604-1853,Fax (650) 604-1592, E-mail rballard@mail.arc.nasa.gov
or write, Mail Stop 202A-3, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000.
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.
Composite Flexible Blanket Insulation
NASA Ames Research Center is seeking partnerships with industry to further develop
Composite Flexible Blanket Insulation (CFBI) capabilities while continuing to lower
the cost. Licensing options are also available for the manufacture and distribution
of this material. It is useful as a thermal protection system for specific heating
environments which contain conductive, convective and radiative heating components.
It is affordable to produce from common elements. It provides flexible, durable,
lightweight and high-temperature resistant insulation suitable for repeated use and
can be designed to have commercially viable thermal insulation capability from 500 °C
(920 °F) to 1400 °C (2550 °F). It is better at protecting substructures from reaching
critical temperature. It performs better by weight, can be waterproofed and has a new
sewing thread capability that keeps it from breaking or tangling. Commercial
manufacturing uses include firefighter suits, tools and equipment; fire shelters for
smoke jumpers and front line firefighters; fire wall material for vehicles; and
additional thermal and acoustic insulation.
For more information, call National Technology Transfer Center Gateway Services. Call (800) 678-6882.
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.
