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

Hot NASA Technologies

Thin-Film Heat Flux Sensor

Lewis Research Center is seeking industry partnerships to transfer the process for fabricating thin-film heat flux sensors for both aerospace and nonaerospace applications. The thin-film heat flux sensors can be fabricated as plug-type sensors on the surface of a ceramic material or directly on a part's surface, such as a turbine blade. Heat flux temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit can be measured. The sensor can be fabricated directly onto the part without cutting into the part. They are minimally intrusive in engines, and they are of a small mass so high-frequency measurements can be made. The sensors provide accurate knowledge of heat loading on critical propulsion system components. These sensors can also measure very high heat fluxes—up to 88 Btu/ft²sec. Potential commercial uses include measuring heat flux incident on ceramic engine parts and rocket engine parts, measuring heat flux in automotive engines and aircraft engines, measuring furnace outputs, detecting fires and applying to calorimetry.

For more information, contact Larry Viterna at Lewis Research Center.
Call: 216/433-3484, Fax: 216/433-5012, E-mail: Larry.A.Viterna@lerc.nasa.gov
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

Thermal Switch Disc

Researchers at Johnson Space Center developed the thermal switch disc, a low-cost, positive temperature coefficient resistor that protects battery-powered electronic equipment from the hazards of overheating and short circuiting. It is a solid-state disc made of conductive material, whose resistance changes with temperature to prevent damage to the electrical equipment. Resistance is minimum at normal operating temperatures and maximum at approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. A circular supporting brace locks the conductive element in place so that it is firmly held between batteries. The switch disc is safe, preventing battery-operated equipment from sparking and fires caused from overheating and short-circuit sparking. The device installs easily, offers simplicity and automatically resets after triggering. Knowledge of the application's voltage and current are the only requirements to select the proper disc. It is cost-effective, both in decreasing unnecessary repair bills and in minimal cost to consumers because only one switch is required per parallel string of batteries, allowing a high degree of protection. The device is ideally suited for use in portable or home electronic equipment and toys, in which one or several batteries are placed in series or parallel, as well as in high-reliability industrial equipment using similar battery arrangements. Typical applications include radios, flashlights, cellular phones and laptop computers.

For more information, contact Monty Coats at the Mid-Continent Technology Transfer Center.
Call: 800/472-6785, or 409/845-2907, Fax: 409/845-3559, E-mail: ted@teexnet.tamu.edu
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

Torque Wrench Adapter

Kennedy Space Center seeks to transfer the Torque Wrench Adapter for Confined Spaces technology to private industry and the general public for use in industrial applications to provide accuracy while torquing spanner nuts in hard-to-reach places. This adapter, used with a standard torque wrench, was developed for use in tightening electrical cable retainer nuts on the Space Shuttle's Solid Rocket Boosters at Kennedy. The boosters' cable connections are in very confined areas, and no known devices existed for properly torquing the retainer nuts. This tool is simple and reliable, requires no maintenance and could last indefinitely with minimum care and normal usage. It provides time savings in disconnect/connect procedures for the troubleshooting of connectors in confined areas. Potential commercial uses are in the aerospace industry, commercial airlines, telephone companies, communications cable companies, the computer industry, the automobile industry and the electronic industry. Currently, two different sizes of the adapter (a two-inch and a two-and-a-half-inch) have been made.

For more information, contact the Technology Programs and Commercialization Office at Kennedy Space Center.
Call: 407/867-6200, Fax: 407/867-2050, E-mail: Technology.Transfer@ksc.nasa.gov
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.