Volume 10, Number 3 • May/June 2002 • Moving Forward

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.or more detailed information, contact the person listed. Please mention that you read about it in Innovation.

Electronic Timecard System

NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is now seeking to transfer the Electronic Timecard (ETC) System for use in commercial applications. This computer-based, automated system was developed to replace a cumbersome and error-prone paper-based system for recording employees’ work hours. Prior to the implementation of the ETC, employees had to complete a paper timecard and ensure that it arrived at a central location each Monday morning for processing by the payroll department. Problems encountered by payroll included a 10-percent rejection rate for incorrect site codes, improper charge numbers, inaccurate totals, missing signatures and other errors.

With the ETC system, employees can easily keep their timecards up to date and accurate through simple time-field entries. The system simplifies the daily entry of work hours for employees, who select job codes from lists provided by supervisors. Supervisors can also review employees’ timecards electronically from their own office at any time during the week. Both employees and supervisors use electronic signatures to verify the information. Through this electronic submittal process, timecards can be turned in on time and without the risk of being lost or misplaced.

This process also enhances quality assurance activities by providing payroll and human resources departments with the ability to generate various reports more easily and efficiently. This streamlined process reduces data entry costs and errors. The system also facilitates the addition of new hires into the system and the reassignment of employees to other departments/supervisors.

Potential commercial uses of the ETC system include any business or organization with a large workforce wishing to streamline its payroll procedures and save money by reducing or eliminating time-consuming timecard collection.

The Electronic Timecard software was written in Visual Basic 3 for use with SQL Server 6.5 and runs in Windows 95 or Windows NT. NASA seeks to transfer this software free of charge to qualified US companies for their own internal use. However, any company or individual desiring the software for commercial purposes must apply for a license from NASA. Q

For more information, please contact Lynne Henkiel, SERTTC Industry Liaison, phone: 321/867-8130, fax: 321/867-2050, Lynne.Henkiel-1@ksc.nasa.gov. Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

Spray-On Circuits In-Situ Thin-Film Circuitry

NASA offers companies the opportunity to license a revolutionary process that can permanently bond ultra-thin markings, including complex integrated circuits, onto most surfaces.

Researchers at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed a new thin-film deposition process that creates a permanent bond between the film and substrate. This patented process, known as vacuum arc vapor deposition (VAVD), can be performed using a traditional vacuum chamber or a handheld vacuum device developed by NASA. Applications are numerous, including a new method for creating integrated circuits such as smart tags, radio frequency identification devices (RFID) and memory devices.

The process deposits thin films in-situ on virtually any metallic and some nonmetallic surfaces; applies easily using a vacuum chamber or portable handheld device; creates a permanent bond between the film and substrate; produces very thin high-quality films; uses masks to produce high-definition symbols or integrated circuits; improves the deposition rate compared to other processes; and eliminates hazardous wastes or byproducts.

VAVD technology can be used to create any kind of mark or film on a part. Typical marks include simple patterns for bar codes or two-dimensional data matrices and complex patterns for RFID or memory devices. VAVD is useful for a number of industrial applications, including asset tracking, inventory management, component health monitoring, smart cards, smart devices and wireless communications.

The VAVD technology can produce thin-film coatings in the form of small, high-fidelity part identification symbols that can be read by humans or machines. VAVD can also provide an alternative semiconductor manufacturing process. With VAVD, integrated circuits can be permanently built onto the substrate of virtually any part using layers of thin-film deposition. Because the size and operation of a traditional vacuum chamber limits both the size and volume of parts being marked, NASA developed a portable handheld vacuum device that can apply markings. NASA has tested VAVD with a number of films and substrates. Types of thin films sprayed include chrome, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, silicon, cobalt, iron, nickel and various ceramics. Types of substrates include various metal surfaces, PVC, ceramics, paper, mineral surfaces (such as rocks) and feathers.

The VAVD technology portfolio includes issued and pending patents. NASA invites companies to consider using this technology through exclusive or nonexclusive field-of-use licensing. Q

For more information, contact Sammy Nabors at Marshall Space Flight Center, 256/544-5226, sammy.nabors@msfc.nasa.gov. Please mention you read about it in Innovation.