Volume 10, Number 4 • July/August 2002 • Technology Transfer

NorTech Recognizes Best New Products

NPSS is considered a world-class propulsion system simulation tool that provides the U.S. aerospace industry with unprecedented capability and ease of use. Artwork courtesy of Glenn Research Center.

Technologies developed at NASA Glenn Research Center will result in safer and less costly airplane engines, as well as more environmentally friendly materials used in those engines. These technology advances, Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) and Environment Conscious Ceramics (Ecoceramics), were among the award recipients at the 2002 NorTech Innovation Award ceremony.

NPSS is considered a world-class propulsion system simulation tool that provides the US aerospace industry with unprecedented capability and ease of use. An emerging US standard for aerospace simulations, it was designed and is maintained with the full interaction of every major aircraft engine manufacturer in the world. This software tool will reduce the cost and risk associated with advanced propulsion system development. The reduced risk translates into increased safety for aeronautics and the human exploration of space.

Gregory J. Follen, Thomas M. Lavelle and Cynthia Gutierrez Naiman, employees of Glenn, and Bret A. Naylor, of Integral Systems Inc., worked with a team of 39 other engineers from Glenn and 14 other organizations in the development of this simulation tool.

Ecoceramics technology uses processes and materials that minimize harmful effects on the environment. The starting materials are renewable resources and environmental wastes, such as natural wood, sawdust or cellulosic fibers. The shaped preforms from these cellulosic materials are pyrolyzed and infiltrated with various non-oxide- and oxide-based materials to form ceramics with different compositions and densities. The process, resulting in lighter, less costly ceramics that can operate at high temperatures, is important in the development of more efficient airplane engines. The manufacturing process was developed by Dr. Mrityunjay Singh, an employee of QSS Group Inc., Cleveland, working in Glenn’s Materials Division.

NorTech Innovation Awards, formerly known as the EDI Innovation Awards, are named for the Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition (NorTech), the technology affiliate of Cleveland Tomorrow. The awards honor innovators and companies for creating some of the best new products in Northeast Ohio. Q

For more information, contact Dr. M. Singh at Glenn Research Center, phone: 216/433-8883, Mrityunjay.Singh@grc.nasa.gov. Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

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