Dec 06, 2007

Dryden Flight Research Center
P.O. Box 273
Edwards, California 93523
Phone 661/276-3449
FAX 661/276-3566

Alan Brown
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
661-276-2665
alan.brown@nasa.gov 

RELEASE: 07-71

NASA SELECTS DRYDEN PROJECT FOR IPP SEED FUND AWARD

EDWARDS, Calif. &#8211; NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program 
recently awarded a "Seed Fund" grant to Tao Systems, of Hampton, Va., 
for development of a compact aerodynamic sensing system that will 
help validate aircraft flight performance.

The one-year grant will fund the Distributed Aerodynamic Sensing and 
Processing (DASP) Toolbox project that was proposed by aerospace 
engineers Marty Brenner and Dave Voracek at NASA Dryden Flight 
Research Center through the center's Innovative Partnerships Program 
office. The project leverages previous work from NASA Small Business 
Innovation Research (SBIR) projects with Tao Systems.

"Tao will perform design optimization and system integration of a 
distributed aerodynamic sensing and processing (DASP) toolbox using 
aerodynamic 'observables' for technology validation with patented hot 
film sensors, which are mounted at flexure points on aircraft lifting 
surfaces," Brenner explained.

"The DASP Toolbox monitors and processes the aerodynamics with the 
structural dynamics," he added. "This unique and powerful aerodynamic 
measurement tool would benefit many current and future programs 
devoted to gust load alleviation, body freedom flutter suppression, 
buffet control, improvement of aerodynamic efficiency through cruise 
control, supersonic wave drag reduction through shock control, etc. 
Feedback of these sensor measurements can then be used for 
distributed control of lifting surfaces."

The DASP techniques may aid health monitoring in a number of 
non-aerospace applications, such as tall buildings or bridges, 
structural and control components of sailboats, ship masts and tall 
ship deck structures, and control and propulsion subsystems on 
submarines.

Tao Systems will receive $238,000 in this cost-shared, 
joint-development project that will integrate previous investments 
from their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts with 
Dryden and the Air Force Research laboratory (AFRL). The project will 
ultimately provide a compact system that will minimize power 
requirements and then validate performance in flight. Partnership 
contributions from Tao Systems will include sensors, software and 
multiple data acquisition system components.

NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program Seed Fund addresses technology 
barriers with cost-shared, joint-development programs designed to 
advance key technologies to meet critical needs for NASA's mission. 
The Seed Fund project at Dryden is one of 38 partnerships that span 
30 states and include nine universities, 23 small to medium-sized 
businesses, 17 large corporations and participation by all 10 NASA 
field centers.

The one-year projects involve collaboration among three principal 
partners: a NASA partnership manager at a field center; a 
co-principal investigator within a NASA program or project office; 
and an external co-principal investigator from the private sector, 
academia or other government laboratory. The maximum Seed Fund awards 
are for $250,000.

NASA's Innovative Partnership Program at NASA Headquarters in 
Washington is contributing $9 million in funding from its Technology 
Transfer Partnerships budget, $13 million is being provided by NASA 
sources in programs, projects, or field centers, and $12 million from 
external partners for a total combined financial commitment of $34 
million.

For a complete list of selected organizations and information about 
NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program Seed Fund, visit:

http://www.ipp.nasa.gov/news.htm

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

For more information about NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and its 
research projects, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden.

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY EDITORS: Further information about Tao Systems 
and their NASA IPP Seed Fund research project can be obtained by 
contacting Siva Mangalam, president and principal investigator, Tao 
Systems, at 757-220-5040, e-mail siva@taosystem.com.

	
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