JO\\M f.lEMM£O'f 

Sp~CE C£M1ER \.\8~R'f OQCU EM1S OE"~Rl"EMl ~HE EMCE COPl 
Whats Driving 

Virtuallnstrumentati 

Thousands of LabVIEW" Instrument Drivers 

from Hundreds of Vendors 

Take your measurements faster with NI LabVIEW. an industry-standard graphical 

development environment that lets you create virtual instruments for your 

measurement and automation applications. Using LabVIEW with instrument drivers 

from hundreds of vendors. you can quickly configure and control your instruments 

and other measurement hardware. avoiding tedious instrument programming tasks. 

Now. you can focus on your measurements. saving you valuable time. 

? 

ni.com/idnet NATIONAL 

INSTRUMENTS- To download LabVIEW instrument drivers or request a FREE 

trial copy of Lab VIEW, visit ni.com/info and enter •• ,l1li6 (800) 453-6202 

Fax: 1512) 683·9300 • info@ni.com 
- @JuODlfi)@g - newtechus.net 

Built-In Patented Laser Sighting • • • TM 

• .-Laser Circle 

• to Dot ---.. • 

Swltchable ... 

SUPERMETERe with Circle/Dot 

Switchable Laser Sighting 

Model HHM290, $245 

After $100 Instant Rebate! 

r--..... _ Three meters in One I 

Handheld IR Thermometer 

Model 05532, $550 

With Built-In Dol/Circle Laser Sighting 

and Thermocouple Input 

IR Fiber Optic 

TransmitterlThermometer 

Model 051592, $2320 

Sensor Head and Cable Included 

Shop online at omega.comSM 

Over 100,000 Products Available ~ Temperature ~ Flow and Level ~ Pressure 

~ Data Acquisition ~ pH and Conductivity ~ Electric Heaters 

For Sales and Service - Call 

[ ___ .n:OMEGA. __ ·...,J Cl Cl 

• • o COPYRIGHT 2002 OMEGA ENGINEERING INC AU. RIGHTS RESERVED 
CO2 Laser Applications of the Month 

SYNRAD 

An Excel Technology Company 

A Cutting Stainless Steel Tubing with Sealed CO2 Lasers 

Stainless teel tubing is normally 

difficult to cut without deformation, 

however, the 0.018" thick tubing 

shown in the photos on the left was 

cut using a Synrad 240W sealed CO2 

laser. 

Unlike traditional mechanical 

cutting methods, non-contact laser 

cutting prevents distortion or 

deformation of the material with the 

added benefit of no mechanical parts 

to wear out. The photo on the bottom 

A Laser Cutting Particle Board 

Sealed C02 lasers are ideal for 

cutting, engraving, and marking wood 

and paper products. The 0.237"-thick 

particle board, in the photo to the left, 

was cut at a speed of75 inches per 

minute u ing a Synrad 100W laser 

with 40psi 2 assist gas. The cuts 

were made using a 0.004" spot size 

with a 0.07" depth of focus. The 

wood provided an even 0.008" kerf on 

both the top and bottom cut sides. 

A Laser Marking PVC-Coated Bottles 

PVC marks very well with CO2 

lasers. The material generally provides 

a brown contra ting mark, easily 

readable with the human eye. 1 D and 

2D bar code also generate the same 

type of contrast on PVC, and can be 

read by bar code vision systems in 

production environments. 

The PVC-coated bottle in the photo 

to the right was marked using a lOW 

laser and FH marking head, with a 

200mm lens. The text was marked at a 

speed of 25 inches per second in a 

cycle time of 0.27 seconds. 

left shows a close-up view of the cut 

edge quality. 

The 5/8"-diameter tubing (with a 

.018" wall) was cut using 240W with 

40psi Oxygen assist gas while being 

rotated at a speed of 241 rpm. Cut 

speed was 7.8 inches per second, 

resulting in a cycle time of .25 

seconds. 

Additionally, the cuts were made 

with a linearly polarized beam. By 

cutting slightly below the maximum 

cutting rate, no noticeable differences 

in the kerf can be seen in the X and Y 

cut direction. 

This material can also be cut at a 

speed of 150ipm using a 240W laser. 

The random polarization of Synrad's 

Evolution-240 model ensures 

consistent cut widths in all directions, 

even at high speeds. 

Discover more CO2 laser applicauons/ 

Sign up for our 

online Applications Newsletter at 

www.synrad.comlsignup1 

All applications on this page were 

processed at SYllrad's Applicatiolls 

Laboratory. Synrad, the world s 

leading manufacturer of sealed CO2 

lasers, offers free process evaluations 

to companies with qualified 

applications. Call1-800-SYNRADl for 

more information. 

Synrad, Inc. 4600 Campus Place Mukilteo, WA 98275 USA 

tel 1.425.349.3500 • toll-free 1.800.SYNRAD1 • fax 1.425.349.3667 • e-mail synrad@synrad.com . www.synrad.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 502 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
Fr.om Prototype ... 

#1 Product Search Engine 

#1 Availability of Product 

#1 Customer Service 

#1 On-lime Delivery 

... To Production 

NPI (New Product Introduction) Kitting 

Supply Chain Management Tools 

Strength of Inventory Position 

Competitive Volume Pricing 

www.digikey.com • 1.800.344.4539 • fax: 218.681 .3380 

© 2002 Dlg~Key Corpora/ion 

For Free Info Enter No. 503 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
TECH BRIEFS October 2002 • Vol. 26 No.1 0 

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR DESIGN & tv\ANUFACTURING 

FEATURES 

22 Application Briefs 

24 Robotics Plays a Key Role in 

Manufacturing Productivity 

28 NASA Selects Two Design Tools 

as Software of the Year 

82 Mission Accomplished 

SOLUTIONS 

$ 30 

30 

30 

32 

32 

34 

e 36 

36 

37 

38 

40 

40 

40 

40 

42 

-- 44 

44 

46 

0 48 

48 

50 

EJ 52 

52 

53 

54 

@,_.J 56 

56 

57 

Technology Focus: Sensors 

Ultrasonic System Tracks Body Movements in Three 

Dimensions 

Cylindrical Shape-Memory Rotary/Linear Actuator 

Program Finds Target-Chemical Signals in Multisensor 

Outputs 

Pressure-Application Device for Testing Pressure Sensors 

Slab-Waveguide Interferometer for Sensing Ammonia 

in Wet Air 

Electronic Components and Systems 

Intuitive Control System for a Dexterous Robot 

Noncontact Scanning Surface Profilometers 

FQPSK With an Outer Code for Greater Efficiency 

Software 

Real-Time Desktop Manager 

Program Analyzes Use of Registers by Another Program 

Embeddable Fuzzy-Logie-Toolkit Software for TcllTk 

Program Computes Outer-Space Heat-Sink Temperatures 

Materials 

Ablative Coat Protects Against Brief, Intense Heat 

Insertion of Reactive Material for Treating Groundwater 

Mechanics 

Formation Alignment of Multiple Autonomous Vehicles 

Microfabricated Flow Controllers and Pressure Regulators 

Manufacturing 

Growing Carbon Nanotubes Aligned With Patterns 

Process for Rapid Prototyping in Ceramic-Matrix 

Composites 

Low-Temperature Thermocompressive Au-to-Au 

Diffusion Bonding 

Physical Sciences 

Aircraft Anti-Icing Heaters Made From Expanded Graphite 

Regulating Pressure-Volume Control of a Gas Blanketing 

Liquid R-124 

DEPARTMENTS 

10 Commercial Technology Team 

12 UpFront 

14 Reader Forum 

16 Technologies of the Month 

20 Who's Who at NASA 

80 Advertisers Index 

NEW FOR DESIGN ENGINEERS 

76 Products/Software 

77 literature 

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT 

1a - 14a 

Photonics Tech Briefs 

Follows page 42 in selected editions only 

4 www.nasatech.com ASA Tech Bliefs, October 2002 
USA/Canada 

1.800.48.ALGOR + AIJGOR 150 Beta Drive 

® 

Pittsburgh, PA 15238-2932 USA 

Phone 1.412.967.2700 verlfydeslgn@algor.com 

Fax 1.412.967.2781 verlfydeslgn.ALGOR.com 

FEA Software Chosen 

to Verify Wheel Design for 

Goodyear "Run-Flat" Tires 

The Effect of Low Inflation Pressure on Tire Wheel 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company developed a run-flat tire called an extended 

mobility technology (EMT) tire that can be safely driven without air for at least 80 km 

(50 miles). Before these new tires could be used, Goodyear needed to verify that 

existing wheel designs would support this new technology. Goodyear EMT tires are 

now original equipment on the Chevrolet Corvette, Daimler Chrysler Prowler and the 

Mini from BMW Group. 

The Challenge 

Goodyear needed to make certain that the wheel design could handle the low pressure 

caused by an under-inflated tire. The final design needed to maintain the safety benefit of 

controlled handling and braking. 

The Solution 

While a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Akron, John Stearns performed a parametric study 

of inflation pressure and stresses in a standard wheel. A typical aluminum wheel was modeled 

in Pro/ENGINEER and the geometry was captured with ALGOR. Constraints were applied to 

represent the wheel's attachment to a vehicle and a combination of pressure loads were applied 

to simulate vehicle weight and inflation pressures of 0, 17 and 35 psi. Higher stresses were found 

at lower inflation pressures, but the magnitude of the stresses was low enough that a standard 

wheel could be recommended for EMT tires. Over one million run-flat EMT tires are now being 

used on the road. 

Solutions for More Efficient Design 

Engineers around the world choose ALGOR because of its CAD 

support, flexible finite element modeling capabilities and wide 

range of FEA-based simulation capabilities. Simulation 

capabilities include Mechanical Event Simulation for FEAbased motion and stress analysis, full multiphysics and 

stress, linear dynamic, heat transfer, fluid flow, electrostatic and piping. These capabilities enable engineers 

in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, 

consumer products, military, electric power, petroleum, manufacturing, micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) and more to accelerate time to market 

and make better, safer products at a lower cost. 

autodesk authorized developer 

Rhino 

"'4~'BS~W-lQf::J(Wn:x;., 

Solid Edge" 

All trademarks mily be trademarks or registered tradem,rks of their respecti~ owners. 

United Kingdom France 

0.800.731.0399 0.800.918.917 

Singapore Italy 

8OO.120.3nS 800.783.132 

verifydesign.AL GOR. com 
Contents continued 

58 

59 

tj 60 

60 

60 

61 

62 

II 64 

64 

64 

64 

~otlon~ ~ 67 

67 

68 

70 

Improved Capacitive Quality Meter for a Two-Phase Fluid 

Ellipsoidal Collecting Horns for Ultrasonic Leak Detectors 

Information Sciences 

Flash Automated Updating of Software in Multiple 

Computers 

Algorithm Plans Motion of Robot with Limited Field 

of View 

Initialized Fractional Calculus 

Product Attributes Database 

Books and Reports 

Simulating the Structural Behavior of Laminated Glass 

Synchronizing Attitudes and Maneuvers of Multiple 

Spacecraft 

Lightweight Solar Sail for a Spacecraft Flying Near the Sun 

Motion Control Tech Briefs 

Mesoscopic Winch for Precise Extension and Retraction 

Further Advances in Cooperative Transport by Mobile 

Robots 

Electrohydrodynamic Conduction Pumps 

This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National Aeronautics and pace 

Administration . either Associated Business Publications Co., Ltd. nor the niled Stales Government nor any person a ling on behalf of the United Stales Govcl11ment assumes any lia· 

bility resulting from the use of the information contained in this document, or warrants that 

such usc will be Cree from privately owned rights. The U.S. Government does not endorse any 

commercial product. process, or aC[i\ilY identified in this publication. 

PRODUCT OF THE MONTH 

The lP3500 Fox single-board computer 

from Z·World, Davis, CA, provides 

embedded control where power is 

limited, such as in portable and 

remote monitoring systems. 

12 

ON THE COVER 

I . 

.I lJ \ .' .. ..;J" \ . 

The Robot Systems Technology Branch of NASA's 

Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, has developed Robonaut, a humanoid anthropomorphic 

robot that is designed to function as an astronaut equivalent fo r future NASA missions. He is 

equipped with five-fingered, tool-handling end 

effectors, and a telepresence and control system 

that allows its human operator to "see" what it 

sees via virtual reality. To learn more about 

Robonaut, as well as other robotic innovations, 

see the feature beginning on page 24. 

(Photo courtesy of NASA) 

Pemlissions; Authorization LO photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or 

personal use of pecific clien15, is granted b, Associated Business Publications, provided that 

the flat fee of $3.00 per copy be paid directly to the CoPlTighl Clearance Cemer (222 Rose 

Wood Dr., Damcrs, MA 01923). For those organizations that ha,;e been granted a photocopy 

license by cce, a separate 5) tern of pa)',ncill has been arranged. The fee code for users of the 

Transactional Reporting Senice is: lSSN 0 145-319X 194 3.00+.00 

The Measurement System of the Future has Arrived! 

6 

Digital Transducers on a 

Network Bus 

• Network Configuration 

Reduces Cabling 

• Distributed Data 

Acquisition Increases 

Reliability 

• Real-Time Data 

Correction Achieves 

Higher Accuracy 

Network Sensors - Endevco is an established world leader in the 

development of innovative sensor technology. Our new network bus 

packages miniantre electronics with sensors to provide high-speed, 

networked digital output. This technology will replace large bundles of 

cable in existing flight test and srructural test applications. Installations 

will no longer be cumbersome and expensive. Call or email us today! 

MEGGITT www.endevco.coan 

Integrated Transducer, 

Signal Conditioning, and 

Data Acquisition 

• Simplifies System 

Calibration 

• Reduces Size and Weight 

• Shortens Setup and TearDownTime 

WHAT CAN WE DO 

FOR YOU TODAY? 

applications@endevco.cOl11 

800/982-6732 · 949/661-7231 fax 

ENDEVCO£ 

For Free Info Enter No. 504 at www.nasatech.com/rs ASA Tech Briefs, OCLOber 2002 
Was your last product obsolete before it hit the market? 

:.:. The faster you get new products onto the shelf, the greater their chance for success. EOS Unigraphics· NX helps 

you speed your products to market with Total Product Engineering-a next generation system that allows you 

to capture, re-use and share knowledge easily. Unigraphics NX leverages your company's best practices so your 

product teams can quickly create and reuse product information. It allows your teams to design, simulate, 

optimize, document, build and test products and their processes in record time. With Unigraphics NX, you can 

build a digital environment that gets products to market ahead of your competition. To learn more, call 

877-342-5847 or visit eds.com/plm. 

Unlgraphics® NX 

PLM Solutions 

© 2002 (Os. [Os and Unigraphics are reQistered marks and EOS & Design. EOS Solved & Design and Unigraphlcs are trademarks of Electronic Data Systems Corporation or its subsidiaries 

For Free Info Enter No. 505 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
_TECH BRIEFS BPA 

www.nasatech.com W Published by ................... . 

Publisher .. 

Editor/Associate Publisher ....... . 

Editor, Market Focus Editions . 

Associate Editor~nternet Editor 

. ................ Associated Business Publications 

...... .Joseph T. Pramberger 

....................................... Linda l. Bell 

............................. . ........ Ashli K. Riggs 

......... Laura Raduta 

Production Manager ................................... . .... .Joanne Gaccione 

Assistant Production Manager. ................................ .John Iwanciw 

Art Director 

Senior Designer ................. . 

Circulation Manager .... . 

. ............................ Lois Erlacher 

........................................ Christopher Coleman 

.................................. ..Hugh J. Dowling 

BRIEFS & SUPPORTING LITERATURE: Written and produced for NASA by 

Advanced Testing Technologies, Inc., Hauppauge, NY 11788 

TechnicaVManaging Editor. 

Sr. Technical Analyst . .................. . 

Art Manager. ............... .. 

Staff WriterslEditors .... ................... . 

Graphics 

Editorial & Production 

NASA: 

................. Ted Selinsky 

.... Dr. Larry Grunberger 

................................. Eric Starstrom 

...... Dr. Theron Cole. George Watson 

.......... Robert Simons 

.. .Joan Schmiemann, Becky D. Bentley 

NASA Tech Briefs are provided by the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration, Technology Transfer Division, Washington, DC: 

Administrator ....................................... . ...... Sean O' Keefe 

Director, Commercial Technology .... Dr. Robert Norwood 

Publications Director ................... . ....................................................... Carl Ray 

For a complete list of staff e-mail addresses, 

visit www.abpi.net 

ASSOCIATED BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL 

317 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 1OO17-S391 

(212) 490-3999 FAX (212) 986-7864 

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer ....... Bill Schnirring (bill@abpi.net) 

Vice Chairman/Chief Operating Officer .......... . .. Domenic A. Mucchetti 

MIS Manager.......... . ............................................................................ Ted Morawski 

Webmaster .... . ............................... Albert Sunseri 

Director of Electronic Products ...................... . 

eBusiness Director ........... . 

CrediVColiection ....... . 

Accounting/Human Resources Manager 

Office Manager ....................................... . 

NASA TECH BRIEFS ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES 

Headquarters . 

CT, MA, NH, ME, VT, RI, Eastern Canada ..... 

NJ, PA, DE 

. ....... Luke Schnirring 

. ..... Andrew Runk 

. ..... Felecia Lahey 

... Sylvia Ruiz 

. ....... Alfredo Vasquez 

. ........... (212) 490-3999 

. .......... Ed Marecki 

at (401) 351-0274 

........ .Jim Oot 

at (973) 983-2757 

NY ........................ Stan Greenfield 

at (203) 938-2418 

VA, MD, DC, NC, SC , GA, FL, AL, TN, MS, LA, AR, OK, TX . 

MN, ND, SD, WI, IL ..................................................................... . 

. ....... ........ BiII Manning 

at (770) 971-0677 

. ............ Bob Casey 

at (847) 223-5225 

IN, KY, MI, OH, MO, KS, lA, NE, Western PA & NY, Central Canada ................ Chris Casey 

N. Calif., CO, WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, UT, NV, Western Canada 

S. Calif., A2, NM ................................................................ .. 

Internet Advertising .. 

PostcardlLiterature Advertising ....... . 

Reprints ........................................ . 

at (847) 223-5225 

..... BiII Hague 

at (800) 830-4351 

. ............ Tom Boris 

at (949) 642-2785 

. ........ Luke Schnirring 

at (212) 490-3999 

. ........... .John Waddell 

at (212) 490-3999 

. ...... .... .Jeannie Martin 

at (866) 879-9 144 

MicroStrain® Micro Sensors. Big Ideas:M 

8 

Displacement sensors from an 

award winning company. 

MicroStrain's range of displacement 

sensing devices are used by 

America's largest automakers and 

by innovative start-ups. 

At MicroStrain, we help find 

solutions for the most difficult 

sensing challenges. Our patented 

packaging and compensation 

techniques perform in the harshest 

environments. 

Every device is carefully tested prior 

to shipment, and calibration data 

are included with each order. 

Please visit us at www.microstrain.com 

Visit us online at www.microstrain.com 

micro displacement transducers 1 1 IIIIID 

to see our line of micro displacement transducers. 

For Free Info Enter No. 506 at www.nasatech.com/rs NASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Introducing the merger of CAD and design management. 

Who knew engineers could get so emotional? 

• • •••• What's not to love about Solid Edge? The only CAD product that allows you to think it. design it, and 

manage it. all from one single product. We call it Design with Insight. And the idea is simple. Completely 

integrate the design management function within CAD. So once the design process starts, it practically 

manages itself. Files stay organized. Changes are updated. And you get a significant reduction in ECOs 

and their related rework by a minimum of 50%. No more endless change orders. Just a streamlined 

solution that lets you focus on design. 

Solid EdgeTM 

PLM Solutions ~~_s 

olved. 

© 2002 [OS. [OS Is a registered mark and EDS & Design. EDS Solved & Design and Solid Edge are trademarks of Electronic Data Systems Corporation or its subsidiaries. 

For Free Info Enter No. 507 at www.nasatech.comlrs 
NASA 

Commercial 

Technology 

Team 

NASA's R&D efforts produce a robust supply of promising technologies with applications in many 

industries. A key mechanism in identifying commercial applications for this technology is NASA's 

national network of commercial technology organizations. The network includes ten NASA field centers, six Regional Technology Transfer Centers (RTTCs), the National Technology Transfer Center 

(NTTC), business support organizations, and a full tie-in with the Federal Laboratory Consortium 

(FLC) for Technology Transfer. Call (609) 667-7737 for the FLC coordinator in your area. 

NASA's Technology Sources 

If you need further information about new technologies presented in NASA Tech Briefs, 

request the Technical Support Package (fSP) indicated at the end of the brief. If a TSP is 

not available, the Commercial Technology Office at the NASA field center that sponsored 

the research can provide you with additional information and, if applicable, refer you to the 

innovator(s). These centers are the source of all NASA-developed technology. 

Ames Research Goddard Space Johnson Space langley Research Marshall Space 

Center Flight Center Center Center Flight Center 

Selected techno- Selected techno- Selected techno- Selected techno- Selected technological strengths: logical strengths: logical strengths: logical strengths: logical strengths: 

Information Earth and Artificiallntelli- Aerodynamics; Materials; 

Technology; Planetary Science genceand Flight Systems; Manufacturing; 

Biotechnology; Missions; LlDAR; Human Computer Materials; Nondestructive 

Nanotechnology; Cryogenic Interface; Structures; Evaluation; 

Aerospace Systems; Life Sciences; Sensors; Biotechnology; 

Operations Tracking; Human Space Measurements; Space Propulsion; 

Systems; Telemetry; Flight Operations; Information Controls and 

Rotorcraft; Remote Sensing; Avionics; Sciences. Dynamics; 

Thermal Command. Sensors; 8amMorello Structures; 

Protection Nona Cheeks Communications. (157) 864-6005 Microgravity 

Systems. (301) 286-5810 Charlene E. Gilbert s.a.morello@ Processing. 

Carolina Blake Nona. K. Cheeks. 1 (281) 483-3809 larc.nasa.gov Vemotto McMillan 

(650) 604-1754 @gsfc.nasa.gov commerciaIization@ (256) 544-2615 

cblake@mail. jsc.nasa.gov John H. Glenn vemotto.mcmillan 

arc.nasa.gov Jet Propulsion Research Center @msfc.nasa.gov Laboratory Kennedy Space at Lewis Field 

Dryden Flight Selected techno- Center Selected techno- Stennis Space 

Research Center logical strengths: Selected techno- logical strengthS: Center 

Selected techno- Near/Deep-Space logical strengths: Aeropropulsion; Selected technological strengths: Mission Fluids and Fluid Communications; logical strengths: 

Aerodynamics; Engineering; Systems; Mate- Energy Propulsion 

Aeronautics Flight Microspacecraft; rials Evaluation; Technology; Systems; 

Testing; Space Process Engi- High Temperature T esVMonitoring; 

Aeropropulsion; Communications; neering; Com- Materials Remote Sensing; 

Flight Systems; Information mand, Control Research. Nonintrusive 

Thermal Testing; Systems; and Mon~or LanyVitema Instrumentation. 

Integrated Remote Sensing; Systems; Range (216) 433-3484 Kirk Sharp 

Systems Test and Robotics. Systems; Environ- cto@grc. (228) 688-1929 

Validation. Merle McKenzie mental Engi- nasa.gov kirk.sharp@ 

Jenny Baer- (818) 354-2577 neering and ssc.nasa.gov 

Riedhart merle.mckenzie@ Management. 

(661) 276-3689 jpl.nasa.gov Jim Aliberti 

jenny.baer- (321) 867-6224 

riedharf@dfrc. Jim.Aliberti-1@ 

nasa.gov ksc.nasa.gov 

NASA-Sponsored Commercial Technology Organizations 

These organizations were established to provide rapid access to NASA and other federal 

R&D and foster collaboration between public and private sector organizations. They also 

can direct you to the appropriate point of contact within the Federal Laboratory Consortium. 

To reach the Regional Technology Transfer Center nearest you, call (800) 472-6785. 

Joseph Allen 

National Technology 

Transfer Center 

(800) 678-6882 

Ken Dozier 

Far-West Technology 

Transfer Center 

University of Southern 

California 

(213) 743-2353 

James P. Dunn 

Center for Technology 

Commercialization 

Westborough, MA 

(508) 870-0042 

B. David Bridges 

Southeast Technology 

Transfer Center 

Georgia Institute of 

Technology 

(404) 894-6786 

Gary Sera 

Mid·Continent Technology 

Transfer Center 

Texas A&M University 

(409) 845-8762 

Charles Blankenship 

Technology 

Commercialization Center 

Newport News, VA 

(757) 269-0025 

Pierrette Woodford 

Great Lakes Industrial 

Technology Transfer 

Center 

Battelle Memorial 

Institute 

(216) 898-6400 

NASA ON-LINE: Go to NASA's Commercial Technology Network (CTN) on the World Wide Web at 

http://nctn.hq.nasa.gov to search NASA technology resources, find commercialization opportunities, 

and learn about NASA's national network of programs, organizations, and services dedicated to technology transfer and commercialization. 

NASA Program Offices 

At NASA Headquarters there are seven major 

program offices that develop and oversee 

technology projects of potential interest to 

industry. The street address for these strategic 

business units is: NASA Headquarters, 300 E 

St. SW, Washington, DC 20546. 

Carl Ray 

Small Business Innovation 

Research Program (SBIR) 

& Small Business 

Technology Transfer 

Program (STTR) 

(202) 358-4652 

cray@mail.hq.nasa.gov 

Dr. Robert Norwood 

ONice of Commercial 

Technology (Code RW) 

(202) 358-2320 

morwood@mail.hq. 

nasa.gov 

John Mankins 

ONice of Space Flight 

(Code MP) 

(202) 358-4659 

jmankins@mail. 

hq.nasa.gov 

Terry Hertz 

ONice of Aero·Space 

Technology (Code RS) 

(202) 358-4636 

thertz@mail.hq.nasa.gov 

Glen Mucklow 

ONice of Space Sciences 

(Code SM) 

(202) 358-2235 

gmuckloW@mail. 

hq.nasa.gov 

Roger Crouch 

ONice of Microgravily 

Science Applications 

(Code U) 

(202) 358-0689 

rcrouch@hq.nasa.gov 

Granville Paules 

ONlce of Mission to Planet 

Earth (Code Y) 

(202) 358-0706 

gpaules@mtpe.hq.nasa.gov 

NASA's Business Facilitators 

NASA has established several organizations 

whose objectives are to establish joint sponsored research agreements and incubate 

small start-up companies with significant 

business promise_ 

Wayne P. Zeman 

Lewis Incubator for 

Technology 

Cleveland, OH 

(440) 260-3300 

B. Greg Hinkebein 

Mississippi Enterprise for 

Technology 

Stennis Space 

Center, MS 

(800) 746-4699 

Julie Holland 

NASA Commercialization 

Center 

Pomona, CA 

(909) 869-4477 

Bridgette Smalley 

UH-NASA Technology 

Commercialization 

Incubator 

Houston, TX 

(113) 743-9155 

John Fini 

Goddard Space Flight 

Center Incubator 

Baltimore, MD 

(410) 327-9150 x1034 

Thomas G. Rainey 

NASA KSC Business 

Incubation Center 

Titusville, FL 

(407) 383-5200 

Joanne W_ Randolph 

BizTech 

Huntsville, AL 

(256) 704-6000 

Joe Becker 

Ames Technology 

Commercialization Center 

San Jose, CA 

(408) 557-6700 

Marty Kaszubowski 

Hampton Roads 

Technology Incubator 

(Langley Research Center) 

Hampton, VA 

(157) 865-2140 

Paul Myrda 

NASA Illinois 

CommerCialization 

Center 

West Chicago, IL 

(630) 845-6510 

If you are interested in information, applications, and services relating to satellite and aerial data for Earth resources, contact: Dr. Stan Morain, Earth Analysis 

Center, (505) 277-3622. 

10 www.nasalech.com ASA Tech BriefS, October 2002 
+IEEE 

"IEEE is the virtual 'office water cooler' 

for the engineering profession. It's a 

chance to network with peers, bounce 

ideas off people and get a feeling for 

what's going on in other parts of 

the industry." 

Andrew Greenberg 

IEEE Student Member 

Portland State University 

(shown far left) 

Where are you getting your information from? Join IEEE. 

www.ieee.org/apply 

For Free Info Enter No. S08 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
PRODUCT OF THE MONTH Design and Win! 

T

he LP3500 Fox low-power single-board computer from 

Z·World, Davis, CA, operate where power is limited, such 

as in portable, handheld, battery-powered, and remote 

data acquisition and monitoring 

You're invited to enter the first-ever "Create the 

Future" Design Contest (www.emhartcontest. 

com), spon ored by Emhart Teknologies and NASA 

Tech Brief.. To enter, ubmit an OIiginai design idea 

in one of the e three categories: 

• Everyday Products - significant ftmctional or 

ergonomic new products, or upgrades to existing 

products, Ulat improve quality of life; 

systems. It features built-in analog and 

digital I/ O , and consumes less 

than 20 rnA when fully 

operational and less than 

100 j.lA in power-save 

mode. The board 

incorporates the 

Rabbit 3000 

microproce sor, 

up to 512K each 

of Flash and SRAM, 

26 digital I/ O, A/ D 

converter inputs, six serial 

ports, one relay, and two dedicated 

function ports. The board runs at up to 

• Safety - mechanical or electromechanical 

designs to improve personal safety during travel, 

work, recreation, or at home; 

• Transportation - mechanical or electromechanical designs that improve the functional ity, performance, or cost basi of transportation products. 

The Grand Plize ~vinner \\;11 receive a hybrid 

7.4 MHz at a variety of power levels under oftware control, and 

can be awakened from the power- ave mode by an internal timer, 

RS-232 signal, or via polling of an external input. An optional 

keypad/ display module is available as a u er interface. A library 

of driver and demo program is al 0 provided. 

automobile or 20,000 in cash. One First Prize winner will receive a Segway Tran~porter or a trip for 

four to Florida to tour ASA's Kennedy Space 

Center and attend a Space Shuttle lawlch. Dozens 

of other prizes will be awarded, and all qualified 

entrants ""ill receive a POP PowerLink 30 repair 

kit/ hand rivet tool from Emhart, valued at $50. 

So, get those creati,'e juices flowing - entries 

must be received by ovember 15, 2002. Winning 

entries will be featured in NASA Tech Briefs. Visit 

www.emhartcontest.com for the contest rules and 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comlzworld entry form. 

Power Company Cleans Up With NASA Sensors 

Con olidated Edison of ew York 

(Con Edison) has turned to ASA 

to develop sensor technology to detect 

and analyze polychlorinated biphenyls 

(PCBs) and perfluorocarbon tracers 

(PFI1 ), both of which are hazardous 

materials. PCBs are toxic chemicals that 

were used to insulate high-voltage transformers and prevent pipes from rusting 

before they were banned in the early 

1970 . PITs are injected by Con Edison 

into the insulating oil used in high-voltage transmission lines routed under the 

treets of New York City to pinpoint oil 

leaks from underground power lines. 

Traditional methods of lab analysis 

can take up to eight hours; Con Edison 

wants to reduce that time to les than 

one hour. The power company will use 

the Reversal Electron Attachment 

Detection system, developed at 

ASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, to sample 

and analyze PCB concentrations on the spot in about 30 

minutes. This would let Con 

Edison determine what worker 

protection is necessary, and if 

any per onnel or equipment 

exposed to PCBs must be 

decon taminated. 

Artist's concept of the subsystem detection system under 

a city street. 

The fir t phase of the project 

was completed in August, and 

consisted of JPL researchers 

testing pure PCB samples from 

ew York manholes. The system 

12 www.nasatech.com 

not only detected the PCB, but also 

quantified their concentration. In the 

second phase, JPL and Con Edison will 

make the sensors portable, and compatible for use by Con Edi on. The system 

also can be used for detecting other 

chemical vapors such as explosives and 

nerve agents at airports, harbors, and 

public buildings. 

For more information, visit www.jpt. nasa. 

gou/releases/2002/71ilease_2002_152. ktmt. 

Next Month 

in NTB 

The November issue of 

NASA Tech Briefs wiJi feature 

a report on the Analysis and 

Simulation Software marketthe products, companie , and 

industry leaders shaping the way 

engineers view and analyze tJ1eir 

de igns. 

ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 

Reader Forum is dedicated to the thoughts, concerns, questions, and comments of our readers. If you have a comment, a question 

regarding a technical problem, or an answer to a previously published question, post your letter to Reader Forum on-line at 

www.nasatech.com, or send to: Editor, NASA Tech Briefs, 317 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10017; Fax: 212-986-7864. Please include your name, company (if applicable), address, and e-mail address or phone number. 

I recently read the lech brief "Aircraft Anti-Icing Systems Utilizing Induced Hydrophobicity" in the May issue of NASA 

Tech Briefs (p. 69), and came up with a thought. If one could section a bead of frozen water tllat i adhered to a highly poli hed 

urface uch as glas or aluminum aircraft skin, and examine it 

under an electron microscope as it melts, could this provide insight into the force that cause frozen water to tightly adhere to 

a surface that simply tends to shed liquid water? 

John S. Roy 

roxis@inel.gov 

(Editor's Note: John, you may want to share your question with 

NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH, which contributed 

the aircraft anti-icing brief You can contact Glenn's Commercial Technology Office at 216-433-3484.) 

Technologies Wanted 

Periodically in Reader Forum, we feature abstracts of Demand-Pull Technology Transfer projects. These projects identify technology needs within an indu try egment - such as 

Augmentative Communication - and find solution to meet 

those n ed . The Rehabilitation Engineeting Research Center 

on Technology Tran fer, in partnership with the Rehabilitation 

Engineering Research Center on ommunication Enhancement and tile Federal Laboratory on ortium, has developed 

the Project on Communication Enhancement to identify technologie like those Ii ted below to help persons with communication disabilities who use Augmentative Communication 

devices. For more detail on tile project, or to submit technology proposal , visit http://cosmos.buffalo.edu/ aac. 

Wireless Integration 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) sy -

terns hould provide wireles access to and control of peronal computers and the Internet. Thi capability would provide important educational, emplo ment, recreational, and 

ocial opportunities. 

AAC systems also should allow u ers to wireles ly control entertainment technology uch as TV and stereos, their environment (temperature and humidity), and acce (doors and 

window shade). ser would benefit from increased independence and comfort. 

Finally, AAC systems also should have built-in cell phone capabilities. Text-ta-speech yntlle i hould provide good ound 

quality. Headphones - ideally witll a wireles link to the AAC 

system - would enhance communication privacy. 

Versatile Data Acquisition 

14 

Size, configurability, and measurement speed make the 

stand-alone CR9000 and CR5000 ideal for remote, 

portable, and test-chamber applications. Both operate with 

or without AC power and computers and measure most 

PC9000 is a full-featured 

software package that provides program generation 

and editing, data collection, 

and real-time and historical 

data display. 

available sensors without external signal conditioning. 

Onboard instruction sets provide event-triggered output and 

mathematical functions for on-site data reduction. All systems are temperature tested to NIST traceable standards. 

ViewDAQ real-time display 

software lets you create your 

own virtual instrument panels-allowing you to view 

your data any way you want. 

*Innovative Measurements Since 1974 * 

Get the specs and www.campbellsci.com/specs.html 

test drive PC9000 ~ (435) 753-2342 • (435) 750-9540 fax 

For Free Info Enter No. 511 at www.nasatech.comlrs ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
NEW! RELEASE 13 

New-MATLAB 6.S extends the desktop and lab 

• JIT-Accelerator technology for fast execution 

• Deployment to Excel, COM, and CIC++ 

• Connection to instruments via TCP/IP, UDP, and 

to new data acquisition boards 

• Statistical methods and curve fitting tools 

New-Simulink S extends simulation and embedded systems 

• Modeling for wireless, mechanical, and power systems 

• Intrinsic fixed-point 

• Rapid control prototyping with new 

XPC TargetBox'" hardware 

• Next generation of automatic production code 

• Targeting for microcontrollers, DSPs, and FPGAs 

LEARN MORE TODAY 

visit www.mathworks.(om/r13 

Articles, demos, and webinars on Release 13. 

The MathWorks 

.. 

For Free Info Enter No. 512 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

NEW 

10 NEW PRODUaS 

33 UPDATED PRODUCTS 

www.mathworks.(om/r13 

(onned MATlAB to your instruments. 

Simulate me,honicol 

systems ond controllers. ..:....IL---Lc.-. ___ .IL 

Model, generote, and verify embedded ,ode. 

Speed up ,ode 

performan,e. 

02002 t he \1ath\\'o rk.'t. tnc, 
Technologies of the Month 

Sponsored by ye ~com 

For more information on these and other new, licensable inventions, 

visit www.nasatech.com/ techsearch 

Compression/Freezing Improves 

Microwaveable Frozen Baked Goods 

Kao 

The life of baked goods is usually extended through freezing; however, thawing and reheating gives baked goods a stale 

flavor and less airy texture. A compression and freezing 

process from Kao Corporation improves the taste and texture 

of frozen baked goods by using the steam generated by internal cooking to restore original bulk and moist freshness. 

After the product is cooked or semi-cooked, the edges are 

rapidly frozen. The product is then compressed and vacuum 

packed, and typically sealed in a flexible or rigid plastic package. In addition to microwaves, other mean of internal vibration heating such as magnetic vibration, high frequency heating, and far infrared heating can be used to reheat the 

product. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech.com/techsearch/tow/kao-compressioll.html 

Email: nasatech@yet2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

Ceramic Fibers Replace Costly Superalloys 

and Ceramics 

BayerAG 

ext-generation combustion systems in power generation, 

aeronautics, and automotive applications are putting heavier 

demands on materials and components as the need for 

greater fuel efficiency and reduced emi ion increase. Conventional nickel, cobalt, and 

superalloy typically sustain 

a threshold for high-temperature performance at around 

1200°C, but only at combustion temperatures of 1500°C 

can fuel savings of 20% or 

better be achieved. 

SIBORAMIC is a low-density ceramic fiber that does 

not require electron radiation curing, provides low thermal 

and electrical conductivity, and eliminates the interface coating between the fiber and matrix. The matelial' double layer 

provides efficient oxygen resistance, enabling the fibers to regenerate themselves if they become damaged in an oxygen atmosphere. It is also corrosion-resistant to liquid metals like 

copper and silicon. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech.com/techsearch/tow/BayerAG.html 

Email: nasatech@yet2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

Water-Shrinkable Film 

Kimberly-Clark 

Films have varied applications, including gaskets or seals, 

medical and healthcare products, and electronics or mechanical switching systems. A new technology provides controUable 

shrinkage of films without the use of heat, resulting in efficient production, high capacity, and low-co t operation. 

The films are prepared by mixing water-dispersible and 

ela tomeric polymers, then forming a film by traditional extrusion or casting. The direction of shrinkage may be predetermined to be in one or two dimension . The extent of film 

shrinkage and film integrity may be controUed by the amount 

of water to which the film is expo ed. Residual contraction 

may be pre-set during manufacture so that the film will shrink 

to a specific extent. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech.com/techsearch/tow/Kimberly-Clark.html 

Email: nasatech@yet2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

Three Technologies Work Together 

to Reduce Combustion Engine Noise 

and Vibration 

Hitachi 

Combustion engine noise and vibration are often caused by 

torque fluctuation. Hitachi has developed three technologie 

that harness a vehicle's generator to create counter torque 

against torque fluctuation, reducing combustion noise and vibration. Sensors in the vehicle's main power transmission system monitor crankshaft rotational speed variations with each 

combu tion cycle and then use the previous cycle's information to provide the right amount of counter torque to the 

crankshaft. 

The second technology is an acceleration rate-of-change 

sensor and control system de igned to eliminate the characteristic 'Jerk" that follows vehicle acceleration , particularly 

from a stand-still. Utilizing a sensor comprised of a pendulum 

and electromagnetic actuator, the process measures the rate 

of acceleration by using relative movement to generate an 

electric current. The third technology is a non-fouling gasoli ne fuel injector that reduces deposit formation and buildup. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech.com/techsearch/tow/hitachi.html 

Email: nasatech@yet2.com 

Phone: 617-557-3837 

(Editor'S note: This technology was inadvertently accompanied by 

an incorrect photo when it originally appeared as a Technology of the 

Month in the July issue.) 

16 WW\\'. nasatech .com ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Get to analysis faster. 

Take live measurements 

inMATLAB. 

N ew test and measurement tools for MATLAB combine data acquisition, instrument 

New t~ t and measurement tools allow YOII to 

communicate with data acquisition devices and 

instruments directly from MATUB. 

control, and data analysis in a single, 

interactive environment. ow you can 

acquire live data from popular data 

acquisition devices and control your test 

equipment directly from MATLAB. Use proven tools for signal processing, statistical 

analysis, graphics, and reporting to analyze your data as it streams into MATLAB. 

Get your free 30-day trial today. 

Call 508-647-7040 to request your trial. Or get a free M TLAB® 

technical information kit at www.mathworks.com/nttrn. SIMULIN"R 

The MathWorks 

Visit www.mothworks.(om/nttm 

or (all 508-647-7040 

These /II'\V MATUJJ 

tools provide a 

complete SOllltioll for 

test, measurement, 

o/lolysis. graphics. 

and reportillg. 

'. ___ '.1" 

0 2001 The Math\\'ork ... In 

For Fre e Info Enter No. 515 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Data Acquisition 

Instrument Control 

Signal Processing 

Statistia 

Training 

Consulting 
For 120 years, 

we've helped make the impossible possible. 

It's your turn. 
Enter the Emhart Design Contest. 

At Emhart, we pride ourselves on innovative thinking that helps designers see 

their ideas become reality. But we don't want to take all the glory. So beginning 

September 3 , we're giving designers like you the chance to see your own dreams 

come true in the Emhart Design Contest. Enter your most innovative design and 

you could win a dream of a prize. More important, you'll get the worldwide 

recognition and support you need to take your idea from the drawing board 

to the production line. For details visit www.emhartcontest.com. After all, we 

believe that when it comes to innovative design, anything's possible. 

Grand Prize 

Hybrid Vehicle or 

$20,000 cash 

First Prize 

Segway Transporter or 

Travel & Tour of NASA 

Second Prize 

Dewalt Power Tool 

combination kit 

for party of four during a launch day 

Merit Prizes Black & Decker Power Tools 

To enter visit www.emhartcontest.com 

A UCII&IIlQ(BI.COMPANY 

For Free Info Enter No. 518 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
Heli-Coil- Gall Resistant inserts provide 

high surface lubricity and reduce friction 

during assembly an average of 35%. 

Made from Nitronic 60 stainless steel, 

they eliminate the need for lubricants and 

coatings, and the risk of contamination. 

For more information call 203-924-4727 

or visit www.emhart.com. 

A O IUCK&DECKBlCOMPANY 

CERTIFIED 

ISO 9001 • as 9000 

For Free Info Enter No. 516 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

I 

Who's Who at NASA 

Dr. Meyya Meyyappan, Director, Center for 

Nanotechnology, Ames Research Center 

Dr. Meyya Meyyappan i the Director and Senior Scientist at the Center for 

anotechnology at 

ASA's Ames Research Center in 

Moffett Fie ld, CA. 

His team is pre ently 

researching and developing carbon 

nanotube. 

NASA Tech Briefs: How long has 

Ames' Center for Nanotechnology 

been operating? 

Dr. Meyya Meyyappan; We started as a 

small group in 1996, and ince then, the 

center has grown to have 50 fu ll-time 

scientists. Our nano center is the largest 

in-hou e nanotechnology effort witl1in 

the government, and it is al 0 one of the 

largest in the world. 

NTB: What nanotechnology projects 

are you currently working on? 

Dr. Meyyappan: First, we are using 

nanotechnology in the area of electronics and computing, or nanoelectronics 

and computing. We are also developing 

nanotechnology-based en or and detectors, and we are utilizing nanotechnology in gene equencing. Our project 

focus is primadly material-driven and we 

are looking at a variety of nano cale matedal . The first and the major focus is 

on carbon nanotube . 

The next cla of materials that we 

are working with i inorganic 

nanowire , like zinc oxide and gallium 

nitride, for the manufacture of ensors 

and detector. The third class of material is protein-ba ed nanotubes, which 

are biological. We ynthe ize them in 

large quantities and purify them. We 

are u ing them for applications like 

templates for lithography. 

NTB: What are carbon nanotubes? 

Dr. Meyyappan: Carbon nanotube 

look like nano cale cylinders, about 1 

nm or so in diameter and a few microns 

long. Imagine rolling up a heet of 

graphite into a tube; that is what we are 

talking about. There are a few procedure in the lab we are using to grow 

www.nasalech.com 

the e tructure. One method i called 

hemical Vapor Depo ition (CVD) , 

which use some hydrocarbon gase 

such as methane with a catalyst material 

like iron. In the econd method, called 

plasma enhanced CVD, we u e low-temperature plasmas to grow nanotubes. 

NTB: Why are nanotubes so versatile 

and functional to many industries? 

Dr. Meyyappan: Carbon nanotubes 

have extraordinary mechanical properties. For example, compared to steel, 

nanotubes have a trength-to-weight 

ratio of 500. At the arne time, nanotube can be used to make a computer chi p, becau e in addition to 

these wonderful mechanical propertie , they also have very exciting electrical propertie . 

Hi torically, the matedal we used for 

computer chip applications were impractical for con truction of an aircraft. 

The ame with aluminum or stainles 

teel - these metals could be u ed to 

manufacture an automobile, but they 

could never be used to make a computer 

chip. Carbon nanotubes can be used for 

both fine applications like computer 

chips and sensors, and for massive application in the aerospace and automotive 

indu tries. 

NTB: Is NASA currently using carbon 

nanotubes? 

Dr. Meyyappan: There are orne applications that are already beginning to 

emerge. We have u ed carbon nanotube as a tip in an atomic force microscope. We are al 0 trying to create 

bio ensors u ing carbon nanotube because biosensors are important to ASA 

in term of astrobiology application. We 

are also involved in a prograJ11 with the 

National Cancer In titute to develop carbon nanotube-based biosensors for cancer diagno tics. We are pretty much in 

the research stage, but I believe that in a 

few years' time, we will lowly start migrating up the ladder toward deploying 

the actual applications. 

A full transcript of this interview appears 

on-line at UIWW.71asatech.com/whoswho. Dr. 

Meyyappan can be reached at meyya@orbit. 

arc. nasa.gov. 

ABA Tech Briefs, October 2002 

.IIi!1ASA Replaces Astronaut Training 

Aircraft Data Computers 

Digital Air Data Computers (DADCs) 

Innovative Solutions and Support (IS&S) 

Exton, PA 

610-646-9800 

www.innovative-ss.com 

ASA's T-3S Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude supersonic 

jet aircraft used to flight-train astronauts. It has been used in a 

variety of mis ions because of its design, economy of operation, ease of maintenance, high performance, and exceptional safety record. Built by Northrup Grumman, the fleet ofT-3Ss 

cOI1lains an air data computing system that is being upgraded 

\\;th a Digital Air Data Computer (DADC) that uses sensor 

and electronics that makes them compliant \~ith Reduced 

Vertical epa ration ~Iinima (RV ~l) tandards. 

1nnovati\'e Solutions and Support (I &: ). which pre\iously 

replaced the altimeter, airspeed indicator. and alerteJ on the 

T-38 fl eet. was chosen to retrofit the aircraft with the stateoI~lhe-art sy terns. IS&S manufactures flat-panel cockpit and 

cabin displays, fuel measurement instruments, and RVSM systems for various aircraft types. 

The DADC outputs airspeed, altitude, flight control, and 

temperature data to support the operations of altimeters, Mach 

.IIlliEMS Sensors to Help NASA 

Monitor Weather 

Microelectromechanical (MEMS) sensor probes 

ENSCO, Inc. 

Cocoa Beach, FL 

703-321-4405 

www.ensco.com 

EN CO i one of 16 companies de~igning ad.anced ystems 

and architecture for the NA A Institute for Advanced 

Concepts' ( lAC) new observing system, the Global Environmental MEM Sen ors (GEMS) sy tem. The company is 

designing in-situ, micron- cale airborne probes that will monitor weather and environmental conditions. The GEMS concept was inspired by technological advancement~ in MEMS 

and nanotechnology. 

\\11ile existing sensor sy tems t)'picalh measure a few millimeter across, ENSCO' probe~ would be roughly 100 

An 15&5 integrated cockpit display. 

airspeed indicators, and autopilot cOlllrollers. It lL~es pitot-static pressure, total temperature, angle of attack. baro correction, 

and target altitude input data to compute the ai l- data provided 

b} its output signals. The DAD performs data checking and 

fault detection/ status indication fUllctiom to ensure that only 

valid dala is prO\'ided to the equipment it supports. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/iss 

microns in diameter - the width of a strand of hair. This 

minute size would allow the probes to be suspended in the 

atmosphere and carded b} wind currents for long periods of 

time. Once suspended in the atmo phere, the GEMS probes 

would measure meteorological parameters including temperature, pressure, moi ture, and wind speed, and rela) that data 

back to Eanh vIa a wireless communication protocol. 

Resulting imprO\'emems in forecast accuracy would translate directly into cost benefits for the weather- ensitive space 

launch and a\;ation industries. and mitigate the risk faclOrs 

a%ociated with life-threatening weather phenomena such as 

hurricanes, floods, tomadoe , and se\'ere storms. 

"With GEMS, we're actually working on an application [or 

MEMS sen ors," saidJohn Manobianco, GEMS principal investigator and progranl manager for E CO. "GEMS could be 

used locally, regionall). and globalh, to take beller em;ronmental measurements. Once the} land on the ground - on 

Eanh or even possibly other planets - they might be able to 

take surface-Ie\'el measurement as well." 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/ensco 

22 www.nasaleeh.com ASA Tech Briefs, Oelobe. 2002 
Matt r What You' 8t, 

It With 

Our customers are te ting everything from train cars to 

the Space Shuttle, from automobile airbag to 

oil well ... and the list keeps growing. Why? Maybe it's 

our plug-in signal conditioners that allow connection of 

any signal, any sensor. Or perhap it' the fact that 

Dewetron sy tems are built on an open-architecture, 

COTS* computer platform, allowing ea y upgrade and 

compatibility with all Windows® software and 

hardware. 

Or it could be our oftware- 0 easy to use and yet so 

powerful- with brilliant on-line displays, full-color 

printing and one-click export to Excel®, MatLab®, 

ASCn, and everal other popular format . Of course, 

Dewetron machine are perfect platforms for 

Lab VIEW® development, and they already include a 

National Instrument ® AID card cOlmected to our highi olation plug-in signal conditioner ! 

Above left to right - the DEWE-4000, DEWE-20 1 0, and 

DEWE-3010 portable PC Instruments 

o 

;; 

w '" 

~ 

U/ 

o 

Our basic models are al 0 highly popular a portable 

indu trial computer built to MIL-STD-81OC for hock 

and vibration. 

It could be any of these thing - or maybe it' all of 

them. The bottom line i , if you 're doing data 

acquisition any other way, you 're missing a lot. 

take a look at Dewetron today. Start with our 

or give u a call and alTange a no-obligation 

demon tration at your facility. 

Contact u today toll-free at 877-431 

364-9464 outside the USA), or vi . 

www.dewamerica.comlntb 
Robot.ic§ Play§ a Key Role in 

Manufact.uring Product.ivit.y 

For businesses to grow, manufacturers 

know that they must remain competitive in respect to product quality and 

cost. Many companies have tumed to robotic automation to increase productivity, 

reduce downtime, and save or avoid costs. 

Rather than fixed automation - which 

perpetually repeats the same task on a 

production line - robotic automation is 

characterized as flexible automation, allowing manufacturers to produce more 

than one item on a single production 

line. Because of this flexibility, the medical, manufacturing, and automotive industries have been able to optimize production while reducing costs. 

Because robotics and automation offer 

uch diverse u es in varied applications, 

engineer are striving towards developing 

innovations that use more artificial intelligence and require less human supervision. However, the biggest challenge lie 

in actually creating these technologies. 

Thi past year, the robotics industry has 

been hard hit by the economic downtum, 

adversely affecting the research and development process. Fortunately, the indusU"y is howing signs of recovery. According to Robotic Industties Association 

(www.roboticsonline.com) of Ann Arbor, 

MI, by the end of the first quarter of this 

year, North Amelican customers ordered 

2,350 robots - an increase of 1 % over the 

comparable period in 2001. RIA e timates that 120,000 robots are now at 

work in United States factories, U"ailing 

only Japan in u e. 

Analysts see this uptum as a sign of 

things to come. Analysts also believe that 

in almost every industry, the use of robotics offers more co t savings overall 

than outsourcing to overseas manufacturers. "In most assembly applications, 

robots increase the quality and yields 

compared to manual processes," said 

John Dulchinos, vice president of sales 

for Adept Technology (www.adept. 

com), a Livermore, CA-based robot 

manufacturer. "Even in many low-cost 

labor markets such as China, robotic assembly still makes financial sense since 

the level of crap and rework is reduced 

significantly," Dulchinos added. 

Traditionally, robots have been suitable for repetitive tasks on similar 

pieces, bu t the increasing use of artificial 

24 

intelligence is breaking production barriers in almost every industry. At present, 

several companies design robots for 

manufacturing and often are able to create robotic parts according to a client's 

specifications. 

Today's robots are also not limited to 

operating on the factory floor. Robots and 

robotics are finding applications in semiconductor, photonics, machine vision, 

fiber optics, and precision assembly automation. Adept Technology, for example, designs direct-drive robots, databasedriven software, integrated vision and 

conveyor tracking, and digital servo conU"ol networks. The company offers a line 

of high-speed SCARA and Cartesian robots for assembly and material handling 

tasks. Payloads - which determine the 

size and weight of welding torches, cable 

assemblies, and torch mounts tllat can be 

carried by the robot aIm - range from 6 

to 55 pounds, and most models are available with optional rating for installation 

in cleanroom environments. For fiber 

optic automation components, Adept 

manufactures high-speed alignment 

stages, process-ready robotic assem bly 

platfOlms, and assembly for epoxy bonding and laser welding. 

Other robotics manufacturers such 

as Staubli (www.staubli.com). Reis Robotics (www.reisrobotics.com). Fanuc 

Robotics (www.fanucrobotics.com). 

Motoman (www.motoman.com). and 

EPSON Factory Automation/ Robotics 

(www.robots.epson.com) all offer 

turnkey robotics and automation systems, including indusU"ial robots, controllers, and software, providing customers with one-stop shopping for 

their automation requirements. 

NI and LEGO Teach Future Robotics Engineers 

In 1997, Chris Rogers, a user of LabVIEW graphical programming software from National Instruments of Austin, TX (www.nLcom), was working on a project for NASA through which students were learning to build and program planetary rovers. Rogers thought the concept of 

programming with LabView was very translatable to children, since it is a graphical, drag-anddrop environment. Chris brought National Instruments 

(NI) into collaboration with LEGO to create the Mindstorms for Schools system. 

The system uses a combination of LEGO microcomputer "bricks," traditional LEGO building pieces, and a 

modified version of LabVIEW called RoboLab, to introduce 

engineering concepts to students. By building LEGObased robotic systems, students learn the same concepts 

that engineers face in the real world, including basic 

computer programming and problem-solving skills. 

With RoboLab, robotic construction is facilitated using 

LEGO Dacta components and pieces to construct a robotic 

model built around the programmable LEGO RCX (Robotics Command System) microcomputer brick. RoboLab 

software uses familiar drag-and-drop techniques that help students think logically as they program a series of events or commands for the controller to perform. After completing the program, it is sent to the brick, which stores it to run when activated. 

NI engineers partner with teachers on a voluntary basis to teach RoboLab to students to 

bring engineering and science principles to Texas classrooms. "It's good for the teachers to be 

able to relate to the students that what they're doing in the classroom is what the real engineers are doing in the real world," said Michael Zeller, academic relations manager for NI. "It's 

amazing to see how complex the kids can get with their robots in such a short amount of time." 

For more information on RoboLab, visit www.pitsco-Iegodacta.com. To find out how Nationallnstruments has helped promote the Mindstorms for Schools program, contact Michael 

Zeller at michael.zeller@ni.com. 

www.nasatech.com NASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
FEMlAS '" supplies highly sought-after new 

technology for the modeling and simulation of physics in all science and engineering fields. Its main attribute is the ease 

with which modeling can be performed 

and its unlimited multiphysics capabilities, 

in I D, 2D and 3D - the perfect way to 

apply state-of-the-art numerical analysis 

to your expertise in modeling. 

Order your free literature kit! 

Visit www.comsol.com/ient or 

call + 1-781-273-3322 

ffMLAI II • r" lstered trademark of COMSOl AI. MAlL ... I II 1 r'Jlltered trademark of Th. MathWork •• Inc 

COMSOl 
~ The most common reactor for environmental protection, which we encounter or 

use everyday, is the catalytic converter in 

automobiles. In these monolithic catalysts, 

carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides are 

converted into relatively harmless species 

like carbon dioxide and nitrogen. To optimize the utilization of the expensive 

catalyst, it is important to be able to model 

the reactor at different operational 

conditions. In this FEMLAB model, mass and 

heat balances are coupled to compute 

temperature distribution and flowlines in 

the reactor. 

~ This square-shaped spiral inductor is used 

for bandpass filters in micro electromechanical systems (MEMS). The FEMLAB 

simulation takes the nonuniform current 

density in the coils into account to compute 

an accurate magnetiC flux arround the coils. 

The inductance of this inductor is 2.1 nH, 

which is obtained by integrating the magnetic energy. Using the programming 

language of FEMLAB for parametric analysis, 

you can find the correlation between the 

induction and the input parameters of the 

model. 

~ In the design of electrodes for water 

electrolysis, it is important to minimize the 

voltage losses at a given total current. 

FEMLAB modeling helps the engineer in the 

design of the electrode geometry and the 

current collector. The model gives the 

current density distribution and the potential distribution in the system. These results 

make it possible to avoid excessive degradation of the active electrode surface and 

overheating of the welds at the position of 

the current collector. 

~ When designing an electric motor it is 

important to design the rotor shaft so that 

no eigenfrequencies exist in the working 

range of the rotational speed. It is also 

important to study the shape of the eigenmode and not just the eigenfrequencies. 

In the eigenfrequency analysis, one end of 

the shaft is fixed and the other end is free to 

rotate and axially deform. The image shows 

deformation and rotation angle in the 

second eigenmode, using different visualization options like colormaps and scaling. 

FEMlAB KEY FEATURES 

• Flexible and powerful graphical 

user interface 

• Built-in user-friendly CAD tool for 

solid modeling in 10 .20 and 3D 

• Automatic mesh generation, 

adaptive mesh and multigrid 

• Powerful solvers for linear, 

nonlinear and time-dependent 

systems of partial differential 

equations (POES) 

• Extensive postprocessing 

capabilities 

• Model Libraries with over fifty 

models fully documented from 

various engineering fields 

• Ready-to-use application modes for 

different engineering fields 

• Equation-based modeling for 

arbitrary systems of POES 

FEMlAB PUTS YOU 

IN THE FRONTliNE 

FEMLAB employs sophisticated numerical 

techniques developed by our staff of leading 

scientists in collaboration with industry 

experts from around the world. These 

professionals had a goal of making modeling 

available to every engineer and scientist. 

FEMLAB is the result of our commitment to 

putting engineering mathematics in a box. 

Order your free 

literature kit! 

•• ,1 

FEM 1 

/ 

..... 

Visit www.comsol.com/ient or 

call + 1-781-273-3322 

COMSOl 

www.comsol .com 
Software automation is an increasing 

trend in robotics. Rather than simply programming a machine to do a repetitive 

task, software is en ling real-time supervisory control and monitoring over a network or the Web. EPSON, for example, 

recently introduced its EPSON RC+ programming software for the Wmdows 2000 

platform. By using an operating system 

they're already used to, customers can 

program and monitor their robotic systems faster, and can integrate other thirdparty automation devices without additional programming. 

Simulation software also plays a role 

in robotics and automation helping engineers conceptualize and implement 

robotic workcells. Adept offers an operating system, the V+, for controlling 

multiple devices while integrating vision, force sensing, and workcell logic. 

"The key technologies that allow us to 

adapt to changes in our environment 

are vision and force sensing," said 

Dulchinos. "Vision allows us to pick 

parts that are mis-oriented and place 

them relative to changing features on 

their mating as embly. Force sensing allows us to assemble parts by feeling how 

they go together, such as in a snap fit assembly." 

The Future of RobDtiC5 

is Now 

NASA has always been at the forefront 

of robotics innovations, often relying on 

robots for research and exploration. But 

technologists do not limit them elves to 

utilizing rovers for terrestrial investigations; instead, ASA engineers have developed and used robotic systems for 

variou bio-medical and manufacturing 

purpose . 

The Robot Systems Technology Branch 

of NASA's John on Space Center in 

Houston, TX, has developed Robonaut, a 

humanoid robot de igned in cooperation 

with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to meet the dexterous manipulation needs foreseen in 

future NASA mission . The anthropomorphic robotic system can function as 

an astronaut equivalent, and is equipped 

with five-fingered, tool-handling end effectors; modular robotic components; 

and a telepresence and control system 

that allows its human operator to "see" 

what it sees. 

Telepresence requires that a human 

operator control the actions of a remotely operated roboL In the case of 

Robonaut, the human operator must 

control 43 individual degrees of freedom. Because Robonaut is anthropomorphic, it is controlled by a master-slave 

relationship whereby the operator' moASA Tech Briefs, 0 [ober 2002 

tions are essentially mimicked by the 

robot. Th e operator performs the arm, 

head, and hand motions for a task, which 

is duplicated in Robonaut. 

Telepresen ce uses virtual reality display technology to visually immerse the 

operator in the robot's workspace. This 

way, the astronaut operator feels as if he 

or she is in the place of Robonaut. Visu al 

NASA's Robonaut features advanced mechatronics, 

including more than 150 sensors per arm. 

(photo courtesy of NASA) 

feedback is provided by a stereo display 

helmet and includes live video from 

Robonaut's head cameras. Arm, torso, 

and head tracking is accomplished with 

the u e of magnetic-based position and 

orientation trackers. 

While Robonaut may have the appearance of a "science fiction~ creation, 

the robotic innovations built into it can 

be applied to manufacturing application , including its mechani m , work 

enve lope , range of motion, and 

trength and endurance capabilities. 

Robonaut features a mix of sensors, including thermal, position, tactile, force, 

and torque instrumentation, which also 

are transferable to many industrial robotic systems. 

Robonaut's human-scale arms, for example, have embedded avionics elements within each link, reducing cabling 

and noi e contamination. It also features 

a biologically inspired neurological system that brings all feedback to a cen traJ 

nervous ystem. This approach enables 

learning and optimization in mechanical, electrical, and software forms. 

To learn more ahoul Robonaut, visit the pr0-

ject Web site at: http://vesuvius.jsc.1wsa.gvv/ 

er _er/ html/robonaut/robonaut.html. 

www.nasalech.com 

Fully 

Loaded 

LabVIEW" Real-Time 

Distributed I/O 

FieldPoint 2000 family -

reliable, embedded control. 

• Run advanced control and 

signal processing 

• Autodetect modules for 

easy configuration 

• Direct connect to 144 analog 

and discrete signals 

• Log historical data to built-in, 

nonvolatile memory 

• Log 16 channels of 

temperature for a week 

GSA special pricing available. 

tTNATIONAL , INSTRUMENTS-

(800) 664-9266 

Fax: (512) 683-9300 • info@ni.com 

~ ~ N,tiOllI' ItIItnw!iintI CIlrpOr.IIon. AI rithb fWlI.rwcl. Ptockltl .JId COlllJlII'f 

IIINI HII.d ~ v_.llb or nct. ft.I'"" ofll1t1r ",.,.cM comp"nln 

For Free Info Enter No. 522 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 
NASA Selects Two Design Tools 

as Software of the Year 

Two software programs that save significant amounts of time and money over more traditional methods have been 

selected as co-winners of the 2002 NASA Software of the Year Award. The DSMC Analysis Code (DAC), developed 

at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and CartlD from Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, CA, have both 

been adopted by other government agencies, private industry, and academia. 

CartlD 

Development of Cart3D began in 1992 

by Michael Aftosmi and Dr. John Melton 

of ASA's Ames Research Center, and 

Professor Marsha Berger of the Courant 

In titute at ewYork University. The aerodynamic simulation tool provide engineers and designers with an automated 

computer-simulation suite that streamlines the conceptual and preliminary 

Surface pressure contours on an Apache-Longbow attack helicopter computed with Cart3D 

simulation software. 

analysis of both new and exi ting aerospace vehicles. 

The result of more than 10 years of research and development, Cart3D provides 

a revolutionary approach to computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Before the 

development of Cart3D, the basic computational tool- the grid layout used in analyzing de igns of airplane and spacecraft 

- had to be hand-generated and required months or years to produce for 

complex model . Cart3D automate grid 

generation, enabling even complex 

geometries to be modeled up to 100 time 

faster than before. 

The geometry for the Cart3D mesher is 

a collection of components, each of which 

is a closed triangulated surface \vith conformal facets. Cart3D produces topologically unstructured, adaptively refined 

Cartesian meshe . "Cart3D's novel algorithm and its state-of-the-art computational efficiency combine to provide designers with a new level of automation 

that reduces simulation time requirements by a factor of at least 250," according to co-developer Michael Aftosmis. 

Simulations generated by Cart3D help 

identify and fix problems in military trans28 

port aircraft and helicopters. It is used at 

leading universitie , within NASA, and by 

more than 100 commercial users for 

analysi and conceptual de ign of military 

vehicles and commercial aircraft. 

Ames' Commercial Technology Office 

licensed the software for commercialization to ICEM CFD Engineering, a subsidiary of ANSYS, an engineering analysis 

tool provider in Canon burg, PA. It has 

been integrated into ICEM CFD Cart3D, 

the company's CFD product suite. In addition to its exclusive distributor status for 

Cart3D to the aerospace, automotive, and 

turbo machinery industries, ANSYS also 

has distribution rights for the electronics/ electromagnetics and process industrie , which will extend Cart3D well beyond traditional aerospace uses. 

DSMC Analysis Code 

The Direct imulation Monte-Carlo 

(D MC) Anal i Code was developed by 

Gerald J. LeBeau, Forrest E. Lumpkin, 

Katie A.. Jacikas, and Phil C. Stuart of 

ASA Johnson, along \vith Richard G. 

Wilmoth and Christopher E. Glas of 

DAC software is used to provide the highest 

available fidelity predictions of plume impingement for orbiting structures, including the Russian Mir Space Station. 

NASA's Langley Research Center in 

Hampton, VA. DAC uses the DSMC imulation method to model the flow of lowdensity gases over flight urfaces. 

The software provide insight into the 

interaction of spacecraft and rarified environments, such as those encountered during a pacecraft's re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It models complex geometries 

using easily generated unstructured triangular elements that act as ampling zones 

for surface quantities. 

www.nasatech.com 

DAC was used to provide information 

and help optimize and verifY maneuvers 

of spacecraft that orbited Mars after they 

were slowed by repeatedly skimming 

through the Mars atmosphere, instead of 

relying on thrusters for deceleration. The 

technique enabled the pacecraft to be 

lighter, reducing launch costs. 

The program also has been used in 

analysis of plume impingement - the effects of firing thrusters by one pacecraft 

on another pace craft nearby. An early application of this capability was analyzing 

the effect of Space Shuttle thruster firing 

as the vehicle approached the Russian 

Space Station Mir during the Shuttle-Mir 

program. This has since led to significant 

changes in docking procedure and venting operations on the International Space 

Station. Because tests to gain this type of 

knowledge are difficult and expensive to 

perform, DAC has the potential to save 

million of dollars. 

DAC is currently used in most NASA 

centers and within the U.S. military, and i 

being employed in the aero pace industry 

for applications involving high-altitude vehicles. The unique flow-solvers adapted to 

DAC allow it to be u ed where the object 

within the flow field i very small, such as 

in MEMS (micro-electromechanical systerns) and nanotechnology devices. 

The Runners-Up 

Also receiving mention as award 

runners-up were: 

Hazardous Gas Detection System 

(HGDS) 2000 Software from John F. 

Kennedy Space Center, FL; 

Microgravity Analysis Software System (MASS) from John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH; and 

Autonomous Maneuver Control 

(AutoCon) Flight Software from 

Goddard Space Flight Center, 

Greenbelt, MD. 

The NASA Software of the Year 

competition is sponsored by the 

NASA Chief Engineer, with technical 

support from NASA's Inventions and 

Contributions Board. Find more information on the winners and nominees 

at http://icb.nasa.gov/swoy2002 . 

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
the new performance leader for linux has arrived 

the world's fastest floating point performancelow-cost, big-memory solution 

the capacity of 64-bit Linux 

value partners to assist with your migration 

Don't think it's all down the road. It's here today in the HP 

Workstation zx6000, the new performance leader for Unux. 

The HP zx6000 features one or two Intel- Itanium- 2 processors, 

performance-leading HP Chipset zx 1, up to 12GB of memory 

and other advanced features-such as builHn Gigabit Ethernet 

and support for three 64-bit operating systems-Unux, 

HP-UX and Windows~ 

If you're looking to really push the power af Unux, the HP 

Workstation zx6000 and the single-processor HP Workstation 

zx2000 are reacly to work with you. They break through 

taday's computing barriers-at affordable price points. 

To get more information about the products and 

pricing or to Bnd a value portner, visit 

www.hp.com/go/i2Iinux. 

n v e n t 

C 2002. Hewlen.packard Compony. All rights reserved. Screen image is courtesy of Fluent, Inc. Intel a nd Itanium a re trademarks or registered trademarks of the 

Intel Corporation in the United Slotes and other countries. Microsoh a nd Windows are regi.tered trademark. or trademark. of Mlcrosoh Corporation in the 

United Sta tes a nd other coun"ie. -Performa nce claims are based on indu.try-.Iondard. benchmork.--for deloil., vi.it www .• pec.org. 

For Free Info Enter No. 523 at www.nasatech.comlrs 
-$ Technology Focus: Sensors 

• Ultrasonic System Tracks Body Movements in Three Dimensions 

This system affords centimeter accuracy and overcomes major disadvantages of prior systems. 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 

A system based on ultrasonic ensors 

has been developed as a means of tracking 

moving objects with centimeter accuracy. 

The system is intended especially for tracking pertinent parts of the body of a human 

ubject engaged in control of a remote anthropomorphic robot or immersed in a 

virtual environment. The system could 

also be used to track a mobile robot. 

There are increasing demand for 

more ophisticated methods of characterizing the motions of human subjects for 

the aforementioned purposes. Prior motion-tracking sy terns have been fairly 

crude, costly, and tailored for uch highly 

specialized applications as tracking movements of the head or of the eyes only. 

Who\e-body-tracking systems now on the 

market utilize, variously, expensive optical 

sen ors or magnetic sensors that are susceptible to errors in the presence of 

nearby metallic objects. To achieve realistic virtual reality, it will be necessary to 

measure complete body motions by use of 

systems that are acceptable to human subjects, that interfere minimally with the 

subjects' motions, and that resist environmental interference. The present system 

satisfies these requirements. 

The present system includes everal stationary receiving ultrasonic transducers 

positioned about tlle region within which 

the human subject moves. One or more 

transmitting ultrasonic tran ducer are 

positioned on the parts of the human subject's body that are to be tracked. Putting 

the transmitters on the human subject 

minimizes the weight that the subject 

must carry: the equipment that processes 

the ultrasonic-signal information is tationary because all such processing is performed in the receivers and in a stationary 

motion-measurement unit (MMU). 

Each transmitter emits a phase-coded 

waveform at the inaudible frequency of 40 

kHz. The outputs of the receivers are ent 

to the MMU, which performs correlation 

processing analogous to that performed 

on microwave signals in the highly successful Global Po itioning System. The 

outputs of the correlation processor are 

the receiver/ transmitter distances; me 

mree-dimensional coordinates of me 

transmitters are computed from these distances and the known positions of the receivers. 0 synchronization is needed to 

enable the receivers and the MMU to distinguish among the signals received from 

different transmitters because each transmitter u e a unique phase code orthogonal to the phase codes of all the other 

transmi tters. 

This wark was dnne fly &bert E. Bozek of Genilys Research & DeveWpmenI, Inc., fur Johnson Space Center . Fur further infannation, 

access Ihe Technical upportPackage (TSP)free 

Q~ine at www.nasatech.com/tsp under lhe 

Electronic Components and Systems category. 

MSC-23028 

o Cylindrical Shape-Memory Rotary/ Linear Actuator 

A shape-memory ribbon is wrapped around a cylinder to build up length. 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; Houston, Texas 

A compact actuator generate rotary or 

linear motion wim a large torque or 

force, re pectively. The original version of 

ilii actuator is de igned to pull a wedge 

that, until pulled, prevents retraction of 

ilie proposed extended nose landing 

gear of the space shuttle. The original 

version is also required to fit into a volume that is severely limited by the ize of 

the landing-gear assembly. The basic actuator design could be adapted to other 

applications in which there are requirements for compact, large-force actuators 

wiili imilar geometries. 

The transducer portion of this actuator 

is a ribbon of a nickel/titanium shapememory alloy. A component made of such 

an alloy wldergoes a pronounced deformation to a "remembered" shape (in ilie 

present case, ilie ribbon becomes shorter) 

when its temperature rises through a transition value, causing a transformation in its 

30 

metallurgical structure from a martensitic 

phase to an austenitic phase. The component resumes its previous shape (in the 

present case, the ribbon lengthens) when 

its temperature falls below a lower transition temperature (tllere is hysteresis in the 

transformation). In this case, ilie transition temperatures are omewhat above 

room temperature. 

To obtain sufficient length in order to 

obtain sufficient stroke, the shape-memory ribbon is wrapped three time around 

a cylinder. One end of the ribbon is attached to the cylinder, the other to an object that does not move, relative to the 

axis of tlle cylinder. The ribbon is heated 

by passing an electrical current through 

it. When ilie temperature of the ribbon 

ri es above ilie first transition temperature, ilie resultant shape-memory hrinkage exerts a torque, causing ilie cylinder 

to tum. In the original application, ilie rowww.nasatech.com 

tary motion of the cylinder is converted to 

linear motion by use of ramps, attached to 

the cylinder, that roll along wheels. In a 

different application, the rotary motion of 

the cylinder could be the desired output. 

The primary difficulty encountered in 

initial tests was iliat ilie sliding friction 

engendered by wrapping the ribbon 

three times around me cylinder was so 

large as to impair actuation. The friction 

was reduced to an acceptably low level by 

placing the ribbon on nonconductive 

roller assemblies to enable the ribbon to 

move around We cylinder by rolling intead of sliding. 

This work was done by Bradley Files and 

James W. Akkennan ofJohnson Space Center. Fur further infurmation, access the Technical Suppurt Package (TSP) free on-line at 

wurw.nasatech.rom/tsp under the Mechanics 

category. 

MSC-23211 

ABA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
They think that their 3D software 

offers a risk-free path from 20 to 3D. 

We think you're 

not that na-Ive. 

They may think their 3D software is .. risk 

free." But if it can't get the job done, your 

entire business could be at risk. And don't 

let "affordable" upgrade pricing sway your 

decision either. After all whafs the true cost if the software 

lacks the power you need to get products to market fast? 

Before you buy the software, put it to the test. Get references. 

Find out how widely used it is in the workplace and the 

classroom. If you do your homework, you'Ulearn why 

SolidWorks 3D software is the safe choice and best value. 

[Ft!:(!!~.t!1, on product design. We're · , • 

in production. Our •• • capabilities lead the CAD 

industry. When it comes to performance and compatibility, 

SolidWorks sets . ,. , Maybe thafs why more 

than 200,000 designers and engineers worldwide will spend 

more than 50 million hours this year using SolidWorks 

software. Don't be fooled by imitators. There's only one 

standard in 3D. SolidWorks. For a free demo CD, 

visit us at www.solldworks.com/thestandard or 

call 1-800-693-9000. 

3D modeling Image courtesy of National Optical Astronomy Observatory. operated by the AssOCiation of Universities for Research in Astronomy. 

under cooperative agreement with the National SCience Foundation. ~2002 SolidWorks Corporation. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of 

SolidWorks Corporation. SolidWorks Corporation is a Dassault Systemes company. 

~ 

P . SolidWorks 

For Free Info Enter No. 524 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
Sensors 

Program Finds Target-Chemical Signals in Multisensor Outputs ~SA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A computer program deconvolves the 

digitized outputs of multiple chemical 

ing the quality of air in enclosed pace , 

medical diagnosi involving specified 

chemical compounds or bacteria distinctive of particular diseases or infections, 

and monitoring the quality of food. The 

program follows a nonlinear-leastsquares approach to the analysi of data 

from a chemical-sen or array. In experiments, the program was found to be capable of identifying and quantifying 

ensors in an array to extract indications 

of the identities and concentrations of 

target chemicals (which could be individual compounds or pecified mixtures 

of compound). Chemical-sensor arrays 

- denoted, variously, as electronic noses 

and electronic tongues - can be used 

for diverse purposes, including monitor32 

rrrhis was the too' I had 

been dreaming 01. 

I lust toolc oH 

with IDL.. 

Dr. Amir-Homayoon Najmi 

The Johns Hopkins Un iversity, 

Applied Physics Laboratory 

From data to solutions, 

get there faster with IDL: 

• Discover the information hidden 

in your data using powerful 

visualization tools in IDL. 

• Leverage the proven algorithms in IDL's 

extensive mathema~cs, sla~s~cs and 

image processing libraries. 

• Solve large numerical problems 

faster using IDL's built-in mul~­

threaded algorithms and 

processing rou~nes . 

• Read and write virtually any 

data format, type and size 

easily with IDL. 

Request vaur free uta. 

of IOl soft .. todaV. 

Contact us today 

Visit www.RSlnc.com/tool 

or call 303-786-9900 

RSI 

Research Systems Inc. 

For Free Info Enter No. 525 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

both single compounds and mixtures of 

large numbers of compounds. 

This program was written by Hanying 

Zhou of Cal/u h for NASA's Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory. For further information, access 

the Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the 

Software category. 

This software is available for commercial 

licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-

3425. Refer to NP0-30437. 

0 PressureApplication Device 

for Testing 

Pressure Sensors 

This device generates a 

pulse of known pressure. 

Stennis Space Center; MississiPPi 

A portable pressure-application device 

has been de igned and built for use in 

testing and calibrating piezoelectric presure transducers in the field. The device 

generates pressure pul e of known amplitude. A pre ure pulse (in contradistinction to a steady pre ure) is needed 

because in the presence of a steady pressure, the electrical output of a piezoelectric pre ure transducer decays rapidly 

with time. 

The device (see figure) includes a stainless-steel compressed-air-storage cylinder 

of 50O-cm~ volume. A manual hand pump 

with check valves and a pressure gauge 

are located at one end of the cylinder. A 

three-way solenoid valve that controls the 

release of pressurized air is located at the 

other end of the cylinder. Power for the 

device i provided by a 3.7-V cordless-telephone battery. The valve is controlled by 

means of a pushbutton switch, which activates a 5-V to ±l5-V DC-to-DC converter 

that powers the solenoid. 

The outlet of the olenoid valve i connected to the pressure transducer to be 

te ted. Before the olenoid is energized, 

the tran ducer to be te ted is at atmospheric pressure. When the solenoid i actuated by the push button, pressurized air 

from in ide the cylinder is applied to the 

transducer. Once the pushbutton is released, the cylinder pressure is removed 

from the transducer and the pre surized 

air applied to tlle tran ducer is vented, 

ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
EXCLUSIVELY FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. 

Make just one call for all your electronic needs: quality components, 

test equipment, tools, wire and more. Your dedicated team is ready 

to serve your special needs weekdays from Gam to 7pm CST. 

Call 1-800-TEAM-GOV for your FREE 2002 Newark Catalog. 

Newark 1·800· TEAM·GOV(832·6468) 

E LEe T RON I C S· www.newark.comlteamgov 

For Free Info Enter No. 530 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
Sensors 

Air Is Manually Pumped into a cylinder for storage at a specified pressure. To test a pressure transducer. one presses a pushbutton to activate a solenoid 

valve that releases a pulse of pressurized air from the cylinder. 

bringing the transducer back to annospheric pressure. Before this device was 

used for actual calibration, its accuracy 

was checked with a NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) traceable calibrator and commercially calibrated pressure transducers. 

This work was done by Wanda Solano oj 

Stennis Space Center and Greg Richardson 

oj Lockheed Martin Carp. 

Inquiries concerning rights Jor the commercial use oj this invention should be addressed to 

the Intellectual PrrJjJerty Manager, Stennis 

Space Center; (228) 688-1929. ReJer to SSG00142. 

@ Slab-Waveguide Interferometer for Sensing Ammonia in Wet Air 

Ammonia changes the pattern of interference between TMo and TMI waveguide modes. 

John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

The figure depicts a single-arm, slabwaveguide interferometer that has been 

demonstrated to be useable as a means 

of sensing ammonia in wet air. The slabwaveguide portion of this device comprises a 2-pm-thick film of poly(methyl 

methacrylate) [PMMA] on a substrate of 

Laser 

Chopper ~~~ Wheel 

Photodetector 

Lock-In Amplifier 

Chart 

Recorder Computer 

fused quartz. The PMMA layer acts as a 

waveguide because its index of refraction is greater than the indices of refraction of both the fused quartz on one side 

and the ambient air on the other side. 

The PMMA film is doped with 

bromocresol purple - an indicator dye 

Single-Mode Optical Fiber 

I 

that causes the index of refraction of the 

film to vary with the amount of ammonia that diffuses into the film from the 

ambient air. The remaining basic features of design and operation, as described below, are devoted to enhancing 

and measuring the change in an optical 

Doped PMMA Film 

(Slab Waveguide) 

Input --!~S~ ::;:::;:: :;=:! ;: ~5"""-- Output Coupling Coupling 

Prism Prisrr 

Fused-Quartz Substrate 

This Slab-Waveguide Interferometer provides an indication of the ammonia-induced change in the index of refraction of the doped PMMA film. 

34 www.nasatech.com ASA Tech Briefs. OClober 2002 
phase difference attributable to the 

cbange in the index of refraction and 

thus to the presence of ammonia. 

At opposite ends of the waveguide, 

the wide rectangular facets of triangular 

input and output coupling prisms are 

pressed again t the surface of the PMMA 

film. The prisms are made of gallium 

gadolinium garnet. Light from a He-Ne 

laser (wavelength of 633 nm) is chopped 

and sent through a single-mode optical 

fiber to input focusing optics. The design of the input focusing optic and the 

input coupling prism is uch that two 

transver e magnetic (TM) modes - the 

ones of zeroth and first order (TMo and 

TMIo respectively) - are excited simultaneously in the slab waveguide. After 

traveling along the waveguide, the waves 

propagating in the two modes encounter the output coupling optic, 

which are imilar to the input coupling 

optics except that their role is to focu 

light in the two modes onto an end face 

of a multimode optical fiber. Because 

the two modes are coherent, they give 

ri e to an interference pattern. With 

proper de ign of the optics and proper 

placement of the multi mode optical 

fiber, the spatial period of the fringe is 

everal times the diameter of the fiber. 

The multimode optical fiber leads to 

a photodetector. The output of the 

photodetector i processed through a 

lock-in amplifier synchronized with 

the chopper. When index of refraction 

of the doped-PMMA waveguide film 

changes upon exposure to wet ambient air containing ammonia, the resulting change in its index of refraction causes a change in the differences 

between the phases of the TMo and 

TMI modes at the output end of the 

waveguide. This change in phase difference causes the interference fringes 

to shift with respect to the input face 

of the multimode optical fiber, thereby 

further giving rise to a change in the 

intensity of light arriving at the photodetector. In an experiment, the sensitivity of this device was found to be a 

phase-difference change of 21t radians 

(one full oscillation of the inten ity of 

light arriving at the photodetector) 

per approximately 200 parts per million of ammonia. 

The design of this device has not yet 

been optimized with re pect to the 

la er wavelength, choice of waveguide 

pol mer, and concentration of dopant. 

In addition, it may be nece ary to add 

a reference interferometer arm isolated from the ambient air to provide 

temperature compensation, becau e 

the single-arm version described above 

is highly sensitive to temperature (of 

the order of 21t radians of phase-shift 

change per l ·C change in temperature) . 

This work was done by Sergey Sarkisov of 

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical 

University for Glenn Research Center. 

For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical 

Sciences category. 

Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of this invention should be addressed to NASA Glenn Research Center, 

Commercial Technology Office, Attn: Steve 

Fedor, Mail Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpark 

Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to 

LEW-17189. 

Get information on the hottest new 

Sensors by visiting our Technology 

Focus Products page on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/techfocus. Read 

about the latest transducers, actuators, and sensors, and link directly to 

each vendor's Web site for more 

information. 

rformance AZ/EL Positionin 

DediNlted 10 the 

cienCl' of .ltotion 

For CMllm I""fIIIrt il[Dnuritll. 

rI5It IS It _.lISIfrch.COIIL 

Tech Bliefs. October 2002 

- custom variations available 

repeatability, and resolution «1 arc-sec) 

For Free Info Enter No. 542 at www.nasatech.comlrs 35 
Electronic Components and Systems 

e Intuitive Control System for a Dexterous Robot 

The operator and robot acting together can respond with nearly natural, humanlike 

motions. 

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; Houston, Texas 

The Full Immersion Telepre ence 

Testbed (FITT) is an experimental anthropomorphic-robot remote-control 

system that is so named becau e it gives 

a human control operator some of the 

sensation of the remote environment 

as though the operator were in that environment in place of the robot. In 

compari on with older telerobotic control systems, the FITT provides robotic 

sensory feedback better suited to the 

operator's sense and enables the operator and robot acting together to respond, with more nearly natural, humanlike motions, to change in the 

remote environment. In particular, correlating the operator's movements 

(principally of the head, arms, and 

hand) with movements of the robot 

creates a more intuitive method of teleoperating robotic manipulators. Moreover, the use of an operator's own 

movements to conu'ol the robot provides the operator with useful kinesthetic feedback. The FITT and other 

system like it are expected to reduce 

training time and co ts, task-completion times, and operator workloads and 

errors. Because the FITT concept mate 

human intelligence with the durability 

of robots, it i potentially u eful for performing complex tasks in harsh environments; for example, cleaning up radioactive and toxic wastes. 

The main component of the FITT is an 

operator' chair mowlted on a rotating 

base (see figure). By use offoot pedals on 

the chair, the operator can command direct-drive motors on both the base of the 

chair and the remote robot. The chair 

also house equipment for controlling a 

video camera unit, manipulators, and 

end effectors on the remote robot. The 

operator wears a helmet-mounted video 

di play unit that presents, to the operator, 

60· -field-of-view stereoscopic images 

from the video canlera unit on the robot. 

Stereoscopic imaging creates a perception of depth - one of the most important "immersion" feature of the system. 

The helmet also includes stereophonic 

headphones for audio feedback and a 

microphone for operator voice command. A position-and-orientation 

sensor on the top of the helmet is the 

source of commands that control the 

OIientation of the video-camera unit 

on the remote robot. Other sensors attached to the operator's wrists provide 

three-dimensional position and pitch, 

yaw, and roll ignals for remote control of po itions and orientations of 

tools held by the robotic manipulators. Instrumented gloves measure the 

operator' fingerjoint angles and the 

pitch and yaw of the operator's hand, 

thereby providing signals for dexterous teleoperation of robotic grippers 

and hands. 

Inasmuch as the operator's hands 

and eyes are "immersed" in the locally 

synthe ized vel ion of the remote environment, they are not available for 

initiating commands. Therefore, a 

voice-recognition subsystem provides 

a convenient way to blend automated 

commands with direct operator control. To prevent the voice-recognition 

ubsy tern from picking up extraneous inputs, the system is set up so that 

the operator must press a foot pedal 

to enable the sub ystem to receive a 

spoken command. Once the pedal is 

released, the command is proce sed 

and played back to the operator over 

An Operator Using the FlIT controls a remote robot by a combination of hand, arm, head, and foot mo- a voice synthesizer for confirmation. 

tions and vocal commands. Motions that can be commanded vo36 www.nasatech.com Tech Briefs, October 2002 
cally can vary in complexity from a simple repo itioning of a robot arm to a 

more complex maneuver like grappling 

and tul-ning a dial. 

The software that controls the system 

i hosted on a IX/ VersaModule Eurocard (VME) computer work tation 

and a per onal computer with a '486 microproce sor and a voice-recognition circuit uuard. Data from the position and 

orientation ensor, instrumented 

gloves, and foot pedals are sampled at a 

rate of approximately 10 Hz. The data 

are sent out over a local-area network, 

using high-level communication software that enables transfer of data 

through a C-language program, making 

low-level driver interfaces tran parent. 

This work was done by Larry C. H. Li oj 

Johnson Space Center and Myron A. Diftler 

and Susan S. Shelton oj Lockheed Martin. Fur 

Junher inJonnation, contact the Johnson 

Commerrial Technolbgy Office at 28148>3809. 

MSC-22733 

• N oncontact Scanning Surface 

Pro Itlometers 

Position-sensitive detectors are used to measure relative 

surface heights. 

John F. Kennedy Space Center; Florida 

A cla s of optoelectronic noncontact 

computer-controlled scanning surface 

profilometers is undergoing development for u e in automated or emiautomated in p ction of nominally flat surface. When fully developed. these 

profilometers would generate three-dimen ional maps of the scanned surface 

for characterization of uch defects as 

pits and cratche . 

A profilometer of thi typ includes a 

two-dimen ional ( .y) horizontal-translation tage, on which the object to be 

in peeted i mounted with the urface 

of int r t facing upward toward a tational optical head. The optical head 

contains a laser diode aimed to project 

a beam of light downward at an angle 

(22-1 / 2° in the prototype profilometer) 

to the perpendicular to the urface of 

int rest. The height of the optical head 

i et at an minal vertical di tance [0.25 

in. (6.35 mm) in th prototype] above 

th urface of inter t. Wh n the vertical di tance between th optical head 

and the urface equal thi nominal di -

tanc ,th spot of light formed on the 

urface by the la er b am i at a nominal 

c ntral horizontal po irion. When the 

urface lie at a differ nt hight, the 

spot of ligh t i formed at a different horizontal po ition. 

The optical head ontain optics that 

focus th light ren ct d from the laser-illuminated pot to a orre ponding spot 

on a one-dimensional po irion-sensitive 

detector (P D), which is a photodetector with electrode at oppo he nd of a 

line. Th d viation of th po ition of the 

pot of light along thi line from a nominal central po ition d pend on the deviation of th illuminated spot on the 

Tech Briefs. 0 lober 2002 

surface of interest from the nominal vertical di tance below the optical head. 

The spot of light focused onto the PSD 

gives ri e to photocurrents in the two 

electrodes; the relative values of the e 

photocurrents depend on the position 

of the pot of light along the line between the electrodes and thus indicate 

the local deviation of the height of the 

surface of interest. 

nder computer control, the tran lation stage i actuated to scan the optical 

head acros the urface. For each increment of horizontal po ition ( x,y). th 

optical head generates photocurrents indicative of the local deviation of the urface from the nominal vertical di tance. 

The computer build up a three-dimenional map of the urface from the enemble of verrical-deviation data for all 

increments of horizontal po ition. 

The prototype profilometer has been 

tested in scan of everal objects. including a shiny new dime and pecimen of 

diffu ely reflective material. Th re ults 

of the te ts sugge t that urface deviation could be routinely re olved to 

\vithin 10-4 in. (5 \.lIn). 

This lUork was done by Jeffrey A. Hooker 

and Stephen M. Simmons Jormerly oj I-NET 

Jor Ke.nnedy Space Center. 

~ 'A has granted Laser Technology, Inc., 

an exclusive license Jor this technology. Inquiries concerning the commercial use oj the 

"Noncontact scanning urJace Projilo1lleter .. 

should be addressed to: 

John f!1.uman Pre ident 

Laser Technology, Inc. 

105 - W. Gennantown Pike 

urnstmun, PA 19403 

Tel. 0.: (610) 631-5043 

ReJ" to KSC-11759 

www.nasatech .com 

Measurement Ready 

16-Bit DAQ 

from $595 

NI offers cost-effective 16-bit 

data acquisition (DAO) for 

multiple bus technologies -

PCI, PXI. and portable DAO 

for IEEE 1394 - including: 

'New products. 

Each device also Includes two. 24·M counter/lllne .. 

and 8 digital I/O hnes. SE- Single Ended 

GSA special pricing available. 

NATIONAL 

~ INSTRUMENTS~ 

(800) 327-9894 

Fax (512) 683·9300 • info@ni com 

....... ..--c.r,.r.. "''-'--' ~ ... ~ 

.... -...... '"............. ~ 

For Free Info Enter No. 528 at 

www.nasatech.comlrs 
Electronics 

• FQPSK With an Outer Code for Greater Effic:iency 

Coding gains are expected, even for reduced-complexity receivers. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A proposed method of FQPSK modulation and demodulation of a radio signal would incorporate any of a number 

of relatively simple (sbort-constraintlength) outer codes. By affording significant coding gains even when using a 

reduced-complexity (and thus suboptimal) FQPSK receiver, this method 

would offer the concomitant potential 

to enhance efficiency in power and 

Notes: 1.n denotes an interleaver. 

2. Wi denotes a deinterleaver. 

3. 8180 signifies soft-Inputlsoft-oulput. 

spectral width of an FQPSK communication system. 

The term "FQPSK" denotes Feherpatented quadrature-phase-shift keying, 

which is a bandwidth-efficient phasemodulation scheme named after its inventor. Among the notable features of 

FQPSK is shaping of what would oth.erwise be square in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) pulse waveforms, such that the 

signal envelope (in effect, the power of 

the transmitted signal) remains nearly 

constant. The shaping involves, among 

other things, a cross-correlation between 

the I and Q channels. The nature of the 

cross-correlation is such as to effectively 

incorporate a trellis coding scheme into 

FQPSK. 

According to the proposed method, 

a short-constraint-length code (in efMultiplexer Decoded 

Input 

Bits 

fect, an outer code) 

would be introduced 

into a data stream via an 

interleaver prior to 

modulation of the carrier signal in an FQPSK 

transmitter. The combination of this outer code 

with the trellis or convolutional code inherent 

in FQPSK (in effect, an 

inner code) would form 

a concatenated coding 

arrangement which alThis FQPSK Coding/Modulation and Demodulation/Decoding Scheme has been shown, in computational simulations, to 

offer significant gain over FQPSK modulation and demodulation without coding. 

lows for iterative decoding. At the receiver, the 

iterative decoding would 

38 For Free Info Enter No. 529 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

be part of the demodulation process. 

The figure depicts one of a number of 

generic coding/ decoding schemes, admitted by this method, that includes the 

use of a reduced-complexity receiver. 

Computational simulations for this 

scheme with various outer codes, interleaver block sizes, and numbers of decoding iterations demonstrated the potential to obtain coding gains (in terms 

of signal-to-noise ratio needed to keep 

the bit-error rate below a specified 

value) ranging from 3.75 to 7.7 dB. 

This work was done by Marvin Simon and 

Dariush Divsalar of Calteel! for NASA's Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at www_nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Electronic Components and Systems 

category. 

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, 

the contractor has elected to retain title to this 

invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its 

commercial use should be addressed to 

Intellectual Property group 

JPL 

Mail Stop 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91109 

(818) 354-2240 

Refer to NP0-30135, volume and number 

of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the 

page numbm: 

NASA Tech BriefS, October 2002 
www.keithley.com 

No pushbuttons • No floppies • No programming required 

Characterizing semiconductor devices is challenging enough. You don't have time to learn complex pushbutton 

sequences, sort through dozens of floppies, or write lots of code. And now you don't have to. Keithley's 

Model 4200-SCS puts you in control with a complete, easy-to-use DC characterization solution for semiconductor 

devices and test structures. It combines sub-femtoamp resolution with real-time plotting and analysis. Key capabilities 

include instrument and prober drivers, interfaces to popular modeling/circuit simulation software, and WLR test 

capabilities. Keithley has developed a growing range of DC and RF test solutions for many other aspects of device 

characterization, including component burn-in, ultra-low current measurements, and broadband switching. 

Take the first step toward faster, simpler device characterization-contact us at 1-888-KEITHLEY 

or visit www.keithley.com/4200demo for an online demonstration. 

Ethernet-based DMM/ Sub-femtoamp 

data acquisition system Faster characterization with the 42oo-SCS Remote SourceMeter' compact RF switching systems 

KEITHLEY 

A GREATER M E A SURE OF CONF I DENCE 

For Free Info Enter No. 554 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
.software 

tJ Real-Time Desktop Manager 

This program manages other programs and displays. 

Lyndon B. johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 

Real-time Desktop Manager (RDM) i a 

computer program that manages displays 

and application programs. RDM was developed for use in connection with 

ASA' remote manipulator system 

(RMS) group of flight controllers; it could 

also be used in chemical plants, laboratories, factories, hospitals, and other settings 

where it is necessary to monitor many 

data stream . The RDM displays are datadriven, and color is used to indicate the 

criticaJjty of a display. There are other 

programs that perform such functions, 

but they are very expensive and, unlike 

RDM, do not afford graphical capabilities. 

RDM is written in the ANSI-C computing language, using the Motif widget 

set, for execution in the UNIX operating 

ystem. The sources of input to RDM are 

a series of input files, the user, and an information-sharing-protocol (ISP) dataacquisition system, which is maintained 

as an independent program. RDM enables the u er to create a data display 

with the help of previously stored input 

files that define a main window display, a 

menu-bar display, and individual display 

windows. The displays are driven by data 

received from an ISP server and input 

from the user. The program reads input 

file to create easily configurable diplays that can be modified before flights 

and simulations without having to modify and recertify software. 

RDM conforms to the Mi sion Control 

Center (MCC) Human and Computer 

Interface guidelines. It utilizes other 

software already in use in the MCC, plus 

other software that has, variously, been 

developed or purchased by ASA. Some 

inve tigation of other graphical software 

tools revealed that display windows are 

created within programs that must be 

compiled for each change. In RDM, it is 

not necessary to compile for each 

change in a display. The user imply 

modifies the input files and initiates the 

execution of RDM that reads the files. 

This program was written Ily Sharon L. 

Valentine, Charl£s C. Birkner; and Ronald L. 

Kerr of Rockwell International Carp. for 

Johnson Space Center. For further information, contact tlze Johnson Commercial Technology Office at 281-483-3809. MSC-22727 

tJ Program Analyzes Use of Registers by Another Program 

NASA's j et Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

Regprof is a computer program that 

analyze the u e of registers by another 

program that runs on a PowerPC 750 (or 

equivalent) computer. Regprof i u eful 

for howing how well compilers make 

use of registers and for obtaining an indication of the u ceptibility of application program to radiation-ind uced 

change in regi ter bits. Regprof goes 

through the source code of the program 

in question, analyzing each instruction 

to determine what registers it use and 

whether the in truction loads a register 

with a value or use a value already in a 

register. A register is marked as being in 

u e between the instruction that loads a 

value into it and the last instruction in 

which that value is u ed. Upon completion of this analysis, a histogram table 

that shows how many registers are in u e 

at each line of the analyzed program is 

poo ted. One limj tation of this analysi i 

that it does not take account of program 

flow and, instead, is performed as 

though all lines of the analyzed code 

were executed in sequence. This i adequate for mo t compiler code, but in 

ome cases, one might obtain a distorted 

representation of regi ter usage. 

This program was written by Paul 

Springer of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, 

access tlze Technical Support Package (TSP) 

free o1/rline at www.nasatech.com/ tsp under 

the Software category. 

This software is available Jor commercial 

licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-

3425. Refer to NP0-30347. 

tJ Embeddable Fuzzy-Logie-Toolkit Software for Tel/Tk 

Advantages include minimal cost, versatility, and relative simplicity. 

Lyndon B. j ohnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 

A computer program of the fuzzy-logictoolkit type has been developed as a relatively simple, portable, highly compatible, 

means of providing fuzzy-logic reasoning 

capabilitie for control and expert-system 

applications. This program is designed to 

work with the high-level scripting lan40 

guage Tcl/ Tk and to invoke the access-todata capabilities of an information-sharing protocol (ISP). This program supplies 

the numerous functions necessary for effective utilization of fuzzy-logic reasoning 

methods and overcomes many disadvantages of other fuzzy-logic toolkits. The 

www.nasatech.com 

program, written in the C language, is relatively mall, portable, efficient, and embeddable. Better yet, this program is flexible in that it includes a source code that 

can be improved or developed to add further capabilities and feature. The most 

commercially advan tageous feature of the 

NASA Tech Briefs. October 2002 
proven. 

all the features without the price 

NE . NASTRAN 

finite element analysis 

www.NENASTRAN.com 

1 .877. N EN ASTRAN 

© 2002 Noran Engineering. Inc .. All Rights Reserved 

For Free Info Enter No. 531 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
I · 7 

NAG"-Enabled 

Where Ease-of-Use 

and Power Intersect 

Origin· 7 is the first scientific software 

to combine presentation-quality graphics, the ( language, and the NAG· 

numerical library in a single package. 

First-time users will produce results 

right out of the box, while advanced 

users can continue to exploit the 

depth of its power. Easy-to-use pointand-click interfaces are provided for 

data visualization, exploration, and 

analysis. Advanced data analysis tools 

include statistics, signal processing, 

curve fitting and peak analysis. 

New for Origin 7 • In-Place Text Editing and 

Drawing Tools 

• Drag-and-Drop data import, 

including Thermo Galactic· SPC 

• Nonlinear Fitting Wizard with 

Automatic Parameter Initialization 

• Expanded Statistics, including 

Categorical Data Support 

• C Compiler with essential elements 

of NAG Library included 

• Integrated interface for user-defined 

fitting functions and Origin C 

FREE EVALUATION COPY 

Download It Today at: 

www.Origin7.com 

Scientific Graphing and Analysis Software 

0rIgInlab One __ CorponI!ioo PIala 

Not1!lamptoo, MA 01 060 

USA 

us & CANAIJA; 1-Il00-969·7720 

INT'L; +H13·586-2013 

fAA: 1·413·587·9915 

EMAIl: InfoOOIIoInlab.com WEB: www.OrlgInLab.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 532 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Software 

program is that it is available essentially 

without cost With the help of this program, users can learn how to write fuzzylogic programs for real applications. 

This software is based partly on the 

FuzzyCLIPS software, which was developed by the ational Research Council of 

Canada by mocl.i.fYing a prior Johnson 

Space Center software innovation known 

as CLIPS (for ~ Language Integrated Eroduction System). FuzzyCLIPS is written in 

the C language and contains a source 

code that is freely available to users. In addition, FuzzyCLIPS was also designed to 

be embeddable in other application programs, making it most suitable for the development of toolkit-type software. 

In the development of the present 

fuzzy-logic-toolkit program, the FuzzyCLIPS source code was combined with an 

interface code, thereby registering FuzzyCLIPS functions with Tel commands while 

at the same time converting data type between the two codes as necessary. In the 

end, 13 commands were created to provide access to FuzzyCLIPS from within Tel, 

Other programs were then developed 

as test cases to demonstrate the capabilities of this fuzzy-logic-toolkit program. In 

one case, a simple shower-control problem, provided with the original FuzzyCLIPS software, was used to exhibit the 

ability of the toolkit program to incorporate fuzzy logic into a control application 

program. Another case, more relevant to 

NASA's needs, the use of fuzzy-logic control with ISP teleqletry data was demonstrated. In this demonstration, ISP data 

were presented to the user with a graphical display created by use of the Tk soft-

\vare, During each cyele of ISP data, a 

fuzzy-logic control procedure was invoked, and the results of this invocation 

were displayed. The degrees of membership of input and output data in fuzzy sets 

were also presented graphically to users. 

In both the aforementioned test cases 

and in use at ASA, the versatility of this 

fuzzy-logic-toolkit program has been 

demonstrated, The main benefit that it 

affords to ASA is an ability to create 

more "intelligent" flight-control displays. Beyond NASA, this software can 

be used to create displays that make 

background use of fuzzy-logic reasoning 

while at the same time presenting the results of an expert system (e.g" a diagnostic system) in the foreground, 

This program was written by John C. Limroth of Rockwell International for J ohnson 

Space Center. For further information, 

contact the Johnson Commercial Technology 

Office at 281-483-3809. 

MSC-22730 

@ Program Computes Outer-Space HeatSink Temperatures 

John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

TSCALC is a computer program that 

calculates the space sink temperature (15), 

defined as the equilibrium temperature of 

a spacecraft heat-&SSipation radiator or 

other object nominally isolated except for 

radiative exchange of heat with the Sun, 

or any star for which equilibrium sink temperatures are to be evaluated; planets, in 

the neighborhood of which the thermal 

environment is of interest; and interstellar 

space, TSCALC utilizes the gray-body Stefan-Boltzmann equation and the equations for radiant fluxes as functions of distances between, and orientations of, 

bodies engaged in radiative exchange, 

Factors taken into account by TSCALC inelude (1) distances from the spacecraft to 

the Sun and any planets in the neighborhood of which a spacecraft has to operate; 

(2) angles between the radiator surface 

and lines of sight to the Sun and a neighboring planet; (3) the ratio between solar 

absorptivity and thermal emissivity of the 

radiator surface; (4) the "View Factor to 

Space," which is a function of the solid 

www.nasatech.com 

angle subtended by interstellar space as 

viewed from the radiator; (5) the luminosity, L, of the stellar heat source (L = 3.86 x 

1026Wforthe Sun); and (6) the albedos of 

planets, in the vicinity of which a spacecraft will operate. The 15 computed by 

TSCALC can be used, along with the thermophysical properties of the radiator material and the temperature of a spacecraft 

heat source, as inputs to spacecraft-radiator design code that computes the area of 

a radiator needed to dissipate a given heat 

load while operating at a given temperature >Ts' 

This work was done by Albert J Juhasz of 

Glenn Research Center. For further information, access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Software category, 

Inquiries concerning righLs fOT the commercial use of this invention should be addressed 

to NASA Glenn Research Center, Commercial 

Technology Office, Attn: Steve Fedor, Mail 

Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-16852. 

ASA Tech BriefS, October 2002 
PCI & CompactPCI 

Real-Time 

Data Acquisition 

Now with FREE Linux, ActiveX, QNX, 

MATLAB, LabVIEW, TestPoint, 

& DASYLab Support! 

Only 10tech offers you FREE real-time 

software support for such a wide variety of 

software environments for your plug-in PCI 

and CompactPCI data acquisition applications. With our wide selection of plug-in 

DAQ I/O boards and 40 signal-conditioning 

options, IOtech is your one-stop source for 

real-time data acquisition solutions. 

• 16-bit/200-kHz sampling 

• Extensive software support for Windows'" 95/98/2000/NT/XP, 

LabVIE ,TestPoin, DASYLab"', QNX, and MATLAB 

• Linux "open source" and QNX real-time software 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Synchronous scanning of analog, digital, & frequency I/O 

Analog input expansion up to 256 

channels, 40 DBK'" signal 

conditioning options for direct 

measurement of thermocouples, 

RTDs, strain gages, accelerometers, 

& more 

Digital I/O expandable up to 208 

channels, including isolation & 

relay options 

New ActiveX/COM-based rapid 

application development tools, 

including network support 

1 00% digital calibration on all ranges 

1 6-bit/l OO-kHz analog waveform 

& digital pattern generation with 

infinite waveform/buffer depth Over 40 signal conditioning and 

expansion options available 

www.iotech.com/realtime 

IOtech Inc 

25971 Cannon Rd 

Cleveland OH 44146 

1 440 439 4091 

Fax 1 440 439 4093 

sales@lotech.com 

1 888 942 6678 

~==~~~~"=~~~~~~ 

Ethernet-Based 

Distributed 

10tech's new PointScan'" series 

of 30+ Ethernet-based distributed I/O includes built-in 

Ethernet and RS-485 . Unlike 

other suppliers, there's no need 

to purchase expensive communication modules. 

PointScan modules work with 

any OPC-based software application. There's also a seamless, 

high-performance link to 

Citec HMI/SCADA software. 

Ethernet ---. 

Over 40 analog and digital I/O 

modules 

8-channel "universal" input 

module measures V, mV, TC, or 

mA per channel 

16-bit analog I/O with ±0.02% 

accuracy 

500 VDC isolation for industrial 

digital I/O modules 

-30'C to +70'C operating 

temperature 

Hot swap for easy maintenance 

and zero down-time 

FREE and easy-to-use I/O module 

configuration and test software 

Modbus RTU/ASCII and 

Modbus/TCP "open" protocols 

www.iotech.com/pointscan 

1 888 942 6678 
Data Acquisition 

REAL PEOPLE 

REAL TIME 

REAL SOLUTIONS 

IOtech has been a trusted name in PC-based data acquisition for nearly 20 years. 

This experience drove the development of our versatile family of PC-based data 

acquisition components. Meeting your specific requirements is as simple as 

selecting the appropriate platform, signal conditioning, and software. 

VERSATILE &: ECONOMICAL PLATFORMS 

Our hardware is easily configured to meet a broad range of embedded, portable, 

rack-mount, and distributed (Ethernet-based) applications. 

BROAD SIGNAL CONDITIONING WITH EXPANSION 

We match your requirements for channel count, signal type, and accuracy. Buy only 

what you need today and have the confidence to know you can expand in the future. 

OPEN SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE 

Other suppliers lock you into their proprietary software environment. IOtech 

gives you choices in operating systems, drivers, and application software*. 

• Windows· , QNX, linux operating systems, MATLAB·, LabVIEVoJ-, TestPoint drivers, DASYLabo application software, 

and programming tools for C/C++ and Visual Basic" 

Platform 

Family 

Applications Direct Web 

Address 

WAVE BOOK Portable & lab waveform measurements www.iotech.com/wavebook 

DAQBoOK Portable & lab multifunction measurements www.iotech.com/daqbook 

ZONICBoOK Portable vibration measurement & analysis www.iotech.com/zonicbook 

LOGBoOK Stand-alone data acquisition www.iotech.com/logbook 

PERSONAL DAQ USB Te/voltage measurements 

DAQBoARD OEM & plug-in multifunction I/O 

www.iotech.com/personaldaq 

www.iotech.com/daqboard 

www.iotech.com/pointscan 

www.iotech.com/multiscan 

POINTSCAN Distributed I/O 

MULTISCAN Lab temperature/voltage data logging 

Check out our diverse selection of data acquisition solutions at: 

www.iotech.com 

OCopyright 2002, IOtech, Inc. DaqBoard, 

DaqBook, LogBook, MultiScan, Personal Daq, 

PointScan, Wave Book, & ZonicBook are trademarks 

of IOtech, Inc. All others are trademarks or 

registered trademarks of their respective holders. 

For a complete listing of IOtech worldwide sales 

offices, see www.iotech.com/sales. 020808. 

1 888 942 6678 

.: . 

::;:" tech 

~ 

, ~.~11t' (.. .~t~ 1\ .... , 

,..1 ... ' .".' ... ' '.' .'1,.,' J • 

~ 

7.f!"--~"""'-~:-~~ 

, ' . . . 

---------------~ . -. 

'!""'II'II'!II" 
PHOTONICS October 2002 

Tech Brief"s 

PHOTONICS SOLUTIONS FOR THE DESiGN ENGINEER 

.. • • • • •• • 

Cover photo courtesy of Edmund Industrial Optics, see page 14a 
Miniaturization of Electronic Components: 

A ew anu acturlng rocess or -M OS 

A large step towards a significant 

miniaturization of electronic 

components is the integration of 

electrical and mechanical functions as 

implemented in 3D-MID (Mould Interconnect Device) technology. Here a 

housing can serve as a three-dimensional circuit board. A more rational fabrication, design flexibility, and shorter 

process chains are the main advantages 

of this technology, which is of growing 

interest to the circuit board industry. 

On one hand laser irradiation induces 

a physio-chemical reaction, specifically 

the cracking of chemical bonds. On the 

other hand it makes a strong adhesion of 

the forming metal layer possible byablating polymer material, i. e. roughening the 

surface and thus providing an effective 

anchoring for the forming metal layer. 

Optimum cavities are produced, providing a mechanical anchoring for the metal 

plating (see figure 2). This effect is supported by incorporating laser irradiation 

resistant filler particles, which protrude 

on the surface after the laser treatment. 

A new production process - LPKFLDS (Laser Direct Structuring) - for 

3D-MIDs has been developed and 

comprises merely three steps (see 

figure 1): Injection moulding _ structuring 

- metailiution 

1) A thermoplastic part is injection molded based on a granule modified with an organometallic complex. 

2) The surface of the thermoplastic part is partially activated by laser irradiation. 

3) Circuit tracks are selectively 

deposited on activated areas 

using an additive electro-less 

plating process. 

focussed lastr ch.mlca~reductlv 

e.g. Cu/Nl/Au 

metal seeds 

figure 1: Main technology steps 

deposited copper 

(drcult trad) 

The organometallic complexes are 

based on palladium (Pd'+) and/ or copper (Cu·+). Due to high palladium prices 

alternative systems of different transition 

metals like copper are preferable. The 

developed organometallic complexes 

are of an exceptionally high stability. 

Pulverized organometallic complexes, 

inorganic filler materials, the polymer as 

well as further additives are processed in 

a heating-cooling mixer combination 

(fluid mixer, see figure 3) to a homogeneous agglomerate. The next step is the 

compounding. In an extruder this agglomerate is molten and transported. The result is a homogenized modified thermoplastic. 

Mter cooling the extruded thermoplastic is crushed in a granulator to a conventional granule, 

which is outstandingly well suited 

for molding three-dimensional 

parts using conventional injection 

molding technology. 

Laser Radiation & 

Electro-Less Plating 

In addition to being highly flexible relating to changes in the electrical circuit design, the LPKF-LDS 

process provides high throughput, 

lines and spaces down to 20 pm, 

and is above all an environmentally friendly technology. This 

method is now ready-for-market 

and is currently being adapted for 

several materials of interest to the 

electronics industry. This article 

further describes the process, system technology, and results. 

figure 2: Surface after laser structuring and after beginning 

metallization 

A string of different technologies is available for coating a plastic surface with a metallic layer, for 

example PVD coating, laminating 

with metal foils, spray coating, and 

electroplating methods. The latter 

are especially suited for metallizing three-dimensional pieces. 

When using an electroplating 

technique, plastic parts are usually 

metallized in a multi-stage process 

where the surface is first cleaned 

and roughened, then given a catalytical nucleation, and finally 

Granule & Organometallic 

Complexes 

The fundamental concept of the 

LPKF-LDS process is to modify an electrically isolating polymer matrix while 

maintaining its non-conductive property and to set free seeds on the surface 

of the polymer via laser irradiation of a 

certain energy density level. These 

seeds enable a selective wet-chemical 

reductive metal precipitation. The polymer is modified by incorporating dispersive organometallic complexes into 

the matrix, which are designed in a way 

that they can be activated by the laser irradiation. 

IIa 

The starting point of the LPKF-LDS 

process has been the development of 

organometallic complexes with the following characteristics: 

• Electrically non-conducting 

• Visual-light-resistant 

• Sufficient soluble and/or colloidal 

dispersible in the polymer matrix 

• Good compatibility in the polymer 

filler material system 

• No catalytic activity . 

• Separable in metal seeds and organic 

residuals by laser irradiation 

• High thermal resistance 

• Little toxicity 

• Low costs 

www.ptbmagazine.com 

coated with metal using a chemical and/ or electroplating method. 

In the field of plastics metallization, creating a plastic surface that catalyses a 

chemical metallization process is called 

activation. 

Selective activation followed by selective metal deposition is an especially 

promising approach to the problem of 

metallizing only partial areas of three-dimensional plastic surfaces (e. g. in MID 

production). When using special substrate materials, laser irradiation can directly trigger such a selective activation. 

Indirect activation by a laser is possible 

as well. Here the catalytic plastic surface 

is not directly created by laser irradiation but rather by deposition of a catalyst 

in the irradiated areas. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Trace 

3-D RELIEF PLOT 

OPTIMIZED FACmED REFLECTORS 

NEW PROPERTY CATALOGS, 

DATA AND EDITORS 

ADVANCED RENDERING 

BIREFRINGENCE 

USER DEFAULT SETIINGS 

ELLIPTICAL BSDF 

NEW BULB CATALOG 

.. -.'";--.... -...... 

UPGRADED MEDICAL TISSUE CATALOG 

NON-UNIFORM SCALING OF OBJEm 

TracePro 3.0 has more features and capabilities than any other software for 

optical. illumination and stray light analysis. And nothing could be easier to use. 

LAMBDA RESEARCH CORPORATION • (978) 486-0766 • salesOlambdares.com www.lambdares.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 401 _.NlMtec:h.com/rs 
Surface activation and roughening is 

achieved by using a UV-Iaser. Wi th regard to the surface structuring of the 

thermoplastic, the necessary laser radiation demonstrates high-resolution ablation of material, especially applying to 

organic materials, and induction of a 

Figure 3: LPKF system: Heating-cooling mixer 

combination. extruder. cooler. and granulator at 

FH Lippe (from right to left) 

physio-chemical reaction. The conductor lines are electively built up on the 

thermoplastic in the areas activated by 

the laser in a following electro-less plating process. 

Conventional metallization baths (e. 

g. Shipley, MacDermid) can be used. An 

economical plating thickness lies in the 

range of 5 lIm copper, a succeeding Nilayer of 5 vro, and 0.1 lIm gold finish. To 

achieve a higher copper plating thickness, the part can be placed in an electrolytic bath afterwards. 

Basically the process can be applied to 

many thermoplastics. In a first tep 

polypropylene (PP) was chosen to 

demonstrate the feasibility of the 

process. PP is a demanding and within 

the frame of industrial applications a 

proven thermoplastic with low temperature characteristics. Its extremely difficult metallization behavior increases the 

requirement profile for this technology. 

More recent developments have concentrated on the adoption of the complexes 

for incorporation into the high performance thermoplastic polybutyleneterephtalate (PBT) and partly aromatic 

polyamid (PA6/6T MID) , which is well 

suited for microinjection molding. 

Laser Technology 

The laser system used in thi process 

is comprised of five mechanical and 

three optical axes. The lateral moving 

range of the xy-table comprises 200 x 

200 mm with an ab olute position accuracy of ±4 lIm. The z-axis has a positioning range of 300 mm with an accuracy of ±3 lIm. An axis of rotation 

(360°, accuracy ±IOO) is mounted on a 

swivel axis (±90°, 10°) to allow an infeed of parts with multiple planes to be 

structured. 

2a 

The initial laser beam is focused, positioned, and deflected within a scanning volume. Three optical axes make 

it possible to guide the laser focus spot 

within a plane as well as along complex 

three-dimensional contours. The laser 

beam is moved relative to the work 

piece with two deflecting mirrors in lateral direction. Moving mirrors are synonymous to low moving masses. The result is an extremely high working speed 

and thus an economical throughput. 

The mirrors are mounted on a rotational axis of special motors (galvanometer scanner). In addition to 

high positioning speeds, high accuracies can be provided. 

The third optical (a Kepler telescope) 

axis provides a shift in longitudinal direction. This shift is achieved by moving 

one of the lenses mounted on a linear 

translator. At present a scanning volume 

of 200 x 200 x 50 mm' can be reached. 

Basically the system can be operated 

with an ultraviolet (A. = 355 nm) or infrared (A. = 1064 nm) laser. Up to now 

only UV laser radiation has been used 

for the activation of the thermoplastics. 

The laser source that has been used for 

the laser activation process is a frequency-tripled Nd:YAG laser (A. = 355 

nm). Increasing absorption characteristics of polymer materials as well as decreasing spot diameters with smaller 

wavelengths enable the polymer ablation with the de ired characteristics of 

cracking the organometallic complexes 

and roughening the surface for a metallization of strong adhesion. This is supported by operating the laser in Q-switch 

mode producing extremely short pulse 

durations combined with extremely 

high pulse powers. The small spot sizes 

also make it possible to achieve finest 

lines down to approximately 20 vro. The laser beam is homogenized in 

order to achieve a constant intensity distribution over a defined cross section. 

On the other hand a typical laser beam 

intensity profile is Gaussian. Therefore, 

less energy is incorporated into the surface of the thermoplastic at the edges of 

the laser-structured track than within its 

center. As a result a melting zone is 

formed at the edges of the track, which 

should be avoided in terms of a strong 

metallization adhesion. Thus a clearly 

defined beam profile with a homogeneous intensity distribution is required. 

This kind of "Top Hat" beam can be implemented, using fibers for example, a 

pipe with mirror-glass on the inside or 

an individual diffractive component. 

Cunent research focuses on a circular 

Top-Hat in tensity profile that is generated 

using diffractive lenses. At present, difwww.ptbmagazine.com 

fractive optical elements (DOE) are used 

in laser technology, fiber technology, 

communications technology, projection 

lens technology, and sensor technology. 

Material Properties 

In connection with the investigations 

on the characteristics of the developed 

thermoplastics, measurements of the viscosity in dependence on tl1e shear speed 

are very important. The dependence 

does not show any significant difference 

to standard PP. This proves that high 

quality components can be fabricated in 

standard injection molding processes 

with doped PP. This also applies to PBT 

and PA6/ 6T MID. 

Apart from impressing electrical and 

mechanical properties of doped PP and 

PBT, the exceptional adhesion strength of 

tl1e plating with values ofl3 N/ cm for PPMID, 8 N/ cm for PBT-MID and ION/ cm 

for PA6/ 6T MID, is important for the circuit board manufacturing industry. Figure 

4 shows a complete fabrication of a 3DMID part, from the molded part to a complete circuit with components. 

Figure 4: Complete chain for manufacturing a 

3D-MID: molding. activation. plat ing. and component assembly 

Conclusion and Outlook 

Laser supported additive metallization of different thermoplastic materials for 3D-MIDs is an environmentally 

friendly technology for structuring fine 

lines down to approximately 20 lIm for 

microelectronic applications with a 

high throughput. At present three 

modified thermoplastic materials are 

available that can be injection molded 

in standard proce ses with exceptional 

mechanical and electrical properties. 

Applications are foreseen within the 

areas of telecommunication, sensors, 

and automotive systems. 

This article was composed by M . Hiiske 

and J Kickelhain of LPKF Laser & Electronics AG, Germany; J Miiller the Chair of 

Manufacturing Technology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Gennany; and C. EJ3er 

of the Bavarian Laser Center, Germany. For 

more information contact Stephan Schmidt of 

LPKF Laser & Electronics, 28220 SW 

Boberg Rd., Wilsonville, OR 97070 at (503) 

454-4000 or sschmidt@lpkfusa.com. Visit 

LPKF online at www.lpkfusa.com. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Technologies of the Month 

Sponsored by ye~com 

For more information on these and other new, licensable inventions, 

visit www.nasatech.com/ techsearch 

Thin, Flexible laminate for Support of 

Electronic and Other Devices 

AGFA 

Flexible transparent plastic is used as a 

upport for a number of applications. 

This technique shows how to combine the 

advantage of a glass layer (i.e. dimension 

stability, high density, hardness, and barrier properties against moi ture, solvents 

and oxygen) with the propertie of a polymer layer (i.e. flexibility) by laminating a 

glas layer together with a polymer layer. Applications include acting as a barrier layer 

for photomasks and flat panel di plays or as a packaging material for electronic chips. 

An improved glas laminate is provided with low pecific weight, which enable the 

u e of a continuou web for applying a functional layer by utilizing a boro ilicate glass 

ubstrate having a thickness in the range from 10 to 450 pm preferentially between 

50 and 200 \lffi. Thickness can go up to at least 700 pm. The bonding between the 

boro ilicate ubstrate and the polymer upport can be done by vacuum lamination or 

with a temperature ensitive, pressure sen itive, or ultraviolet light curable adhe ive 

layer. The functional layer may be web coated on the glass ubstrate or the polymer 

upport, or andwiched between the two, as illu trated. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

WWUl.nasatech.com/techsearch/tow/laminate.html 

Email: nasatech@yet2.com 

Phone:617-557-3837 

Optical Pickup Employing VeSEL 

Thi technology overcomes problems of conventional light out apparatus employing a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitted Laser (VC EL). Widely u ed in optical application u h a optical pickup apparatu e and computers, the light emitted from a 

VC EL i almo t circular, highly den e, and operate in a ingle mode. Becau e of 

the e emi ion characteristics, it i difficult to install a monitoring photod tector outide the light path of the VC EL that can till receive the emitted light and control 

the EL' output. Thi i due to the fact that the C EL emits light in a direction 

vertical to the upper surface of the monitoring photodetector. The lower surface is 

mounted on a semiconductor base. Th following devices overcome the e problems. 

The hou ing incorporate a projector window for tran mitring mo t of the light 

emitted from the V SEL and reflecting ome of the light back onto the bas . The 

monitoring photodetector i in tailed on the bas for receiving ome of the light 

emitted from the VCSEL and reflected from the projector window, and converting 

the light into an electrical ignal. In addition to the above, the optical pickup apparaLU include an object len for concentrating the light on an optical recording 

medium by collecting light emitted [rom the V EL, a light path changing unit for 

changing the path of light reflected from the light r cord medium, and another photodetector for receiving the reflected light and converting it into an electrical ignal 

to be fed LO an error detection circuit. 

Get the complete report on this technology at: 

www.nasatech.com/techsearch/tow/opticalpickup.hhnl 

Email: nasatech@Yet2.com 

Phone:617-557-3837 

Phntnnir. T .. rh Brief!. 0 tober 2002 www.ommrurazine.COID 

Accelerate 

Your Vision 

Development 

Quickly develop machine 

vision and scientific imaging 

solutions with the latest IMAQ~ 

Vision Builder. 

• Integration of your vision 

application with motion and 

data acquiSition 

• Easy-ta-use. configurable 

development environment 

• Ability to create LabVIEW" Vis 

and Measurement StudioN 

code recipes 

• Complete set of machine 

vision and imaging functions 

• Vision Solution Wizard 

GSA special pricing available. 

( ni.com/info ) 

To learn more about IMAD Vision 

Builder, visit ni. comlinfo and 

enter na9n28. 

NATIONAL 

INSTRUMENTS~ 

(800) 811 -2046 

Fax: (5121683·9300 • info~ni.com 

.2Q02NICIOMI ...... ~". ..... ....,.. ~ ... ......,_IIIfIII.,..~Of ... ~ ..... ,...Q\III~ 

For Free Info Enter No. 402 at www.nasat em .comlrs 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

Self-Aligning Fiber Couplers for Microsphere Resonators 

Critical relative positions would be maintained through contact of precisely dimensioned features. 

NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

Fiber-optic couplers for spherical, 

toroidal, and other, similarly shaped micro copic optical resonators that operate in whispering-gallery (We) modes 

would be fabricated with integral alignment features, according to a proposal. 

These alignment features would facilitate coupling adjustments, which, 

heretofore, have been difficult and complex, as explained below. 

Microsphere and imilar re onators 

have been de cribed in several previous 

NASA Tech Briefs articles. The couplers in 

question were described in "Simple 

Fiber-Optic Coupling for Micro phere 

Resonators" (NPO-20619), NASA Tech 

Briefs, Vol. 25, No.5 (May 2001), page 

70. To recapitulate: In the we modes of 

a transparent microsphere, light orbits 

inside the sphere, where it is confined by 

total internal reflection. The high degree of confinement results in high Q 

(where Q is the resonance quality factor). Light is coupled into or out of the 

microsphere by exploiting the overlap of 

(1) the evanescent field of the we 

modes with (2) the evanescent field just 

outside an angled end face of a singlemode optical fiber. 

For efficient transfer of energy, it is 

necessary to align the microsphere with 

the fiber such that they are in the correct relative position and orientation for 

optimwn overlap of their evanescent 

fields: 

• The intersection of the core of the optical fiber with the angled end face of 

the fiber must lie at the point of closest 

approach of the fiber to the sphere; 

• The axis of the fiber must lie in the 

plane of symmetry of the a circumferential "belt of light" into which the we 

modes are concentrated; and 

• The gap between the sphere and the 

angled end face of the fiber must be 

maintained stable within the range of 

the evanescent fields - typically between 0.5 and 1.5 rm. 

It should be apparent that coupling 

adjustment between the microsphere 

and the angled end face of the optical 

fiber is critical and difficult. Heretofore, it has been necessary to rely on 

bulky external mounts and translation 

mechanisms to establish and maintain 

the correct alignment. The proposed 

alignment features would ensure the 

mechanical stability of the gap while 

reducing the number of adjustment 

degrees of freedom from five to two, 

4a 

Angled 

End Face Core 

Trench 

Belt of Light in 

_ - -_ WG Modes 

Microsphere 

Resonator 

FIBER END WITH 

ETCHED ALIGNMENT TRENCH 

MICROSPHERE IN RELATION TO CROSS SECTION 

THROUGH FIBER AT LOCATION OF CONTACT 

Figure 1. The Trench on the Angled End Face of the optical fiber would be placed in contact with the 

sphere, astride the belt of light of the WG modes. The depth and width of the trench would establish 

the desired gap between the fiber core and the sphere. 

thereby reducing the difficulty 

of the coupling adjustment and 

the amount of bulky equipment 

needed. 

The simplest integral alignment feature according to the 

proposal would be a trench 

etched into the angled end 

face of the optical fiber, coincident with the major axis of 

the face and centered on the 

Trench 

end face of the fiber core (see 

Figure 1). The sphere would 

be brought into mechanical 

contact with the long rims of 

the trench. In thi configuration, the depth and width of 

Figure 2. A Circular Depression of depth and width chosen to 

establish the desired gap could be superimposed on a narrower trench. The circular depression would make it unnecessary to perform an along-the-trench adjustment to place the 

end of the fiber core at the point of closest approach to the 

sphere. 

the trench would determine the size of 

the evanescent-field coupling gap between the sphere and the end face of 

the fiber. The contact between the rims 

and the sphere would not appreciably 

affect the performance of the microsphere as a resonator because the trench 

would be made wide enough that the 

points of contact would lie outside the 

belt of light. 

To eliminate the need for an adjustment along the trench, one could replace the trench with a circular depression centered 011 the fiber core. As in 

the case of a trench, the depth and dianleter of this depression would be chosen to obtain the desired gap size. Alternatively, as depicted in Figure 2, such a 

circular depression could be superimposed on a narrower trench. 

www.ptbmagazine.com 

This work was done by Vladimir Iltchenko 

of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further infonnation, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line 

at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical Sciences category. 

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, 

the contractor has elected to retain title to this 

invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its 

commercial use should be addressed to 

Intellectual Assets Office 

JPL 

Mail Stop 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena, CA 91109 

(818) 354-2240 

E-ntail: ipgroup@jpl.nasa.gov 

Refer to NPO-30254, volume and number 

of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the 

page number. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Relatively Inexpensive Unobscured Large-Aperture Laser-Beam 

Expander 

All of the reflecting and refracting surfaces are spherical. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A design for an unobscured, largeaperture but otherwise compact laserbeam expander relies solely on spherical 

reflecting and refracting surfaces, yet 

provides a reasonably well corrected 

wavefront uitable for most applications. 

Thi de ign results from a tradeoff 

among compactness, cost, and performance. 

The classical approach to the design 

of uch a laser-beam expander typically 

involves the use of off-axis, aspherical 

mirrors and/ or large lense , which are 

expensive to fabricate . Spherical-surface 

mirror and mall pherical-surface 

lense can be fabricated at substantially 

lower co t, but a beam-expander de ign 

based on uch pherical- urface optics 

involve a tradeoff between compactnes 

and performance. 

The approach taken to arrive at the 

present design tarts from an understanding that the de ign of a la er-beam 

expander need not afford all the performance characteri tic of the classical 

tele cope design from which most 

beam-expander de ign are derived. 

One con ideration is that a laser-beam 

expander i not required to perform 

weB over a wide field-of-view. A econd 

con ideration i that a la er-beam expander i required to perform well at 

only one wavelength. A third con id ration i that limitation of fabrication capabilities make it impo ible to achieve 

the maximum theoretical performance 

of a c1as ical design in real hardware 

and that, in practice, a beam expander 

fabricated from a uboptimum de ign 

that calls for a mall number of spherical (only) urfa e can be made to perform a well if not better, while co ting 

much Ie . 

The foregoing reasoning led to the 

pre en l de ign ( ee figure), which call 

for a minimum number of surfaces, all 

pherical, the large t being mirror 

rather than len e . The fir t optical element encount red by the incoming 

laser beam i a precorrector len, 

which is 0 named becau e the radii of 

it pherical urface are chosen to introduce pherical aberration equal 

and opposit to that from the mirror 

that c: 1I0w. The len i c ntered in the 

beam and tilted t introduce the orrect amolln t of aberration to compenate for (pI" c rrect) the off-axis aberri r200 

11 

I I 

I I 

I I 

I I 

I I 

I I 

I I '1 

I I " 

I I II 

_.l _.~ _._._ _._ _._._ _. _. _ 

I Precorrector Lens First Spherical Mirror I 

Incoming { 

Laser 

Beam 

//~~------~~~------------~ o~~~g Beam 

Second Spherical Mirror 

This Laser-Beam Expander. containing only one lens and two mirrors with all spherical optical surfaces. 

offers good performance at relatively low cost. 

Speed & Simplicity • Intuitive graphical user interface 

• Integrated Optical and Mechanical modeling 

• Import from CODEY, lEMA)(, OSLO, ASAp, 

IGES, vendor lens catalogs 

Power & Versatility • Non-sequential & sequential ray tracing 

• Coherent & incoherent propagation 

• Complex scatter models 

Complete System Analysis • Irradiance, intensity, energy density calculations 

• Polorization and interference calculations 

• Stray light analysis 

Contact us for a free demo CD: (520) 733-9557 • www.photonengr.com 

For Free Info Enter No . 40 at \AIWW_nasat.ech.comJl"S 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

rations cau ed by using the spherical 

mirrors at non-normal angles of incidence. The precise required thickness 

of the lens, radii of curvature of its surfaces, and angle at which it is tilted, depend on the index of refraction of the 

lens material, the wavelength of operation, and the mirror configuration. 

The second optical element encountered by the laser beam is the smaller 

of two spherical mirrors. This mirror is 

tilted to redirect the now expanding 

beam so that, once collected and collimated by the larger spherical mirror, 

TM ~~timal ~cientific Laser 

the beam pas es the smaller pherical 

mirror without being obscured. The 

third and final optical element encountered by the laser beam is the 

larger pherical mirror, which is concave and is tilted to redirect the now 

collimated and expanded outgoing 

beam parallel to the incoming (unexpanded) beam. N. is often found in optical systems of similar function, the 

placement and tilt of the mirrors can 

be described as being off-axis egments 

of a pair of larger mirrors sharing a 

common optical axis. The key distinc1 M~~f! Move up to the new OPTex®, the 

portable compact excimer laser system 

for scientific and medical 

applications, available for 

a very smart price. 

• Air cooled, single phase, 

UV laser 

• Self-contained system 

• Wall-plug power 

• 157nm/193nmI24Bnm/30Bnm/351nm 

• Repetition rates up to 500Hz 

• High pulse energy up to 25mJ 

• Worldwide technical support 

and service 

The new OPTex® with advanced 

NovaTube® technology is the optimal 

laser for lab use and off-site 

applications, including 

spectroscopy, ablation, biology, 

clinical medicine, and ionization. 

Make a smart move by calling 

Lambda Physik today for more 

information and a demo. 

ISO 9001-2000 Certified, 

CE Marked 

@ 

LAmBDA PHYSlK~ 

Driving the Pulse of UV Technology 

U.S.A: 954-486-1500 800-Excimer Germany: 49 55169380 Japan: 81459397848 

FAX: 954-486-1 501 FAX: 49 551 68691 FAX 81 45 9397849 

e-mail: marketingusa@iambdaphysik.com • www.lambdaphysik.com ' 

ADS An affiliate of O· c:ClHEREI"lT" 

6a For Free Info Enter No, 404 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

tion i that the "off-axis egments" in 

the design presented here are of spherical mirrors, so are themselves spherical, and hence easier (= relatively inexpensive) to fabricate. 

The resulting wavefront performance 

is exceptionally well-corrected, with a 

nominal residual error so low as to be 

negligible in comparison with the effects 

of fabrication and assembly effects. The 

only aspect of performance that might 

be considered adverse is that the beam 

expansion is slightly anamorphic: the 

ero s section of the output beam is elliptical, the minor axis being between 0.90 

and 0.95 times as long as the major axis. 

If neces ary, the anamorphism could be 

corrected by use ofa more complex precorrector len, still at an overall cost 

much less than that of a classical beam 

expander. 

This work was done by Jeffrey Oseas of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) Jree o,,,.line 

at wurw.nasatech.rom/tsp under the Physical Sciences category. 

NPO-30432 

Fiber-Optic Probe 

Uses Evanescent 

Waves To Sense 

BiorIlm 

Biofouling can be detected in 

less time than that needed in 

conventional culture-plate 

counting. 

Lyndon B_ Johnson Space Center, 

Houston, Texas 

A compact instrument includes a 

fiber-optic probe that utilizes the 

evanescent-wave interaction to measure the accumulation of a biofilm. 

Thi instrument is a prototype of instruments that could be u ed to effect 

continuous monitoring and provide 

early warning of biofilms associated 

with bacterial contamination in diverse water systems, including potablewater supply systems, industrial heatexchanger systems, and heating and 

cooling systems for buildings. The instrument makes it po sible to detect 

biofouling of such systems sooner than 

the ends of the 24-to-48 hour incubation periods needed for conventional 

detection of bacteria by culture-plate 

counting. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, October 2002 
You can also view yet2.com's Tech ofthe Week by logging onto nasatechbriefs.com 

For Free Info Visit _.rtasatech.coml489 or Enter No. 489 at _.nasa ech.comlrs ~ 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

The instrument has overall dimensions of 4 by 17 by 1.5 in. (about 10 by 43 

by 4 cm) and is made from inexpensive 

optoelectronic components. One of the 

components is a light-emitting diode 

(LED). Modulated light from the LED is 

launched into the fiber-optic probe, 

which includes an unclad length of optical fiber that serves as a sensory element. 

Light travels along the fiber, past the 

sensory element, to a photodetector. 

The output of the photodetector is 

processed by a digital-interface circuit 

board connected to the parallel input 

port of a computer. In essence, what one 

seeks to compute is the proportion of 

light reaching the photodetector as an 

indication of the amount (if any) of bicfouling on the sensory element. 

Any biofilm attached to the sensory 

length of fiber affects the evanescent 

wave of the light propagating in the 

fiber. The effect is primarily a result of 

(l) a change in the index of refraction 

to which the evanescent wave is subject 

and (2) increased scattering of light. 

The evanescent wave is shallow enough 

that the instrument exhibits a significant 

respon e to as little as a monolayer of 

bacteria. 

8a For Free Info Enter No. 405 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

The design of the instrument was 

guided by a mathematical model that 

assisted in the optimization of tlle instrument performance and the prediction of the response of the instrument 

to specified changes in the index of refraction of the medium surrounding 

the sensory element. The overall response of the instrument to a change in 

the index of refraction i characterized 

by, among other things, a time of less 

than 1 minute. In tests in which bacterial cultures were added to, variously, 

distilled water or plant-nutrient solutions, peak first-stage respon es occurred within 1 to 6 hours and peak econd-stage responses took place after 3 

to 10 hours. 

This work was done by Ron Michaels 

of Polestar Technologies, Inc., for Johnson Space Center . For fU1·ther information, contact the Johnson Commercial 

Technology Office at (281) 483-3809; 

commercialization@jsc.nasa.gov 

MSC-22880 

Spotlight 

Radiometer 

The principal use of this 

instrument would be remote 

sensing of gases. 

NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 

Pasadena, California 

A proposed radiometric insoument 

denoted the spotlight radiometer (SLR) 

would operate in a frequency band centered at ",,557 GHz and would scan in a 

conical or circular pattern. The SLR was 

conceived for use in obtaining spatially 

and spectrally re olved indications of 

CO and H20 molecules in the Martian 

atmosphere. The basic SLR design is 

also adaptable to terrestrial use and to 

operation in different submillimeterwavelength bands. 

Although the SLR would include a 

Cassegrain telescope, the telescope 

would not be moved to effect scanning. 

Instead, the telescope would be fixed 

and scanning would be effected by simply turning a lightweight, flat mirror in 

front of the telescope. The entire instrument would fit inside a cylindrical envelope or canister, the diameter of which 

need not exceed that of the primary reflector of the telescope. The advantages 

afforded by the foregoing design features include light weight, convenient 

placement of the electronic and optical 

components, and simple, compact construction. 

Photonics Tech Briefs, October 2002 
The angle between the flat scanning 

mirror and the optical axis of the telecope would determine the cone angle 

of the scan pattern. This angle could be 

et, for example, to enable scanning of 

the horizon or of an annular region of 

the sky. The flat mirror could be constructed easily and, because it could be 

very lightweight, a low-torque scanning 

motor would suffice and it would be posible to scan at a high rate. At one or 

more angular positions of the can, the 

Fixed Cassegrain Telescope 

viewing of the exterior scene could be 

blocked out for radiometric calibration. 

After reflection from the scanning 

mirror and passage through the 

Cassegrain telescope, incoming radiation would pass through a polarizing 

Mounting Plate (Optical Bench) 

IF 

Circuit 

2 

'--__ -'Mi~' '8J IF Circuit 1 

Scanning 

Motor 

Primary Mirror 

Notes: 1."E 1." signifies perpendicular-polarized radiation. 

1. "Ell" signifies parallel-polarized radiation. 

1. "IF" signifies "intermediate frequency." 

1. "LO· signifies "local oscillator.· Incoming Radiation 

The Scanning M irror and its motor would be the only moving parts in this instrument. 

PhOLonic Tech Sri fs, 0 Lober 2002 

. «<. •• 

'-

Vision 

Components 

Leading Technology 

Inri 

....... •• ,....., ctri,,1 .. . ~ ....... ~ft'll'Irt ~ .. ~nn"~rft~ -----~---

Built-in framegrabber and DSP - no PC required! 

CC[).sensors: 

DSP: 

main memory: 

non-volatile memory: 

interface: 

PLC interface: 

dimensions: 

price: 

from 500 x 580 to 1280 x 1024 pixels 

Anolog Devices ADSP2181 /83/85, TIC62XX 

from 2MB to 8MB DRAM (TI: 16MB) 

from 0 .5 to 2 MB Rash EPROM ITI: 8MB) 

RS232 up to 115.2 KBaud or FastEthernet 

4 inputs, 4 outputs, 12-24V, 

optically isolated 

starting at $413 

(1+' 

4x2xl 1i2inches $ 

Over 100 tosk-specific VC series-based solutions 

are available for use in addressing cammon machine 

vision applications such as gauging, part orientation determination, 

object recognition, label inspection, assembly verification, sorting, 

reading of lObar or 20 matrix codes, OCR, and pattern recognition/alignment. Solutions are also available which handle special tasks . 

Vision (omponents 

67 South Bedford Street, Suite 400W 

Burlington, MA 01803 

Vision (omponents GmbH 

Olloslr. 2 

D·76275 Elllingen, Germany 

Phone: (603) 598-2588 Phone: +4972432167-0 www.vision·(omp.(om 

info@vision·(omp.(om 

Fax: +4972432167·11 

sales@vision·(omponents.de 

For Free tnfo Visit www.nasatech.coml411 or Enter No_ 411 at www.nasatech.comlrs 9a 
Photonics Tech Briefs 

beam splitter in the form of a wire grid tilted at an angle of 

45° to the optical axis. From this beam splitter, each of the 

two polarization components of the radiation would travel to 

one of two heterodyne radiometers. Hence, the SLR would 

provide simultaneous readings of both perpendicular- and 

parallel-polarized radiation. 

In addition to a local 0 cillator, each heterodyne radiometer would include a silicon etalon beam combiner. 

The use of a silicon etalon (in contradistinction to the use 

of a different device) as a diplexer would simplify the design 

of the input portion of the radiometer and would provide a 

temperature-insensitive means of coupling the local-oscillator and incoming radiation into the down-converter portion 

(submillimeter-wave mixer) of the radiometer. The use of a 

double-sided mirror coplanar with the polarizing grid would 

facilitate the positioning of the two radiometers within a 

Infrared Fiber-Optic Endoscope 

confined space. Even if polarization measurements were not 

required in a given application, the use of both polarization 

channels would make it possible to increase the signal-tonoi e ratio lightly. 

The mixer and local oscillator of each heterodyne radiometer would be conveniently situated near their respective drive 

elements and within the shadow of the primary tele cope mirror. All of the electronic and optical componen could be 

mounted on a ingle plate made of a lightweight material (e.g., 

a carbon-fiber composite). The rear surface of this plate could 

be used for heat sinking. 

This work was done by Peter Siegel of Caltech for NASA's Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Physical Sciences category. 

NPO-30183 

Thermography could be performed in conf'med spaces and harsh environments. 

Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 

A propo ed infrared transmitting fiber-optic endoscope, 

which would partly resemble a visible-light fiber-optic endoscope, instrument could be used to perform thermal imaging in 

harsh environments and/ or confined spaces in a variety of situations in aerospace, industrial, automotive, and medical settings. 

Like a typical visible-light fiber-optic endoscope, the propo ed instrument would include a coherent fiber-optic inUY·SCOPE 

THE ULTU VIOLn FIND-I-SCOPE 

VERSATILE 

SENSITIVITY 180nm-1250nm 

(OPTIONAL TO 1550nm) 

LIGHTWEIGHT, SIMPLE TO OPERATE 

RUNS ON ONE "C"-CELL BATTERY 

AVAILABLE WITH EITHER: 

• 3 ELEMENT UV GRADE FUSED SILICA FJW uvrr AR OR 

• 5 ELEMENT UV GRADE SILICA AND CALCIUM FLUORIDE 

FJW UVAGON ACHROMAT 

APPROPRIATE BANDPASS & BLOCK FILTERS AVAILABLE 

1/4-20 SOCKET FOR TRIPOD OR TABLE TOP MOUNTING 

FUll OR MOMENTARY OPERAT1ON 

FJW OPTICAL SYSTEMS, INC. 629 S. VERMONT ST .• PALATINE IL 60067 

lOa 

847-358-2500 FAX: 847-358-2533 

INTERNET: www.findrscope.com .mall: fjwoptOconcentrlc.nel 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml452 or Enter No. 452 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

frared bundle with an objective lens attached to its distal 

end. The lens would focus energy from the scene under observation onto the input face of the fiber-optic bundle. Of 

course, unlike in a visible-light fiber-optic endoscope, both 

the lens and the optical fibers would be made of materials 

that transmit a substantial proportion of the infrared energy 

in a wavelength range useful for observing at the temperature range of interest. 

Another infrared-tran missive lens at the proximal end of 

the coherent fiber-optic bundle would focus the infrared 

image of the scene from the output face of bundle onto a 

planar array of infrared photodetectors. The outputs of the 

photodetectors would be processed by electronic circuitry to 

generate a temperature map of the scene and/ or a visible 

analog of the infrared image of the scene. In the processing, 

the photodetector outputs would be converted to temperatures at corresponding locations in the scene on the basis of 

a photodetector calibration and radiative properties that 

may be known or as umed in accordance with physical conditions in the scene. 

The main advantage of this instrument is that the relatively compact, rugged vie\ving optic could be inserted in 

the confined and/ or inho pitable environment containing 

the scene to be observed, while the rest of the instrument 

could be acce sible and located in a hospitable environment. The ins.trument would be tailored for the temperature range of interest through the choice of lens and fiberoptic materials as mentioned above plus the choice of 

photodetectors suitable for the wavelength range corresponding to the temperature range. For example, one 

could choose a PtSi-based detector array for shorter wavelengths corresponding to higher temperatures or an 

HgCdTe-based array for longer wavelengths corresponding 

to lower temperatures. 

This work was done by Stephen E. Borg and Christopher E. Glass of 

Langley Research Center. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/ tsp 

under the Physical Sciences category. 

LAR-16149 

Photonics Tech Briefs. October 2002 
Adjusting Polarization To Reduce Error in an Interferometer 

There is no need for additional equipment, signals, or signal processing. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

An unconventional and highly effective 

technique has been devised to reduce 

cyclic errors that arise in the operation of 

a di placement-measuring heterodyne optical interferometer. The cyclic errors are 

attributable largely to undesired mall exchanges of power between light beam 

that are nominally in mutually orthogonal 

polarization tate (such exchanges are 

denoted generally as polarization leakage). Unlike orne prior technjques for reducing cyclic errors, the present technique doe not require additional optical 

or electronic signal, additional signal 

processing, or use of optical components 

other than those of the interferometer itelf. Optionally, the present technique 

can be u ed in coJ!junction with the prior 

techniques to r duce errors furth r. 

The figure chematically depicts a heterodyne optical interferometer that include a target retroreflector and a fiducial retroreflector, the purpose of the 

interferometer being to measure diplacements b tween the e two retroreflectors. The beam from a single laser i 

plit into two that are hifted in frequency 

by dffierent amounts. Beam 1, having frequency VI> is de ignated the target beam; 

beam 2, having frequency V2, is de ignated the local or reference beam. The 

~,, m< >Ire rnllimaten and then polarized 

orthogonally to each other: beam 1 i 

given (out-of-plane) polarization, while 

beam 2 i given p (in-plane) polarization. 

The beam are combined at the injection 

polarizing beam splitter. A mall fraction 

of the power of both beam. i picked off 

at the re£ rence beam splitter, combined 

at the reference polarizer, and mixed by 

the reference photodetector, which generate the reference heterodyne ignal at 

the beat frequency V,-V2' 

Mo t of the light propagate to the 

main polarizing beam plitter. Beam 2 

(the p-polarized reference beam) pas e 

through thi beam pLitter to the signal 

photodiode. B am 1 (the s-polarized target beam) i reflected by thi beam pUtler onto the target path where it make a 

round trip between the target and fiducial retrorefl ctors and is then reflected 

into the ignal photodiode, wh rein 

beam 1 and 2 are mixed to obtain th 

targ t h ter dyne ignal at the beat frequen . ominally, the phase of the targ t heterodyne ignal relative to thal of 

th re£ renc ignal varie linearly by 21t 

radian p r half wavelength of the target/r u'oreflector di plac ment. Hen e, 

00 

the variation of this phase is measured to 

determine the displacement. 

In practice, the vdriatiun of phase with 

displacement deviates from perfect linearity because of a number of leakages, 

which give rise to the aforementioned 

cyclic errors. The main leakage is the passage of a small portion (",0.1 percent) of 

s-polarized power from beam 1 directly 

through the main polarizing beam plitter to the signal photodetector. 

In the present technique, one makes 

no attempt to reduce thi main s-polarized leakage, because it cannot be 

topped without al 0 blocking the desired 

ignal. Instead, one take advantage of the 

fact that for complex reasons that involve 

the amplitude and phase relationship 

among the variou polarization components, it i po ible to compensate for the 

effects of the s-polarized leakage by deliberately introducing orne additional p-polarized leakage from beam 2 onto the target path. First, one refines the alignments 

of all relevant optical components to minimize leakages oth r than the main one. 

Then, in a multistep procedure, one iteratively adjusts the polarizers and quarterwave plates to introduce the correct 

amount of compensatory p-polarized 

leakage. The procedure can be alternatively characterized as one of seeking the 

optimum adjustment of the optical components. When optimum adjustment is 

achieved, the cyclic displacement-measurement error caused by the main and 

other leakage can be reduced by a large 

factor (",10), without nulling the desired 

ignal. 

This w01'k was done by Oliver Lay of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free O1l-line 

at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical ciences category. 

NPO-30380 

Local Beam Ptical Fiber 

~I Collimator 

Target Collimator c:::::±:::::J Local Polarizer 

Reference 

Photodetector 

___ -_J...._""++~+_+_~~ I Injection Polarizing Beam Splitter 

7poiariZing Beam Splitter 

Target 

_~_g.._~b~;t-"'"1r---:~Retroreflector 

Signal Polarizer c::±1P 

Signal Collimator 

Signal 

Photodetector 

This 15 a Typical Heterodyne Optical Interferometer for measuring displacement. Cyclic errors in displacement measurements can be reduced through optimal adjustment of the beam splitters and po· 

larizers to minimize the net deleterious effect of polarization leakage. 

www. m e.co 11:> 
LasirisTM 

TEC Laser 

VIOLET TO INFRARED 

S tockerYale's LasirisTM TEC Laser is TE cooled for excellent wavelength 

stability in ambient temperatures between 

-20'C and 45'C. The TEC is available as a 

beam or pattern projector. The pattern 

projectors use the same technology as in 

our renowned SNF line of lasers This 

means crisp, uniform lines with sharp ends. 

Applications include machine vision, 

3D contour mapping, alignment, 

positioning, industrial inspection, 

and microscopy. 

Many 

patterns 

available 

+ 

o 

• Many configurations: 

- Choose wavelength from 

404 to 1550 nm 

- Power up to 200 mW 

- Laser beam or structured 

light pattern 

• Thermo-electrically 

controlled temperature 

• Excellent pointing and 

wavelength stability 

• Uniform intensity profile 

• Focusable 

• Rugged, ideal for harsh 

industrial environments 

StockerYale 

Simply brillio"1 ideos~ 

StockerYale Canada Inc. 

275 Kesmark, Montreal, Quebec 

H9B 3J 1 Canada 

Tel.: (514) 685-1005 Fax: (514) 685-3307 

1-800-814-9552 

www.stockeryale.com/TEC 

lasers@stockeryale.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 410 at 

www.nasatech.com/rs 

Photonics Tech Briefs 

General-Purpose Stereo Imaging 

Velocimetry 

This method enables three-dimensional quantitative 

characterization of flow fields. 

John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

An improved and expanded method of 

stereo imaging velocimetry (SIV) for diagnosing three-dimensional flows of 

gases, liquids, and other fluids involves 

the use of standard charge-coupled-device 

cameras positioned orthogonally to each 

other. In addition to providing a full-field, 

quantitative, three-dimensional map of 

any optically transparent flow seeded with 

tracer particles, this SIV method incorporates a camera-calibration technique, in 

which rotation and translation of camera 

lenses and optical distortion generated in 

the lenses are taken into account by use 

of an accurate two-dimensional-to-threedimensional mapping function. 

Other improvements over the basic 

SIV method incorporated into the present method include the following: 

• An additional image-reconstruction 

technique accounts for severe distortion in order to enable the reconstruction of incomplete calibration images 

so that there is less loss of the field of 

view than there would be in the absence of this technique. 

• A new technique for extracting images 

of tracer particles involves nonattenuating subtraction of image background 

coupled with a nonattenuating threshold alternative that yields a ignificant 

improvement over previous techniques. 

• Previously, particles were tracked in 

two dimensions in each view and then 

the tracks were matched to produce 

• • 

• • 

approximate three-dimensional vectors. A new technique for tracking particles in three dimensions provides 

true three-dimensional velocity vectors 

from two orthogonal view or from any 

set of three-dimensional data. This is a 

significant advancement in SIV 

• Color image processing has been 

added, making it possible to analyze 

flows of multi phase fluids, thereby expanding capabilities and applications 

beyond those of SIV as practiced 

heretofore. 

While there is a patent on SIV (U.S. 

Patent 5,905,568), the present method 

goes beyond the patent, making possible 

experiments that were previously impossible. In particular, true three-dimensional particle tracking has not been 

done in SIV until now. The present 

method makes it possible to perform 

quantitative, three-dimensional, fullfield analyses of flow fields in any fluids 

that can be seeded with tracer particles. 

This work was done by Mark McDoweU of 

Glenn Research Center. For further information, access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free o1lrline at www.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Physical Sciences category. 

Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of this invention should be addressed 

to NASA Glenn Research Center; Commercial 

Technology Office, Attn: Steve Fedor, Mail 

Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpark Road, CLeveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-17241. 

• 

• 

• • • (X3' Y3' Z3) •• • ------... . -- .. ---- (Xl' Yl,Zl) 

• • 

• • 

Image From Frame 1 

• 

• 

• 

• • 

Image From Frame 2 

• • 

• 

• 

• 

• • 

Image From Frame 3 

Three-Dimensional Particle Tracking is a major element of the present improved SIV method. 

www.ptbmagazine.com Photonics Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Product Guide: Breadboards 

Edmund Industrial Optics 

Barrington. NJ 

www.edmundoptics.com 

Composite 

Size: 19x23 to 35x47 in. 

Thickness: 2 in. 

Material: Ferromagnetic stainless teel 

with honeycomb core 

Flatness: ±0.005 in. 

Kinetic Systems, Inc. 

Boston. MA 

www.kineticsystems.com 

VIBRALITETM 

Series 5500 

Size: 12x12 to 24x48 in. 

Thickness: 1 or 2 in. 

Material: Aluminum 

Flatness: ±0.004 in. 

5600 & 6100 Series 

Size: 12x12 to 48x96 in. 

Thickness: 1 or 2 in. 

Material: Ferromagnetic tainle teel 

with aluminum ore 

Flatness: ±0.004 in. 

5700 & 5800 Series 

Size: 12x12 to 4 x96 in. 

Thickness: 2 or 4 in. 

Material: Ferromagnetic stainles t I 

with hon ycomb core 

Flatness: ±0.004 in. 

PhOl ni Te h Briefs. nobel' 2002 

Melles Griot 

Carlsbad. CA 

www.mellesgriot.com 

UltraLightTM Series 

Size: 12x12 to 48x72 in. 

Thickness: 1 or 2.2 in. 

Material: Aluminum alloy with 

honeycomb core 

Flatness: ±0.006 in. 

Performance TM Series 

Size: 12x12 to 48x96 in. 

Thickness: 2.4 or 4.3 in. 

Material: Magnetic tainle teel with 

honeycomb core 

Flatness: ±0.004 in. 

PerformancePlusTM Series 

Size: 12x12 to 48x96 in. 

Thickness: 2.4 or 4.3 in. 

Material: Magnetic tainless teel with 

double honeycomb core 

Flatness: ±0.004 in. 

Thorlabs, Inc. 

Newton. NJ 

www.thorlabs.com 

Aluminum 

Size: 4x4 to 48x4 in. 

Thickness: 1/ 2 or 3/ 4 in. 

Material: Aluminum 

Lightweight Honeycomb 

Size: 12x12 to 48x120 in. 

Thickness: O. , 1.3, 2.3 or 4.3 in. 

Material: tainless teel with 

hone comb core 

Flatness: ±0.005 in. 

www.plbmagazine.com 

Optical 

Size: 12x24 to 36x72 in. 

Thickness: 2 in. 

Material: Magnetic stainless steel 

Flatness: ±0.004 in. 

Technical Manufacturing Corp. (TMC) 

Peabody. MA 

www.techmfg.com 

75 Series 

Size: 19x23 to 35x47 in. 

Thickness: 2 in. 

Material: Ferromagnetic stainless steel 

with honeycomb core (Aluminum and 

Carbon teel available) 

Flatness: ±0.005 in. 

77 & 78 Series 

Size: 12x12 to 4 x96 in. 

Thickness: 2 or 4 in. 

Material: Ferromagnetic tainless steel 

with honeycomb core 

Flatness: ±0.005 in. 

Vere Inc. 

New Kensington. PA 

www.vere.com 

Optical 

Size: lxl to 11 x240 in. for single 

unit, any dimen ion for joined 

tructure 

Thickness: 0.8, 1.3, 2.3, 4.3, .3, 12.3, 

16.3,20.3 in. up to 96 in. 

Material: Ferromagnetic teel with 

composite honeycomb core (Plastic, 

Compo ite, eramic, Aluminum and 

Titanium skin available) 

Flatness: ±0.01 in. 

13a 
14a 

For Free Info Enter No. 412 at 

www.nasatech.com/rs 

2003 

NASA Calendar 

Feature pectacular, full-color 

space image plus important 

dates in ABA history. 

Measure 14" x 21M" when 

hanging on your wall. Limited 

upply - order today in the 

NASA Tech Briefs store: 

www.nasatech.com/store 

or send check for 9.50 per 

calendar + 5.00 hipping to: 

ABP International, Dept. F, 317 

Madison Avenue, #1900, ew 

York, NY 10017. 

NellV Products 

Product of the Month 

Precision Tunable Laser Sources 

ILX lightwave 's (Bozeman , MT) TL 8800 eries Precision Tunable Laser ources enable fa t, high-resolution, 

low-noise wavelength dependent measurement at an affordable price. The TLS- 801 -band and TL -8802 Lband Tunable Laser Sources feature an integrated wavelength reference and monitor, offer + 13 dBm of power 

with excellent stability, and come equipped with an intUlUve user interface and standard GPIB remote interface for easy incorporation into automated production test systems or computer controlled laboratory test. The integrated power 

monitor maintains a power flatness of ±0.05dB over the full tuning range. These compact intruments measure 88mm x 212mm x 269mm, offer absolute wavelength accuracy of ±I pm, and 

can be use in one of three modes: swept, step-lock-measure, or discrete wavelength operation. 

The instrument can tune or sweep in either direction, increasing or decreasing wavelength. 

For Free Info visit www.nasatech.comlilx 

Crystal Oscillators 

Fox Electronics (Fort 

Myers. FL) has added 

a new line of OCXOs 

(oven compensated 

crystal oscillators) to 

its line of frequency 

control products. 

The new IT 50lAH OCXO meets stratum level accuracy requirements for lelecomnlllnications applications, offers a frequency stability of ±250 ppb over 

the standard temperature range of O' C to 70' C 

(32' F to 158' F), and an overall accuracy of ±4.6 

ppm for all conditions over lO years. Frequency 

range of the new OCXO is 10 to 40 MHz. upply 

voltage is 5.0 V, with 3.3 V available, and control 

voltage is 0.5 V to 5.0 V. 

For Free Info visit www.nasatech.comlfox 

CCD Based 

Spectrometer 

Edmund lndu Dial Optics' 

(Barrington, ew jersey) 

CCD Based Spectrometer is 

available in three tandard 

configurations for UV (200-

4OOnm), VI (400-700nm), 

and NIR (700-1050nm) wavelengths. All three spectrometers plug directly into a computer's RS-232 port 

with the included cable, or to a U B port by way of a 

converter. The IOmm Cuvette holder is useful for 

transmission, absorption, or fluorescence applications, 

and has three SMA905 connections to illuminate a 

sample or detect light from it. The reflectance probe 

illuminates samples via two 200 micron fibers and caprures reflected light through a 200 micron fiber. 

For Frett Info visit www.nasatech.comJedmund 

Proximity Sensors 

Madison Company's (Branford, CT) P Serie Proximity Sensors provide a variety 

of ways to sense the relative 

position of specific machine elements requiring 

O 0 continuous monitoring. Offered in both plastic and 

metal housings, these sensors incorporate reed switch-based technology, which 

will remain reliable for up to 5 million cycles, and 

have no moving parts. Operating times are as shon as 

0.6 mSec. and release times are as short as 0.05 mSec. 

The e sensors are interchangeable Witll other sensors 

of sintilar characteristics. Engineered designs available for individual application requirements. 

For Free Info visit www.nasatech.comlmadison 

www.ptbmagazine.com 

InGaAs 

Avalanche 

Photodiode 

The G8930 InGaAs 

avalanche photodiode (APD) from 

Hamamatsu (Bridgewater, Nj) has the performance and reliability 

necessary for design into a variety of opti<:al 

communications applications. Features include 

high-speed response , typi al en itivity of -

31dBm at its maximum response of2.5 Gb/ s, and 

typica l overload of -5 dBm . Typical photosensitivity i 11 V/ mW at both 1.31 ).lm and 1.55 ).lm 

bands. The APD also features a pigtail that can 

have a variety of connectors, including C/ SPC, 

FC/ SPC, M ,and LC. 

For Free Info visit www.nasatech.comIhamamatsu 

Color & 

Monochrome 

Megapixel 

Cameras 

JAI A/S (Copenhagen, Denmark) 

has enhanced the CV-M7 (color) and CV-M4 (monochrome) megapixel camera series to include higher resolution (increased from 1.3 to 1.45 million pixels), increased sensitivity (by 6dB), and reduced smear (by 2dB). 

The new cameras also feanlfe the new jAl serial internee 

protocol, based on hon ASCII commands, and LVD or 

Camera Link interface for ease of system integration. The 

cameras provide 1392 x 1040 pixel resolution and utilize 

proprietary sample/ hold and correlated double sampling (CD ) techniques to achieve double-speed readout 

",thout sacrificing dynamic range or image fidelity. 

For Free Info visit www.nasatech.comljai 

High Index, Optically 

Clear Gel 

Fiber Optic Center ( ew 

Bedford. MA) now offers 

Optical Gel LS-3252. manufactured by UghtspanT ... . 

This soft encapsulation material is designed to protect 

sen itive photonics and flat 

panel display assemblies 

from mechanical and thermal shock, dust, and moisture. LS-3252 is optically 

clear from the near to the near lR, has a refractive index of 1.52 for index matching to BK7 glass 

and acrylic plastics, and feature an 8-hour pot life. It 

cures in 24 hours at room temperature witllOut the 

need for UV exposure or high temperarure bake. 

For Free Info visit www.nasatech.com/focenter 

Photonics Tech Briefs, October 2002 

Materials 

__ Ablative Coat Protects Against Brief, Intense Heating 

A substrate can be protected against a rocket blast for a short time. 

John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

An ablative composite coating has 

been developed to protect a steel substrate against a short-duration exposure 

to supersonic tream of hot gases and 

molten ceramic particles. In the original 

application, the S'hort-duration hot, 

abrasive flow i resultant from the shuttle solid-fuel rocket motor exhaust during launch. The steel substrate to be 

protected is a holddown-post blast shield 

on a space-shuttle mobile launcher platform. The maximum temperature in the 

rocket blast exceeds 5,500 OF (=3,000 

°C), and the heat load on the blast 

NEWLY COATED BLAST SHIELD 

BLAST SHIELD AFTER EXPOSURE TO ROCKET EXHAUST 

Some of the Layers of Fabric and silicone rubber were removed from the laminated coat by exposure 

to rocket exhaust. However, enough of the laminate remained (except at the corners) to prevent excessive heating of the substrate. 

44 www.nasatech.com 

shield can exceed 8,000 Btu/ ft2s (=91 

MW/ m2s) . Other components and 

launch accessories exposed to similar intense, short-duration, heat loads could 

also be protected by use of similar composite coatings. 

The basic architecture of this ablative 

composite coating is a high-density, 

room-temperature-cured silicone (R1V) , 

reinforced with layers of glass fabric. By 

chemically preparing the ubstrate and 

fabric laminates and by use of vacuum 

consolidation during cure, a coating is 

created that not only provides the 

known ablative properties of silicone 

resins, but also provides the physical 

strength to withstand the enormous 

pressures and shear forces encountered 

during exposure with delamination or 

debonding from the substrate. 

In this application, the substrate is 

prepared by sandblasting an application 

of a hydrolyzable silicone prinler. If neces ary, the thick trowelable putty is made 

from R1V and a ceramic powder. Layers 

of glass fabric are preproce sed to remove the sizing and chemically treated 

to ensure a strong resin-to-fiber bond. 

The laminate is then built up to the required thicknes by applying alternating 

layers of fabric and silicone re in. After 

sufficient layers have been applied, caul 

plates are applied and the entire blast 

cover cured under moderate vacuum 

pressure to squeeze out exces resin and 

ensure a strong coating-to-substrate 

bond. 

The figure shows a newly coated blast 

shield and a blast shield after an exposure to the rocket exhaust. The average 

thickness of the ablative coating when 

new was 0.542 in. (=13.8 mm); the average thickness after exposure was 0.165 

in. (=4.2 mm). The thickness oftlle coating was found to be adequate everywhere except at two corner . Ceramic 

particles in the rocket exhaust did not 

adhere to the silicone rubber. The silicone rubber at the steel substrate and 

the laminate exhibited no visible igns of 

deterioration. This observation was interpreted as signifying that the ablative 

coat succeeded in keeping the temperature at the bond surface below 600 OF 

ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
MOST PEOPLE DREAM DuPonfM Vesper 

forward engineering 

IN BLACK & WHITE. BUT FO 

THOSE OF YOU WHO DREAM IN 

PARTS & SHAPES, SAY HELLO 

Ahh. the Visions of progress that dance 

TO MR. SANDMAN. in your head: Superior assemblies made with washers, thrust devices, and seal rings that 

withstand wear. High-performance engines built with bushings, vanes, and wear strips that endure high temperatures and provide low friction 

Exceptionally clean retainer nngs, chamber liners, and in-process components. durable enough to resist chemical attacks. But before you go 

~elting lbe deslQrLworld on.ltuuioe vou ueed a rang.e of materials.Yersatile enou.Qh to make these visions a reality. Good thi.l!ll DuPont'" Vesgel Parts and Shapes 

are equal to the task. In fact, our expanded new lineup consists of five families of material solutions that provide a unique combination of physical 

properties, while offering you the ultimate in design flexibility. Starting as the Vespel<!> S line, the family has grown significantly to include the Introduction of Vespel"!' 

TP for maximum geometric flexibility, Vespel<!' CP for superior heat resistance and strength, Vespel<ll CR for maximum chemical resistance, and Vespel' AS8. which 

combines materials for speCific applications Now more than ever, we have the resources necessary to help you realize your vision from start to 

finish. Wrth the culmination of our expaOOed line of products and in-depth technical expertise, it's clear that Vespel" Parts & Shapes are the perfect complement 

to the mindset of an engineer focused on not only meeting customer requirements. but breaking new ground as well. After all, making things stronger, 

faster, lighter, and. subsequently, more efficient is what Vespei" Forward Engineering is all about All things considered, there's never been a better 

time to think Vespel® Parts & Shapes early on in the design process. An idea more and more engineers are waking up to. For more information 

on what our expanded line of material solutions can do for you, go to www.dupont.com/vespel or call 1-800-972-7252. If you can dream it. we can make it. 

T~e Duron! Oval logo. DuPont", The m".ela, of sClence-, and Vespol' 

are lJarlemarks OII"l1'Slered trademarks of E I du Pont d~ Nemours and Comparr{ The miracles j science~ 

For Free Info Enter No. 534 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
Materials 

(below approximately 320 °C). Except 

for a minor urface crack at one corner, 

the blast shield was undamaged. 

This work was done by Robert C. Dyer, 

Martin] Wilson,jean M. Charvet, and Burton] Pelkey, JT., of United Space Alliance for 

Kennedy Space Center. For further information, access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Materials category. 

This invention is owned by NASA, and a 

patent application has been filed. Inquiries 

concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license 

for its commercial development should be addressed to the Technology Programs and 

Commercialization Office, Kennedy Space 

Center, (321) 867-4879. Refer to KSC12285. 

.. Insertion of Reactive Material for Treating Groundwater 

There is no need to remove most of the overlying soil. 

John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

An improved method of inserting reactive material in the ground for treating 

groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents has been devised. An older 

method involves the removal of a significant portion of soil overlying the treatment volume, and consequently the expensive off-site disposal of the large 

amount of removed soil (some or all of 

which is contaminated). In the improved 

method, only a relatively small amount of 

soil need be removed. 

The fir t step in the improved method 

is to remove approximately the first 4 ft 

(1.2 m) of soil from above the water table 

where the reactive material is to be 

placed. Hollow casings are inserted in 

the ground surface over the treatment 

site, then hammered down to the required placement depth. [The placement depth in the original application at 

Kennedy Space Center was 40 ft (12 m).] 

Once each casing reaches the required 

depth, a gravity-fed hopper is used to fill 

the casing with the reactive material plus, 

if needed, bulking material to increase 

penneability. The casing is then removed, 

leaving behind a column of treatment material. In this manner, several such 

columns are positioned throughout the 

treatment volume. 

An in situ deep-soil-mixing rig is then 

used to mix the reactive columns with 

the adjacent soil. Thorough mixing is 

achieved by up-and-down motion of the 

rig. The rig includes paddles, the turning of which acts in combination with 

the up-and-down motion to help increase the permeability of the soil. 

This work was done by Jacqueline Quinn 

of Kennedy Space Center and Debra R 

Reinhart, Christian A. Clausen III, Manoj 

B. Chopra, and Cherie L. Geiger of the University of Central Florida. For further information, access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Materials category. 

This invention has been patented by NASA 

(U.s. Patent No. 6,207,114). Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license for 

its commercial development should be addressed to the Technology Commercialization 

Office, Kennedy Space Center, (321) 867-

8130. Refer to KSC-1195 7. 

• AMERICAN VARISEAL • BUSAK + SHAMBAN 

• DOWTY ENGINEERED SEALS • FORSHEDA 

• PALMER-CHENARD • SILCOFAB • WILLS 

• Turcorf', Turcit~, HiMoIP, Zurcorf', Luyte>fP, Orkofl 

Marine and other high performance materials available 

• Designs and materials for wide range of applications 

Call: 1-800-767-3257 

Fax: 1-303-469-4874 

Polymer sealing solutions 

2531 Bremer Drive, P.O. Box 176, Fort Wayne, IN 46801 

Tel: (219)748-5703 · Fax: (219) 749-4208 

email: tcallison@polymersealing.com 

web: www.polymersealing.com 

A part of Smiths Group pic 

Shamban 

aerospace sealing systems 

ausak+Sharn8 

46 For Free Info Enter No. 535 at www.nasatech.comirs ABA Tech Briefs, October 2002 

Mechanics 

o Formation Alignment of Multiple Autonomous Vehicles 

Alignment is achieved by use of lasers, optical sensors, and rule-based controls. 

NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A table-top experiment on formation 

alignment of three air-levitated robotic 

vehicles has been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of a more general 

concept of controlling multiple robotic 

vehicles to make them move in specified 

positions and orientations with respect 

to each other. The original intended 

application of the concept is in the control of multiple spacecraft flying in formation, as described in "Synchronizing 

Attitudes and Maneuvers of Multiple 

Spacecraft" ( PO-20569) on page 64 in 

this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. In principle, the concept could also be applied 

on Earth to con trol formation flying of 

aircraft or to coordinate the motions of 

multiple robots, land vehicles, or ships. 

The experimental system is, of course, 

much simpler than a fully developed 

multiple-robot formation-alignment system would be. In this system ( ee figure) 

the three vehicles are levitated over a flat 

table by air bearings generated from internal supplie of compressed air. Each 

vehicle is equipped with valves that can 

be opened momentarily under electrical 

control to allow jets of compressed air to 

escape in order to control horizontal 

tran lation of the vehicle and/or rotation of the vehicle about a vertical axis. 

The problem chosen for the experimental demonstration is to make the 

three vehicles position and orient themelves at the corners of an equilateral triangle. Even in this simple ystem, the 

formation-alignment scheme i highly 

complex; the most that can be done to 

describe it in thi article is to do so indirectly by summarizing tl1e major feature 

of the equipment and the formationalignment cenario as follows: 

The formation-alignment scheme choen to solve the triangle problem involves 

the use of lasers, optical sen ors, and control subsystems that implement rule-based 

motion-control algorithms in response to 

optical-sensor readings. The control subsystems of the vehicles al 0 communicate 

with each other via radio tran ceivers. 

Each vehicle is equipped with a laser 

and with an optical-sensor module with 

an optical axis at an angle of 600 with the 

laser axis. One of the vehicle is de ig48 

nated the leader, while the others are designated follower 1 and follower 2. The 

leader initiates the alignment process by 

activating its laser and rotating to look for 

follower 1. When the optical sensors of 

follower 1 detect the laser beam from the 

leader, follower 1 ends a radio signal to 

the leader to cause the leader to stop rotating. Follower 1 then performs fine adjustments of its attitude relative to the 

laser beam from the leader. 

Once follower 1 has completed its fine 

alignment, it turns on its laser and send 

a radio ignal that commands follower 2 

to search for the laser beam from follower 1. This earch involves a sequence 

of prescribed rotation and translations. 

Follower 2 terminates its search as soon as 

its optical sensors detect the laser beam 

from follower 1. Follower 2 then performs fine adjustments of its attitude with 

respect to the laser beam from follower l. 

Once follower 2 has completed its 

fine alignment with the la er beam 

from follower 1, follower 2 turns on its 

la er and begins a final alignment moBASIC GEOMETRY OFTHE EXPERIMENT 

PHOTOGRAPH OFTHETHREE VEHICLES IN 

EQUILATERAL-TRIANGLE FORMATION 

Three Autonomous Vehicles levitated on air bearings and propelled horizontally by air jets locate each 

other optically and align themselves in an equilateral triangle. 

www.nasatech.com NASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
INTRODUCING DESIGN CHAIN ACCELERATOR 

The High.Performance Computing Solution That Streamlines Product Development 

The results are obvious. MSC.Software, Hewlett-Packard and the Intel Corporation have collaborated to provide a 

comprehensive computing system that dramatically reduces time spent in the product design process. 

By combining high-performance HP servers and flexible Intel processors with the powerful MSC.Linux distribution 

and unique Linux clustering technology, we've created a cost-effective method of tackling complex 

engineering problems. Fully customized and scalable, our Design Chain Accelerator meets the simulation 

and testing demands of the automotive and aerospace industries. It results in faster design cycles, enhanced 

product quality and reduced manufacturing costs. Does that compute? Then quick - give us a call. 

For Mare Information, Call 1.866.672.4100 I www.designchainaccalerator.com 

SOFTWARE 

n v e n t 
Mechanics 

tion in which it tran lates along the 

la er beam from follower 1. When an 

opticaL sensor on the leader intercepts 

the laser beam from follower 2, the 

leader sends a radio signal that tells 

follower 2 to top. At this point, alignment is complete. 

This scheme causes the three vehicles to lie at the corners of an equilateral triangle, with the laser of each vehicle aimed at an optical ensor on 

another vehicle. However, in this 

scheme, no attempt is made to control the size of the triangle; this i bcause of the difficu lty of optically 

mea uring short di lance typical of 

the intervehicu lar di tance in this experimental y tern . 

This work was done by Fred Y. Hadaegh 

and Kenneth Lau of Gallech and Paul K. C. 

Wang and John Yee of the University of Galifornia for NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the 

Technical upport Package (TSP) free online at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the 

Mechanics category. 

NPO-20599 

o Microfabricated Flow Controllers and Pressure Regulators 

John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

Efforts are underway to develop microfabricated flow controllers and pre -

sure regulators that contain as few discrete components as feasible and that 

are cheaper, more robust, and orders of 

magnitude smaller than are currently 

commercially available device tllat have 

similar capabilities. The developmental 

devices are designed to interact with 

electronic sensing and control circuits 

that include microproce ors that, in 

turn, commlmicate with host computers 

of digital feedback control sy terns. An 

example of the prototype device constructed thus far is a hybrid device that 

includes a flow sen or, a valve containing 

a Ti i-alloy microribbon shape-memory 

actuator, and a temperature ensor, with 

wire-bonded lead for connection to 

electronic circuits. WindowsTM-ba ed 

software for interaction between ho t 

computer and the microproce sors asociated with the e device has been 

written. Contemplated further development efforts would be devoted to advancing from tlle concept of a flow controller on a ceramic substrate to that of a 

flow controller on an a embly of two or 

more emiconductor chips. In principle, 

fabrication on a emiconductor chip 

could be accompli hed ,vithout need to 

assemble di cr te components. 

171is work was done by A. David Johnson of 

TiNi Alloy Go. for Kennedy Space Center. 

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, 

the contractor has elected to retain title to this 

invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its 

commercial use should be addressed to 

A. David Johnson, Ph.D. 

TiNi Alloy Go. 

1619 Nef)tune Dr. 

San Leandro, CA 94577 

Tel. 0.: (510) 483-9676 

E-mail: david@tinialloy.com 

Refer to KSC-12104, volume and number 

of this ASA Tech Brie£: issue, and the 

page number. 

~spiraloCK 

Thread teclmology that's light years 

ahead of the competition 

Just ask: - NASA/Goddard SFC - Honeywell - Nort hrop Grumman 

- BAE Systems - Hamilton Sundstrand - Raytheon 

- Alliant Techsystems - Boei ng - Space Systems/Loral 

Spiralock is the leader in custom engineered solutions for 

challenging fastening applications. Spiralock thread technology 

has been proven in thousands of aerospace applications 

including missiles, satellites, helicopters and the 

NASA space shuttle. 

Call Jim Gillis at 800-521 -2688 for more information 

on Spiralock aerospace applications and to discover 

how we can help you. 

Tighten It Once .... W ith 5piraJockThreadTechnoiogy 

It Won't Come Loose. 

Check out our webSite for an animated demonstration. WWW. S P i ral 0 C 1<. com 

50 For Free Info Enter No. 539 at www.nasat ech.comlrs NASA Tech Briefs. October 2002 
That's how fast our 12·48 volt, 

brushless, slotless DC motors move. 

Forward and 92 .. 9V9J1 

Getting the power density you need from a small DC motor that can meet 

Class IP54 or IP55 isolation grade and operate at far less than 60 dBA is no easy feat. 

But, producing one that is capable of rapid directional changes and 

is virtually maintenance free is Xtreme. 

And, while speed and size do matter for certain situations, our patented, 

brushless-slotless technology also enables us to design a motor that produces Xtremely 

low RFI and minimal electromagnetic interference- something of great importance in the 

placement of that motor near critical components. Now, add to this robust construction and 

competitive pricing and you truly have a motor that's well. .. Xtreme. 

When you want the best ••• you have to get Xtreme. 

Xtreme Energy, Inc. 

www.xtreme-energy.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 526 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
Manufacturing 

a Growing Carbon Nanotubes Aligned With Patterns 

Positions and orientations of individual nanotubes could be tailored. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

(such as methane, ethylene, or 

carbon monoxide) either by itself or in a mixture with other 

gases. Carbon nanotubes grow 

when a substrate with patterned 

catalyst is heated and exposed 

to this CVD gas mixture under 

appropriate conditions [which 

can include enhancement by 

RF (radio frequency) plasmas 

and/ or hot filaments]. 

Catalyst 

A process has been proposed for 

growing carbon nanotubes aligned substantially parallel with the nominal planar surfaces of subsu'ates and further 

aligned with patterns on the substrates. 

Prior to growth, the patterns would be 

formed by micromachining the substrates, which could be silicon or siliconon-insulator (SOl) wafers. By making it 

possible to tailor the positions and orientations of individual carbon nanotubes grown on pre-patterned substrates, this process would enable 

advances in nanotube-based electronic 

and electromechanical devices. 

The basic process admits of 

three main variants, each involving a different technique 

or combination of techniques 

to position and orient the 

Figure 1. Carbon Nanotubes Would Grow in Alignment w ith 

the tips of micromachined cantilevers on an SOl wafer. 

The process would include chemical 

vapor deposition (CVD) of the carbon 

nanotubes on patterned catalysts on the 

substrates. In each case, the CVD gas 

would consist of a source of carbon 

growing carbon nanotubes. In the first 

variant (the basic process), the desired 

alignment would be enforced by use of 

in-plane pointed silicon cantilevers proLeader in Silicon Sensing Solutions 

www.xbow.com 

To order a catalog: call40B.965.3300 or email info@xbow.com 

41 Drive, San Jose CA 95134 Fax 408.324.4840 

52 For Free Info Enter No. 538 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

truding from an undercut silicon layer 

on an SOl substrate (see Figure 1). Part 

of the upper surface of each cantilever 

would be coated with a thin film of a 

suitable catalyst (e.g., Ni, Co, or a suitable metal alloy or compound). 

On the basis of prior experiments 

on the growth of nanotubes, it is expected that (1) the nanotubes will 

tend to nucleate at random times and 

locations, such that multiple tubes may 

grow out of each catalyst film, and (2) 

because of attractive van der Waals 

forces, the nanotubes will tend to grow 

along the cantilever surfaces and 

edges. It is also anticipated that if the 

tip of a growing nanotube reaches the 

tip of the cantilever, further growth 

would likely cause the nanotube to 

protrude from the tip because strainenergy cost of bending the nanotube 

to the small tip radius would exceed 

the energy of van der Waals attraction 

(see Figure 2). 

In the second variant of the process, 

the micromachined patterns would 

comprise narrow, etched trenches in 

silicon wafers. Enhanced van der Waals 

forces at the edges of the trenches 

would preferentially align the growing 

nanotubes. 

In the third variant of the process, 

electric fields would be used to align 

the growing nanotubes. In this case, 

each substrate would be prepared by 

microfabrication of (1) pointed cantilevers similar to those of the first variant of the process and (2) on-chip elecNASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Microfabricated Cantilever 

CatalystFigure 2. Nanotubes Would Tend To Grow Along Surfaces and Edges because of van der Waals attraction, but could not follow sharp bends. The 

growing nanotubes tubes would therefore be expected to grow toward 

the sharp tip of the cantilever. One of the growing nanotubes could be expected to end up protruding from the tip in a predetermined direction. 

trodes. A bias potential applied during growth would result in 

a high local electric field between an electrode on the tip of 

each cantilever and a nearby electrode. The bias circuitry 

would be designed to prevent the large surges of current that 

would destroy the growing nanotubes as the interelectrode 

gaps became bridged by growth of the nanotubes (e.g., by incorporating a large series resi tor in the circuit). It may be 

necessary to adjust the pressure of the CVD gas and/or electrode pacing to prevent electrical discharge between the biased electrodes. 

This work was done by Brian Hunt, Daniel Choi, Michael Hoenk, 

Robert Kowalczyk, and Flavio Noca of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further infonnation, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp 

under the Manufacturing category. 

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to 

1-etain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its com1nercial use should be addressed to 

Intellectual Property group 

fPL 

Mail Stop 202-233 

4800 Oak Grove Drive 

Pasadena. CA 91109 

(818) 354-2240 

Refer to NPO·30205, volume and number of this ASA Tech 

Briefs issue, and the page number. 

51 Process for Rapid 

Proto typing in CeramicMatrix Composites 

Precursors of continuous-fiber-reinforced 

CMCs are deposited in patterned layers. 

Mar. hall Space Flight Center, Alabama 

The ceramic-composite advanced tow-placement (CCATP) 

proce i a mean of laying down continuous-fIber-reinforced, 

cerarnic-mattix composite (CMC) material in patterned layer 

to form objects that could have omplex three-climen ional 

shape. The CCATP proce i a member of the growing family 

of olid-freeform proce e in art of rapid prototyping. 

In preparation for C TP, tow of fibel (of which the main 

ingredients are typicall graphite or ilicon carbide) are first 

coated with an interfacial material (e.g., pyrol

ytic graphite or 

boron niuid ) to pr vent damage in sub equent proce ing. 

NASA Tech Brief , October 2002 53 
Manufacturing 

The fibers are then coated with a mixture 

of a ceramic matrix material in powder 

form plus a thermoplastic or other lowtemperature binder. The re ulting tows 

of coated fibers are wound on pools. 

the motion of the robotic head can be 

controlled by use of output data from a 

computer-aided de ign (CAD) system. 

The head includes two rollers and two 

hot-nitrogen-gas torche that heat the 

rollers and the deposited material. The 

first torch <U1d roller preheat both the incoming material and the previously deposited material or sub trate. The first 

roller serves further to press and thereby 

tack the incoming material onto the previously deposited material or substrate. 

The second torch provides dlrough-thethickness heating to facilitate both consolThe CCATP process is effected by u e 

of advanced tow-placement (ATP) equipment that includes, among other things, 

a robotic head that is moved to deposit 

the tows in the specified patterned layers. 

As the robotic head moves, the tows are 

paid out from the spools, heated, and 

pres ed onto the surface of the object to 

be formed. The proce s parameters and 

54 

How TO GET SILICONE THAT'S 

BUILT FOR TOMORROW ... 

[n electronics you Wrult a high purity, high 

performance silicone, not a molecule out 

of place. The right silicone will put 

you ahead of the teclmology curve. 

But first you have to ... FIND THE 

RIGHT PART ER TO CREATE IT 

. . . Nu if partners with you to create silicone 

\vith Ule properties specific to your individual application. Of course you need to ... BE 

SURE THEY HAVE THE FACILITIES TO PRODUCE IT ... Nusil's labs ruld 

processing plants in North America and in Europe are meticulously clean with filtered 

air. Whether small highly specialized orders, or large, off-tile shelf 'standard' purchases, 

every batch is tested for quality and consistency. Nusil has ... THE EXPERTISE TO 

PRICE IT RIGHT ... From electrically and U1ermally conductive elastomers, to Glob 

Top circuit board coating systems, whatever your application, usil can make it happen 

with . .. THE GLOBAL REP TATIO TO BACK IT UP ... Whether creating tile 

aerospace industry's most complete line of silicones for space flight, being the healthcare 

industry'S trusted resource, Nusil's reputaton is second to none. At Nusil, we look forward 

to being your ... Creative partners in a material world. 

usil Tecbnology 

1050 Cindy Lane 

Carpinteria, CA 93013 

Telephone: (805) 684-8780 

Fax: (805) 566·9905 

Nusil Tecbnology - Europe 

Technical Services Center 

2740 Route des cretes 

F-06560 Valbonne 

Sophia Antipolis, FRANCE 

Telephon +33 (0)4 92 96 93 31 

Fax +33 (0)4 92 96 06 37 

In U S-II SILICONE I TECHNOLOGY 

www.nusil.com/ntb 

For Free Info Enter No. 541 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

idation of the just-deposited tow material 

and further bonding (beyond mere tacking) of the just-deposited tow material to 

the previously deposited material. The 

second roller completes the consolidation 

and bonding by pressing the just-deposited and previously depo ited material 

together with enough force to prevent the 

formation of voids in the material. 

A workpiece can be formed to nearly 

the desired net size and shape in the 

CCATP process. The size and shape can 

include allowances for small change that 

occur in the next proces ing tep, in 

which the workpiece is heated to burn out 

the binder and sinter the ceramic matrix 

to complete the synthesis of the composite material. 

This llXJI"k was done by Michael R Effingrrr of 

Marshall Space Flight Center; Ranji K. 

Vaidyanathan, Mark Fox, Mark J Rigali, and 

Anthony C. Mulligan of Advanced Ceramics 

Research, Inc.; and John W. Gillespie, JT. and 

Shridhar Yarlagadda of The Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware. For further 

information, contact the company at (520) 573-

6300 or access the Technical Support Package 

(TSP) free on-line at WUJW.nasatech.rom/tsp 

under the Manufacturing category. 

In accordance with Public Law 96-517, 

the contractor has elected to retain title to this 

invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its 

commercial use should be addressed to 

Advanced Ceramics Resem·ch, Inc. 

3292 E. Hemisphere Loop 

Tucson, AZ 85706 

Refer to MFS-31597, volume and number 

of this NASA Tech Briefs issue, and the 

page number. 

EI Low-Temperature 

Thermocompressive 

Au-to-Au Diffusion 

Bonding 

This technique is suitable for 

fabrication of 

micro electromechanical 

structures. 

NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 

Pasadena, California 

A technique of thermocompressive 

gold-to-gold diffusion bonding at relatively low temperature has been devised 

to provide stable, uniform, strong bonds 

between structural components of microelecu·omechanical systems. The technique can also be used for vacuum sealing of microscopic cavities. Unlike some 

ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
~ 

~ ~~ / / / / / / / / / / / """",--substrate ___ Chromium 

Layer 

L ____________ --'-Gold Layer 

~ _GOl Layer 

~~~---Chromium Layer 

LL_'--.LL_-L..<'--L_.L....<'--_LL.L..._LL.L..._'-L.L..A'"'-. Substrate 

TWO PARTS TO BE BONDED 

Pressure 

~ ~ /" 

~ ~ Heat 

/ t ~ 

PARTS PRESSED TOGETHER AND HEATED IN VACUUM 

FINISHED PIECE: PARTS BONDED BY SINGLE GOLD LAYER 

The Two Parts Are Pressed Together and heated in a vacuum, causing diffusion and mixing of gold atoms. As a result, the two gold layers become one. 

other metal-to-melal diffusion bonding technique, this technique does not entail significant outgassing or the formation of 

intennetallic compounds. The technique is suitable for bonding of parts made of silicon, quartz, low-thermal-expansion 

glass, and other material that can withstand the relative

ly mild 

rigors of a low-temperature thermocompressive-bonding 

proce s. 

Two parts to be joined by this technique must have faying 

surfaces that are eitber flat or shaped to fit each other. 10 

preparation for bonding, each of the faying surfaces is coated 

with a layer of chromium, then with a layer of gold (see figw-e) . 

The coating is done by electron-beam evaporation. The coated 

ubstrate are cleaned, then clamped together with their gold 

layer touching in the desired final configuration in a press in 

a vacuum chamber. 

The chamber is evacuated to a pressure of about 10--5 torr 

(about 1.3 x 1O ~ Pa). While maint.-'lining tbe clamping force 

and the vacuum, the coated parts are heated to a temperatw-e 

in the approximate range of 100 to 350 °C for about 1 hour. 

The combination of heating and clamping pressure in the vacuum cause atoms to diffuse and mix between the touching 

gold layers of the two parts, forming a single gold layer thal 

bonds the two parts together. 

This work was done by Tony K. Tang and Roman Gutierrez oj 

Cal/ech Jor NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. F01'Jurther inJormation, access the Technical upport Package (TSP) free 01J-line at www.nasatech. c01l1/tsp under the Manufacturing category. 

This invention is owned by NA 

A, and a patent application has 

been filed. Inquiries concerning nonexclusive or exclusive license 

Jor its commercial development hould be addressed to the Patent 

Counsel, ASA Management OJfice-JPL (818) 354-7770. ReJer 

to NPO-20076. 

A Tech Brieli , October 2002 55 
Thermometry 

Solutions 

from 20 mK 

to 800 K 

See the NEW 

Model 332 

Temperature 

Controller at 

www.lakeshore.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 550 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

• Physical Sciences 

®Aircraft Anti-Icing Heaters Made From 

Expanded Graphite 

These heaters could be lightweight and inexpensive enough to 

be practical for small aircraft. 

John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

Improved electrical resistance heaters 

for preventing the accumulation of ice 

on aircraft surfaces are undergoing development. The primary intended market for these heaters is that of small single- and twin-engine airplanes and 

helicopters, most of which have not been 

equipped with anti-icing heaters because 

the weights and costs of such heaters have 

made them impractical. The improved 

heaters are expected to add very little to 

the weights of aircraft and, when massproduced, to cost about half as much as 

do anti-icing systems of prior design. The 

aircraft could be equipped with high-output alternators to supply the additional 

electric power needed for the heaters. 

In the previously developed electrical 

an ti-icing heaters used on larger aircraft, 

the resistance heating elements are 

metallic. Power densities are zoned by 

use of multiple elements and multiple 

electrical termination . A concomitant 

of multiple heating zones is cold spots 

and the consequent need for complex 

control mechanisms: most such sy terns 

include multiple timers. 

In the present developmental systems, 

the heating elements are made of expanded-graphite foil, which is flexible, 

has an electrical resistivity between 6 x 

10-4 and 10 x 10-4 Q·cm, has a thermal 

conductivity approaching that of bras , 

and is available in a variety of thicknesses. Typically, the foil in a heater of 

this type is laminated between (1) an insulating rubber or plastic sheet in contact with an aircraft surface and (2) an 

outer thermally conductive and protective layer of polyurethane or polyamide 

with a thickness between 0.001 in. (~0.03 

mm) and 0.010 in. (~O.25 mm). The 

heater laminate can be formed as a 

monolithic tape (see Figure 1) that can 

readily be bonded to an aircraft surface 

area where protection against icing is 

needed. 

The heater laminate/ tape for a given 

area need have no more than two electrical contacts, and there is no need for 

complex controllers for zoning: instead, 

the spatial variations of power density 

needed for most effective shedding of 

ice can be obtained through spatial variations of sheet electrical resistance effected by use of different thicknesses 

and/ or different densities of expandedgraphite foil. For example, one preferred design calls for a heater laid out 

along the leading-edge area of a wing 

(see Figure 2). The heater would contain a single foil heating element comprising (1) a central parting strip of 

greater thickness along the stagnation 

line wherein tlle power density would be 

high enough to keep the temperature 

above freezing and (2) shedding zones 

on both sides (downstream) of the parting strip where the thickness of the 

graphite foil and power density would be 

lower by an amoun t that would make the 

power density at least 3 to 5 times lower 

than in the parting strip. 

Icing-wind-tunnel tests have demonstrated the efficacy of the parting-strip/ 

shedding-zone concept. Icing-wind-tunnel tests have also shown that in comparison with metallic anti-icing heaters, 

experimental expanded-graphite-foil 

heaters are 3 to 5 times more efficient. 

Outer Abrasion·Resistant, Electrically and Thermally 

Thermally Conductive Film Insulating Layer of Rubber 

\ or Plastic 

Aircraft~=~ I 

Surface ~,~~_~~ 

\~~~~~~~~~ 

Figure 1. A Foil of Expanded Graphite is laminated between an insulating inner layer and a thermally 

conductive, protective outer layer to form a heater tape that can be bonded to an aircraft surface. 

www.nasatech.com NASA Tech BriefS, October 2002 
Shedding Zone 

\ 

Parting Strip Along Stagnation line 

HEATER BONDED TO LEADING-EDGE AREA OF A WING 

/' 

Shedding-Zone Thickness 0.001 to 0.030 in. 

ENLARGED VIEW OF GRAPHITE-FOIL HEATING ELEMENT, 

SHOWING VARIATIONS IN THICKNESS 

Figure 2. A Three-Zone Heater for the leading edge of a wing contains a 

single electrical-resistance heating element made of expanded-graphite 

foil with zone-to-zone variations of thickness. 

This work was done by Robert Rutherford of EGC EnterpTises, 

Inc., for Glenn Research Center. For furthe1' information, 

access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free online at 

www.nasatech.rom/tsp under the Physical Sciences category, 

Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of this invention 

should be addressed to NASA Glenn Resean;h Center, Commercial 

Technology Office, Attn: Steve Fedor, Mail Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpark 

Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer to LEW-16895. 

9]) Regulating Pressure-Volume 

Control of a Gas Blanketing 

Liquid R-124 

John F. Kennedy Space Center; Florida 

A system for storing and circulating a refrigerant liquid [R124 (chlorotetrafluoroethane)] includes a reservoir and a uby tern that regulates the pressure of nitrogen gas in the head 

space of tile reservoir. The purpose of the pre urization is to 

prevent cavitation in a pump that circulate the liquid. It is necessary to keep enough nitrogen in the system to keep the pressure high enough to prevent cavitation even when the liquid i 

at its coldest and thu at its smalle t volwne, It i also nece ary 

to sati fy a competing requirement to, when the refrigerant is at 

its warmest and thus at its greatest volume prevent the pres me 

from exceeding the level at which a relief valve open and vents 

the head-space gaseous mixture of refrigerant vapor and nitrogen to the atmosphere, The pressure-control ub ystem include a supply of nitrogen at a pressme of 80 p ig (gauge pressure of 552 kPa), a commercial elew'onic pressure regulator, a 

programmable-logic controller, and pressw'e and temperature 

sen ors in the reservoir. The pre sure-control subsystem adjusts 

the nitrogen pressure to the optimum value for u1e sensed temperature, thereby preventing both cavitation and venting. 

This w01'k was done by Michael Katz and Charles Walker of 

United Space Alliance for Kennedy Space Center. For further inJonnation, access the Technical Support Package (To 'P) free on-line 

at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the PhYSical Sciences category. 

KSG12167 

NASA Tech BIief: , October 2002 57 
Physical Sciences 

($I Improved Capacitive Quality Meter for a Two-Phase Fluid 

Features include a better electrode configuration and several hardware improvements. 

John F Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

A previously developed quality/ flow 

meter has been redesigned to improve its 

performance as a device for measuring 

the quality (but not the flow) of two-phase 

(liquid + vapor) oxygen or nitrogen flowing in a pipe. As used in engineering dis--

ciplines concerned with lwo-phase flows, 

"quality" denotes, loosely, volume frac-

• Ultra-Precise Accuracy 

• Unparalleled Performance 

• Configuration Rexibility 

• Completely Redundant System 

• GPS Receiver and Time Code Unit 

tions of liquid or gas. Like some other 

quality meters, the previously developed 

meter and the present meter are based on 

a capacitance-measurement concept The 

fluid flows through a space between electrodes, the capacitance between the electrodes is measured, and the volume fractions of liquid and gas are estimated from 

For a comprehensive datasheet o n 

the XLi, cal l o r visit our web site. 

www.truetime.com 

800.328.1230 

3750 Westwind Blvd. Santa Rosa, Ca 95403 TRUETIME 

58 For Free Info Enter No. 543 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

the effective permittivity, using the known 

relationships (a) between the effective 

permittivity and the capacitance and (b) 

between the volume fractions and the effective permittivity. The estimate of quality can be refined by use of additional data 

from pressure and temperature sensors. 

The previously developed quality/ flow 

meter was described in "QUality/Flowmeter for Two-phase Fluid" (KSC-1l725) , 

NASA Tech Bri.ejs, Vol. 21, No. 7 Guly 1997), 

page 62. That instrumentwas built around 

a section of pipe that constituted a common outer electrode for two capacitive 

sensors. The other electrodes for the capacitive sensors were metal rods mounted 

coaxially within the pipe on electrically insulating radial spacers. 

A m.yor difference between the previously developed and present instruments 

lies in the shapes of the electrodes and the 

flow cross section. The pre ent instrument 

contains flat electrodes in a square flow 

cross section (see figure) . In comparison 

with the previous configuration of COllcentric round electrodes in a round flow 

cross section, the present configuration 

should afford greater accuracy in the measurement of quality because the sensing 

electric field generated by flat electrodes is 

more nearly uniform acro the flow path. 

The. design of the present instrument 

also incorporates a number of hardware 

improvements to minimize leakage, provide a rugged connection between an 

electrical-feed through pin and the central plate electrode, posIUon the 

feedthrough to minimize condensation, 

and facilitate assembly and disassembly. 

In addition, the design ensures compatibility of the instrument with liquid oxygen: for this purpo e, all parts in contact 

with liquid oxygen are made of either 

tainless steel, poly( tetrafluoroethylene) 

or (in the feed through) ceramic. 

The technique used to measw'e the capacitance is somewhat complicated but 

offers more stability and accuracy than do 

simpler techniques. First, a circuit that includes timer integrated circuits is used to 

convert a change in capacitance to a 

change in the duration of a digital pulse. 

The duration is then measured by use of 

an oscillator and a counting circuit. These 

circuits yield a 12-bit digital counting signal, which is fed to a digital-to-analog converter to generate an analog signal indicative of the measured capacitance and thus 

the quality. The circuit parameters are 

chosen so that if, for example, the fluid is 

ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Poly(lelrafluoroethylene) Insert 

(One of Two) To Define Flow Boundary 

Stainless·Sleellnsert (One of Two) To Define 

Flow Boundary and Act as a Flal Ground Eleclrode 

Cenlral Electrode 

(Slainless·Sleel Plale) 

Flat Electrodes give rise to a nearly uniform sensing electric field across the 

flow area. While the electric field becomes highly nonuniform in the regions above and below the flow area, the poly(tetrafluoroethylene) inserts 

keep the fluid out of those regions. 

a mLxture of liquid and gaseous nitrogen, the analog output poten tial ranges from"" 1 V when only vapor is presen t to ",,4 V when 

only liquid is present. The circuitry is capable of sampling the capacitance about 2,000 times per second, but the peed of re--

ponse is limited by the O.03-second time constant of a filter in an 

operational amplifier that process the output of the digital-toanalog converter. This time constant is acceptably hon in the 

Ol;ginal intended application of the quality meter. 

This work was done by Rudy J. Werlink of Langley Research Center 

and Robert C. Youngquist, Rnbert B. Cox, and William D. Haskell of 

Dynaes Engineering Co., Inc., for Kennedy Space Center. For more 

infomlation contact the Kennedy Commercial Technology Office at 

321-867-8130. 

KSC-12080/09 

~ Ellipsoidal Collecting Horns 

for Ultrasonic Leak Deieciors 

John F. Kennedy Space Cenler, Florida 

Ellip oidal reflectors have been proposed as collecting horn 

for ultrasonic leak detectol . Exploiting the classical focusing 

characteristics of ellip oids, these rel1ectors would facilitate and 

enhance the detection of leaks in ituations in which it i po ible 

to bring leak-detecting sensors to within di tance of the order of 

centimetel from leaks, but not clo er. Leak detectors based on 

thi concept could complement commercially available ultrasortic leak detectors equipped with paraboloidal reflectors for focllsing over much longer di tance . In a typical application, an ultrasonic receiving transducer would be po itioned at one of the 

two foci of an ellip·oidal reflector. At the end oppo it the tranducer, the reflector would be truncated to provide an opening 

for the entry of ound and for po iooning the reflector near a 

leak. When the reflector-and-tran ducer assembly was po itioned 

to make the leak (or, for that matter, any other mall source of ulu-asound) lie at the other focu of the ellip oid, the maximum 

amount of radiated ulu-asound would be focused onto the tran 

ducel~ resulting in maximum detector re pon e. The principle of 

operation has been verifi d in experimenlS. 

This work was done by Robert C. Youngquist and Robert Cox of flynaes Engineering Co. Inc. for Kennedy Space Center. For further 

information, acce the Technical up port Package (TSP) free on-line 

at "lJJWU).nasatech.com/tsp under the Physical ciences category. 

KSC-12082 

Tech Briefs, OClober 2002 

Single layer to multilayer· MIL-P-50884C certified, all types 

• Optional connectors & pins for simplified assembly 

• Integral wire-wound inductive coils 

• SMT-ready design· 0.003" lines/spaces 

Replace hard wiring, connector systems & circuit boards to 

create smaller, more reliable electronic packages 

• Avionics· Medical devices· Telecommunications 

• Military radios • Panelized flex for pick & place 

Minco Products, Inc. 

7300 Commerce Lane / Minneapolis, MN 55432-3177 U.S.A 

Tel: (763) 571-3121 / Fax: (763) 571-0927/ www.minco.com 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml409 or Enter No. 409 at www.nasatech.com/rs 59 
-Shock: 100G, 11 ms, 3 axes, 3 reps 

-Vibration: 10G@50Hz, 2 hrs, 3 axes 

-Resolution: 1,024PPR 

-Current: 70mA max 

-Through-bore of 06.35mm (0.25") 

or 08mm available 

-Three different bracket options 

-Uses magneto-resistive technology 

for code generation 

Go online for no-registration specs 

Ask about the great pricing 

on our DC-DC SIP 

~ CUI INC 

~800-275-4899 East: x322, mbecker@cuLcom 

West: x330, igalaway@cuLcom 

CUI also offers a full range 

of optical shaft encoders, 

miniature encoders & morel 

For Free Info Enter No. 547 at 

www.nasatech.com/rs 

Information Sciences 

tjFlash Automated Updating of Software in 

Multiple Computers 

John F Kennedy Space Center, Florida 

Program and data file in the nified 

Control Modules ( CMs) of the Operational Television system at Kelmedy Space 

Center are updated rapidl and automatically in a cherne that exploits wljque features of the UCM de ign. Each UCM includes a VersaModule Eurocard (VME) 

chassis, in wruch ar in talled several singleboard central processing unjts (CPU) and 

a board that holds 8MB of £lash electrically 

erasable, programmable read-only memory 

that is accessible to all the CP s via the 

VMEbus. Tills flash memory can be erased 

and reprogrammed without removing the 

memory circwtry from the CM. The 

CPU utilize the VxWorks real-time operaling system, whjch provides, among other 

things, interproce or communication via 

the VME backplane, support for networking, and upport for MS-DO file terns. A 

VxWorks dliver program create an MSDOS file tern in the flash m mory and 

provides for acce to, and manipulation of, 

the files. Each time the CM is rebooted, 

one CP , designated the main CPU flfSt 

determines whether a designated host computer is available in a network to which the 

UCM is connected. lfso, the main CPU obtains a list, tored in the host computer, of 

files that should be in the flash memory. If 

it fulds that the modification dale and time 

of a given file in the ho t differs from tho e 

in dle flash memory or if the file doe not 

exist in flash memory, then the file is copied 

to the flash memory. Once flash-memory 

file have been thus updated, the main 

CP signals the odler CPUs to complete 

dleir booting and gain acce to the file in 

the flash memory card via dle VMEbus. 

This work was done by Charles H. Chapman of Dynacs Engineering Co., Inc. , for 

Kennedy Space Center. For further information ,·egarding this technology, contact Mr. 

Charles Chapman at (321) 232-8141 or via 

e-mail at charles. chapman-l@ksc.nasa.gov. 

KSC-12120 

tjAlgorithm Plans Motion of Robot With 

Limited Field of View 

itSA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

The RoverBug algorithm plans the 

motion of a robotic vehicle (rover) 

equipped with a CCD (charge-coupled 

device) camera or comparable ensor 

that has a limited field of view. The algorilhm produces locally optimal 

(shone t-distance) path acro unbounded, previou Iy unknown terrain; 

utilizes gaze control to minimize the 

amount of ensing; and avoids unnece -

sary robot motion. Because this algorithm is based on a local and simple 

mathematical model of lerrain, it does 

nOl entail the bookkeeping of a global 

model (\vith all of the attendant i sue 

of registration of local maps widl global 

ones and with each other), and does 

nOl require the large memory that 

would be required by a global model. 

The algOlithm is amenable to varying 

levels of autonomy, ranging from sinwww.nasatech.com 

gle-subpath execution under tight operator guidance to completely autonomous traver es to di tant goals. In 

addition to being u eful for exploration 

of distant planets via rovers, the algorithm could be applied in such terrestrial scenarios a cleanup of environmental hazards or military surveillance. 

A version of the algorithm has been implemented on ASA's Rocky 7 prototype microrover. 

This work was done by Sharon Laubach of 

Called! for NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. For further infonnation, access the Technical Support Package (1 P) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Infonnalion Sciences category. 

This ojtware is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-

3425. Refer to NP0-30241. 

Tech Briefs, October 2002 
~ Initialized Fractional Calculus 

Initialization functions are essential to a revised formulation suitable for engineering and 

scientific applications. 

John H. Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

The fractional calculus (which admits of integrals and derivatives of 

non-integer order) dates back a1mo t 

to the origin of the better-known ordinary (integer-order) calculu , but thus 

far has be n treated more a a mathematical curiosity than a a cientific 

and engineering tool. Increasingly 

many phy ical processes are found to 

be be t described u ing fractional differential equations. These proce es 

include: vi coelasticity, rheology, electrochemistry, fractal processes, and 

many diffusion proce ses. The application of the fractional calculus to cientific and engineering problem ha 

been inhibited by difficulties that ari e 

from the basic definitions given 

heretofore for integral and derivatives 

of arbitrary order. The e difficultie 

are a ociated with the initialization 

problem, which i explained below. 

on ider a function j( t), where t 

could be time or any other independ nt variable, and let J(t) denote the 

vth-order derivative of Jwith respe t to 

t (where v i a po itive real number 

and not nece arilya integer). One of 

the propertie that must be pre erved 

to make the fractional calculus compatible with the ordinary calculu i 

du:: LVI-liPO- itiO il o r th o !!'!dex .1, 

which is repre ented by the following 

equation: 

The initialization problem arise a 

follow: One of th requirem nts of 

prior formulation of the fractional 

cal ulu i that in order to preserve 

compo ilion, j( t) and all of its derivative mu t be identi all zero at t = c. 

Inasmuch a it i difficu lt to mak all 

function and derivative of intere t 

initially zero in man cientific and engineering problems, thi requirement 

ha effeClive ly r ndered unti l now th 

fractional calculu inapplicabl in 

uch ca 

its name ugge ts, the initialized 

fracti nal al ulu i formulated to addr the initialization problem. In the 

initialized fra tional calculu , it i not requir d Lhat j(t) and its derivative b 

zero at t = (in ord r to pre rve compoition. What nable the elimination of 

Lhis r quir mem i th revi ion of definition of integral and d rivative of arbiTe h Briefs, Clober 2002 

trary order to include initialization 

functions that carry the history of the 

ditferintegral. The initialiL.ation function are generalizations of ule con tan ts 

of integration that appear in the ordinary calculu , where they are used to 

represent initial conditions. 

Other m~or topics addre sed in the 

development of the initialized fractional calculus include the following: 

• Heretofore, Laplace tran form 

have been the primary tools for 

solving fractional differential equations. Therefore, the ba ic Laplace 

1Hf ONlY WAY 10 ~fAll1 ~HU1 

I~ 10 PNfUMA-~fAlI1 Pneuma-Seal® inflatable gaskets are pressurized with air to fill 

the uneven gaps between surfaces. When deflated, they quickly 

retract preventing interference when opening and closing a door 

or cover. Pneuma-Seal is an effective barrier against pressure 

differentials, and seals out water, dust, gas, chemicals, noise 

and other contaminants. Typical applications include: 

• Processing Equipment: chemical, food, textile, pharmaceuticals, dryers, ovens and where rapid sealing and unsealing 

are required. • Semiconductor Fabrication 

• Pollution Control • Laboratory Facilities ,--==---

• Transportation • Construction 

Presray Corporation 

159 Charles Colman Blvd. • Pawling, NY 12564 USA 

(845) B55 -1220 · Fax: (845) B55 -1 139 

West Coast: (949) 475-9842 • e-mail: info@presray.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 549 at www.nasat ech.com/rs 6] 
Information Sciences 

tran forms for the initialized fractional integral and derivative were 

developed. 

• The concept of a variable-suucture or 

variable-order differintegral was introduced. This concept can be repreented by the fractional differential 

equation ,D'f<ny(t) = fit) and the companion inferred integral equation 

JT,'I(t)fit) = y(t), where q (the SUUcture 

or order parameter) is a function of t 

or y. orne phenomena in viscoelasticity and diffu ion appear to be 

amenable to treatment by fractional 

differential equation with variable 

order parameters. 

Going beyond viscoelasticity, the initialized fractional calculu can be applied to problems that arise in a variety of cientific, engineering, and 

purely mathematical di ciplines, including creep, percolation, material 

science, viscous fluid behavior, heat 

tran fer, batteries, electromagnetic, 

contro l, communications, filtering, 

and chaotic sy tern . 

From TEC Chip to Assembly, 

MELCOR has your total 

thermoelectric solution. 

62 

MELeOR. Your Integrated Thermal Solutions Provider. 

• Thermoelectric modules 

• Heat Sinks 

• Thermal design software & analysis systems 

• Solid State Air Conditioners & Chillers 

• Temperature Controllers & Power Supplies 

• Complete Assembly & Integration Capability 

• Custom packaging, testing & TE design 

MELeOR has the broadest range of TEes 

and thermoelectric assemblies in the industry. And, MELeOR adds value to provide 

high-quality, cost-effective solutions. 

Buy Online at www.meJcor.com 

FREE Aztec Design 

Software for easy 

download at 

www.melcor.com 

ISO 9001 [6~iWiIN 1040 Spruce St. Trenton, NJ 08648 USA 

Tel: 609-393-4178 ' Fax: 609-393-9461 

For Free Info Enter No. 546 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

This work was done by Carl F. Lorenzo oj 

Glenn Research Center and Tom T. 

Hartley oj the University oj Akron. For Jurther inJormation, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Information Sciences category. 

Inquiries concerning rights Jor the commercial use oj this invention should be addressed 

to I1SA Glenn Research Center; Commercial 

Technology OJfice, Attn: Steve Fedor, Mail 

Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. ReJer to LEW-17139. 

tj Product Attributes 

Database 

NASA ~ Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 

Pasadena, California 

Product Attributes Database (PAD) is a 

computer program that enables a team of 

engineers, managers, and admini trators 

involved in a product-development project to collaborate more effectively. PAD 

serves as a single, network-accessible 

repo itory for all essential parametric information (the database) that characterizes the project at any phase of implementation. PAD coLI cts and organize 

the data into a human-readable format so 

that any member of the team can gain access to the data and/ or link the data to 

documents, reports, and pre entatioos. 

The PAD information architecture includes interface to everal oftware systems, including programs for engineering 

design and anal is, estimation of co ts, 

testing and verification of de ign , documentation, and di play of data. The e interfaces support real-time, collaborative 

engineering. Going beyond prior engineering-database programs, PAD include 

both (1) a machine-interface ubsystem 

that enables a variety of engineering and 

administrative program to work together 

through the database over a network and 

(2) a human-interface subsystem, which 

provides a imple graphical user interface 

that enables a team member to read and 

write data from any network-acce ible 

computer. 

This work was done by Thomas Clymer; 

William Heinrichs, and Joel Sercel oj Caltech 

Jor NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. 

For Jurther infannation, access the Technical 

Support Package (TSP) free on-line at 

www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Information ciences category. 

This software is available Jor commercial 

licensing. Please contact Don Hart oj the California Institute oj Technology at (818) 393-

3425. ReJer to NP0-20673. 

NASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Solid State Mission Data Recorder 

If it's worth a mission, it's worth a 

TEAC® 

Mission Data Systems 

Friend or Foe . Shadow or Target. 

Verification of Action, Hot Debrief, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), Time Critical 

Targeting and RECON. Reliable recording and fully synchronized/GPS time 

referenced replay of battlefield images are essential for key employment decisions, 

post-mission review, and training. TEAC's MDR-80 digital Mission Data Recorder 

and integrated Mission Data Debrief Station lend support to the digital battlefield. 

• Solutions for MPEG-2 video/audio, 1553, and ACMI applications 

• Over 50 'plug and play' configurations to meet your mission needs 

• Mission data loading and recording in one LRU 

• Compact Solid State - Removable Memory Module (SS-RMM) 

configurations from 2GB to 25GB 

• Environmentally qualified for the most rugged applications 

• Video Image Capture transmission/receive option 

• Full featured ground debriefing stations with synchronized data 

Critical decisions require the best available information. Put our flexible MDR-80 

digital Mission Data Recorder onboard any airborne or ground vehicle platform to 

ensure you record the images and data you need. And remember, it's TEAC ... Your 

guarantee of performance, reliability, and worldwide logistic support. 

www.teac-recorders.com 

Tel. 323 .727 .4866· Fax 323.727.4877 

e-mail: airborne@teac .com C 2002 TEAC Amenea. Inc. All rights reserved. 

For Free Info Enter No. 557 at www.nasatech.comlrs 
NI\SI\ Qualified 

• BLADDER TANKS & AIR CELLS 

• DIAPHRAGMS & ACUATORS 

• BELLOWS & FUEL CELLS 

• STRESS TEST BLADDERS 

• CUSTOM INFLATABLES 

• PNEUMATIC / HYDRAULIC PRESSES ..A-' -, -. 800-526-5330 

tech briefi , patents, __ ... _ and commercial 

success stories from the 1960s-1990s. A 

cl as.~i c n 'k rence source featul'ing hardto-find data on • ASA R&D ro ec L~ and 

imention\ available for license. 79.00 

Order online: 

www.nasatech.com/store 

or send $79.00 + $8.00 for shipping to: 

ABP International, Dept. F., 317 Madison 

Avenue, #1900, ew York, NY 10017. 

F e Cell Techno ogy 

H 

The first comprehensi"e, 

state-of-the-art overview 

offuel cell pIincipl , 

technologies. and 

applicaLions. Explores 

aUlOmoLive, tationary 

power generation, and 

portable power application. 

including in-depth coverage of 

hydrogen generaLion and torage. 

Feature Web links that will keep you 

on top of fast-breaking bu ines 

developmen ts. 99.95 

order online: 

www.nasatech.com/store 

Books & Reports 

• Simulating the Structural 

Behavior of Laminated Glass 

This report inve tigate the trength 

of architectural laminated glass and the 

viability of its u e for window glass in 

commercial buildings. orne researcher 

recommend that the structural behavior 

of laminated glass (typically consisting of 

two glass layers and a plasticized PVB 

[polyvinyl butyral] interlayer) is equivalent to the tructural behavior of monolithic glas (one olid piece of gla s) for 

most common applications. However. if 

this monolithic equivalency assumption 

i not valid, its implementation would result in the unconservative design and 

u e of laminated glass, which could lead 

to failure of the glas at the de ign load. 

sing ALGOR Mechanical Event imulation (MES) oftware, laminated and 

monolithic glass plate were modeled 

and analyzed to compare their re pon e 

to a wind load. tress results for the two 

plates were very different due to shear 

deformations experien ced by the interlayer of the laminated plate. This research may help to ensure the afe use of 

laminated window glass. 

This work was done by Dr. W. Lynn Beason, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering 

at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, using ALGOR ' Mechanical 

Event Simulation oftware. To obtain a copy 

of this report, visit beasonreport.ALGORcom. 

o Synchronizing Attitudes and 

Maneuvers of Multiple 

Spacecraft 

A report discusse the problem of controlli ng the maneuvers of multiple spacecraft flying in formaLion and, more pecifically, making the entire formation rotate 

about a given axis and ynchronizing the 

rotation of the individual pacecraft with 

the rotation of the formation. uch formation flying is contemplated for mission 

in which the spacecraft would erve as 

platforms for long-baseline-interferometer elements and the synchronized rotation would be needed for slewing of the 

interferometers. Starting from (1) a particle model of the dynamics of the spacecraft formation. (2) a rigid-body model of 

the pacecraft-attitude dynamic , and (3) 

an assumption that one spacecraft would 

serve as the reference for the positions 

and oIientations of the other spacecraft. 

the report presents a mathematical dewww.nasalech.com 

rivation of control law for formation flying in the ab ence of gravitation and disturbances. A implified control law uitable for implementation is also deIived. 

Re ults of a computer simulation for 

three spacecraft flying in a tIiangular formation are pre ented to show that the 

control laws are effective. 

This work was done by Fred Y. Hadaegh 

and Kenneth Lau of CaLLech and Paul K. 

G. Wang of the University of California for 

NASA's J e t Propulsion Laboratory. To 

obtain a copy of the report, "Synchronized 

Formation Rotation and Attitude Control 

of Multiple Free-r7ying Spacecraft," access 

the Technical Support Package (TSP) free 

on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the 

Mechanics category. 

NP0-20569 

• Ligh tweight Solar Sail for 

a Spacecraft Flying Near 

the Sun 

A report propo e a high-temperature-re istant solar ail with an areal 

mas density Ie than 1 g/m2

, for a 

spacecraft that would approach the Sun 

to within a di tance of 0.2 astronomical 

unit (==3 x 10' km) . The ail would be 

made in multiple segments of a carbon 

microtru fablic held in a network of 

ten ioned lines. The segments and network would be designed to minimize 

ten ion in the fabric. The poro ity of the 

fabIic would be tailored so that to photons, the fabric would behave as though 

it were olid. Reflective metal urface 

films could be attached to the fabric. In 

advanced version, the fabric could be 

directly coated with metal, or, alternatively, the fabIic surface would be tl1e ail 

urface and there would be no metal 

layer. The sail fabric would be wrapped 

around a ail cylinder and deployed by 

u e of centrifugal force. eparate structure next to the ail cylinder would contain mo t of the deployment hardware 

and would be ej cted after deployment 

of the sail to reduce the mass staying 

with the sail. 

This work was done by Charles Gamer, 

Stephanie Leifer, Timothy Knowles, and 

William Layman of CaLLech for NASA's J et 

Propulsion Laboratory. To obtain a copy of 

the report, "olar ail Design for Interstellar 

Probe, " access the Technical upport Package 

(To 'P) free on-line at www.nasatech.cmn/tsp 

under the Materials category. 

NPO-20854 

ASA Tech Bdefs. October 2002 
ADVERTISEMENT 

;; Technologies for Licensing : 

Sponsored by yetiicom 

Connecting Technology Needs with Technology Solutions 

Looking for technology solutions created by the 

world's leading technology providers? 

Ultrasonic Nozzle System Improves All Types of Liquid Flow 

Kimberly Clark's patented technology uses ultrasonic energy to improve efficiency and 

throughput for both equipment suppliers and end users who spray or extrude fluids of all 

types through nozzles. This unique ultrasonic nozzle system is self-cleaning and delivers 

improved spray properties, a more regulated spray, and a number of other benefits. This 

technology can be used in any industry involved with spraying fluids, from automotive to 

plastic processing to hot melt application to chemical processing -- in almost every case the 

spray efficiency and effectiveness can be improved. http://www.yet2.comlnasatech/209 

Low Cost, Low Density Ceramic Fibers Perfect Replacement 

for Costly Superalloys and Ceramics 

Bayer AG has developed low cost, low density ceramic fibers exhibiting superior high 

temperature mechanical properties compared to superalloys and existing ceramic fibers. 

These fibers are used to manufacture ceramic matrix composites which have major applications in aerospace and power generation, where it is antiCipated that significant operational 

cost reductions can be achieved through weight saving and higher thermal efficiencies. 

SIBORAMIC is corrosion resistant and lightweight - providing weight reductions of approximately 40% compared to other ceramic fibers and as much as 70% compared to typical 

superalloys. http://www.yet2.comlnasatech/210 

Piezo-Beam Sensor Ideal Low Cost, Hi Rei Solution 

For Critical Position Indicator Systems 

u." ... ~ 

Hom 

Honeyweii i~ ufit:n illY Cutting edge tzchnc!cgy fer position se'1sing ~y~tp.mR . Currently used 

on aircraft to sense valve positions, this unique device utilizes a sensor beam in an instrument 

which is low cost, lightweight, modular, and able to operate reliably in extreme engine 

environments. The 'piezo-beam' has no electrical contacts--a substantial improvement 

Pluo Bellm Valve Sensor 

over conventional position sensors. The device is lightweight and inexpensive, with few ~:..":!.~ 

parts and an interchangeable, modular design for easy replacement during maintenance. 

A standardized design enables it to be used in a wide variety of applications, enabling 

high volume manufacturing with reduced production costs and higher margins. Its 

--

I potential applications are extensive, including aircraft environmental control system 

valves, commercial HVAC systems, CNG processing and safety controls, gas and 

fluid transfer systems, and many more. http://www.yet2.comlnasatech/211 

Versatile, Super Water Repellent Can be Controlled by Light 

Hitachi has invented a robust, fluorine-containing compound that could provide superb 

water-repellency for a wide range of materials and products while remaining active for 

longer periods of time. This organic surface treatment utilizes commercially available 

chemicals applied in a relatively straightforward process. 

The flexibility and versatility of this technology make it suitable for a broad range of 

applications, including anti-corrosion coatings, electronics packaging, architectural 

coatings , anti-icing treatments, fabric coatings, heat exchange surfaces, low-friction 

coating for machine parts and as a protective layer for recording media, to name a few. 

A variation of the technology enables the degree of water repellency to be controlled by 

exposure to light. http://www.yet2.com/nasatech/212 

Super Wat .. Repellent application 

n.. ooatlng and 0 

Pf'OO". ylHh ...... 

wat ........ 1I.nt ..... ace with. clOtt.ao' art.t. of >'t"-

These are iust four of our complete showcase of technologies. For more information 

on these and other new licensable inventions, visit www.yet2.com 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/585 or Enter No. 585 at www.nasatech.comlrs 
(Continued from page 82) 

To test the kates' perfonnance on the 

ice, the new poli hing tool was brought 

to the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, WI, for glide tests in eptember 

2001. The te ts showed a nearly 15% improvement in unas i ted glide over conventionally sharpened peed kate. Further research continued over the next 

few months. 

"It wasn't until about three weeks before the Olympics tarted that we finally 

hit on the de ign that worked well and 

we ru hed out to Salt Lake City to work 

with Finn (Halvorsen) and the kater ," 

said Lyons. With we Olympic just a few 

weeks away, it was time to let the skaters 

use the poli hing tool. Speed kater 

Chris Witty, who won the only two speedskating medal in agano, was willing to 

try the new polishing tool. 

"When I tried we poli hing tool for 

the first time, immediately you could tell 

that it made a difference in your kate ," 

he said. "I knew I was skating faster. It's 

hard to ay how much, but mentally, I 

knew my kates were ready to go." 

On February 17, Chris Witty used her 

newly-polished blade to kate the 1,000-

meter race, which she fini hed in worldrecord time, winning the gold medal. In 

subsequent race, American short- and 

long-track speedskalers who used the 

new polishing tool also tood on the winner's podium. 

aid Witty, "I think we had the intimidation factor going at the Olympic. 

The other countries were saying, 

, ASA's helping you? What's going 

on?' It created a little wave in peedskating that the Americans had sometlling nobody else had." 

Jim Lyons has since started Competitive Edge 0., another small business 

Portable Workstations 

ruggedized construction 

multHlot, multkklve bay 

sunlight readable LCD 

dual processor capable 

RAID confIgursbIe 

FieldGo MS series rugged portable workstations come 

with SOO-nit sunlight readable flat panel displays that 

enhance outdoor applications such as field service and 

military training. Its passive backplane design provides up 

to 10 slots for flexible system configurations. 

New i-Link series workstations incorporate three RAID 

configured removable hard drives and includes an IEEE 

1394 interface. It's an ideal host system for data aquisition, digital image processing, and visualization applications that demand fault tolerance and high data 

throughput. 

asI Broadax Systems, Inc. 

17539 E. Rowtand Stl1l8t . City of Industry, CA 91748 . tel: 626-964-2600 . fax: 626-964-2665 

U.S. short-track skaters benefited from the 

grip provided by their polished skates. (Jerry 

Search. SCSSA, Copyright ©2001) 

that will keep developing the polishing 

technology for use on kis and in other 

ice ports. His company represents the 

late t in a erie of tartup ventures fo -

tered by NASA' technology transfer 

program. 

FOT more infonnation, contact the Teclmology Commercialization Office at i1SAs Goddard :pace Flight Center at 301-286-5810; email: techtransfer@tco.gsfc.nasa.gov; http:// 

techtransfer.grfc. nasa.gov. 

1-800-872-4547 

GSA# GS-35F-0496K 

www.bsicomputer.com 

66 For Free Info Enter No. 527 at www.nasatech.comlrs ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
Mesoscopic Winch for Precise Extension and Retraction 

A cable could be drawn in submicron steps over a range of ;:::: 1 m. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

A proposed lightweight, micromachined winch would have micro copic 

structural deLails and mesoscopic overall 

dimen ion and would be capable of 

generating bidirectional macroscopic 

motion (maximum cable extension or 

retraction ",1 m) with ubmicron increments. Winches like this one could be useful for actuating small mechanisms in scientific in truments and robots: example 

of such mechanism include translation 

stage; slide shutters and filters for imaging photodetector array; pan, tilt, or 

zoom actuators for cameras; mechanism 

for dragging sampling coop; and teering mechani m for mall robotic vehicles. 

The proposed winch (see figure) 

would be fabricated in a four-layer polyThis Micromachined Winch would include comb actuators and reduction gears for retracting or extending a miniature cable. 

Motion nLr I Tech BrieE . 0 lober 2002 w\\~v.nasalech . om 67 
Motion Control Tech Briefs 

cry tatline-silicon urface-micromachining process. Electrostatic comb actuators 

would be the prime movers, generating 

motion in increments that gear trains 

would reduce to submicron values. The 

final gears in the gear train would 

pinch and retract (or extend) a miniature cable, thereby generating the submicron increments of translation. 

In one example design, the electro tatic 

comb drives would operate in four-phase 

cycles. For each such cycle, a 19-tooth pinion gear would undergo one revolution. 

The pinion gear would be meshed with a 

12.57-pm-pitch winch gear, 0 that one revolution of a pmlOn would re ult in a 

238.83-pm translation. The thrust of each 

comb drive would be ",1 }IN and could be 

applied rapidly enough to sustain rotational peeds up about 4,000 revolution 

per second. Two tandem gear trains would 

reduce the translation to 1.66 pm per pinion rotation Ol~ equivalently, 0.415 11m per 

phase step of an electrostatic comb dlive, 

and would increase the torque proportionally. Given the foregoing parameters, 

the maximum speed of retraction or extension of the cable would be ",6 rrun/ . 

Assuming design rules and fabrication based on a fundamental designrule length of 1 pm, the gear backlash 

per mesh would be ",1 pm. For the purpo e of precise positioning, it would be 

necessary to measure the aggregate 

backla h plior to operation and thereafter, during operation, correct for the 

aggregate backlash at each cable-draw 

reversal. 

This work was done by Frank T Hartley of 

Calleel! for NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line 

at www.nasatech.comltsp under the 

Machinery/Automation categary. 

NPO-20979 

Further Advances in Cooperative Transport by Mobile Robots 

A gripping mechanism is presented for autonomous grasping/ hoisting by two planetary rovers. 

NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California 

Hardware and decentralized-control 

algorithms have been developed during continued research on the en ors, 

the actuator, and the design and functional requirements for y tern of multiple mobile robots cooperating in the 

performance of tightly coupled tasks 

- for example, grasping and lifting 

long objects on challenging terrain. 

[Different aspects of the hardware and 

algorithms were described in "Advances in Cooperative Transport by 

Two Mobile Robots" ( PO-30376) 

NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 26, o. 8 (Augu t 

2002), page 60. Although this research 

is oriented toward developing robotic 

capabilities for exploration of Mars, 

these capabilities could also be utilized 

on Earth. 

Two robots used in this re earch 

have been rover de igned for prototype Mars mis ions: the Sample Return 

Rover and the Sample Return Rover 

2000 (see Figure 1). Robotic arms (manipulators) on both rover were modified to include grippers redesigned as 

their end effector. Each gripper (see 

Figure 2) is of a simple yet novel design, incorporating three interlocking 

digits: Two fingers facing one side 

straddle a thumb that faces the oppoite side, and the e opposing digits are 

driven at their respective bases by 

counterrotating, parallel pivots. The 

finger and thumb pivots are driven 

through a transmission actuated by a 

single DC motor equipped with an incremen tal-shaft-angle encoder for 

feedback. The fingers and thumb are 

hooked at their tips to provide positive 

retention against slippage of a grasped 

payload. The finger geometry accom68 

Figure 1. Two Mars Rovers cooperate in carrying a long payload. 

modates a variety of payloads of any 

general cross ection narrow enough to 

fit between the fingers. 

The design of the grippers provides 

passive compliance to simplify control 

of the gripping process: A springloaded pivot at the base of each digit 

enables flexing to "open up the grip," 

when the payload exerts an overload 

on the gl-ipper. In the absence of a payload, mechanical hard stops and limit 

switches arrest the gripper and signal 

its closure. The compliant joint on 

each digit also includes a switch that 

provides limi ted feedback related to 

the gripping force, by signaling the 

point at which each digit flexes open. 

Another sensor that provides feedback 

is located in the "palm" of the gripper: 

a compliant bumper on a witch provides information related to the locawww.nasatech.com 

Bump 

Switch 

Figure 2. A Gri pper includes two fingers that 

straddle and oppose a thumb. The fingers and 

thumb are connected at their bases to compliant 

pivots counterrotated by a motor and transmis- sion. 

Motion Control Tech Bliefs, October 2002 
The Company with 

Vis· on Is in Motion 

Integrate your machine vision with motion and measurements 

Increase production cycles and lower test costs using an integrated National Instruments platform with vision, 

motion control, and measurement solutions. Perform precision alignment, automated inspection, precision 

assembly, and more. 

Easy integration 

Integration is easier with a high-speed, synchronized bus; platform choices that include PCI, PXI'"/CompactPCI, 

and IEEE 1394; and development tools such as LabVIEW: Measurement Studio"; and TestStand~. 

GSA special pricing available. 

( ni.com/info ) 

For more information on leading manufacturers 

who in creased production cycles, visit ni. com/info 

and enter nakrOB. 

For Free Info Enter No. 653 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

NATIONAL 

INSTRUMENTS~ 

(800) 811-0742 

Fax: (512) 683·9300 • info@ni.com 
Motion Control Tech Briefs 

tion of the payload; that i , whether or not the payload has 

been grasped. 

The cooperative grasping and lifting behavior of the robots 

is characterized as being partitioned into the following four 

distinct phases: 

1. Visual Target Search Phase 

In this phase, camera on the rover are u ed to search and 

capture images of unique patterns placed at specified positions 

on the payload. From the images, e timates of the Carte ian coordinates of the point of grasp and of an approach unit vector 

are computed [or each rover. Estimates of the distance each 

rover must travel and the orientation that each rover must assume to place the payload within the work space of its manipulator are also computed. Synchronization occurs between the 

rovers, and both rovers proceed to position and orient themelves within their respective manipulator work paces. The 

rover then proceed to the approach phase. 

2. Approach Phase 

The gripper of each rover is moved along the approach unit 

vector toward the point of gra p computed during the visual 

target search phase, until the palm contact switch is triggered. 

If contact is made as indicated by the thumb or finger switch 

during the approach, the gripper is moved away from the payload until thumb or finger switch is reset and the approach 

phase aborted. This completes the approach phase. Synchronization occurs between the rovers before proceeding to the 

grasp phase. 

3. Grasp Phase 

The digits are moved in such a manner as to ensure that the 

finger and thumb contact switches are triggered, confirming a 

firm grip of the payload. The gripper is not equipped with 

force and torque sensor; in tead, the spring pre loads of com70 

NO Maintenance 

HELl-CAL ® Flexure, flexible couplings 

Engineered like no other! 

• No maintenance 

• No lubrication 

• No moving parts 

• No wear & tear 

iII HELICAL Call, write or visit our A PRODUCTS COMPANY. INC. website for more info. 

901 W. McCoy Lane· P.O. Box 1069 • Santa Maria, CA 93456-1069 

Tel (805) 928-3851 • FAX (805) 928-2369 • www.Heli-Cal.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 654 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

ptiantjoints are adjusted manually allead of time to set the approximate value of the gripping force or a pre cribed amount 

of overtravel is used to give an estimated gripping force. 

An "intelligent" heUlistic, rule-based compliance-control algorithm i implemented by u e of the limited feedback provided by the contact witche during grasping. If the thumb 

contact switch is closed independently of any finger contact 

switch, tlle arm is moved perpendicular to approach unit vector until tlle thumb contact switch i reset to the open condition. A similar maneuver is performed if either or both of the 

finger contact switche are triggered independently of the 

thumb contact switch. The e com pen atory maneuvers have 

been demonstrated to guarantee a fiml grasp with rover po itioning error of as much as 5 cm. 

4. Payload Lift Phase 

In this phase, the payload i lifted about 20 cm in two stage: 

5 cm in the first tage and 15 cm in the second tage. 

It is easy to develop control algorithms that use the information provided by the switches on the fingers and thumb, 

along with the information from the bump switch in the 

palm, to deduce whether the payload i within grasp; that 

help to center the gripper about the payload; and that deduce minimal information about the orientation of the payload. For example, by determining which finger is flexing, 

such an algorithm can help to determine the angle of the 

payload. 

This work was done by Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, H ari Das Nayar, and 

Anthony Ganino oj Callech Jor NASA's J et Propulsion Laboratory. 

For Jurther information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) 

Jree on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Machinery/ 

Automation category. 

NPO-30511 

Electrohydrodynamic 

Conduction Pumps 

Pumping is achieved without moving parts and 

without direct charge injection. 

John H. Gltmn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) conduction pumps have 

been investigated in theoretical and experimental studies. 

In general, EHD pumps contain no moving parts. They generate pre sure gradients and/ or flow in dielectric liquid 

via any of a variety of interactions between (1) applied elecu"ic fields and (2) free and/ or bound electric charges in the 

liquids. Like a related prior device denoted an EHD iondrag pump, an EHD conduction pump exploits interactions 

with free charges in liquids, but unlike an ion-drag pump, a 

conduction pump functions without direct injection of electric charges into the liquid. In the absence of direct injection, EHD conduction pumps are the only EHD devices that 

can pump isothermal liquids. EHD conduction pump 

could be uitable for use as compact, low-power-consumption pumps to enhance flows and thus heat-tran fer rate in 

heat pipes and capillary-pumped loops. 

In an EHD conduction pump, an electric field is applied 

to a dieleClric liquid through electrodes that are made either flat or else rounded with large curvatures and without 

sharp point so that there are no electric-field concentrations large enough to give rise to direct injection of 

charges. Figure 1 depicts alient aspects of the theory of operation in simplified form. Instead of free charges introMotion Control Tech Brief: , October 2002 
NEW, Harmonic Planetary® 

High Precision Planetary Gearhead 

Exclusively from HD Systems, the Harmonic 

Planetary® HPG Series provides the motion 

control and design engineer with a planetary 

gearhead that reduces backlash to less than 

1 arc-min. This level of backlash is maintained 

for the life of the gear. 

This design is made possible by developing 

a ring gear that can flex in the radial direction, 

while maintaining high torsional stiffness. 

The result is a planetary gearhead that provides 

consistently low backlash, high efficiency, and 

high output speeds. 

This planetary gear head is available in 3 frame 

sizes from 60mm to 120mm. Rated torque 

ranges from 53 in-Ib to 956 in-lb. Peak torque 

ranges from 496 in-Ib to 5753 in-lb. Gear Ratios 

5:1 to 45:1. Flange or shaft output available. 

HD Systems, Inc. 

(800)231-HDSI (631 )231-6630 

For Free Info Enter No. 657 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

NEW, Hollow Shaft Actuators 

The FHA Series of actuators features a 

through·bore up to 45mm in diameter and 

provides high torque and exceptional position' 

ing accuracy. This performance is achieved in a 

compact design using a patented "S" tooth 

harmonic drive gear coupled to a DC brush less 

pancake motor with integral electronic 

commutation and a high resolution encoder. 

Rated torque up to 1730 in·lb and positional 

accuracy better than 1 arc·minute can be 

achieved. The FHA Series is available in five 

frame sizes, ranging from 128 to 300mm in 

diameter, and 116 to 248mm in length. 

HD Systems, Inc. 

(800)231-HDSI (631 )231 -6630 

For Free Info Enter No. 656 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

ADVERTISEMENT 

NEW, Harmonic Drive Gearhead, Zero Backlash 

The CSF·2UH series high torque gearheads use HD Systems' patented 

"S" tooth that delivers more than twice the torque, twice the life, and 

twice the torsional stiffness when compared to conventional Harmonic 

Drive Gearing. Positional Accuracy is better than 1 arc-min. 

The CSF·2UH series is available in 10 frame sizes with rated torque 

ranging from 48 in·lb to 8400 in·lb and peak torque ranging from 

310 in-Ib to 42,000 in· lb. Gear Ratios 50:1 to 160:1. 

The CSF series uses a rigid cross roller bearing to support its output 

flange. This combination allows the gearhead to be extremely compact 

while providing high axial, radial, and moment load capacities. 

Easily interfaced with a servo motor, these zero backlash, high accuracy 

gear systems are ideal for indexing tables, robots, and factory automation 

equipment. Flange or shaft output available. 

H D Systems, Inc. (800)231-HDSI (631 )231-6630 

For Free Info Enter No. 658 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

For Free Info Enter No. 655 at www.nasatech.com/rs 
+.,(,f -D,./.., 

• !. Is an inlernaLional group of 

.... ~ ~ mi cr o moLOr and gearbox 

~ ... .. G> '" manufaclllrers dedi caled lO 

, '" . .... / providing q ual ilY produ cLS 

._. and services wilh timely de-

-- _. '---" livery at a reasonable price. 

For ove r 40 years we have supplied OEMs wilh fraclional horse power mOLOrs and gcarmOLOrs fo r 

pumps, ventila tio n equipme nt, security and access 

control, priluing machinery, moto ri zed window 

U"Catments and gaming eq uipment, medi cal equipment and instruments and aJmosl any other miniaLUre actuato r appli ca ti ons yo u can imagi ne. 

• Product sizes 12 LO 80 mm 

• Power ralings .5 lO 25 wa lLS 

• Torq ue range lip LO 347.2 oz-in 

• Visit our website for pricing 

www_micro-drives.com 

COMPANY PROFILE 

Mi cro Mo Eleclro nics is an OEM 

suppli er of fractional ho rsepower 

DC mOLOrs, precision gearhead , 

tachometers, e n cod e rs. b,-a kes. 

and compl ele servo syslems. 

Ceannolors from ].9 mm in diameler. Power OUlPULS LO 1,000 

walLS. Over 1,000 match ing gearhead types arc 

available in ralios up LO 1,000,000:1. CUSLOIl1 molion syslems and special Illod ifi ca tions. [ 0 9001 

ce rtifi ed. "icro Mo Electronics, Inc., 1488.1 Evergreen Ave., Clearwaler, FL 33762-3008; Phone 

(800) 807-9 166 (U or Canada) or (727) 572-

o 13 l; fax (727) 57~59 8; web sile: hllp:/ I",,,v. microm o.com; e-mail: info@m icromo.com. 

Micro Mo Electronics 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/651 

or Enter No. 651 at www_nasatech_com/rs 

MVp®2001 MOTION 

CONTROL SYSTEMS 

The MVP provides motion, velociLY, position, and lo rque (011-

lro\ wllh an inlegra ted P\<\fM or 

linear amplifier in one 2" X 4" X 

3. T" ex u-uded metal ca e. IL provides Device ~ complialll, RS232. or RS-4 5 Illullidrop conu·ol of brush andl o r 

brush less DC mOlors. p LO 64 axes can be nelworked. Under S, 600 in single piece quanliti es. 

Micro Mo Elew·oni es, In ., 1488J Evergreen Ave ., 

Clearwa ler, FL 33762-3008; Phone: (800) 807-

9166 ( S or Canada) o r (727) 572-013 1; fax: (727) 

573-59 l8; web sile: hllp:/ I www.micromo.com; 

e-mail: info@micromO.com . 

Micro Mo Electronics 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/652 

or Enter No. 6S2 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Control System 

Design Guide 

Second Edition 

A-Z, t he most comprehensive handbook on 

control systems! Packed 

with practi ca l guidelin es "-_____ --'a nd d esign me th ods 

that can be a pplied by anyone wo rking 

on drive an d motion syst ems. Key topi cs 

are demo nstrat ed with ove r a doze n 

mode ls of control systems (which can be 

run on fr ee softwa re ava ila bl e via th e Internet). $79.95 

Motion Control Tech Briefs 

High-Voltage Electrode 

__ = Flow by Attraction 

Figure 1. An EHD Conduction Pump uti li zes fre e electric cha rg es in het e rocharge layers adja cent to 

e lectrodes. 

Figure 2. Tube/Ring Elect rod e Pairs were show n in expe riments t o be effective for EHD conduction 

pumping . 

duced through d irect inj ec tio n , a n 

EHD conduction pump utili zes free 

ch a rges in thi n h e te roch a rge laye rs 

fo rmed in th e vicin ities of the e lectrod es thro ugh d issocia tio n of m o lecu les with in th e li qu id and recombinatio n of th e re ulting io ns. In o rd e r 

to ta ke adva ntage of the pumping effect of th e h e terocharge layers, an 

EHD pump must a lso u ti li ze th e residua l sma ll e lectri ca l co ndu c tio n 

throu gh th e bulk of the o the rwise 

n ominally purely d ielec tri c liqu id. 

Expe riments o n sta tic-pres ure EHD 

conductio n pumps containing th ree 

d iffe re nt e lectro d e co nfi gura tio ns, 

using refri gera nt 123 (dich lo ro triflu oroe thane) as th e wo rk ing flu id , have 

d em on strated th e feasibility of this 

pumping co nce p t. The best pe rfo rman ce, o b e rve d in th e case of a 

pump co n taining five holl ow-ce n tra lII vw. nasatech .c01l1 

e lec trod e / rin g-o u ter-e lec trode pa irs 

imi lar to th e p air sh own in Figure 2, 

was cha racterized by a maximum sta tic 

pres m e of 1,034 Pa a t an app li ed p ote ntia l of 20 kV and a max imum powe r 

co nsumption of 0.57 w. This work was done by Jamal Seyed-Yagoobi, James E. Brycbn, S. I Jeong, and Y 

Feng of Texas A & M University and P 

Allen and B. Malmison of LEMD, CNRS 

(Grenoble, France) for Gl enn Research 

Center. For jU1-ther information, access the 

Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line 

at www_1wsatech. com/ tsp under the Physical Sciences caleg01Y. 

Inquiries concerning rights for the commercial use of this invention should be addressed 

to NASA Glenn Research Center, Commercial 

Technology Office, Attn: Steve Fedor, Mail 

Stop 4-8, 21000 Brookpm·k Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135. Refer LEW-17142. 

Motion Con trol Tech Brief:, Octo ber 2002 

For Free Info Enter No. 649 at 

www.nasatech.comlrs 

NEW PRODUCTS 

Incremental 

& Absolute 

Encoders 

The CoreTechTM 

encoder line 

from Stegmann 

(Dayton, OH) 

combines custom designed OPTO-ASIC technology with a modular mechanical concept. A large variety of incremental and absolute encoder solutions with different 

mechanical interfaces, housing styles, resolutions, 

and new electronic features are available. 

CoreTechTM encoders offer incremental counts 

from I to ,192. Ab olute encoders offer resolutions 

between 2 and 32,768 steps. Both types are supplied 

in a variety of solid, hub, and hollow shaft versions. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comlstegmann 

Digital linear 

Actuator 

The bi.<J.irectional 

digital linear actuator (DLA) from 

Thomson Airpax 

Mechatroni (Pon 

Washington, NY) 

provides high liner 

resolution as fine 

as 0.004" per pulse. The erie K923 DLA is suitable 

for precise, measured control of fluids and gases. 

Weighing 5.5 oz. with a pull-in rate of 300 step/ sec, 

the 12 models in Series K923 feature a linear force 

up to 23 lbs., maximum travel rate of 0.95", and 

maximum linear force (2 phases energized) of 370 

oz (103 ). 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/thomsonam 

Motion 

Controllers 

Galil Motion Control's (Rocklin, CA) 

Econo Serie of 

DMG-21x2 motion 

controllers come in 

1-8 axi formats, each with a 10Base-T Ethernet pon 

and a 19.2 KB RS232 pon. The card-level DMG-21 2 

measure just 4.25" x 10.75". In addition to controlling both step and servomotors in an combination of 

axes, the DMG-21x2 can handle various modes of mer 

tion including point-lO-point positiorung,jogging, linear and circular interpolation, electronic gearing, 

ECAM, and contouring. Features include a homing 

input and forward/ reverse limits for each axis and 

encoder inputs up to 12M Hz. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comlgalil 

Piezoelectric 

Motors 

anomotion's 

(Ronkonkoma, 

NY) family of 

HR-Vand HRUV series mer 

tors are for use 

in vacuum environments. With a size range 

from a single element (providing 0.45kg of 

force) to an 8 element motor (providing 3.6kg 

of force). the HR series is capable of driving 

both linear and rotary stages. The HR-V vacuum 

series is rated up to 10-7 Torr and the HR-UV is 

rated up to 10-10 Torr. Both configurations are 

suitable for bake out and operate without magnetic field. 

For Free Infn V Ic :. www.nasatech.com/nanomotlon 

www.nasatech.com 

Torsionally 

Stiff 

Couplings 

The X Series by 

Helical Products 

Company (Santa 

Maria, CA) is a 

coupling de igned to 

meet the exacting positioning requirements of servomotor applications. The coupling features high 

torsional stiffness, low radial loads, one-piece integrity, and zero backlash. A ubstantial parallel misalignment capability reduces the need for high precision alignment during assembly operations. 

Created for high performance motion control systems, the X Serie combines greater end-tcrend rotational accuracy with radial flexibility in one design. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.conv11:elicaI10 

Optical Component 

Alignment System 

Danaher Preci ion Systems' 

(Salem, H) PhoLOnic 

ProcessorTM System is an integrated suite of alignment 

tools and functions meant to 

replace traditional searchbased peak finding with a synchronous demodulation 

solution. Teamed with Danaller's compact, frictionless 

air bearing stages, it delivers high.,;peed optical alignment over an extended travel range with nanometer 

resolution. Housing a compact 2U high (3.5") rack 

mount unit, the system includes low noise optical 

power meters, laser diode light sources, and rapid first 

light acquisition. Its open architecture design provides 

flexible alignment con6guration. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comldanaherps 

_

IS "I ., 

, ' 

.=-1' , __ ~ e . _____ ~ " O! 

Delta Driver 

Setup 

Software 

The Delta DriverTM 

setup sofuvare, DeltaViewTM, by Industrial 

Indexing ystems 

(Victor, NY) allows 

the user to configure and monitor the full line of 

Delta Servo Drive using a PC. All the setup and 

tuning parameters can be accomplished with a 

click of a mouse or from the drive' onboard keypad/ display. The software includes a simulation 

mode that demonstrates the software's capability 

,vithout having an active Delta drive. The oftware 

is compatible with Windos 95/ 98TM and Windows 

NTTM. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comlindustrlalis 

Optical Linear 

Encoder 

The RGH25F non-conta t linear encoder by 

Renishaw (Hoffman 

Estates, IL) offers rescr 

lutions from 5pm to 

lOnm. Compact design and self-nming electronics 

make the RGH25F suitable for positioning fiber optic 

splicing equipment in the telecommunications industry. The non-contact design eliminates hysteresis, friction, and wear, while the low mass, compact readhead 

handles high accelerations and speeds to 3OOmm/ second. The ultra-low profile, low-mass RGH25F readhead measures 36 x 14.3 x I2.5mm and weighs a mere 

22g. Patented filtering optics provide immunity to 

dust, scratches, and light oils on the tape scale. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comlrenishaw 

Motion Control Tech Briefs, October 2002 
New INCH & METRIC Drive 

Component Catalog Set 

Free l, I 84-page "Handbook of Inch Drive 

Components - 790" and 1,000-page 

"Handbook of METRIC Drive Components -

780" feature over 68,000 off-the-shelf standardized components, including over 3,700 

new products including: gears, belt and chain 

drives, shaft, shaft acce sories, bearing , cnuplings, universal joints, 

vibration mount, gearheads and speed reducer, right angle drives, 

brakes and clutche . (516) 328-3300 ' Fax: (800) 737-7436. See 

them NOW at: www.sdp-si.com/search3 

Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument 

NEW Timing Belts Drive Catalog 

From Stock Drive Products/Sterling 

Instrument 

The process of selecting timing belt drives for new prototypes or for production application just became easier with 

the publication by Stock Drive Products and Sterling 

In !rument (ISO 900 I regi !ered) of a free 480-page catalog, the "Handbook of1'iming Belts and Pulley " catalog D26S. The catalog 

features timing belts and pulley in the following pitches: MXL, 4ODP, XL, 

L, 3mm HTD, Smm HTD, 1'2.S, TS, TlO, 2mm GT®2 and 5mm GT®2. 

Also included i a comprehen ive 169-page Technical Reference Section. 

Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument 

2101 Jericho Thmpike. ew Hyde Park, NY 11042-54 16 

(S I6) 32 -3300 ' Fax: (5 16) 326-8827 

Web: hnp:llwww.sdp-si.com/search3 

The new I 76-page catalog H834 feature a large 

election of completed X, XY and XYZ linear po ihOi< 3y~:e!!'.,!; . Thi include I\anlry tables, belt driven and ball crew driven lides for all type of 

automation including in pection, di pen ing and 

testing machinery. 4 rotary table are available handling load from 50 to 2000 pound . Thi new catalog from Techno 

Inc. aloha a complete election of ingle and multi-axi conrollers 

for stepper and ervo motor a well as oft ware to program them. 

2101 Jericho Turnpike, Box 5416, ew Hyde Park, Y 11042-54 16 

(5 16) 328-3970 • Fax: (5 16) 358-2576 

ee our ew interactive databa e at: www.techno-iel.com/searchS 

CAD/CAM/CNC - 2nd Ed. 

"What To Know Before You Buy a 

CNC Router" 

ew free 144-page primer (h 40) explore topics to 

know before you invest in CAD/CAMlCNC technology. A comprehen ive Technical ection covers: 

scanning, tooling, fixturing and tepper/ ervo technology. Application 

case hi torie cover: wood, plasti , prototype , engraving, education and 

more. hows how C C routers can expand bu ine as well as provide 

quick payback. Include pecifications and description of 15 C C 

router y tems and 2D and 3D software packages. 

Techno Inc. 

(800) 948-3246 • Fax: (516) 35 -2576 

www.!echno-iel.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 647 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

NEW Integral Fastening System 

Fairloc® the better way! The patented Fairloc® 

one-piece clamping system is non-marring, easily 

adjusted and cost effective. Over 3,400 inch and 

metric drive components featuring thi unique 

sy tem such as couplings, timing belt pulleys. 

gears, etc. are available in the NEW Fairloc® 

Component Catalog, D242. 

Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument 

2101 Jericho Turnpike, Box 5416, New Hyde Park, NY 11042-5416 

(516) 328-3300 · Fax: (516) 326-8827 

Web: http://www. dp-si.comlsearch3 

SDP/SI 

NEW SOP/51 Drive Component 

Database 

You can now easily find over 68,000 SDP/SI 

drive components at our new eCatalog database. It features interactive quoting, free 2D 

& 3D CAD drawings, plu complete spec for 

pulleys and belts, gears, bearings, couplings, 

linear motion component and much more! 

ew Hyde Park, NY 

(516) 328-3300 • Fax: (5 I 6) 326-8827 

Web: www.sdp-i.comlearch3 

H860 Linear Motion Components 

The new rna ter catalog H860 features linear 

rail and bearings for all type of automation 

application as well a acme and ball crews. 

The e components make it more affordable to 

de ign, build or repair linear sy terns anwUl IiiVduction, di pen ing or te ting machinery. Thi 

new catalog from Techno Inc. aloha aluminum 

extrusion and T-slotted table plates. The e plates are ideal for flexible manufacturing platforms. 

Techno Inc. 

2101 Jericho Turnpike, Box 5416, ew Hyde Park, NY 11042-5416 

(516) 328-3970 ' Fax: (516) 358-2576 

See our ew interactive databa eat: www.techno-iel.comllticlquote 

Hundreds of new bearing products have been 

added to thi new 264-page catalog de cribing a full line of over 12,5 0 ball bearing , 

thru t bearings, leeve bearing, needle bearings, linear ball bearings, aluminum-lined linear bearings and inner and outer ring pacers. 

Al 0 included i a technical eClion to help 

de ignersl pecifiers plan, de ign and specify 

bearings. 

Quality Bearings & Components 

(5 16) 616-0436 ' Fax: (516) 616-0443 

See it OW at: www.qbcbearing.com 
HIGH PERFORMANCE 

FLEXIBLE EPOXY 

ADHESIVE/ SEALANT 

Superior Adhesion to Engineering 

Plastics, Metals and Ceramics 

MASTER BOND EP40 

• Readily cures at ambient or elevated temperatures 

• Exceptionally high bond strength to polycarbonate, 

acrylic and ASS plastics . Easy application - low viscosity • One to one non-critical mix ratio . 100% 

reactive - no volatiles . Wide service temperature 

range . Remarkable environmental resistance 

• Outstanding durability . Excellent electrical 

insulation . Convenient packaging 

Master Bond Inc. 

Adhesives, Sealants & Coatings 

154 Hobart St., Hackensack, NJ 07601 

TEL: 201-343-8983 • FAX: 201 -343-2132 

main@masterbond.com. www. masterbond.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 545 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Free Sample of 

NASA Tech Briefs' 

New PDF Edition: 

.qmag min 

Join thousands of readers who already are 

enjoying the benefits of the new digital verslonl 

• Search/archive issues 

on your desktop 

• Unk seamlessly from 

articles/ads to 

Web resources 

• Get eartier delivery, 

and special technology 

supplements 

• Save paper and storage space 

Convert or add PDF to your subscription at: 

76 

NeWonthe 

MARKET. 

Modeling and Simulation 

COMSOL, Burlington, MA, has 

re leased FEMlAB v2.3 multiphysic 

modeling and simulation oftware featuring new version of the Structural 

Mechanics Module, Chemical Engineering Module, and Electromagnelics 

~ " .. " " .. -

...... '. ~ ... 

Module. The oftware provides new solvers for 

parameu;c analysi , modeling of large veCLOr field models and Lran -

POrL proce ses. Also included are new eigenvalue solver, and new 

capabilities in 3D solids, hell , and beam. For Free Info Visit 

www.nasatech.com/comsol 

Hybrid Actuators 

R.B HybroDynamic , Lynnwood, WA, offers Hy-P hydro-pneumatic 

hybrid actuators that use fluid power technology ombining actuation 

powered by compressed gas \vith hydraulically governed motion. At 

hop tandard and up to 300 PSI nominal working gas pressure, the 

actuators provide di placement and positioning between two terminal 

points. They are interchangeable \vith conventional pneumatics, and 

can be regulated pneumatically and hydraulically. For Free Info Visit 

www.nasatech.com/rbhybro 

Data Acquisition System 

The EX Series data acquisition and 

analysis system from Sony Precision 

Technology America, Lake Forest, CA, 

consi ts of an i.LINK Interface unit, 

which interfaces \vith any PC via 

i.LINK, and four channel input/output 

-:::------- ~.. .. .. ' 

.,' ,,, ho' '. .,. ,,,, .... . .' .. '. 

modules. This enables the configuration of any type of system, from a 

compact, standalone four-channel recorder to a wide, disu;buted, 

multi-channel real-time analysis system. The } tern operate on AC 

and DC power, and on battery for field or mobile data acquisition. For 

Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/sonypta 

Viewing and Presentation Tool 

ALGOR, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, has 

released uperview [V, an integrated 

re ults environment offering evaluation and presentation options for all 

ALGOR linear analyse. Features 

include multiple-window displays, 3D 

vie\ving options provided by OpenGLbased displays, clipping planes that 

enable cross-section viewing of models, controls for customizing the 

results legend, and pre-defined and u er-defined color palettes for 

re ult contours. For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/algor 

Touchscreen Interface 

The HMI500 Series touchscreen 

interface from Maple Systems, 

Everett, WA, features 133 MHz processing, 5 MB tandard Flash and 

Operating RAM, 256 colors, graphics 

and animations, and the ability to 

place an unlimited number of touch 

objects on each screen. The series supports 20 brands of controllers and protocols. For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/maple 

ASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
New 

LITERATURE 

Temperature Measurement 

OMEGA Engineering, Stamford, CT, has 

relea ed the 2,000-page Volume MM" 

Temperature Handbook describing 40,000 products for proce s measurement and control. 

Product selections include connectors, wire, and 

temperature sensors for thermocouples, RTDs, 

thermi tor , probes, meters, handhelds. transmitters, controllers. and recorders. For Free Info 

Visit www.nasatech.comlomegaoct 

Switches 

Spiral Retaining Rings 

Smalley Steel Ring, Lake Zurich. IL. offers a 

product catalog covering spiral retaining rings. 

Included are light, medium, and heavy-duty 

rings, as well as shims and WaveRings·. Load 

and rotational capacity. a materials election 

guide. and other spring products are included. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comlsmalley 

A 217-page catalog from E-Switch. Brooklyn 

Park, MN, de uibes rotary. detector, leaf. keylock. 

tactile, DIP, and Ii de witches. Also included are 

snap-a tion witches available in tandard. miniature. and sub-miniature serie. Appli cation 

range from office equipment to cOlllrol functions in industrial te t and measuremelll uses. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.comleswitch 

Servo Gearheads 

brochure from eugart A. Bethel Park. 

PA. provides an overview of the P and PLE 

eries in-line planetary servo gearhead , and 

the WPL and WPLE series right-angle bevel 

planetary servo gearheads. For Free Info Visit 

www.nasatech.com/neugart 

Tools and Instruments 

Jonard Industries orp .. Tuckahoe, NY, offers 

a product catalog n force gauge, telecommunication tools. wire wrap tools, connector t 01 , 

bumishers, alignm III tools, and LOol kits. II 

instruments are applicable for telecom, computers, and electronics indu tries. For Free 

Info Visit www.nasatech.com/jonard 

Sealed Components 

A 376-page pr duct guide from Ceramaseal, 

ew Lebanon. NY, includes temperature. pressure, currelll, and voltage rating sp ciIications 

for feedthroughs, mlLitipin conne tor , coaxial 

connectors. thermocouples. isolators, viewports, 

and vacuum hardware. The components support optical, gas, liquid, power, instrumentation , 

and ensing applications. For Free Info Visit 

www.nasatech.com/ceramaseal 

Te h Brief~, tober 2002 

Paper-Thin, Flexible Force Sensors 

& Measurement Systems 

Custom Designed FOt' YOUt' OEM Pt'odua 

o 0 

CIuIIHIIt=.uI 

FkxiJluruf!i 

SdIUllI"$ 

o o 

• 

Applications Include: 

• Clamp & Press Loads 

• Impact & Automotive Testing 

• Occupancy Detection 

• Bl"'M<e Forces & Signals 

• Grip fOI'ce & Tool Design 

• P-ackaging & Sealing forces 

• And MUCH MORE!! 

M,IlH-Hamlle U(Ecmwmkal Load 6t Force) System 

YkIrI .tullletxml.p to 16 poI"" 0/ DtIIII ., • DtNl 

Peatflres Include: 

• Multi-Point Calibration 

• Zero Tare 

• Real-Time Display 

• Movie Recordings = 

• ASCfI File Output 

• 

• 

Sample 

labVIEW 

Rates 

Capabilities 

to 5.7kHz 1l.8 25.2 13.0 

-

KI!U SoflICan !iIsJI1aylng grapbs aruI uta of3 ba1llllu, .111" OM WIndow 

www.Tekscan.com 

Boston,MA · USA · Tel 8CJO.248-3669 I 617-464-4SOO • t1exiforce@tekscan.com 

For Free Info Enter No. 551 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

F",tures Include: 

Six Axel of For(e/lorque Sensing 

(fx fy fI Tx Ty TIl. 

High Overload Proledion. 

PO, (po cnlPOMlA intarIoces. 

~inferi1xesolfered. 

SiIeI from 17mm clio. 10 250mm dio. 

Applications Include: 

Product Testing 

Biomedicol R8IeOr(h 

Finger·fone R8IeOrlh 

Rehobr1ilolion Resear(h 

• Robolia 

I'fnnocJe I'rrI;. IOJ I G«rIworio Ikroo. Apt.Ii. Nad! c...n 215111 

Ttl: +119.712.(1115 • Fox: +119.712.1259 

EmaI. 1nfD@IrtI-Ia.c. • _.IItI-Ia._ 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml570 or 

Enter No. 570 at www.nasatech.comlrs 77 
TECH BRIEFS 

Free catalogs and literature for NASA Tech Briefs' readers. To order. enter the 

corresponding number on the Online Reader Service Page at www.nasatech.com/rs. 

2002 PRODUCT 

DESIGN GUIDE ON 

THE WEB 

Pulizzi Engineering, manufacturer of AC power disllibution 

and control systems, has 

announced its 2002 Product 

Design Guide that includes 

standard units, new products, engineeling specifications, and a sampling of custom systems. The Web 

site has a new product search engine that searches 

the extensive engineering database and submits a 

li t of products to the cltstomer that will meet pecillc needs. Pulizzi Engineering, Inc.; Tel: 714-540-

4229 or 800-870-2248; email: sales@pulilZi.com; 

www.puJjzzi.com 

Pulizzi Engineering, Inc. 

For Free Info Enter No. 637 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

POROUS 

CERAMIC 

VACUUM 

CHUCK 

PhotoMachining offers a porous ceramic 

vacuum chuck for use 

with thin films and othcr flat samples. Pore sizes 

under 25 microns assUJ"{' uniform suction and holding 

power for even the smallest parts. PhotOMachining 

also provides contract lascr-manufacturing services, 

and designs and builds custom laser-based mamuacturing equipment. PhotoMachining, Inc., 4 Indusuial 

Dr., Unit 40. Pelham, H 03076; Tel: 603-882-9944; 

Fax: 603-88&8844; rschaelfer@photomachining.com; 

W\\i'1\.phololllachinillg.com 

PhotoMachining, Inc. 

For Free Info Enter No. 636 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

iii • • SURFACE 

PROFILING TOOL 

Triptar' surface profiling 

tool, SurfaceScopeT>l, renders 3D images of surfaces. 

It is combined with a standard OEM microscope to 

eXll'act height information 

throughout the field of view. 

Acquisition is exu'emely fast. 

I.-__ == __ ....J Resolution is limited only by 

the microscope and Ihe electronic camera used to 

capture the images. Triptar Lens Company, Inc.; 

www.triptar.com/ surfacescope.hun 

iR 

Triptar Lens Company, Inc. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml672 

or Enter No. 672 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

STOCKED BElLOWS 

CONTACT SPRINGS 

New brochure presents Servometer's lines of miniature, goldplated, bellows-type spring contacts and flexible interconnect 

contacts, which range from ODs 

of 0.037" to 0.125". Sel"omcter 

contaCts insure e1ecuical continuity where vibration, 

tolerance build-up, and thermal expansion are a 

problem. Lifetime pring repeatability and reliability. Visit our homepage: ww\y. ervometer.com. 

rvometer4P Precision Manufactuling Group, LL . 

501 Little Falls Rd., Cedar Grove, NJ 07009-1291; 

Tel: 97~7 5-4630; Fax: 97~785-0756. 

Servometer® 

Precision Manufacturing Group, LLC 

For Free Info Enter No. 639 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

PRECISION 

ENCODERS 

New 9S-page catalog gives indepth specifications and 

descriptions of Accu.coderTM 

brand encoders by Encoder 

Products Company. Catalog 

features a full linc of 

ubeTM, industry-standard 

size 15, sizc 20, ize 25, size 

58111111, C-face, EMA mount and hollow shaft 

encoders, with a wide selcction of configuration 

options. suitable for a wide variety of industrial 

coullling. motion, and motor control applications. 

Encoder Products Company; Tel: 800-366-5412; 

Fax: 20S-26~54J; www.encoderproducts.com 

Encoder Products Company 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml680 

or Enter No. 680 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

LINEAR 

ACTUATORS 

Ideal for robotics, 

pick-and-place, 

paCkaging. medical 

equipment. clean 

room , lesling. proces ing, and positioning, the -DigitHS" (High Speed) linear actuator are available in 

stroke lengths to 8 in. Offering speeds to 14 in/ sec, 

force to 190 Ibs. repeatabiHty to 1.5 microns. Totally 

enclosed, these actuators are available in a '"driety of 

drive screw combination. Itra Motion; Tel: 631-

29S-9179; Fax: 831-29S-6593. 

Ultra Motion 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml667 

or Enter No. 667 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

""'''''.nasatl'ch.com 

WIRING DUCT 

SYSTEM 

Internationally approved 

wiring duct system in white, 

gray and now black. A manufacturer of dinosaur "coverless' dUCI as well as 01 

rail and acccssories including the new aluminum 2 

inch high tep rail. 180 0 

CORPORAT10N®, 10 Alvin Court, Suite 100. East 

Brunswick, NJ 08816; Tel: 732-23S-0200; Fax: 732-

23S-0304; e-mail: iboco@worldnet.atl.net 

IBOCO Corporation 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml662 

or Enter No. 662 at www.nasatech.comlrs 

FMEA SOFTWARE 

Failure Modes and EffeCIS 

Analysis using FMEA_ProTM 5 

empowers aUlomotive, consumer, electronic, aerospace, 

defen e and general manufacturing industries to 

improve tl,e quality. reliabiHly and safety of their products. This fully customiUlble 

software helps com panic comply with Q 9000. 

ISO 9000, SAEJI739. MIL- TD-1629,1 O / TS 

16949 and other regulations. FMEA-ProTM 5 contains extensive librarie and data protection features. The report generation tools upport a variety 

of file formalS, including HTML and PDF. 

Download a free lIial: ,,~vw.fmeasoftlvare.com 

Dyadem International ltd. 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml678 

or Enter No. 678 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

DIGITAL 

- - DELAY IPULSE 

~! !!. !I.. GENERATOR 

DEl's PDG-2510 is a 

precision digital delay and pulse generator providing two output channels with independent 

delay and pul e width adjustable from 0 to 99.9 

seconds with 25 nanoseconds resolution. With a 

standard RS-232 interfacc, il is well suited for 

laser timing, automated testing and preci ion 

pul e applications. See our Web site for data 

sheets and additional product information. 

Directcd Energy; Tel: 970-493-1901; Fax: 970-

493-1903; e-mail: deiinfo@directedenergy.com; 

www.directcdenergy.com 

Directed Energy, Inc. (DEI) 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.coml660 

or Enter No. 660 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

, ASA Tech Brieb. OCWi>e1 2002 
ECONOMICAL 

LINEAR 

MOTION 

SYSTEM 

TI,e Econo Rail linear bearing system consists of a single piece bearing core that is grOlUld all over and two 

recirculating ball bearing circuits with 3.5mm diametcr steel balls. Two bearing elements are moumed on 

a s[>I'ciaUy machined plate to provide preci ion alignment. TI,e bearing is preloaded to eliminate playanri 

provide smooth and accurate mOlion along the track. 

This system provides a high level of accuracy, maintaining parallelism at 0.0005 inch per fool, yet can be 

fubricated without precision machining, reducing the 

cost to the purchaser. Tusk Direct; Tel: 800-447-2042 

or 203-7904611; w"w.tuskdireCLcom 

Tusk Direct 

For Free Info Enter No. 642 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

IEC CORPORATION 

INTRODUCES FIBER 

OPTIC SLIP RING LINE 

IEC has a catalog of their standard 

line, but plide themselves in stating 

that they only sell about 10% standard. Meaning that 90% of their 

busine s lies in modified and custom. de igns. The fiber optic rotary joint, or FORJ, 

is offered from I to 7 channels, single or mullimode. The standard options available on Ille electrical component are: 2-60 rings, current to 90 

amp, voltage to 6000V, signal to 250 MHz. IEC 

Corporation, 3100 Longhorn Blvd., Austin, TX 

78758; Tel: 512 36-0547; Fa.x: 512-834-1082; e-mail: 

info@ieccorpordLion.com; ww\\Y.ieccorporation,com 

IEC Corporation 

For Free Info Enter No. 631 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

LINEAR MOTION 

CATALOG OFFERS 

COMPONENTS & 

COMPLETE SYSTEMS 

O,er ·100 products and s)stems 

are showcased, including precision case-hardened and ground 

steel shafts, aluminum support rails, haft uppOrt 

blocks and shaft rail assemblies, roller bearing pillow blocks/carriage plates, as well as complete linear sy terns with pre-matched stock or custom components. 4O-pages, with easy-to-use ordeling charts. 

Lee Controls, Inc., 727 Piscataway, NJ 0 54; Tel: 

00-221~811; Fax: 732-968-70 0; email: leeconU'ol@ 

linearmotiol1.com ; www.linearmotion.com 

Lee Controls, Inc. 

PRECISION SLIDES 

AND XY STAGES 

Precision Uni lide stages, 

XV, and rot'lI'Y tables. seful 

for positioning a gauge, sensor, Uller, or transducer. 

Width range from 1.5" to 9"; 

lengths up to 90". Over 950 

models. Modular design 

makes 'vze combination, 

ea y. l\leasured or non·measured tra,el. Use our;to k-de igned components to 

make semi·cu_ lorn fixlures and reduce COSlS. 

Velmex, Inc. , 7550 tate Route 5 and 20, 

Bloomfield, l4469; Tel: 00-642-6446 or 5 5-

657-6151; Fax: 585-657-6153; www.velmex.com 

Velmex, Inc. 

For Free Info Enter No. 643 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

PRESSURE 

INDICATING 

SENSOR FILMS 

Pressurex force indicating 

sensor films enable you to 

qukkly, accurately and inexpensi"ely measure pressure disuibution and magnitude between any twO contacting surfaces. Ideal Q 

and R&D applications include evaluation of bolted 

joints and gasketed surfaces, larrtination presses, nip 

impressioll , h at seals, composite material tests and 

machine calibration. FREE samples. Sensor Products 

Inc. USA; Tel: 973-884-1755; Fax: 973- 84-1699; 

e-mail: sales@sensorprod.com; www.sensorprod.com 

Sensor Products Inc. USA 

For Free Info Enter No. 638 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

SPIRAL RETAINING 

RINGS 

The new Smal ley teel Ring 

Company Retaining Ring 

Catalog is now available. 

Smalley has over 4100 rings 

in stock, sizes from 1/2" to 

16". pecial designs are available with o-ToolinghargesTM willl sizes from 9/32" to 84"; available 

in carbon and tainless teel. malley engineers 

are always available for FREE design assistance. 

malley rings have 0 Ears to InterfereTM. Smalley 

teel Ring Company, 555 Oakwood Road. Lake 

Zurich, IL 60047; Tel: 47-719-5900; Fax: 47-719-

5999; e-mail: info@ malley.com; www.smalley.com 

Smalley Steel Ring Company 

For Free Info Enter No. 640 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

T OEM 

DIFFERENTIAL 

PRESSURE 

TRANSDUCER 

• Tili.:. ,,, .. t/drj' d.~ffpr~ 

ential pressure transducer is uitable for 

large volume OEM applications. Pres~ure range 

availability i. 0-25 to 0-150 P to. ses a 5 Vd regulated power supply and provide~ a 0.25 to 4. Vdc 

linear output proportional to pressure. J lousing is 

an aluminum alloy. The quick-disconnect, o-ring, 

weued port, and tubu.lar dry referen e pon provide 

convenient and easy acce s to media pressures. 

Kavli 0 Corp.; Tel: 05-523-2000; www.ka\'lico.com 

Kavlico Corporation 

For Free Info Enter No. 633 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

LOAD/FORCE 

TRANSDUCERS 

Catalog describes a complete line of force transducers manufacturcd by 

trainsen. Transdu ers 

include: Oat load cell, tension and com pre sion 

from 250 to 2 million 

pounds; clevis pins willl 0-

10 vdc and 4-20 ma outputs; tension links up to 

400,000 pounds; load sensing bolts and studs; 

and load indicators .• pecial " design~ are invited. 

trainsett 0.; Tel: 610- 25-3310; Fax: 6l0-825-

1734; email: info@strainsen.com 

Strainsert CO. 

For Free Info Enter No. 641 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

"''',. na,\dtt'rh.l"Iltll 

SUBSCRIBE TO 

NATIONAL 

INSTRUMENTS 

NEWSLETIERS 

Packed full of product information , industry news, and 

cu tomer application successes, 

NI gives you valuable technical information for creating your measurement 

and aUlomation solution based on industry-standard technology. For your FREE Instrumentation 

ewsletter, NT t:W, or e upport News ubscription, go to ni.com/ info and enter naw94y. 

National Instruments; Tel: 800-452-6914 ( .S. & 

Canada) or 512-683-0 I 00; Fax: 512-683-9300; 

email: info@nLcom 

National Instruments 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/670 

or Enter No. 670 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

BRUSH LESS DC 

MOTORS MADE TO 

LAST FOREVER 

New catalog features most complete technical information 

ever assembled. Charts, diagrams, mech spec, formulas, 

drive configurations, voltages, 

power outputs, integration 

data, in-line parameters, custom applications. 

Rugged & dependable fTom 2 oz. to 2,000 oz. Perfect 

in your (or our) Actuators. Bonus literature sent with 

all inquiries. A must for any engineer! Island 

Components Group, Inc., Bohemia, NY; Tel: 631-563-

4224; Fax: 631-563-4363; www.islandcomponents.com 

Island Components Group, Inc. 

For Free Info Enter No. 632 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

B PRECISION 

MICROPOSITIONING dsm D M's piezoelectric tage -'*"-- provide precision microposi-

• tioning control as OEM components of automated sy -

I I Lems and lor iaixJl4LV'i ~:! ... ! 

ronments. Our linear amplifiers enable piezo positioning de,ices to be driven by a imple ,·oltage signal or in a closed loop system using a standard 

servo conU'oller outpUl. tandard actuator troke 

range from 0.1 to 2.0mm. ustom design requests 

are welcome. Dynamic truClUres and Materials; 

Tel : 6l5-595-6665; email: info@dynamicSU1JClUres.com; www.dynamic-structure.com 

Dynamic Structures and 

Materials, LLC 

For Free Info Visit www.nasatech.com/615 

or Enter No. 615 at www.nasatech.com/rs 

~ m=. RESOURCE CENTER 

WELCOME TO THE 

PEMNET® 

PEM ET.com otTers comprehensive information: earch our utomated 

atalog, utilize OUI conversion charts, calculators, 

and design information . Download engineering 

drawings, a cess our complete product catalog online, and utilize our Discussion and Message Center. 

Also, explore our Ibting of technical and product 

related articles, find the sales office closest to you, 

and see PEM Fastening YSlem' upcoming 

tradeshow schedule. PEM Fastening ystems - a 

Penn Engineering compan ; Tel: 800-237-4736; Fax: 

2J5-76~143; www.pemnel.com 

PEM Fastening Systems -

A Penn Engineering Company 

For Free Info Enter No. 635 

at www.nasatech.com/rs 

79 
Advertisers Index 

For free product literature from these advertisers, enter their reader service numbers at www.nasatech.com/rs 

Advertisers listed in bold-face type have banner ads on the NASA Tech Briefs Web site - www.nasatech.com 

Company 

Reader Service 

Number Page 

Aero Tec ............................................................... .454 .............................. 64 

Aerolech Inc. ....................................................... .542 .............................. 35 

Algor, Inc. ............................................................ 513 .............................. 5 

ATI Indu trial Automation .......................... 570 .......................... 77 

Autodesk ........................................... ............. 509 ......................... .13 

B I/Broadax Systems .................................... 527 .......................... 66 

Campbell Scientific .............................................. 511 ...... ....................... .14 

Carpenter Technology .... .................... ................ 537 .............................. 47 

Com 01 Inc ........................................ ................... ................................ 25-26 

Cro bow Technology .. .................. .. .............. 538 ...................... .... 52 

VI Stack ................................... ................... 547 .......................... 60 

Dewetron ....................................................... .. ..... 520 ............ .................. 23 

Digi-Key Corporation .................................... 503 .......... .................. 3 

Directed Energy, Inc ............................................. 660 ......... ................ ..... 78 

DuPont Vespel ...................................................... 534 ............................ ,.45 

D)'adem International .......................................... 678 .. ............................ 78 

Dynamic truClures and Materials .............. 615 .......................... 79 

Dynetic Systems ............................................ 409 .......................... 59 

EDS Unigraphics .................................................. 505 ............................... . 7 

Electro Optical Industries .......................... ..405 .......................... 8a 

Emhart, a Black & 

Decker Company .............................. 518, 516, 517 .. .......... 18-19,20,21 

Encoder Products ..................................... ..... 680 ......... ................. 78 

Endevco .......................................................... 504 ....................... ..... 6 

Ensillntemational ................................................ 556 .............................. 43 

F.JW Optical System , Inc ............................. 452 .... .. .................. lOa 

HD System, Inc. ............................................ 655-658 .............................. 71 

Helical Products Company .................................. 654 .............................. 70 

Hewlett-Packard .................................................... 523 .............................. 29 

IBO 0 Corporation .................................... 662 ...................... .... 78 

LEC Corporation ............................................ 631 .......................... 79 

IEEE .... .......................................................... 508 .......................... 11 

Integrated Engineering SOftware ........................ 553 .................... COV IV 

IOtech ............................................. .............. ........................... 42 A-B 

Island Components Group .................................. 632 .............................. 79 

Kavlico ................. ................................................... 633 ......... ................... .. 79 

Keithley Instruments ........................................ 554 ............................ 39 

Lake hore ryolronic ...................................... 550 .............................. 56 

Lambda Ph} ik ..................................................... .404 .............................. 6a 

Lambda Research Corporation .......................... 401 .................. ........... .1a 

Lee COntrols .......................................................... 634 .............................. 79 

Master Bond Inc . .............................................. 545 ............................ 76 

The MathWorks, Inc. ............................ 512, 515 .................... 15, 17 

NASA Ttch BrUft, ISSN 0 145-319X, USPS 750-070, copyright@2oo2 in .S. is published 

monthly by Associated Business Publications Co., Ltd., 317 Madison Ave.. 'ew York, NY 

100 17-5391. The copyright information does not include the (U.S. rights to) individual 

tech briefs that are supplied by NASA. Editorial. sales. production, and circulation 

offices at 317 Madison A>e., New York, NY 10017-5391. Subscription for non-qualified 

subscribers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. 75.00 for I year; 135 for 2 years. ingle 

copies 5.00. Foreign ubscriptions one-year .S. Funds $195.00. Remit by check, draft, 

Company 

Reader Service 

Number Page 

Meleor Electronic Products ...... ........ .......... .. 546 .......................... 62 

Micro Mo Electronics ............................ 651, 652 ........ .................. 72 

MicroStrain .................................................... 506 ....................... ..... 8 

Minco Products, Inc. ............................................ 544 .................. ............ 59 

MSC Software ....................................... .533, 552 ............ 49, COY III 

National Instruments 

Corporation ............ 501, 522, 528, 653, 670, 402 

COVII, 27, 37, 69, 79, 3a 

Newark Electronics .............................................. 530 ... .. ......................... 33 

oran Engineering, Inc. ...................................... 531 .............................. 41 

NuSil Technology .................... ............................ 541 .............................. 54 

Omega Engineering, Inc. .......................................................................... 1 

OriginLab Corporation ....................................... .532 .............................. 42 

Panasonic Vi ion Sy tem Group ...................................... 53, 55, 57 

PEM Fastening Systems -

A PennEngineering Company .................. 636 .... ...................... 78 

PhoLOMachining, Inc . .......................................... 635 .............................. 79 

Photon Engineering .................................... .. ...... 403 .............................. 5a 

Polymer Sealing Solutions .................................. 535 .............................. 46 

Presray Corporation ............................................ 549 .............................. 61 

Research Systerns .............................................. 525 ............................ 32 

Sensor Products Inc. USA ............................ ........ 638 .............................. 79 

ervometer .................................................... 639 .......... ................ 78 

Smalley Steel Ri ng Company ........................ 640 .......................... 79 

Solid Edge-EDS PLM Solutions .................... 507 ............................ 9 

SolidWorks .............. ..................................... .524 ............... ....... .... 31 

Spiralock ........................................................ 539 ...................... .... 50 

Stock Drive Products ...................... 609-611, 644M8 .............................. 75 

StockerYale Canada, Inc ..................................... 410 ............................ 12a 

Strainsert. ............................................................... 641 .............................. 79 

Synrad, Inc ............................................................. 502 ................................ 2 

TEAC America .............................................. 557 .......................... 63 

Tekscan, Inc ................................................... 551 .......................... 77 

Thomson Industries, Inc. .. .......................... 659 .......................... 73 

Triptar Lens o ............................................. 672 .......................... 78 

TrueTime ...................................................... 543 .......................... 58 

Tusk Direct ............................................................ 642 .............................. 79 

Itra Motion .................................................. 677 ............ .............. 78 

Velmex .................................................... 650, 643 .. .................. 74, 79 

Vision Components ..................................... .411 .......... ................ 9a 

XU'eme Energy .............................................. 526 .......................... 51 

yet2.com .................................................... 585, 489 .......... 16, 65, 3a, 7a 

YSI TemperalUre .................... ........................ 529 .......................... 38 

Zaber ...................................................... 649,412 ................. . 74, 14a 

postal, express o rders or VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. Other remittances 

at sender's risk. Address all communications for subscriptions or circulation Lo NASA 

Tech BriI!ft, 317 Madison Ave., New York, l\'Y 10017-5391. Periodicals postage paid at 

ew York, 'N and additional mailing offices. 

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NASA Tech BrUft, PO Box 10523, Riverton, r-{] 

08076-9023. 

80 www.nasalech.com NASA Tech Briefs, October 2002 
I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

I 

~ 

R478-9 

O'TECH BRIEFS FREE SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST FORM ENGINEERING SOlUTIONS fOR DESIGN & MANUfACTURING 

STAY ON THE CUTTING EDGE 

Renew or get your own copy of NASA Tech Briefs. You can qualify at our website: 

www.nasatech.com/subscribe or Fax this form to 856-786-0861 

Please print 

Reader ID Number 000 LI _L--'-_L--'-_",---'-_",---' 

Name ________ _____________________ _ 

Title ________________________ ______ _ 

Company 

Address _______________________ _____ ___ 

City/SVZip ____________ ___________ _ _ 

1 Do you wish to receive (continue to receive) NASA Tech Briefs? DYes ONo 

Please check preferred format: 

a. Prinl Version of NASA Tech Briefs only. FREE 

b. 0 Digital (PDF) Version of NASA Tech Briefs only. FREE 

c. 80TH the Print AND Digital (PDF) Versions of NASA Tech Briefs* 

Signature _____________________ Date ________ _ 

Bus.Tel. No. ______________ Bus.Fax No. ____________ _ 

e-mail ________________________________ _ 

* " you checked "c· above that you wish to receive BOTH the Print and Digital Versions of 

NASA Tech Briefs, there Is a small service fee of $2.00 per month ($24 annually). 

o My check (for $24) Is enclosed Bill me 

o Charge to my: o American Express o Discover Card o Master Card Visa 

Card # ____________________ Exp. Date 

Signature _______________________________ _ 

2 Which of the following best describes 

your Industry or service? (check one) 

E 0 ElectrOniCS 

S ..J Computers 

X U Communications 

o 0 Automotive 

T a Transportation 

M MaterialsiChemicals 

P Power/Energy 

8 0 BiolMedical 

J 0 Consumer Product Manufacturing 

Q 0 Industrial Machinery & Equip. 

A Aerospace 

G 0 Government 

DO Defense 

R Research Lab 

U 0 University 

Z 0 Other (specify): 

3 Your engineering responsibility Is: 

(check one) 

A Manage Englneenng Department 

8 0 Manage a Project Team 

C Manage a Project 

o 0 Member of a Project Team 

ED Other 

(specify) 

4 Your Job function. are: 

(pleasa check all that apply) 

10 0 Design & Development Engineering 

(Inc. applied R&D) 

12 0 Testing & Quality Control 

13.J Manufactunng & Production 

14 U Engineering Management 

16 0 General & Corporate Management 

170 Basic R&D 

15 0 Other (specily) 

Write in the number of your 

5 .. In which of the following categories do you 

recommend, specify, or authorize the 

punchase of products? (check all that apply) 

01 ElectrOniCS 

02 Photonics 

03 a ComputersiPeripherais 

04 Software 

05 Mechanical Components 

06 Materials 

07 None of the above 

5 b. Product. you recommend, epaclfy, or 

authorize for purchaee: (check all that apply) 

32 0 ICs & semiconductors 

33 ::I Connectorslinterconnectionsl packaging! enclosures 

02.:J Board-fevel products 

18 0 Sensors/transducers/detectors 

16 0 Data acquisition 

19 Test & measurement instruments 

34 Power supplies & battenes 

35 0 PCs & laptops 

06 0 Workstations 

36 0 EDNCAE software 

37 CAD/CAM software 

17 0 Imaging/video/cameras 

38 0 Lasers & laser systems 

39 0 Optics/optical components 

40 0 Fiber optics 

41 Optical design software 

20 0 Motion controVposltioning equipment 

30 U Fluid power and flUid handling devices 

31 0 Power transmission/motors & drives 

42 U Rapid prototyping and tooling 

13 Metals 

28 :J Plastics & ceramiCS 

27 0 Composites 

43 Coatings 

principal Job function ________ _ 80 CJ None of lhe above 

Check one of the following: 

o New Subscription 

o Renewal 

o Change of address 

For Change of Address and/or 

Renewal you must provjde the 

11 -digit Reader 10 Number from 

your mailing label. 

You can also 

mail this form to: 

NASA Tech Briefs 

P.O. Box 10523 

Riverton, NJ 08076-9023 

6 How many engineers and eclentiats work at 

thle address? (check one) 

A 0 1 F 100-249 

B 2-5 G 0 250-499 

C06-19 

00 20-49 

E 50-99 

H u :>uu-6;; 

J 0 over 1000 

7 To which of the following publications do you 

.ubscribe? (check all that apply) 

01 0 Cadalyst 

02 Cadence 

03 0 Compuler-Aided Engineenng 

05 0 Destgnfax 

06 0 Design News 

07 Desktop Englneenng 

aBO EON 

09 Electronic DeSign 

10.::1 Machine DeSign 

11 Mechanical Engineering 

12 0 Product DeSign & Development 

13 Sensors 

14 Test & Measurement Wond 

15 0 Laser Focus World 

16 Photonics Spectra 

17 None of the above 

8 Would you like to receive 8 free .. mall newslelter 

from NASA Tech Briefs? 

Yes No 

Your e-mail address 
MissionA~ 

A t the 1998 Winter Olympic in 

agano, Japan, .S. speedskater 

took home ju t two medals - a silver 

and a bronze - both of which were won 

by Ch ri Wi tty. t tll 2002 gam in Salt 

Lake City, the U.S. long- a short-track 

team won 11 medal. How did they 

make uch a drasti improvement in 

four year? II ~ddition to hard training 

and new erodynamic suits, the .S. 

team d a competitive edge at the alt 

Lak ity games. Several of them u ed a 

new polishing tool that improved their 

ka e glide 10 to 15%. That innovativ 

I came from NASA. 

uring a trip to the .S. 

pi training facility in 

rado Spring in the 

uml r of 1999, Darryl 

Mitchell f A A' Goddard Spa Flight Center's 

Technology Co ercialization Office m with the 

.S. Olympic Commill to 

offer he lp in tran ferring 

N A technologies that had application in the various Olympic 

sports. 

The .S. peed kating Team took 

Mitchell up on his offer. ~When I heard 

that ASA was interested in helping 

athlete, I wa very excited," said Finn 

Halvorsen, long-track program director 

for U . . Speedskating. "1 mean, it' 

ASA. If they can put a man on the 

Moon, urely they can he lp our 

kater .n 

Halvorsen worked with Mitchell to 

find ASA technologies that could help 

add res three areas that needed improvement: reducing the weight of the 

skate, improving their mechanical functionality, and providing better glide and 

grip for the kate blade. The blade, 

which i 1 mm ,vide where it meets the 

ice, need to glide with the lea t amount 

of friction possible while maintaining a 

sharp edge to ensure adequate grip in 

the turns. 

"I got a real crash course in speedskating there," aid Mitchell, "and as are ult 

of that, we generated a list about two 

pages long of possible technologies that 

would fit peed kating' needs. In the 

end, we thought that maybe the polishing technique could be adapted somehow for u e on the kate." 

The polishing technology was based 

on the same principles u ed to make 

82 

the optics rASA's science observatorie uch a the Hubble pace Telecope. Highly polished o pti cs are 

needed to obtain hal-p, clear image in 

. pace. The mirror-polishing technique 

wa. d veloped by Jim Lyons, who had 

worked at ASA Goddard as an optics 

engine r before forming his own optical syst ms company, PROSy t ms 

(www.retros.com). 

"Poli hing aluminum is one particular 

part of the optics world that' haunted 

the industry for many years. What we 

ended up doing was developing what was called aluminum superpoli hing. It's a process 

that allows us to 

The new polishing 

tool is put to use on 

the skate blades. 

polish a bare aluminum mirror and 

make a very high-quality aluminum 

optic that's very lightweight and very 

u er-friendly," explained Lyons. 

Mitchell worked wiu, J oe Famiglietti 

at ASA Goddard, who had been helping Lyon commercialize his aluminum 

super-polish technology. "They were the 

ones that cross-referenced the problem 

that the speedskating team was having 

with the possible technologies that 

could be u ed," said Lyons. "They 

www.nasatech.com 

handed off a pair of blades to me that 

didn't even have boots on them, just to 

see if we could put a hine on the actual 

edge of the blade." 

Lyons took the blades and began to 

explore how optical polishing technologie could be transferred to the speedskate. "For ice kating, the purpose i to 

reduce the surface roughne s, and 

therefore, you reduce the coefficient of 

friction, which give the skate an improved glide," he explained. The result 

was a new polishing tool used during 

blade sharpening. 

The new harpening proce begins by 

securing the kate in ajig. A sharpening 

stone is mn over the blade , followed by 

other harpening tool, each \vith a progre ively finer roughne s. During the 

sharpening, a burr begins to form on the 

edge of Ule blade. The burr i removed 

with a pecial stone. Then, the skate are 

ready for poli hing. To prepare the tool 

for polish.ing, a combination of a polishing compound and a standard lubricating oil is used. When inj ected through 

the ports, the compound and the oil aturate a polyethylene-impregnated felt 

pad in the bottom of the polishing tool. 

It is thi pad that touches the Imm urface of the blade. The tool is then 

rubbed quickly and vigorou Iy along the 

blade. It only takes 30 to 60 stroke to improve the blade's surface. 

(Continued on page 66) 

ASA Tech BriefS, October 2002 
The FEA solution for confident analysis. With MSC.visualNastran for Windows on 

your side, evil design flaws don't stand a chance. By combining the proven computational 

power of MSC.Nastran with the ease of a Windows-based interface, comprehensive 

simulation and analysis is only a click away. As customizable as it is affordable, 

MSC.visualNastran satisfies the most demanding engineering requirements. Not only is 

it as powerful as a locomotive - it will even help you build one. For a complementary 

demo kit, visit http://vn4w.mscsoftware.com/or call 1.888.MSC-41l1. 
WE CAN ACCELE~ 

YOUR PRODUCT·TO·MARKET CYCLE. 

AND WE CAN PROVE IT! 

Are you designing 

electric motors, 

MEMS devices, magnetic sensors, ion 

guns, high voltage 

equipment, or power 

electronics systems? 

Then Integrated's 

innovative electromagnetic simulation software will get you from concept to market faster than ever. 

You see, our software 

accurately models 

your most complex 

electromagnetic 

device or system and 

predicts force, torque, 

field components, 

capacitance, inductance, space charge, 

eddy currents, power system performance, and more. 

Just dream a design, plug it in, optimize it, and accelerate it to market like never before. 

IJ 

m PTC' 

~ 

INTEGRATED 

ENGINEERING SOFTWARE 

Web: www.integratedsoft.com 

WYAGEII 

MEM8fII autodesk ~"""",w.pA closer look at what our software 

has to offer. 

• An intuitive graphical user interface built by engineers 

for engineers 

• The industry's most powerful geometric modeler with 

built-in parametrics for design optimization 

• Fully optimized solvers for unequaled speed and 

performance 

• Exact modeling of geometry ... no straight-line 

approximations 

• Advanced, direct plug-in import from leading CAD 

software 

• Multi-domain simulation of electromagnetic, power 

electronics, thermal and mechanical 

• Unmatched, same day, technical support 

I 

------

You may qualify for a test drive, 

FREE! 

No risk. No obligation. 

Get in touch with Integrated Engineering Software 

now. If you can benefit from our product, we'll 

send you a fully-functional evaluation copy that puts 

you in the driver's seat. And puts us to the test. 

Don't miss this special offer! 

Call: 204-632-5636 

E-mail: info@integratedsoft.com 

---

I 

I 

For Free Info Enter No. 553 at www.nasatech.com/rs