Metal With Memory

Page 12

Efficiency Powers 

Next-gen Aviation

Page 4

Building 21 

Demolition Makes 

Way for Master Plan

Page 8

VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 11 • NOVEMBER 2017

Mass Casualty Exercise 

Tests Emergency

Response

Pages 2–3
2

Holiday Safety Awareness

As our thoughts turn to the holidays 

and festivities with family and 

friends, safety should be a priority. 

Accidents increase as demands on 

our time and energy increase. 

As we prepare those delicious meals, 

keep food safety at the forefront; one 

in six Americans suffer a food-borne 

illness each year. 

Slow down—next to drunk driving, 

speeding is the leading cause of 

driving-related injuries and deaths. 

We put safety first at our center; 

doing so outside of work will ensure 

that we and our loved ones remain 

safe throughout the holidays. 

My best for an enjoyable and 

festive season!

AeroSpace Frontiers

is an official publication of Glenn Research 

Center, National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. It is published the second 

Friday of each month by the Office of 

Communications & External Relations 

in the interest of the Glenn workforce, 

retirees, government officials, business 

leaders and the general public. 

Submit short articles and calendar items 

to the editor at doreen.b.zudell@nasa.gov. 

Editor: Doreen B. Zudell, ATS, 

 216–433–5317

Assistant Editor: S. Jenise Veris, ATS

Design: Jami Drost, ATS

Managing Editor: Kelly R. DiFrancesco

Circulation: Angela Williams, ATS, 

 216–433–8921

On the Cover:

Captain Ernest Witcher, right, GSVC/Glenn Office of Protective Services, gives 

Rocky River Fire Department personnel, Frank Schaefer, back, and Bill Stuchal, 

a situational report when they arrive on the simulated accident scene. GRC-2017-C-07440

Photo by Bridget Caswell

University Hospital’s MedEvac receiving critically injured patient for transport. Photo by Marvin Smith

GRC-2017-C-07519

 Mass Casualty Exercise 

Tests Emergency 

Response Plan

NASA Glenn’s Office of Protective Services, Emergency Response 

Team members and several local fire and rescue departments 

participated in a mass casualty exercise at Lewis Field, Sept. 20. 
NOVEMBER 2017

3

The “Under Pressure 2017” exercise was conducted to test the 

effectiveness of the center’s emergency response plans. It centered 

on a boiler explosion in building 12, involving a number of injuries 

to people in and around the building. Victims played by Traumatic 

Players of Cleveland were triaged nearby and transported for 

treatment to the Fitness Center, which served as a simulated 

hospital. University Hospital’s MedEvac helicopter, which landed 

near the Shipping and Receiving Facility, was called in to transport 

one victim with severe injuries.

“This exercise involved many moving parts coming together, 

especially with teams from Southwest General Health Center and 

Brook Park Fire Department,” said Glenn’s Emergency Management 

Specialist Brian Laney. “Additionally, support from Glenn’s senior 

management was crucial to our ability to conduct the event.” 

Laney said the exercise is part of the center’s 5-year Master Training 

Exercise Plan, which involves a variety of emergency preparedness 

activities such as fire drills and tabletop exercises. The day after 

the exercise, the Glenn Emergency Management Response team 

conducted a tabletop exercise to evaluate and determine a plan to 

notify others who would have been affected by the mishap, 

such as customers and building employees. 

In the coming weeks, the team will further evaluate and 

document positive and negative outcomes from the exercise 

in order to fine-tune emergency plans.

By Doreen B. Zudell

Emergency Operations Center activated to support response activities. GRC-2017-C-07328 Photo by Marvin Smith

Emergency responders establish a treatment area to care for 

victims until they are able to be transported to the hospital.

GRC-2017-C-07482

Photo by Bridget Caswell

Protective Services’ security officer/emergency 

medical responder triages patient.

GRC-2017-C-07359 

Photo by Bridget Caswell
Efficiency Powers Advancement: 

Next-gen Aviation

While the aircraft industry continues to adopt innovative 

technologies, which are making current aircraft more energy 

efficient, there is new interest in exploring alternative propulsion 

systems and energy sources. This presents an opportunity to 

develop concepts that will dramatically reduce fuel usage, while 

opening up potential new markets and business opportunities 

for American companies and carriers. 

“I feel we are at a tipping point in commercial aviation,” said 

Jim Heidmann, manager of NASA’s Advanced Air Transport 

Technology Project. “We are exploring and developing gamechanging technologies and concepts for aircraft and propulsion 

systems that can dramatically improve efficiency, reduce 

environmental impact and accelerate the introduction of 

new aircraft.” 

One of the most pivotal areas of commercial aviation’s 

renaissance centers around highly integrated propulsion 

systems. A team of engineers at Glenn is conducting cuttingedge research into high-pressure-ratio compact gas turbine 

engines, low-emission combustors, electric-enhanced 

propulsion and boundary-layer ingesting engines. 

Some of these key propulsion system advances converge in an 

aircraft concept study called STARC–ABL (single-aisle turboelectric aircraft with an aft boundary-layer propulsor). 

The STARC–ABL concept, developed by Jim Felder, Propulsion 

Systems Analysis Branch, and others across the agency, is under 

consideration as one of NASA’s future X-planes. It looks similar 

to the proven tube-and-wing aircraft you see every day, but 

unlike those aircraft, a significant amount of electrical power, 

approximately 3 megawatts, is used for turboelectric propulsion. 

While preparing for initial ground tests of a subscale STARC–ABL 

concept at NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) at Plum Brook 

Station, the team recently awarded 12-month contracts to Boeing, 

teamed with Georgia Tech, and LibertyWorks with ESAero, to 

further investigate the challenges surrounding the hybridization of 

commercial aircraft. 

“During the 12-month cycle, we’ll work with the teams to take 

a deep dive into their hybrid and turboelectric aircraft concepts,” 

said Subproject Manager, Amy Jankovsky, Aeronautics Mission 

Office. “These concepts will provide in-depth, detailed analyses 

of the propulsion and electrical systems, and we will recommend 

technology development paths for their concepts.”

Ultimately, NASA hopes to contribute to a next-generation aircraft 

that will substantially reduce fuel burn, noise and emissions. 

Many researchers feel we are only a few steps away from 

a major aviation revolution, and that a commercial aircraft using 

NASA-developed, hybrid-electric or turboelectric propulsion 

technology could be flying to an airport near you by 2035. 

By Jimi Russell

Composite photo of next-gen aircraft.

GRC-2017-CN-00062 Photo by NASA

Initial ground tests of a subscale STARC–ABL concept will take place 

at NASA’s Electric Aircraft Testbed at Plum Brook Station.

4 GRC-2015-C-07774 Photo by Marvin Smith
NOVEMBER 2017

5

Alabama-based Morningbird Media 

Corporation has signed an evaluation license 

for Glenn’s carbon dioxide (CO2) gas sensor 

and method of manufacturing. This license 

will help them develop a method for their 

Electronic Alchemy 3D printing system to 

create a new class of printable sensors to 

complement their suite of printable functional 

electronics. Glenn’s Gary Hunter and Jennifer

Xu developed the sensor to detect CO2 concentrations from .5 to 4 percent over a broad 

temperature range. As shown in the photo 

below, its small, low-power, easy-to-use and 

fabricate design makes it ideal for a multitude 

of applications.

Trending With Tech Transfer

Carbon Dioxide Gas 

Sensor and Method 

of Manufacturing

GRC-2017-CN-00060 Photo by Jennifer Xu

NASA Glenn joined federal agencies across 

the nation in the fight against hunger by 

participating in the annual Feds Feed Families 

food drive, July 31 to Aug. 31. Lewis Field 

and Plum Brook Station employees donated 

a total of 3,356 pounds of nonperishable food. 

Donations were made to the SCAN Hunger 

Center Pantry in Berea and the Crossroads 

Homeless Shelter in Sandusky. Thanks to 

everyone who donated!

Uniting 

Against 

Hunger

Three NASA Glenn employees were among those honored during the 

annual Women of Color STEM Conference held in Detroit, October 5 to 7. 

The event recognizes women of color achievements in science, technology, 

engineering and math and provides onsite educational and networking 

opportunities for those interested in pursuing STEM careers. 

Diana Centeno-Gomez, Aeronautics and Ground-Based Systems Branch 

deputy chief, received a Technology All Star award reserved for women in 

the mid-level to advanced stages of their careers who have demonstrated 

excellence in the workplace and in their communities.

Two members of Glenn’s Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate (SMAD) 

were honored. Danielle Griffin, Management Integration Office, received 

the Professional Achievement in Government award as a mid-career 

professional, who has demonstrated significant impact as a leader and 

role model. Abigail Rodriguez, Program and Project Assurance Division, 

received the Technology Rising Star award for early careerists who are 

helping to shape technology for the future.

Glenn led the agency in support of the conference activities including the 

NASA professional seminar, a career fair, a precollege event, educational 

workshops and hands-on activities. Deputy Center Director Dr. Marla 

Pérez-Davis and several members of Glenn’s leadership—Aretha Carr, 

Office of Equal Opportunity Programs director; Robyn Gordon, Center 

Operations director; and Konstantinos “Gus” Martzaklis, SMAD deputy 

director—and center staff contributed to the success of this event.

By S. Jenise Veris

Glenn Employees Earn 

Women of Color Awards

Glenn Personnel Supported Conference 

Honorees, left to right, Centeno-Gomez, Griffin and Rodriguez

GRC-2017-C-08076 Photo by Rami Daud
6

NEWS AND EVENTS

Hartline recalls the story of locating the remains of his great-uncle 

(background photo) from World War II.

GRC-2017-C-07774 Photo by Marvin Smith

Remembering POW and 

MIAs: Remaining Vigilant

The Veterans Awareness Committee (VAC) held its annual Prisoner 

of War/Missing in Action Observance, Sept. 14. During the event, 

Tom Hartline, Facilities, Test and Manufacturing director and VAC 

member, shared a poignant story about locating his great-uncle 

who was missing in action since World War II. Guest speaker Sam 

Felton Jr., current commander of the Disabled American Veterans, 

Chapter 20 in Lorain, reflected on serving in Vietnam. Lorain High 

School’s Army Junior ROTC presented the Missing Man Table 

ceremony to remind us to never forget the sacrifices of our men 

and women in the armed forces.

Healthy Steps Earn Golden Shoe Awards

As part of 2017 Safety and Health Awareness Day, employees participated in the Center Health Walk and competed for 

the coveted Golden Shoe Award. At Lewis Field, Glenn’s Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) Directorate team placed first 

with 34 percent participation. They were followed by the Plum Brook Station team, 29 percent participation; Aeronautics 

Directorate and Office of Technology Incubation and Innovation team, 26 percent participation; and Office of Chief 

Information Officer team, 24 percent participation. Additionally, Plum Brook Station held an onsite health walk competition 

among buildings. The Propulsion Test Complex (PTC) placed first with 81 percent participation; Engineering Building,

20 percent participation; and Space Environments Complex, 14 percent participation.

GRC-2017-C-03932 Photo by Marvin Smith

Center Director Janet Kavandi presents the 2017 Golden Shoe 

Award to Deputy Director of SMAD Gus Martzaklis. 

PTC Facility Manager 

Jerry Hill displays the 

Plum Brook Station 

Golden Shoe Award.

GRC-2017-CN-00057

Photo by Geneva Biglin
7

Students Encouraged To Come Fly With NASA

Glenn’s Office of Education, with the support of staff across the center, hosted Aviation Day at Lewis Field, Aug. 18, to 

engage middle and high school students in activities related to aeronautics careers. Activities included a career panel 

discussion, a design competition, research demonstrations and tours. Pictured is the chief of Glenn’s Aircraft Operations 

Office and pilot Jim Demers (far left) conducting a Flight Research Facility tour with students from Menlo Park Academy. 

Approximately 100 students, accompanied by parents and teachers from five area schools, participated.

GRC-2017-C-06703 Photo by Quentin Schwinn

Left to right: Pasquale Daltorio, Kevin Meredith, 

Jonathan Burris and Brian McConnell

GRC-2017-C-05491

Left to right: Brad Weisenberger, Wes Sallee 

and Nick Connelly

GRC-2017-C-05480

GRC Golf Outing—

Wet Start but Strong Finish 

Two hundred thirty-three golfers endured a little rain, rumbles and 

sunshine at the 8th Annual Glenn Research Center Golf Outing at 

Mallard Creek Golf Course, Aug. 4. Four-person scramble participants ended the day with steak or barbeque and talk about their 

great shots and near misses. The top two teams are pictured, right. 

Golfers head out to the tee box. GRC-2017-C-05430 Photos by Marvin Smith

NOVEMBER 2017
Building 21 

Demolition Makes 

Way for Master Plan

The Engineering and Supply Building (21) demolition 

project, which began in September, is targeted for 

completion in November. This project is an essential 

step in the sequence of demolition and replacement 

projects required to implement the approved Glenn 

Master Plan. 

The demolition makes way for the future construction 

of the Research Support Building (RSB), which is 

scheduled to break ground in the summer of 2018. 

The RSB, along with the existing Mission Integration 

Center building, allows for the creation of a new 

central campus—a place that reflects the historic 

character of the campus and enables the Glenn staff 

to come together as a community.

8

Starting on the north side at the loading dock, 

the building took just 2 weeks to level.

GRC-2017-CN-00061 Photo by Janet Lane

Distinguished Hispanics Help 

Shape the Future of America

Aeronautics Director Dr. Rubén Del Rosario moderated a discussion with Bernie Moreno, president of Bernie Moreno Companies 

and chairman of Cleveland State University’s Board of Trustees, 

at this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month Observance, Sept. 28. 

The discussion centered on the theme “Shaping the Bright Future 

of America.” Moreno immigrated from Bogota, Columbia, as a 

child and became a U.S. citizen at 18. He shared the philosophies 

he lives by that have led to his success and leadership to others. 

The event also included a performance from Julia de Burgos 

Cultural Arts Center and Hispanic food for purchase.

Dr. Del Rosario moderates a discussion with guest speaker Moreno.

GRC-2017-C-07293 Photo by Marvin Smith
9

Employees Recognized for Contributions 

to Space Flight Mission Success

Elliot A. Schmidt, Structural Mechanics Branch, received the SFA 

Trailblazer Award for contributions to the commissioning of the 

Mechanical Vibration Facility and the European Service Module Test 

Campaign. Schmidt delivered tools that previously did not exist to 

ensure reliable and accurate data capture, analysis and validation, 

increasing efficiency during a very demanding test campaign. 

Bartlomiej F. Zalewski, a ZIN Technologies, Inc. (ZINT) employee 

supporting NASA Glenn, received the SFA Trailblazer Award for 

his innovative work in developing a simulation tool to explore 

nonlinear affects during launch vehicle separation for the Space 

Launch System. Prior to Zalewski’s program development efforts, 

researchers would spend months developing simulation models 

and analysis. 

The Functional Fault Model (FFM) Tools Development Team

representing several NASA centers with their industry partners, 

was awarded the SFA Team Award. The award recognizes the 

development and demonstration of a new software tool to advance 

functional fault modeling simulations, analysis and verification for 

the safety of human exploration. Glenn team members, who work 

in the Communications and Intelligent Systems Division, include 

Christopher Fulton (ZINT), Kevin Melcher and William Maul of 

Vantage Partners LLC (VPL).

By Jimi Russell

Several members from Glenn’s Space Flight Systems workforce recently received Space Flight Awareness (SFA) 

Awards. The SFA Awards program is a NASA-managed motivational and recognition program for NASA 

employees and contractors who have major responsibilities for human space flight mission success. 

Dr. Rickey Shyne, Research and Engineering 

director (left), congratulates SFA Trailblazer Schmidt.

Dr. Rickey Shyne, Research and Engineering director (second, left) 

congratulates, left to right: Maul, Melcher and Fulton, 

SFA Team Award winners.

Zalewski (center) is congratulated by Joel Kearns, deputy 

director of Glenn’s Space Flight Systems Directorate and 

Dr. Marla Pérez-Davis, deputy center director. 

GRC-2017-C-08033 GRC-2017-C-08036

GRC-2017-C-08035 Photos by Bridget Caswell

NOVEMBER 2017
10

MORE THAN A MEMORY

Steven W. Mainger, 

Avionics Branch, Power 

Division, retired Sept. 30, 

2017, with 34 years of 

federal service, including 

28 1⁄2 with NASA. 

RETIREMENTS

Mainger

Attention Retirees!

To electronically subscribe to AeroSpace Frontiers, email 

grc-aerospacefrontiers-subscribe@lists.nasa.gov.

Eisenberg Sheldon

Joseph D. Eisenberg, 88, a 2000 retiree with 40 years of government service, 

died Aug. 13. Eisenberg was a U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran who served on 

the NASA Lewis team for Advanced Subsonic Technology. They performed mission 

and cycle analyses to develop high-payoff propulsion and power technologies for 

subsonic aircraft for the nation’s global air transport system. Later in his career, 

he focused on rotorcraft-propulsion-related projects, including the “Osprey” 

helicopter, a crossover rotorcraft for a helicopter and a plane.

Robert “Bob” Sheldon, 87, a 1982 retiree with 32 years of NACA/NASA service, 

died Oct. 3. Sheldon was an U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran who began his 

NASA career after graduating the NACA Apprentice Program as a journeyman 

Flight Propulsion Qualified Mechanic in 1959. Over the years, Sheldon held many 

supervisory positions within the Test Installations Division. He also served the 

center as a CPR instructor.

Dr. Simon Ostrach and Dr. Robert Siegel, two of three world-renown researchers 

recognized as NASA “Giants of Heat Transfer,” recently died. They were inducted 

into the first class of Glenn’s Hall of Fame in 2015 with Dr. Robert Deissler, 

posthumously. 

Ostrach, 93, who left in 1960 after 15 years of NASA service, died Oct. 2. He 

returned as director of NASA’s National Center for Space Exploration Research 

(1997–2002), before retiring to serve as professor emeritus of Engineering at Case 

Western Reserve University. One of NASA’s “12 superstars of modern aeronautics,” 

he researched warplanes and turbojet/turboprop engines and contributed to the 

development of an early supersonic wind tunnel. He also researched heat transfer 

and fluids in low gravity, developing important techniques for nuclear propulsion, 

space flight, microelectromechanical devices and crystals in semiconductors. 

Siegel, 90, a 1999 NASA retiree with 44 years of government service, died Sept. 

19. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran who began his NASA career in 1955 

after working in cooling nuclear reactors at General Electric. He investigated heat 

transfer for conditions in space, which led him to design the world’s first drop 

tower in 1957. An expert on heat transfer, particularly in radiation and boiling heat 

transfer, he co-authored the book, “Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer,” in 1972, 

still widely used as a graduate-level textbook.

NASA Heat Transfer 

Pioneers Pass

Drs. Siegel, left, and Ostrach at the 

Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

GRC-2015-C-06129 Photo by Bridget Caswell

AWARDS

Pineda Selected HENAAC Honoree

Dr. Evan Pineda was recognized as a “Most 

Promising Engineer—Advanced Degree—Ph.D.” 

at the 29th Annual Hispanic Engineer National 

Achievement Award Conference (HENAAC), held 

Oct. 18 to 22 in Pasadena.

Pineda, who is an aerospace research engineer 

in Glenn’s Multiscale and Multiphysics Modeling 

(LMS) Branch, contributes to the Space Launch 

System, Advanced Composites Project, and 

Transformational Tools and Technologies Programs.

Dr. Pineda
11

Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) 

Open Season runs through Dec. 11, 2017.

FEHB Open Season

NASA Glenn Employees: For more calendar information, visit https://wing.grc.nasa.gov/event-calendar/.

Upcoming Center Events

Deadline for next calendar section 

is Nov. 17, noon. News and feature 

stories require additional time.

GSEL MOBILE LIBRARIAN

The Glenn Science and Engineering 

Library (GSEL) Mobile Librarian will 

be visiting Building 5 from Nov. 28 

through Dec. 7; 1 to 3 p.m. A Glenn 

reference librarian will be ready to

assist employees with subject 

searches, finding specific books and 

articles and other information needs 

on the spot! 

POC: Robin Pertz, 3–5776

NASA RETIRED WOMEN’S LUNCHEON

The next luncheon is Thursday, Nov. 16, 

at 1 p.m. at Corso’s Italian Restaurant, 

29691 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted. 

Please reserve your place with Gerry 

Ziemba at gto64gerry@yahoo.com or 

330–273–4850. 

IFPTE LOCAL 28, LESA MEETING

LESA will hold its next membership 

meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 13, noon, 

in the Glenn Employee Center’s Small 

Dining Room.

The Emergency Management Office 

staff will conduct an audible siren 

test focusing on the “emergency 

condition” tone on Saturday, Dec. 2, 

at Lewis Field. An outdoor “voice” test 

will be conducted in buildings 100 

and 302 on Wednesday, Dec. 6. 

POC: Allen Turner, 3–6826

DECEMBER OUTDOOR SIREN TESTING

2017

Center Holiday 

Gathering

Join your co-workers at the

Thursday, Dec. 7

1 to 3 p.m.

MIC Auditorium

Glenn’s Open Season Fair

Tuesday, Nov. 14

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Upper Level of the Main Cafeteria, Building 15

POC: Rhonda Billick, 3–6286

NOVEMBER 2017
National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration

John H. Glenn Research Center 

Lewis Field

21000 Brookpark Road 

Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Plum Brook Station

3597 E. Scheid Road

Sandusky, Ohio 44870

www.nasa.gov

Read AeroSpace Frontiers online at http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/news/AF/index.html

Emergency and Inclement Weather Lines 

Lewis Field: 216–433–9328 (WEAT) 

Plum Brook Station: 419–621–3333

Connect With Glenn

Through NASA’s Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Project, a team of engineers 

believe folding wings in-flight using advanced materials and technologies 

is a potential game changer for future aircraft that could improve aircraft 

performance and efficiency. 

This innovative actuation system uses a revolutionary material that will 

accomplish this goal by using less complex, lighter and more compact 

hardware than conventional systems.

The revolutionary material is shape memory alloy (SMA), an engineered 

nickel-titanium alloy that can be trained to return to a desired shape after 

deformation. “By applying a temperature stimuli, you can trigger a physical 

change in the metal,” said Dr. Othmane Benafan, materials research engineer. 

“It undergoes a reversible phase transformation much like ice melting and 

refreezing. The difference is it transitions from one solid state to another.” 

The material NASA is developing is similar to commercially available alloys, but 

with increased capabilities, making it well suited for aeronautics applications. 

It is also unique in regards to memory or “training,” because the rare 

microstructural features produce a better material. 

While engineers prepare to integrate SMA into a subscale flight test later this 

year at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, the team at Glenn wants to 

get a head start on ground testing SMA actuators on a large-scale wing. To do 

this, NASA Armstrong removed a wing section from one of its F/A-18 scientific 

research aircraft for testing at Glenn. The wing will be used to demonstrate the 

actuation concept at a much larger scale compared to what we have now.

Through the full-scale ground tests and the upcoming subscale flight test, the 

project team is working to transform aircraft design through SMA-enhanced 

wing shaping. 

For an extended version of this story, visit NASA Glenn’s website at 

https://go.nasa.gov/2xdkQAy.

By Jimi Russell

Metal With Memory: Shaping the Future of Aviation

Dr. Benafan inspects a model of the shape memory alloy actuator 

and the outer wing section from an F/A-18 research plane.

GRC-2017-C-05860 Photo by Marvin Smith