Technology Opportunity Showcase highlights some unique technologies that NASA has developed and which we believe have strong potential for commercial application. While the descriptions provided here are brief, they should provide enough information to communicate the potential applications of the technology. For more detailed information, contact the person listed. Please mention that you read about it in Innovation.

Technology Opportunity Showcase

Predictive Sensor Algorithm

Stennis Space Center is seeking qualified companies for the commercialization, licensing, further development and/or technical consulting for a patented signal analysis process to increase the response speed of existing sensor technologies. This method, developed by Stennis researchers and now employed as a smart hydrogen detection system, predicts the steady-state response of a signal and thus can make a normally slow sensor faster. The resulting system can be applied to increase the speed of response of any slow sensor that responds to a step input. The system employs a signal-processing algorithm to determine, in near real time, the steady-state response of a normally slow sensor. A small microprocessor samples the hydrogen sensor's output at small, regular time intervals and dynamically predicts the sensor's response to a step change in temperature. The algorithm has been implemented using both C and BASIC programming languages and resides as firmware in Erasable Programming Read Only Memory (EPROM). A benefit is attaining a faster response without developing a faster sensor. Potential commercial applications include commercially available hydrogen detection systems, industrial applications (such as personal safety and medical-type electronic thermometers), human and veterinary applications and gas detection.

For more information, contact the Technology Transfer Office at Stennis Space Center. Call: 601/688-1929. Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

Thermal Gasket

Marshall Space Flight Center seeks qualified companies to further develop and commercialize a new gasket technology. This gasket consists of an electrically conductive substrate coated on both sides with a thermoplastic or braze alloy. When the substrate is heated, by an electrical current passing through it, the coating melts. Preliminary tests have shown that this low-cost technology can fill imperfections and adhere like a liquid sealant or braze, creating a zero-leakage joint that can easily be disassembled for service. The thermal gasket could be used in a wide variety of static sealing applications for flanged piping and housing joints, particularly where there may be imperfections in the joint and future disassembly is a priority. Several proof-of-concept gaskets have been fabricated, and one test has been performed. A 0.007-inch-thick, mild steel substrate was coated with a standard hot melt adhesive using a commercial applicator and then positioned between two 2-inch flat-faced carbon steel pipe flanges under a light preload. A 220-volt commercial arc welder was connected to opposite ends of the substrate and drew approximately 200 amps of current for about two minutes. The thermoplastic melted, and four flange bolts torqued to approximately 65 ft-lbs. The current was disconnected and the joint allowed to cool. The completed joint was pressurized, then depressurized, subjected to severe random vibration and repressurized for further leak testing. No leaks were found. The gasket can be remelted in situ for easy joint disassembly. It offers stability, quickness, ease of use and low ignition risk.

For more information, contact Molly O'Donovan Dix of the Technology Applications Team at Research Triangle Institute.
Call: 603/672-9051, E-mail: dix@rti.org
Or visit www.rti.org/technology
Please mention you read about it in Innovation.

Fast-Response, Nonmechanical Remote Gas Sensor

Langley Research Center seeks to commercialize its nonmechanical remote gas sensing technology for monitoring airborne pollutants. The instrument uses gas filter correlation radiometry (GFCR) to accurately measure concentrations of key gas species, including carbon monoxide, methane and nitrogen oxides. The device relies on electro-optical rather than mechanical techniques to switch its internal optical paths, offering a faster response rate, higher reliability, lower weight and a more compact design over conventional gas sensors. Originally developed for measuring gases in Earth's atmosphere from aircraft and satellite platforms, the technology's improved design makes it an attractive alternative for many Earth-based monitoring applications. The GFCR offers an economical solution to numerous remote-sensing problems. The instrument's reliability makes it ideal for in-stack measurement of powerplant emissions for compliance with EPA regulations. The instrument's sensitivity and fast response enable it to monitor motor vehicle exhaust emissions "on the fly" as a vehicle enters or exits a freeway. Flying mounted in an aircraft, it potentially could rapidly survey miles of natural gas pipeline. It also can be used to detect low concentrations of flammable gases, possibly preventing explosions. The design is compact, lightweight and reliable, and the optical switching used by the device is faster than the mechanical switching employed by competing systems.

For more information, contact the Technology Applications Group at Langley Research Center. Call: 757/864-7717, E-mail: r.r.baize@larc.nasa.gov Please mention you read about it in Innovation.