Patents Assigned to and Space Administration
  • Patent number: 7968054
    Abstract: A system for receiving, analyzing and communicating results of sensing chemical and/or physical parameter values, using wireless transmission of the data. Presence or absence of one or more of a group of selected chemicals in a gas or vapor is determined, using suitably functionalized carbon nanostructures that are exposed to the gas. One or more physical parameter values, such as temperature, vapor pressure, relative humidity and distance from a reference location, are also sensed for the gas, using nanostructures and/or microstructures. All parameter values are transmitted wirelessly to a data processing site or to a control site, using an interleaving pattern for data received from different sensor groups, using I.E.E.E. 802.11 or 802.15 protocol, for example. Methods for estimating chemical concentration are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Inventor: Jing Li
  • Patent number: 7964698
    Abstract: The benefits of liquid crystal polymers and polyetherimides are combined in an all-aromatic thermoplastic liquid crystalline polyetherimide. Because of the unique molecular structure, all-aromatic thermotropic liquid crystal polymers exhibit outstanding processing properties, excellent barrier properties, low solubilities and low coefficients of thermal expansion in the processing direction. These characteristics are combined with the strength, thermal, and radiation stability of polyetherimides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Erik S. Weiser, Theodorus J. Dingemans, Terry L. St. Clair, Jeffrey A. Hinkley
  • Patent number: 7958733
    Abstract: A jet engine exhaust nozzle flow effector is a chevron formed with a radius of curvature with surfaces of the flow effector being defined and opposing one another. At least one shape memory alloy (SMA) member is embedded in the chevron closer to one of the chevron's opposing surfaces and substantially spanning from at least a portion of the chevron's root to the chevron's tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Travis L. Turner, Roberto J. Cano, Richard J. Silcox, Ralph D. Buehrle, Christopher M. Cagle, Randolph H. Cabell, George C. Hilton
  • Patent number: 7962252
    Abstract: A self-contained avionics sensing and flight control system is provided for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The system includes sensors for sensing flight control parameters and surveillance parameters, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. Flight control parameters and location signals are processed to generate flight control signals. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is configured to provide a look-up table storing sets of values with each set being associated with a servo mechanism mounted on the UAV and with each value in each set indicating a unique duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. Each value in each set is further indexed to a bit position indicative of a unique percentage of a maximum duty cycle for the servo mechanism associated therewith. The FPGA is further configured to provide a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) generators coupled to the look-up table. Each PWM generator is associated with and adapted to be coupled to one of the servo mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Qamar A. Shams, Michael J. Logan, Robert L. Fox, Christopher L. Fox, legal representative, Melanie L. Fox, legal representative, John C. Ingham, Sean A. Laughter, Theodore R. Kuhn, III, James K. Adams, Walter C. Babel, III
  • Publication number: 20110132095
    Abstract: A windscreen is configured for measuring outdoor infrasonic sound. The windscreen includes a container and a microphone. The container defines a chamber. The microphone is disposed in the chamber and can be operatively supported by the floor. The microphone is configured for detecting infrasonic sound. The container is advantageously formed from material that exhibits an acoustic impedance of between 0 and approximately 3150 times the acoustic impedance of air. A reflector plate may be disposed in the container. The reflector plate operatively can support the microphone and provides a doubling effect of infrasonic pressure at the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: Space Administration
    Inventors: Allan J. Zuckerwar, Qamar A. Shams
  • Patent number: 7949472
    Abstract: Method and system for rapid and accurate determination of each of a sequence of unknown polymer components, such as nucleic acid components. A self-assembling monolayer of a selected substance is optionally provided on an interior surface of a pipette tip, and the interior surface is immersed in a selected liquid. A selected electrical field is impressed in a longitudinal or transverse direction at the tip, a polymer sequence is passed through the tip, and a change in an electrical current signal is measured as each polymer component passes through the tip. Each measured change in electrical current signals is compared with a database of reference signals, with each reference signal identified with a polymer component, to identify the unknown polymer component. The tip preferably has a pore inner diameter of no more than about 40 nm and is prepared by heating and pulling a very small section of a glass tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Viktor Stolc, Mathew W. Brock
  • Publication number: 20110117690
    Abstract: A new fabrication method for nanovoids-imbedded bismuth telluride (Bi—Te) material with low dimensional (quantum-dots, quantum-wires, or quantum-wells) structure was conceived during the development of advanced thermoelectric (TE) materials. Bismuth telluride is currently the best-known candidate material for solid-state TE cooling devices because it possesses the highest TE figure of merit at room temperature. The innovative process described here allows nanometer-scale voids to be incorporated in Bi—Te material. The final nanovoid structure such as void size, size distribution, void location, etc. can be also controlled under various process conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicants: National Institute of Aerospace Associates, and Space Administration
    Inventors: Sang-Hyon Chu, Sang Hyouk Choi, Jae-Woo Kim, Yeonjoon Park, James R. Elliott, JR., Glen C. King, Diane M. Stoakley
  • Patent number: 7939734
    Abstract: Method and system for detecting presence of biomolecules in a selected subset, or in each of several selected subsets, in a fluid. Each of an array of two or more carbon nanotubes (“CNTs”) is connected at a first CNT end to one or more electronics devices, each of which senses a selected electrochemical signal that is generated when a target biomolecule in the selected subset becomes attached to a functionalized second end of the CNT, which is covalently bonded with a probe molecule. This approach indicates when target biomolecules in the selected subset are present and indicates presence or absence of target biomolecules in two or more selected subsets. Alternatively, presence of absence of an analyte can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
    Inventors: Jun Li, Meyya Meyyappan, Alan M. Cassell
  • Publication number: 20110105293
    Abstract: Metamaterials or artificial negative index materials (NIMs) have generated great attention due to their unique and exotic electromagnetic properties. One exemplary negative dielectric constant material, which is an essential key for creating the NIMs, was developed by doping ions into a polymer, a protonated poly(benzimidazole) (PBI). The doped PBI showed a negative dielectric constant at megahertz (MHz) frequencies due to its reduced plasma frequency and an induction effect. The magnitude of the negative dielectric constant and the resonance frequency were tunable by doping concentration. The highly doped FBI showed larger absolute magnitude of negative dielectric constant at just above its resonance frequency than the less doped PBI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics & Space Administration
    Inventors: Keith L. Gordon, Jin Ho Kang, Cheol Park, Peter T. Lillehei, Joycelyn S. Harrison
  • Patent number: 7935601
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that provides a self-aligned nitrogen-implant particularly suited for a Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) semiconductor device preferably comprised of a silicon carbide (SiC). This self-aligned nitrogen-implant allows for the realization of durable and stable electrical functionality of high temperature transistors such as JFETs. The method implements the self-aligned nitrogen-implant having predetermined dimensions, at a particular step in the fabrication process, so that the SiC junction field effect transistors are capable of being electrically operating continuously at 500° C. for over 10,000 hours in an air ambient with less than a 10% change in operational transistor parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Philip G. Neudeck
  • Patent number: 7935297
    Abstract: A method of forming an array of pointed structures comprises depositing a ferrofluid on a substrate, applying a magnetic field to the ferrofluid to generate an array of surface protrusions, and solidifying the surface protrusions to form the array of pointed structures. The pointed structures may have a tip radius ranging from approximately 10 nm to approximately 25 ?m. Solidifying the surface protrusions may be carried out at a temperature ranging from approximately 10 degrees C. to approximately 30 degrees C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Diane E. Pugel
  • Patent number: 7935259
    Abstract: A filtering apparatus comprises a microporous membrane and an actuator. The membrane is positioned to traverse across the hollow interior of a conduit used for the transport of molecules in bulk. In one example, the pores of the membrane comprise a plurality of open-ended carbon nanotubes. The actuator comprises a transducing material such as a polyvinyledene fluoride film that is operatively positioned in contact with the membrane and is capable of propagating acoustic vibration onto the membrane at a particular frequency so as to hasten the movement of the molecules through the membrane. Similarly, a method of filtering water comprises the steps of: (a) sifting molecules of water through the membrane, the pores of the membrane comprising a plurality of carbon nanotubes; and (b) propagating acoustic vibration onto the microporous membrane at a libration frequency of ice so as to hasten movement of the water molecules within the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Lillian Susan Gavalas
  • Patent number: 7935414
    Abstract: An electroactive material comprises multiple layers of electroactive composite with each layer having unique dielectric, electrical and mechanical properties that define an electromechanical operation thereof when affected by an external stimulus. For example, each layer can be (i) a 2-phase composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electomechanical operation, or (ii) a 3-phase composite having the elements of the 2-phase composite and further including a third component of micro-sized to nano-sized particles of an electroactive ceramic incorporated in the polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Zoubeida Ounaies, Cheol Park, Joycelyn S. Harrison, Nancy M. Holloway, Gregory K. Draughon
  • Patent number: 7933027
    Abstract: A computer implemented process for simultaneously measuring the velocity of terahertz electromagnetic radiation in a dielectric material sample without prior knowledge of the thickness of the sample and for measuring the thickness of a material sample using terahertz electromagnetic radiation in a material sample without prior knowledge of the velocity of the terahertz electromagnetic radiation in the sample is disclosed and claimed. Utilizing interactive software the process evaluates, in a plurality of locations, the sample for microstructural variations and for thickness variations and maps the microstructural and thickness variations by location. A thin sheet of dielectric material may be used on top of the sample to create a dielectric mismatch. The approximate focal point of the radiation source (transceiver) is initially determined for good measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Donald J Roth
  • Patent number: 7929144
    Abstract: A free-space optical path of an optical interferometer is disposed in an environment of interest. A light beam is guided to the optical interferometer using a single-mode optical fiber. The light beam traverses the interferometer's optical path. The light beam guided to the optical path is combined with the light beam at the end of the optical path to define an output light. A temporal history of the output light is recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Kurt A. Polzin, Valentin Korman, William K. Witherow, Adam Gail Hendrickson, John Elihu Sinko
  • Publication number: 20110086204
    Abstract: Surface energy of a substrate is changed without the need for any template, mask, or additional coating medium applied to the substrate. At least one beam of energy directly ablates a substrate surface to form a predefined topographical pattern at the surface. Each beam of energy has a width of approximately 25 micrometers and an energy of approximately 1-500 microJoules. Features in the topographical pattern have a width of approximately 1-500 micrometers and a height of approximately 1.4-100 micrometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: USA as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Christopher J. Wohl, JR., Marcus A. Belcher, John W. Connell, John W. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 7925600
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments an autonomic entity manages a system by generating one or more stay alive signals based on the functioning status and operating state of the system. In some embodiments, an evolvable synthetic neural system is operably coupled to one or more evolvable synthetic neural systems in a hierarchy. The evolvable neural interface receives and generates heartbeat monitor signals and pulse monitor signals that are used to generate a stay alive signal that is used to manage the operations of the synthetic neural system. In another embodiment an asynchronous Alice signal (Autonomic license) requiring valid credentials of an anonymous autonomous agent is initiated. An unsatisfactory Alice exchange may lead to self-destruction of the anonymous autonomous agent for self-protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael G. Hinchey, Roy Sterritt
  • Patent number: 7922920
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments a mass spectrometer micro-leak includes a number of channels fabricated by semiconductor processing tools and that includes a number of inlet holes that provide access to the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Dan N. Harpold, Hasso B. Niemann, Brian G. Jamieson, Bernard A. Lynch
  • Patent number: 7921731
    Abstract: A micro sized multi-axis semiconductor skin friction/wall shear stress induced by fluid flow. The sensor design includes a shear/strain transduction gimble connected to a force collecting plate located at the flow boundary surface. The shear force collecting plate is interconnected by an arm to offset the tortional hinges from the fluid flow. The arm is connected to the shear force collecting plate through dual axis torsional hinges with piezoresistive torsional strain gauges. These gauges are disposed on the tortional hinges and provide a voltage output indicative of applied shear stress acting on the force collection plate proximate the flow boundary surface. Offsetting the torsional hinges creates a force concentration and resolution structure that enables the generation of a large stress on the strain gauge from small shear stress, or small displacement of the collecting plate. The design also isolates the torsional sensors from exposure to the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Sateesh Bajikar, Michael A. Scott, Edward E. Adcock
  • Patent number: 7923715
    Abstract: A nonvolatile nanoionic switch is disclosed. A thin layer of chalcogenide glass engages a substrate and a metal selected from the group of silver and copper photo-dissolved in the chalcogenide glass. A first oxidizable electrode and a second inert electrode engage the chalcogenide glass and are spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween. A direct current voltage source is applied with positive polarity applied to the oxidizable electrode and negative polarity applied to the inert electrode which electrodeposits silver or copper across the gap closing the switch. Reversing the polarity of the switch dissolves the electrodeposited metal and returns it to the oxidizable electrode. A capacitor arrangement may be formed with the same structure and process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: James Nessel, Richard Lee