Hello Colleagues:
The following NASA Tech Briefs includes an article on Shape Memory
Alloys. These have been formed into various sizes of actuators. The complete
NASA Tech Brief is below.
Regards,
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: <nasatechbriefs@LISTSERV.ABPI.NET>
To: <INSIDER@LISTSERV.ABPI.NET>
Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:00 AM
Subject: Tech Briefs INSIDER 03/31/09
> In this edition, sponsored by Galil Motion Control and IBM:
>
> * Nanotechology Boosts Battery Energy Density
> * Techs of the Week: Shape-Memory Alloys, Powder Coating
> * Biasable Subharmonic Membrane Mixer for 520-600 GHz
> * Membrane Finish Improves Fuel Cell Performance
> * Meet NTB's New Advertisers for April
> * Question of the Week: Should Oil Drilling in the Arctic Be Restricted?
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> Sponsor Message
>
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> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> NANOTECH BATTERIES
> Researchers at the Maryland Nano Center at the University of Maryland have
> developed new systems to store electrical energy derived from alternative
> sources that are, in some cases, ten times more efficient than what is
> commercially available. The nanotechnology-based batteries will provide
> the
> needed energy density, high power, and fast recharge conventional
> batteries
> cannot currently provide.
>
> Led by Professor Gary Rubloff and his collaborator, Professor Sang Bok
> Lee,
> the researchers used nanotechnology to enhance the performance of
> electrical
> energy storage devices called electrostatic nanocapacitors. The scientists
> created millions of identical nanostructures with shapes tailored to
> transport energy as electrons move rapidly to and from very large surface
> areas where they are stored. The devices increase energy storage density
> by a
> factor of 10 over that of commercially available devices, without
> sacrificing
> the high power commercial batteries characteristically offer.
>
> Lee and Rubloff said they are developing the technology for mass
> production
> as layers of devices that could look like thin panels, similar to
> solar panels or flat panel displays. Multiple energy storage panels would
> stack inside a car battery system or solar panel.
>
> Learn more at: http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A2
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> Sponsor Message
>
> Reduce IT Costs, Significantly Increase Performance, Save Energy
>
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> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> TECHS OF THE WEEK
> A Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology can provide the same mechanical
> movement and required forces of an electromagnetic actuator but in a more
> compact form, while removing the need for motors, gearing, or springs.
> When
> tested in the automotive sector, this SMA technology has shown a weight
> reduction of up to 50 percent, a space reduction of up to 70 percent, and
> a cost reduction of up to 30 percent, compared to traditional
> electromagnetic actuators. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A4
>
> A technology enables polymers with a superior narrow molecular weight
> distribution to be used in powder coatings. The resin creates a very
> uniform
> finish. This technology is applicable to a wide array of resins, utilizing
> carefully selected control points of composition, temperature, and
> pressure
> in a supercritical fluid to achieve the desired molecular weight and the
> very narrow distribution. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A5
>
> The Technologies of the Week describe inventions offered for license
> through the yet2.com marketplace. Visit their site at
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A6 to search over $2.5 billion of
> licensable technologies.
>
>
> TECH BRIEFS
> A biasable subharmonic mixer is designed to operate in the frequency range
> from 520 to 600 GHz. This mixer is a prototype of low-power mixers needed
> for developing wide-band, high-resolution spectrometers to measure the
> spectra of molecules in the atmospheres of Earth, other planets, and
> comets
> in the frequency range of 400 to 700 GHz. Much of the mixer circuitry is
> fabricated in the form of a monolithic integrated circuit on a GaAs
> membrane. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A7
>
> View more Electronics Tech Briefs at:
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A8 .
> Sponsored online by Digi-Key Corp.
>
> A method to improve the performance of a fuel cell containing a polymer-
> electrolyte membrane (PEM) is based on the concept of roughening the
> surface
> of the PEM, prior to deposition of a thin layer of catalyst. The
> roughening
> is done by means of laser ablation under carefully controlled conditions.
> Next, the roughened membrane surface is coated with the thin layer of
> catalyst, and then sandwiched between two electrode/catalyst structures to
> form a membrane/electrode assembly.
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A9
>
> View more Manufacturing & Prototyping Tech Briefs at:
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A10 .
>
>
> CURRENT ATTRACTIONS
> This preview lets you "meet" the first-time advertisers appearing in NTB
> and its supplements. Here's a glimpse at the products, services, and
> offers available from first-time advertisers in the April issue of NTB:
>
> Air Logic, a division of Fred Knapp Engraving Company (Racine, WI) designs
> and manufactures a comprehensive line of pneumatic components, including
> pressure regulators, modular manifolds, switches, quick-disconnects, and
> plastic fittings. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A11
>
> Crystal Systems (Salem, MA) produces large size, high quality sapphire
> crystals for optics and electronics, sapphire for lasers, and silicon
> for photovoltaics. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A12
>
> Denton Vacuum USA (Moorestown, NJ) designs and manufactures systems to
> deposit ultra-thin metallic and dielectric coatings in industrial and
> research applications, including optics, semiconductors, electro-optics,
> displays, medical devices, and telecommunications.
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A13
>
> Midwest Motion Products (Minnesota, MN) offers DC gear motors, actuators,
> DC power supplies, motor controls, and servo amplifiers.
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A14
>
> Mohr & Associates (Richland, WA) offers sensor technologies and consulting
> services. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A15
>
> MPL (Dattwil, Switzerland) designs and manufactures embedded PC and
> microcontroller hardware for rugged environments, extended temperature
> ranges, and with long-term availability.
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A24
>
> O'Keefe Controls Co. (Monroe, CT) designs and manufactures precision
> orifices for accurate metering of liquids or gases, in-line screens for
> small orifices, and pneumatic sensors for industrial control.
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A16
>
> Rocky Mountain Instrument Co. (Lafayette, CO) supplies custom manufactured
> electro-optical systems, optics, coatings, and assemblies.
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A25
>
> Taylor Devices Inc. (North Tonawanda, NY ) offers a variety of shock
> control products including shock absorbers, fluid dampers, shock
> isolators,
> liquid springs, vibration isolators and actuators, acoustic mountings, and
> active control systems. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A17
>
> UCSB Extension (Santa Barbara, CA), the continuing education unit of the
> University of California at Santa Barbara, will hold its 42nd annual short
> course on modern infrared detectors and system applications, from June 15
> through 19. http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A18
>
> VPT Inc. (Everett, WA) provides high density, low profile, lightweight
> DC-DC converters, EMI filters, and custom engineering services for
> military, aerospace, space, and industrial applications.
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A19
>
>
> BLOGGING AND TWEETING WITH NTB
> NASA Tech Briefs INSIDER blog, updated regularly by NASA Tech Briefs'
> editors, analyzes and comments on product and technology news and issues
> of
> interest to design engineers. You can view the blog at:
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A20
>
> In addition, NASA Tech Briefs now has its own Twitter account. We'll be
> regularly "tweeting" about engineering and design solutions, breaking
> technology news, upcoming webinars and events, and more.
>
> Click here to follow us: http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A21
>
>
> QUESTION OF THE WEEK
> Last week's question concerned the legend of Atlantis. Last month, Google
> Earth images showed what appeared to be a grid of streets on the ocean
> floor
> about 600 miles off the coast of Africa, igniting speculation that the
> legendary continent of Atlantis might have finally surfaced, so to speak.
> The fact that Google dismissed the curious grid pattern as nothing more
> than
> an anomaly caused by the data collection process only revived
> long-standing
> speculation over the lost continent described by the Greek philosopher
> Plato. We asked readers if the continent of Atlantis really existed.
> Sixty-
> four percent of you said yes and 36 percent said no. Here's more of what
> you
> had to say:
>
> "The most plausible explanation I've heard is that Plato was translating
> an
> old Egyptian description of the Minoan culture on the island of Thera
> (Santorini). There are two different ancient Egyptian number glyphs that
> look extremely similar, but are several orders of magnitude apart. Plato
> simply misread the smaller one as the larger one, which gave him the size
> of an island physically too large to fit in the Mediterranean Sea, hence
> he concluded it had to be in the Atlantic." Don
>
> "Atlantis most likely existed and is now being covered up like the
> findings
> on Mars. Features on Mars' Cydonia like the face, pyramids, the city, and
> transparent tubes similar to subways have been written off as artifacts of
> the cameras used to photograph them." Richard M
>
> "Given the alleged age of this planet and the relatively miniscule length
> of
> time we (man) have been around, it seems rather arrogant to believe we are
> the first intelligent society on this planet. It seems entirely plausible
> an
> intelligent society could have existed, say, 20,000 to 100,000 years ago
> and
> still be completely undiscovered to this day." Dark1rep
>
> This week's question concerns oil drilling in the Arctic region. Twenty
> years
> ago, Exxon's supertanker Valdez ran aground on Bligh Reef in Prince
> William
> Sound on Alaska's southern coast, spilling some 11 million gallons of
> crude
> oil onto the shorelines, which caused extensive environmental damage and a
> massive loss of fish and wildlife. Traces of the spill remain along the
> Alaskan coast. Some policy makers and environmental groups are calling for
> creating 'no-go zones' in the Arctic banning oil and gas drilling, because
> the region remains vulnerable to additional oil spills. What do you think?
> Should stringent oil and gas drilling regulations be implemented in the
> Arctic? Yes or no? Submit your answer and post your comments at:
> http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A22 .
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> ADVERTISEMENT
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> Event Alert
>
> NASA SHOWCASE AT 2009 NAVY OPPORTUNITY FORUM:
> June 8-10
> Crystal City, VA
>
> NASA SHOWCASE AT 2009 NAVY OPPORTUNITY FORUM: This year's Navy Opportunity
> Forum on June 8-10 in Crystal City, VA, features a NASA Showcase
> highlighting 25 aeronautics and space communication Small Business
> Innovation Research (SBIR)-funded technologies developed by small
> businesses.
> NASA Glenn Research Center has entered into an agreement with the Navy to
> assist SBIR Phase 2 companies with identifying Phase 3 opportunities. The
> effort will demonstrate accelerated utilization of technologies funded by
> Glenn in the aeronautics and space communications areas. For more
> information, visit http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20090331A23
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> - Spencer Chin, Senior Editor
>
>
> Send your comments to me at: feedback@abpi.net
>
>
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> Copyright (c) 2009 Tech Briefs Media Group.
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