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By S. Jenise Veris

Guided by NASA's quest for exploration, Glenn Research Center (GSC) researchers have developed technologies that will not only address the needs of the nation's goals for space exploration, but also improve the quality of life on Earth. Four GRC-developed technologies are among the world's Top 100 technologies recognized with an R&D 100 Award—commonly referred to as an Oscar of Invention—determined by a panel of outside experts and the editors of R&D 100 magazine. Congratulations to the following GSC winners:

• Drs. Mary Ann Meador and James Kinder, Materials Division, developed a family of polymers called rod-coil block copolymers to improve ionic conductivity for lithium polymer batteries. The rod portion provides mechanical integrity, while the coil acts as a carrier for a variety of ions. These polymers offer cost-saving features widely recognized for practical applications of lithium polymer batteries, such as mobile phones and credit cards, or protons used in fuel cells. They also offer lower manufacturing costs and increase battery safety to meet future aerospace application requirements, e.g., planetary orbiters; landers and rovers; low Earth orbiting spacecraft; astronaut equipment; and reusable launch vehicles. Space Act Agreements with Eveready Battery Company and Ferro Corporation are ongoing to commercialize this material.

• Most fire detectors sense smoke particles; which occasionally may be fooled by dust and other tiny airborne particles, thereby leading to false alarms. A new sensor-based system developed at GRC is so sensitive that it may reduce false alarm rates in commercial airliners, with adaptability for the International Space Station. Dr. Gary Hunter, Sensors and Electronics Branch, leads the team that used microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) expertise to develop a new, multi-sensor system that includes miniaturized carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide sensors, a smoke particle detector, and integrated software to effectively recognize the presence of fire while screening out false alarms.

• NESSUS (Numerical Evaluation of Stochastic Structures Under Stress) is a modular computer software system that combines state-of-the-art probabilistic algorithms with general-purpose numerical analysis methods to compute engine response and reliability. Initially developed for NASA by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), the software system was significantly enhanced by support from a number of organizations, including NASA GRC, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Mustard Seed Software. GRC's Dr. Shantaram Pai, Structures, Mechanics and Dynamics Branch, was technically responsible for developing the probabilistic heat transfer module integrated into the system. Pai also managed the integration of nine other NASA-developed modules into NESSUS, enabling the analysis of a diverse range of problems such as aerospace and automotive structures, biomechanics, gas turbine engines, geomechanics, rotordynamics, and more.

• Dr. Mrityunjay "Jay" Singh and Tarah Shpargel, QSS/Ceramics Branch, were among 200 GRC employees who devoted extraordinary effort to aid NASA's successful return to flight. Singh led the development and efforts to manufacture the Glenn refractory adhesive for bonding and exterior repair (GRABER) material that was a candidate for the on-orbit repair kit. GRABER has since been tested as an adhesive or sealant in several other repair concepts being explored in the Thermal Protection System Repair Research and Development Program. This is Singh's fourth R&D 100 Award—an exceptional effort and distinctive record.