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In this year 1999, we find ourselves
on the threshold of a new century with its exciting discoveries
to come and challenges to meet. Clearly in the last decades of
this century, some of our most significant achievements in industry
and our lifestyle have been brought about by new technology.
We can expect this trend to continue and perhaps accelerate.
Because of the great scientific and technical challenges of
NASA missions, the demands of our programs result in many new
technological discoveries. Meeting the NASA aeronautical and
space goals has necessitated cutting-edge technical advances
across a broad spectrum that embraces virtually every scientific
and technological discipline.
As in previous years, we are proud to present Spinoff 1999
as one demonstration of the successful transfer of NASA technology,
resulting in products and services that benefit you, members
of your family, and your business or industry.
Research and development in such fields as advanced sensors,
new materials, enhanced digital imaging techniques, advanced
power systems--to name a few--have generated technology for decades.
That technology is available to U.S. commercial industry through
a vast electronic marketplace, easily accessible via NASA TechTracS
on the NASA Commercial Technology Internet site <http://www.nctn.hq.nasa.gov>.
Multiple uses of NASA technology have never been easier and
more in line with industry needs and practices. U.S. industry,
by working in partnership with NASA during the development phase
of new technology, can speed the application of that technology
to new products and services, thereby reducing time to market
and public availability. Moreover, dual-use of NASA technology
offers a less costly, complementary means of bringing new products
to market.
More than 1,200 Spinoff products and processes have emerged
from the multiple uses of technology needed for NASA missions.
Each has contributed some measure of benefit to the national
economy, productivity, or quality of life--some with moderate
contributions, but many with benefits of significant order and
considerable economic value.
This NASA mission to share the wealth of our technology with
the public sector is accomplished through the Commercial Technology
program. It is our aim to broadly apply technical knowledge.
Consequently, the vast storehouse of NASA technology is a national
resource bank available for commercial "spinoff" applications.
This publication is a yearly report to the public, which documents
successful outcomes of our program. It is intended to enhance
the awareness of the technology that was used by NASA and business,
and of the potential for public benefit. As the past successes
have been significant, we look forward to an even brighter and
more fruitful result. We invite you to share in these recent
results.
Spinoff 1999 is organized into three sections: 1) Aerospace
Research and Development highlights major research and
development efforts currently carried out at the 10 NASA field
centers, which could result in future commercial products; 2)
Technology Transfer and Commercialization features this
year's center highlight, NASA's John H. Glenn Research Center
at Lewis Field and its commercialization efforts, as well as
the mechanisms in place nationwide to assist U.S. industry in
obtaining, transferring, and applying NASA technology, expertise,
and assistance; 3) Commercial Benefits Spinoffs
describes recent successes in industry in the development
of commercially available products and services resulting from
the transfer of NASA technology.
Dr. Robert L. Norwood
Director, Commercial
Technology Division
National Aeronautics and Space
Administration
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