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