NASA iTech in the News

With passenger numbers globally projected to grow by more than 6 billion by 2030, the threat from human-borne illness will likewise increase. The GermFalcon: a sanitizing robotic device will instantly kill pathogens on airplane surfaces and in the surrounding air by using ultraviolet-C (UVC) light.

Bacteria adhere to surfaces in aqueous environments by excreting a slimy, glue-like substance – a biofilm – anchoring them to materials such as metals, plastics and inert, nano and organic surfaces. Inside the human body, biofilms threaten medical implants and a variety of healthy tissues.

Wireless charging pads buried just under roadway pavement could provide as much as 10% battery boost while vehicles are idling in traffic or waiting at stoplights. Eventually, the charging pads could also convey charge even during routine travel.

Among the most significant hazards confronting space explorers is ionizing radiation that wreaks havoc on human cells and tissues. Liberty BioSecurity LLC has devised compounds that enable the human body to resist damage and, where necessary, effect repair.

FGC Plasma's solution to more stable combustion is to rework injector designs. Their approach increases flame stability even as the fuel-to-air ratio is decreased. Burning at lower fuel to air ratios allows for lower emissions as well as decreased fuel burn at low power settings.

University of Houston Cullen School of Engineering Assistant Professor Hadi Ghasemi and his research team have devised a new adaptive anti-icing material. Application of the new material prevents ice adhesion, and can be sprayed or bushed on any surface.