The Multidimensional Contact Angle Measurement Device (MCAMD) instantly measures the contact angles of a liquid on a solid surface, revealing critical information on wetting and spreading characteristics of liquids. This measuring technique shows that evaporation and thermocapillary convection greatly affect the spreading process. Not only can the MCAMD measure the instant contact angles and the rate, direction, and other characteristics of liquid spreading, it can visualize flow phenomena without needing microparticle tracers. The technology can be used to improve the performance of paints, adhesives, and lubricants, as well as boiling heat transfer processes.

Innovators at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) have patented innovative heat pipe systems that utilize new working fluids to provide much higher pumping capability over long distances and substantially improve the thermal efficiency of heat pipe systems. Traditional heat pipes employ working fluids that possess a negative gradient of surface tension against temperature and suffer from reduced transport capabilities when the condenser is located below the evaporator section in a gravitational field, or when the heat pipes are used in low-gravity conditions. Heat transport is reduced in these systems because the liquid moves towards the region of lower temperature, preventing the liquid from spreading on the heated portion of the pipes, which can also result in unstable operation. GRC’s system overcomes this constraint through the use of new working fluids containing alcohol. The surface tension-temperature gradient of the GRC working fluids turns positive as the temperature exceeds a certain value, effectively increasing the boiling limit of the heat pipes and broadening their applicability to more widespread operating conditions, particularly microgravity conditions.
 

Innovators at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) have patented a novel light-filtering technique that increases the practicality of optical sensors by increasing their signal-to-noise ratio to improve signal detection. The innovation is comprised of an optical filter featuring a dielectric waveguide layer that receives incident light and supports waveguide modes at specific wavelengths. An adjacent sensor layer can absorb optical energy and generate an electrical signal that corresponds to the intensity of incident light received within the wavelength interval. This technique can be used to produce an integrated optical sensor on a chip, making it readily practical for many optical sensing applications. Prior methods often used optical filters that exhibit as much as 50 percent energy loss. In addition, optical fibers are commonly used to transmit the radiation to a remote detector, increasing signal noise and overall system complexity. Compared with existing methods, GRC’s technique offers a streamlined, highly sensitive method of filtering light that can also discriminate between wavelengths without the need for additional filtering components.

Innovators at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) have patented a novel device that generates broad-spectrum electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. Scalable for a wide range of lighting applications, the innovation employs cathode-luminescence emission to generate intense white light. Cathode luminescence occurs when a covalent or ionic material is exposed to energetic particle (typically electron) flux. Electron excitation and subsequent de-excitation produces light emission. With low incident electron energies, this emission is often low, so high-energy electrons are often used. GRC’s method sidesteps the need for high-energy electrons by utilizing a magnetic cusp that channels electrons from a plasma source into the substrate that subsequently emits the light. This enables production of light that is acceptable to the eye, without a high operating temperature. The device is also solid state, offering a longer lifetime than filament-based or high-pressure discharge light sources.

Innovators at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) have patented a method and device that produces an ionic and atomic oxygen-based gas stream capable of removing organic matter from substrates such as historic paintings or fragile equipment. Removal of contaminants from sensitive surfaces traditionally has been a very time-consuming and intricate process in which errors can be devastating. Previous methods used in this cleaning process included using swabs containing potentially toxic solvents, the labor-intensive use of sharp instruments, and laser ablation methods. All of these pose significant potential for damage to the pigment or structure of underlying delicate surfaces. Contrasted with these methods, GRC’s device enables more precise removal of aged varnish and other contaminants in an effective way that provides a higher degree of integrity for the underlying surface. The innovation provides a stream or beam of ionic and atomic oxygen in an inert gas at atmospheric pressure which, using a simple hand-held wand or brush, can be directed at a surface and guided to wherever it is desired to remove organic contaminants or to etch a surface. To generate the atomic and ionic oxygen beam, a gaseous stream of oxygen in a carrier gas (such as helium) contacts a weak plasma or arc, generated by a high-voltage direct current applied across a pair of electrodes. In contrast to prior methods that use an alternating current to generate plasma, the ionic stream produced is directed away from the electrodes with a curved structure to accelerate the ionic stream and thus minimize neutralization at the cathode.