Automated potentiometric electrolyte analysis system

The feasibility is demonstrated of utilizing chemical sensing electrode technology as the basis for an automatically-controlled system for blood gas and electrolyte analyses under weightlessness conditions. The specific measurements required were pH, pCO2, sodium, chloride, potassium ions, and ionized calcium. The general electrode theory, and ion activity measurements are described along with the fluid transport package, electronics unit, and controller for the automated potentiometric analysis system

Analysis of commercial equipment and instrumentation for Spacelab payloads. Volume 3: Design analysis and trade studies

A detailed analysis is presented of each selected equipment item, and suitability and cost analyses were documented by equipment item. Tradeoffs of alternative specification requirements are presented which include possible relaxation of vibration, material control, fungus and corrosion requirements for experiment equipment. An additional tradeoff was performed to determine whether it is cost effective to modify experiment equipment to be compatible with a 28-volt dc power source rather than the conventional 110-volt ac source. Programmatic analysis data are given which were used as the basis for the extension of results from the analyses of specific equipment items to the entire spacelab experiment program

Review of biological mechanisms for application to instrument design, volume V

Review of biological photoreception, mechanoreception, chemoreception, and electrosensing mechanisms for application to instrument desig

5 European & African Conference on Wind Engineering

The 5th European-African Conference of Wind Engineering is hosted in Florence, Tuscany, the city and the region where, in the early 15th century, pioneers moved the first steps, laying down the foundation stones of Mechanics and Applied Sciences (including fluid mechanics). These origins are well reflected by the astonishing visionary and revolutionary studies of Leonardo Da Vinci, whose kaleidoscopic genius intended the human being to become able to fly even 500 years ago… This is why the Organising Committee has decided to pay tribute to such a Genius by choosing Leonardo's "flying sphere" as the brand of 5th EACWE

NASTRAN: Users' experiences

The proceedings of a conference on NASA Structural Analysis (NASTRAN) to analyze the experiences of users of the program are presented. The subjects discussed include the following: (1) statics and buckling, (2) vibrations and dynamics, (3) substructing, (4) new capability, (5) user's experience, and (6) system experience. Specific applications of NASTRAN to spacecraft, aircraft, nuclear power plants, and materials tests are reported

NASA Tech Briefs, July 2002

Topics include: a technology focus sensors, software, electronic components and systems, materials, mechanics, machinery/automation, manufacturing, bio-medical, physical sciences, information sciences, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs

Design & analysis of acoustically improved vehicle floor carpets

The main objective of this research project is to design, develop and validate an innovative vehicle floor carpet system with improved acoustic performance, and thus reduce noise levels inside the vehicle cabins. The proposed solutions are expected to improve vehicle floor carpet product in areas of acoustic performance, cost, weight and waste reduction, to be environmentally friendly and sustainable in manufacturing. The following are main research outcomes of the project. • Acoustically improved vehicle floor carpet with higher sound transmission loss and in-cabin sound absorption coefficient, compared to current production carpet designs. • Vehicle floor carpet designs that introduce minimum weight and cost penalty for the acoustic performance improvement obtained. • Material database, i.e. measured acoustic parameters for mathematical modelling, of different vehicle carpet layers. • Virtual modelling and validation method for design evaluation at component and vehicle levels. • In-situ vehicle on-road validation test methods for carpet designs • Optimization methods for further improving the design The following are identified as recommendations for future design work in improving vehicle carpet acoustics. • Introducing air-gaps in the range of 10mm in between the heavy layers by use of a honey-comb structure improves the transmission loss by up to 20dB in the frequency range of 1kHz – 2kHz, and up to 10dB in the frequency range of 500Hz – 1kHz, and achieves the best sound transmission loss in these frequency ranges. • The introduction of honey-comb structure as an air-gap structure does not add any over-head in terms of weight or thickness, compared to foam, nor affects the total absorption of the carpet system. • Special tuned absorber layers like the perforated facing foam Helmholtz resonator and the corrugated foil faced foam membrane absorbers are excellent in extending the noise reduction frequency ranges to specific low frequency ranges of interest