Southwest Research Institute assistance to NASA in biomedical areas of the technology

Significant applications of aerospace technology were achieved. These applications include: a miniaturized, noninvasive system to telemeter electrocardiographic signals of heart transplant patients during their recuperative period as graded situations are introduced; and economical vital signs monitor for use in nursing homes and rehabilitation hospitals to indicate the onset of respiratory arrest; an implantable telemetry system to indicate the onset of the rejection phenomenon in animals undergoing cardiac transplants; an exceptionally accurate current proportional temperature controller for pollution studies; an automatic, atraumatic blood pressure measurement device; materials for protecting burned areas in contact with joint bender splints; a detector to signal the passage of animals by a given point during ecology studies; and special cushioning for use with below-knee amputees to protect the integrity of the skin at the stump/prosthesis interface

California Methanol Assessment; Volume II, Technical Report

A joint effort by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the California Institute of Technology Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has brought together sponsors from both the public and private sectors for an analysis of the prospects for methanol use as a fuel in California, primarily for the transportation and stationary application sectors. Increasing optimism in 1982 for a slower rise in oil prices and a more realistic understanding of the costs of methanol production have had a negative effect on methanol viability in the near term (before the year 2000). Methanol was determined to have some promise in the transportation sector, but is not forecasted for large-scale use until beyond the year 2000. Similarly, while alternative use of methanol can have a positive effect on air quality (reducing NOx, SOx, and other emissions), a best case estimate is for less than 4% reduction in peak ozone by 2000 at realistic neat methanol vehicle adoption rates. Methanol is not likely to be a viable fuel in the stationary application sector because it cannot compete economically with conventional fuels except in very limited cases. On the production end, it was determined that methanol produced from natural gas will continue to dominate supply options through the year 2000, and the present and planned industry capacity is somewhat in excess of all projected needs. Nonsubsidized coal-based methanol cannot compete with conventional feedstocks using current technology, but coal-based methanol has promise in the long term (after the year 2000), providing that industry is willing to take the technical and market risks and that government agencies will help facilitate the environment for methanol. Given that the prospects for viable major markets (stationary applications and neat fuel in passenger cars) are unlikely in the 1980s and early 1990s, the next steps for methanol are in further experimentation and research of production and utilization technologies, expanded use as an octane enhancer, and selected fleet implementation. In the view of the study, it is not advantageous at this time to establish policies within California that attempt to expand methanol use rapidly as a neat fuel for passenger cars or to induce electric utility use of methanol on a widespread basis

Case Study - Climate Change and Water Resources: A Primer for Municipal Water Providers

This case study summarizes the best available scientific evidence on climate change for water utility managers, including both natural changes and changes that may be caused by human activities. The document suggests the types of impacts climate change can have on water resources and provides guidance on planning and adaptation strategies useful to managers. To plan effectively for the future, utilities should assess the potential impacts of a range of plausible climate change scenarios on their ability to meet customer needs and comply with quality standards and environmental objectives in a cost-effective manner. Educational levels: Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Graduate or professional

Southwest Research Institute assistance to NASA in biomedical areas of the technology utilization program Final report, 1 Feb. 1969 - 24 Aug. 1970

Research progress in technology transfer by NASA Biomedical Application Tea

Southwest Research Institute assistance to NASA in biomedical areas of the Technology Utilization program

Technology utilization in biomedical areas, particularly for infants and handicapped person

An Analysis of Solar Panel Assembly as a Prison Industry

An analysis of the effect of manufacturing solar collectors by California prison inmates is presented. It was concluded that the concept is feasible and would have little adverse effect on the private sector's solar industry

The preservation of the John A. Kerr building

The Kerr Building, located in Cotulla, Texas, was built in 1883 by John A. Kerr and was the first commercial brick building constructed in the town. Originally housing a wholesale and general store, the building was converted to a bank in 1907. The bank remained until its liquidation in 1935, after which another general store was established in the building, followed by an auto store. Despite its history and prime location, currently the building remains unused. The building suffers from interior deterioration of wood floors, painted pressed metal ceilings and walls, and severely deteriorated wood window and door frames. Additionally, cement stucco was used to coat the entire building between 1907 and 1916. This cement stucco presents problems of historical integrity, as well as other potential issues as the cement stucco exhibits cracking. This report provides a historical record of the John A. Kerr Building. Broader histories of Cotulla, prominent residents, and of nineteenth century architecture in Texas provide a historical context for the building. Additionally, condition assessments in the form of annotated elevations indicate deterioration of the exterior. Some interior deterioration is also briefly discussed in the report. This report also discusses mechanisms of deterioration and provides treatment recommendations.Architectur

Publications of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1977

This bibliography cites 900 externally distributed technical reports released during calendar year 1977, that resulted from scientific and engineering work performed, or managed, by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Report topics cover 81 subject areas related in some way to the various NASA programs. The publications are indexed by: (1) author, (2) subject, and (3) publication type and number. A descriptive entry appears under the name of each author of each publication; an abstract is included with the entry for the primary (first-listed) author

Should we have a new engine? An automobile power systems evaluation. Volume 2: Technical reports

Alternative automotive powerplants were examined for possible introduction during the 1980-1990 time period. Technical analyses were made of the Stratified-Charge Otto, Diesel, Rankine (steam), Brayton (gas turbine), Stirling, Electric, and Hybrid powerplants as alternatives to the conventional Otto-cycle engine with its likely improvements. These alternatives were evaluated from a societal point of view in terms of energy consumption, urban air quality, cost to the consumer, materials availability, safety, and industry impact. The results show that goals for emission reduction and energy conservation for the automobile over the next 5-10 years can be met by improvements to the Otto-cycle engine and to the vehicle. This provides time for the necessary development work on the Brayton and Stirling engines, which offer the promise of eliminating the automobile as a significant source of urban air pollution, dramatically reducing fuel consumption, and being saleable at a price differential which can be recovered in fuel savings by the first owner. Specifically, the Brayton and Stirling engines require intensive component, system, and manufacturing process development at a funding level considerably higher than at present