Spinoff 2008 Highlights NASA Innovations In Everyday Life
October 10, 2008 — Richard Cochrane
50 NASA SPARKED INNOVATIONS LISTED
NASA is 50 years old and in celebration of entering middle age it has published 50 new examples of how its technology is being put to use in everyday life. Innovations have resulted in healthcare advances, transportation breakthroughs, public safety benefits, new consumer goods, environmental protection, computer technology and industrial productivity.
Benefits described in Spinoff 2008, include:
- Advanced polymer coatings for implantable devices to help avert heart failure
- Robotic technology used for minimally invasive knee surgery
- Space suit-derived textiles to help protect firefighters and race car drivers
- Drag reduction research applied to record-breaking swimsuit development
- Astronaut food supplements in worldwide use to improve baby formula
- Carbon nanomesh technology applied to filtering safe drinking water
- Rocket engine valve technology reducing emissions for power generation.
Spinoff 2008 also profiles NASA research and development activities, education efforts, and partnership successes. The publication provides reference information and resources available through the agency’s Innovative Partnerships Program.
NASA’s Innovative Partnerships Program produces the NASA Spinoff series. The program fosters technology partnerships, commercialization and innovation in support of NASA’s overall mission and national priorities.
Go to http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/
