NASA Spinoff 2012: Health and Medicine, Transportation, Public Safety, Consumer Goods, Energy and Environment, Information Technology, Industrial Productivity

NASA continues to be an investment in the future of American innovation. As a nation of explorers and trailblazers, we lead the world in space, achieving breakthroughs that make our challenging missions possible, all the while pushing the boundaries of frontiers in aviation, space travel, and science. NASA's renewed focus on technology development and the capabilities to reach higher in the future is yielding real dividends as we find new uses for exploration technology on our home planet. Every dollar spent on space exploration is spent here on Earth, and in the case of our spinoff technologies, those benefits continue to multiply. Entrepreneurs and researchers are continuously developing new ways to improve life around the world by building on our ongoing work to send humans to new destinations, launch scientific spacecraft for breathtaking discoveries, and improve our Nation's air travel system.

Each year in Spinoff, we tell some of the amazing stories that have come about from NASA technologies being adapted for uses on Earth. Among the many incredible examples this year are: An invisible coating, developed by a NASA Dual-Use Technology partner and tested at NASA facilities, that is capable of breaking down pollutants, eliminating odors, and inhibiting the buildup of grime. The technology's many applications include enhancing the efficiency of solar cells, sanitizing air in the homes of those suffering from cystic fibrosis, and even transforming buildings and towering modern art sculptures into massive air purifiers.

Foreword * Introduction * Spinoffs in Manufacturing * Executive Summary * NASA Technologies Benefiting Society * Aeronautics and Space Activities * Education News * Partnership News * Award-Winning Technologies * Space Technology for Tomorrow * Health and Medicine * Water Treatment Technologies Inspire Healthy Beverages * Dietary Formulas Fortify Antioxidant Supplements * Rovers Pave the Way for Hospital Robots * Dry Electrodes Facilitate Remote Health Monitoring * Telescope Innovations Improve Speed, Accuracy of Eye Surgery * Superconductors Enable Lower Cost MRI Systems * Transportation * Anti-Icing Formulas Prevent Train Delays * Shuttle Repair Tools Automate Vehicle Maintenance * Pressure-Sensitive Paints Advance Rotorcraft Design Testing * Speech Recognition Interfaces Improve Flight Safety * Polymers Advance Heat Management Materials for Vehicles * Wireless Sensors Pinpoint Rotorcraft Troubles * Public Safety * Ultrasonic Detectors Safely Identify Dangerous, Costly Leaks * Detectors Ensure Function, Safety of Aircraft Wiring * Emergency Systems Save Tens of Thousands of Lives * Oxygen Assessments Ensure Safer Medical Devices * Collaborative Platforms Aid Emergency Decision Making * Consumer Goods * Space-Inspired Trailers Encourage Exploration on Earth * Ultra-Thin Coatings Beautify Art * Spacesuit Materials Add Comfort to Undergarments * Gigapixel Images Connect Sports Teams with Fans * Satellite Maps Deliver More Realistic Gaming * Elemental Scanning Devices Authenticate Works of Art * Energy and Environment * Microradiometers Reveal Ocean Health, Climate Change * Sensors Enable Plants to Text Message Farmers * Efficient Cells Cut the Cost of Solar Power * Shuttle Topography Data Inform Solar Power Analysis * Photocatalytic Solutions Create Self-Cleaning Surfaces * Concentrators Enhance Solar Power Systems * Innovative Coatings Potentially Lower Facility Maintenance Costs * Information Technology * Simulation Packages Expand Aircraft Design Options * Web Solutions Inspire Cloud Computing Software * Behavior Prediction Tools Strengthen Nanoelectronics * Power Converters Secure Electronics in Harsh Environments * Diagnostics Tools Identify Faults Prior to Failure * Archiving Innovations Preserve Essential Historical Records * Industrial Productivity