Author Description

For the past 42 years, NASA has made special efforts to ensure the widest possible dissemination of its research and technology developments. We share the wealth of technology developed for our missions with the nation's industries to contribute to U.S. economic strength and quality of life. For the past 27 years, this publication has provided you with over 1,200 examples of products and services developed as a direct result of commercial partnerships between NASA and the business community. Examples have covered products from fire retardant materials and air pollution monitors to non-invasive cardiac monitors and sensors for environmental control. Research and development across a broad range of technology disciplines, such as micro-devices, fiber optics, lasers, enhanced imaging, and data communication, have generated technologies applicable to many commercial products we have used for our benefit. The NASA Commercial Technology Network is an excellent vehicle for easy access to use of these technologies. The application of NASA technologies by the private sector increases productivity by contributing to the development of new products and services that meet consumer demands, benefit the national economy, and enhance human health and quality of life. At the same time, application of NASA technology helps the U.S. meet international competitive challenges and stay at the leading edge of technical innovation. The return benefits-spinoffs-represent a significant dividend to the taxpayer and the nation's investment in aerospace research. Spinoff 2000 is an instrument of the NASA Commercial Technology program and documents the outcome of our spinoff successes. It is a true measurement of NASA's commitment to transfer as many technologies to the private sector as possible. In the Technology Transfer and Outreach section of Spinoff 2000, we highlight the activities of our Ames Research Center's Commercial Technology Office (CTO). Their efforts to facilitate and support t