VOL. 10 ISSUE: 1 December 2014 SATOP

SATOP Supplies Sensational Sensor to Ampcare, LLC

SATOP Alliance Partner Designs Multi-Buoy Mooring System for Neptune Wave Power, LLC

SATOP Helps Local Inventor Remove Roadblocks to Smartphone Usage for Users with Physical Disabilities

NASA JSC Engineers Conduct Vibration Testing to Improve Transport for Smallest of Mankind

Photo Credit: NASA

DIRECTOR’S LETTER

INSIDE 3-2-1

The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program thanks the Texas legislators who have provided steadfast and unwavering support for the program. Without them we could not provide the assistance that we offer to small business owners and inventors. We also thank SATOP’s Alliance Partners whose outstanding work assisted small business owners and entrepreneurs as they struggled to find solutions to their technical challenges. As we continue our work throughout the State of Texas, SATOP success stories illustrate the wide variety of fields with which SATOP can assist and the positive impact this has on a small business. Inside this issue of 3-2-1 SATOP, you will find four such stories featured. Russ Campbell of Ampcare, LLC approached SATOP regarding an orthopedic device that Ampcare manufactures and distributes for the treatment of dysphagia. The device is used in a unique method which combines a resistive exercise with electrical stimulation, and Campbell wanted to be able to better quantify the effect that this had on patient performance and outcomes. Neptune Wave Power, LLC is a small technology start-up with big ideas for harnessing the kinetic energy of ocean waves to generate electricity. However, the company’s existing buoy anchoring systems were not adequate for the needs of a large array of tethered buoys. Micael Gebremicael, a Houston resident and part-time inventor, designed a new type of case for smart phones that would allow for easier use by individuals unable to firmly grip a smartphone. His innovative idea could have big impacts, but he needed assistance to get to the next step of the manufacturing process. Mike Hamm of es2 engineering worked with Gebremicael to ready his design for manufacturing and assisted in finding a 3D printing vendor to manufacture a prototype. Texas Children’s Hospital is considered one of the world’s best hospitals for the treatment of children. When the hospital needed help to reduce vibrations on neonatal incubators during transportation, it turned to SATOP to provide assistance to identify and characterize the vibrations on the neonatal incubators. Sincerely, Bob Payne, SATOP Director

About SATOP The Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) is funded by the State of Texas and provides small businesses with up to 40 hours of FREE technical assistance through the expertise of the U.S. Space Program. Aerospace contractors, NASA field centers, universities and colleges join SATOP as Space Alliance Partners and donate time and expertise to help solve technical challenges for small businesses. For more information about SATOP, or to request technical assistance, please visit www.SpaceTechSolutions.com.

SATOP Team Bob Payne Director Ryan Page Assistant Project Engineer

>> SATOP Supplies Sensational Sensor to Ampcare, LLC >> SATOP Alliance Partner Designs Multi-Buoy Mooring System for Neptune Wave Power, LLC >> SATOP Helps Local Inventor Remove Roadblocks to Smartphone Usage for Users with Physical Disabilities >> NASA JSC Engineers Conduct Vibration Testing to Improve Transport for Smallest of Mankind

SATOP CENTER At the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership www.bayareahouston.com Bob Payne, Director — 832.536.3255

SATOP Supplies Sensational Sensor to Ampcare, LLC

With assistance from the State of Texas-

funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program

(SATOP), a Fort Worth business is improving its ability

to provide positive patient outcomes for users of its

medical device, the Ampcare ESP™.

Ampcare, LLC is a small business which

developed and sells the Ampcare ESP™ medical

device. This device is used to rehabilitate patients

with swallowing disorders that are commonly caused

by a stroke, head and neck cancer or neurological

disease such as Parkinson’s.

A patient uses the device, similar in

appearance to a neck brace, to exercise specific

muscles in the head and neck. The company hopes

“to eliminate pneumonia and feeding tubes due to

swallowing problems by improving the options and

availability of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

treatment techniques.” Dysphagia affects 18 million

people in the U.S. and 45-87 percent of residents in

long-term care. Pneumonia, largely arising from

swallowing problems, is the fifth leading cause of

death of Americans over 65 years of age.

When Russell Campbell, CEO of Ampcare,

LLC, needed help in detecting the amount of force

that a patient was applying to the Ampcare ESP™

device, he contacted SATOP. Campbell wrote, “Our

request is to assist in developing a force plate/sensor

to be placed on the chin pad of our neck brace that

will provide quantitative/objective data to assess the

strength of the swallowing musculature. A brace (i.e.

Restorative Posture Device/RPD) is used in our

system not only to improve posture but also as part

of a resistive exercise protocol by having patients

press their chin into their chest having the RPD

provide the resistance.

“This technique has been researched by Dr.

Christopher Watts, Ph.D. (Dept. of Communication

Sciences & Disorders at Texas Christian University) to

compare the effectiveness of using our device as part

of a resistive exercise versus a traditional swallowing

exercise. The results revealed a two-fold increase in

muscle activation utilizing the Ampcare exercise

when compared to a traditional swallowing exercise.

Having a sensor on each RPD chin pad will provide

the clinician objective data on strength gains or losses

to assess if their plan of care is appropriate.”

After submitting a Request for Technical

Assistance, Campbell was paired with Satish Reddy,

chief engineer for Science Engineering and Analytical

Services at Jacobs. Jacobs provides engineering

support services to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and

is a SATOP Alliance Partner. Also providing assistance

was Jacobs Engineer Kwaku Nornoo.

Reddy worked with Nornoo to determine

the best method of detecting and quantifying the

force a patient applied to the Ampcare ESP™ while

using the device. They arrived at a solution that uses

a pressure sensor, which is almost as thin as a sheet

of paper and is readily available from commercial

vendors. The prototype sensor met the requirements

of Ampcare and can be integrated into the Ampcare

ESP™ without modifying the design of current

components.

For more information about Ampcare, LLC,

visit www.ampcarellc.com.

Photo courtesy Ampcare, LLC.

Success Story

The Ampcare ESPTM device is shown being worn.

SATOP Alliance Partner Designs Multi-Buoy Mooring System for Neptune Wave Power, LLC

When harnessed, the immense power of

ocean waves has the potential to provide renewable

electricity at an affordable cost, but converting the

power of those waves efficiently has proven to be a

challenge. Neptune Wave Power, LLC, however, has

developed patented technologies that produce cost-

effective commercial quantities of electric power

using a generation system that harnesses the kinetic

energy in ocean waves. The company has been

developing its ground-breaking wave energy

conversion technology since 2007. Neptune Wave

Power is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.

Neptune Wave Power’s technology is a

“point absorber” Wave Energy Conversion Device

(WECD). The offshore buoy reacts to the vertical

surge and irregular movement of waves causing a

horizontal pendulum within it to rotate. The

rotational energy of this pendulum, through a

proprietary internal drive system, is directed to an on

-board electric generator. Power generated is fed to

the utility grid via an underwater cable system at an

interconnect point.

Mooring options sought

Even a landlubber knows that ocean waves can get

pretty rough. A good mooring system is critical if you

want to find something where you left it. Initially,

Neptune Wave Power’s mooring system for each

buoy was a three-point design using chains

approximately 650 ft. long that were threaded up

through the bottom of the buoy. An array of 10-20

buoys would require a multi-buoy mooring system

that could leverage some of the mooring between

buoys thus lowering deployment and mooring costs.

Eddie Mayfield, president of Neptune Wave

Power, turned to the Space Alliance Technology

Outreach Program (SATOP) to assist in solving this

multi-buoy mooring system technical challenge. He

said, “We needed ideas for the design of a multi-buoy

array system that we could hand off to our marine

engineering firm as a starting point for designing.”

Mayfield submitted a Request for Technical

Assistance to SATOP. The RTA was accepted by

Alliance Partner Matt Johnson with Lockheed Martin.

Several emails between the men followed, which

discussed the location of the center of gravity of each

buoy, anti-rotation fins, mooring lines, etc. Within

one month, Johnson sent Mayfield draft concepts of

the mooring system telling him that a few more

concepts would be added.

After further discussion and analysis of the

concepts, Johnson submitted a presentation that

defined the problem and recommended concepts.

He compared the merits of each concept based on

the number of buoys, needed anchors, and cable

restraints. Johnson said, “I was not able to find the

‘silver bullet’ of creating an anchor-free design, but I

managed to minimize the quantities needed.”

Neptune Wave Power’s Model 3.1, the first

fully functional buoy which combines the features of

mass-production design elements with full dynamic

optimization capabilities, underwent extensive sea

trials during late 2013 off the New Hampshire coast.

During that time, the three-meter, three-ton system

was exposed to several gale-force storms and waves

exceeding 20 feet in height. The tests demonstrated

the seaworthiness of the design and power

generation within the expected range. In addition,

the tests collected valuable data to help engineers

refine the design and begin designing much larger

versions of the system.

Photos courtesy Neptune Wave Power, LLC.

Success Story

A Neptune Wave Power, LLC buoy floating at sea.

SATOP Helps Local Inventor Remove Roadblocks to Smartphone Usage for Users with Physical Disabilities

When Micael Gebremicael needed help furthering the development of his concept for a smartphone case, he turned to the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP) for assistance. Gebremicael had heard about SATOP while attending meetings at the Houston Inventors Association, and he thought the free technical assistance offered by the program would be just what he needed to overcome his technical challenge. Gebremicael thought his smartphone case with an articulating handle would be easier for individuals with limited motor function or other disabilities to use. For those who have difficulty gripping a smartphone by both sides, using a handle can provide easier access to the device. Although Gebremicael had a technical drawing and a good understanding of how the product would work, he wasn’t sure how to move forward with manufacturing his device. After coming to SATOP for assistance, Gebremicael was able to receive assistance from long-time SATOP Alliance Partner Mike Hamm of es2 engineering, inc. Hamm is a mechanical engineer who has provided assistance to dozens of inventors and small business owners through SATOP over the last decade.

Hamm reviewed the design work that had been done and interviewed Gebremicael multiple times to ensure that he understood the requirements properly. Hamm provided design recommendations which included using a mechanism to lock the handle, located on the rear of the smartphone case, into a position that also allowed the handle to act as a kickstand for the case.

Hamm also guided Gebremicael through

the manufacturing process for utilizing 3D printing to

create small-batch orders of the new device. By using

3D printing, instead of the more traditional injection

molding, Hamm was able to keep the upfront

manufacturing costs low for Gebremicael; using 3D

printing also allowed for a more practical approach to

manufacturing based on the target market’s relatively

small size.

“The market for this product exists, but it’s

a small market,” said Hamm. “It was more practical to

use a 3D printing approach for manufacturing in this

case, since it allows for units to be made in small

quantities, or even one at a time.”

Hamm recommended a manufacturer that

he had used in the past, and after ordering a

prototype from the manufacturer, Gebremicael had a

built-in sales channel.

“This manufacturer allows you to sell your

product through their online sales system,” Hamm

said. “After you upload a design, customers are able

to order directly from this manufacturer without you

having to maintain any inventory. After someone

orders your design, the manufacturer will print it and

ship it to the customer, and send you the profits from

the sale. They make a commission and you make a

sale; it’s very easy.”

The case is currently available for the Apple

iPhone 4/4S, and Gebremicael has stated that he

hopes to offer it in sizes for other popular

smartphones soon.

Success Story

A prototype of Gebremicael’s smartphone case.

Pictured (l to r): Mike Hamm, Micael Gebremicael, and Ryan Page during their closing meeting

NASA JSC Engineers Conduct Vibration Testing to Improve Transport for Smallest of Mankind

Babies are special. There’s no doubt about it. Whether human or animal, a baby signifies so much, not the least of which is continuation of the species. Some animal babies, such as the kangaroo joeys, are born very, very small. A joey is protected by living in its mother’s pouch for many months. Premature human babies do not have that option, and extreme measures must be taken to ensure their survival. Neonatal infants weigh as little as one pound and sometimes less. They are often transported to tertiary care centers which have a greater level of care available than that provided by the hospital in which they were born. Critically ill neonates are extremely fragile, and transporting them is a very risky business. In early 2010, a study began between NASA Johnson Space Center and Texas Children’s Hospital that explored how vibration levels affect the fragile care for critically ill newborns during transport to its facilities. This collaborative effort began through the Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP). Texas Children’s Hospital turned to NASA engineers from the BioMedical Systems Division in order to test vibration levels experienced by a newborn during transport while in an incubator. Prior to their work with NASA’s vibration lab at JSC, very little study had been conducted on the role of vibration in neonatal transport.

At the beginning of the study, Jack A. Klasen of Texas Children’s Hospital stated, “Currently there are no medical or industry standards to tell us how much vibration is acceptable for fragile critically ill neonates to withstand. What leaps out at you when you are working with Johnson Space Center engineers is the incredible source of knowledge they have. It is impressive.” Klasen retired at the end of 2013 after a 42-year career at TCH.

The initial request from Texas Children’s Hospital through SATOP was for engineering assistance to determine where to position sensors to measure vibrations during transport. This included multiple forms of ground and air transport, such as ambulance, Life Flight helicopter and jets. The research was performed in two phases where engineers first measured, captured and analyzed the vibration data. Secondly, they provided the data to Texas Children’s Hospital along with a plan to produce modified designs for the incubator transport process.

David Walding, a biomedical engineer at TCH, has been passionate about improving transport conditions for neonatal infants for many years. He worked with the NASA JSC engineers during the study. SATOP followed up with him four years after the hospital’s initial request for technical assistance to report on the results. Walding replied, “It has been a great privilege for Texas Children’s Hospital to work with the great folks at SATOP over the years as they adopted us and our neonatal transport vibration isolation pursuit. From the early days of NASA JSC engineering support with Scott Hafermalz, Kathryn (Turner) Hilton and Bob Villarreal (the review of vibration testing using different transport modalities, an application for grants for more advanced system testing, and consulting with vibration specialists), it has been a worthwhile trek. When we realized that it was not a trivial matter to perform vibration testing (shaker table) on the entire transport incubator as well as modal testing, NASA JSC came to the rescue with advanced technical support in the way of a Space Act Agreement from Pete Fantasia and the Team at Building 49, the Vibration and Acoustic Test Facility (VATF). Results from this testing performed by Costas Christofi and Fedrico Lucas would provide the proof to show where the vibration problems were located. Today, steps are being taken to apply these changes to the infant tray to improve transport for the smallest of mankind.”

Success Story

An engineer at NASA’s Johnson Space Center installs sensors on a neonatal transport incubator.

A neonatal transport incubator with vibration sensors is loaded into an ambulance for road testing.

ALLIANCE PARTNERS

Our Alliance Partners include Johnson Space Center, NASA contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers, and national laboratories and universities that participate in NASA research. Alliance Partner engineers are

matched with SATOP requestors to help them overcome technical challenges.

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Photo Credit: NASA