Given all the NASA funding, you think we'd get something from it!  Oh, wait, we do.  SpaceRef pointed me to the NASA SpinOff 2010 report.  What did we get for our $19 billion annual NASA budget?  I mean, that's a lot of money, that's... oh, wait, that's not a lot of money today.  My mistake.  True, you could buy 19 Stealth Bombers for that cost.  Or fight a typical war for 1 month.  But could you... save the airlines $2 billion in fuel costs with NASA wing mods?  Make a sensor that's in 1 in 3 cell phones?  Turns out we do get some bang for our buck.

I'm not going to get all zinc oxide on you, but I do think it's worth noting.  You can try the NASA flash app if you wish.  Basically, NASA's had a busy year.

Okay, here we go, the 2010 NASA Spinoff technologies.  And I'll make a deal with you.  I'll accept the argument that, if we didn't fund NASA, the private sector would have created all of this, if you in turn are able to tell me who in the private sector is willing and able to fund the pure research that produced these results.



Enjoy these NASA Xmas presents!

Alex
Tuesdays at The Satellite Diaries and Friday at The Daytime Astronomer (twitter @skyday)

NASA's 2010 short list of spinoff achievements:



  1. Burnishing Techniques Strengthen Hip Implants



  2. Signal Processing Methods Monitor Cranial Pressure



  3. Ultraviolet-Blocking Lenses Protect, Enhance Vision



  4. Hyperspectral Systems Increase Imaging Capabilities



  5. Programs Model the Future of Air Traffic Management



  6. Tail Rotor Airfoils Stabilize Helicopters, Reduce Noise



  7. Personal Aircraft Point to the Future of Transportation



  8. Ducted Fan Designs Lead to Potential New Vehicles



  9. Winglets Save Billions of Dollars in Fuel Costs



  10. Coatings Extend Life of Engines and Infrastructure



  11. Radiometers Optimize Local Weather Prediction



  12. Energy-Efficient Systems Eliminate Icing Danger for UAVs



  13. Rocket-Powered Parachutes Rescue Entire Planes



  14. Inflatable Antennas Support Emergency Communication



  15. Smart Sensors Assess Structural Health



  16. Hand-Held Devices Detect Explosives and Chemical Agents



  17. Terahertz Tools Advance Imaging for Security, Industry



  18. Aerogels Insulate Against Extreme Temperatures



  19. Image Sensors Enhance Camera Technologies



  20. Lightweight Material Patches Allow for Quick Repairs



  21. Nanomaterials Transform Hairstyling Tools



  22. Do-It-Yourself Additives Recharge Auto Air Conditioning



  23. Systems Analyze Water Quality in Real Time




  24. Compact Radiometers Expand Climate Knowledge



  25. Energy Servers Deliver Clean, Affordable Power



  26. Solutions Remediate Contaminated Groundwater



  27. Bacteria Provide Cleanup of Oil Spills, Wastewater



  28. Reflective Coatings Protect People and Animals



  29. Innovative Techniques Simplify Vibration Analysis



  30. Modeling Tools Predict Flow in Fluid Dynamics



  31. Verification Tools Secure Online Shopping, Banking



  32. Toolsets Maintain Health of Complex Systems



  33. Framework Resources Multiply Computing Power



  34. Tools Automate Spacecraft Testing, Operation



  35. GPS Software Packages Deliver Positioning Solutions



  36. Solid-State Recorders Enhance Scientific Data Collection



  37. Computer Models Simulate Fine Particle Dispersion



  38. Composite Sandwich Technologies Lighten Components



  39. Cameras Reveal Elements in the Short Wave Infrared



  40.  Deformable Mirrors Correct Optical Distortions



  41. Stitching Techniques Advance Optics Manufacturing



  42. Compact, Robust Chips Integrate Optical Functions



  43.  Fuel Cell Stations Automate Processes, Catalyst Testing



  44.  Onboard Systems Record Unique Videos of Space Missions



  45. Space Research Results Purify Semiconductor Materials



  46. Toolkits Control Motion of Complex Robotics