The Space Shuttle main engine fuel turbo-pumps can drain an average size swimming pool in 25 seconds. The proper transport, mixing and combusting of fuel is critical to obtaining safe, reliable and efficient engine performance. The skills and tools developed by NASA to design these high efficiency systems have been used in the design of very small and precise micro-pumps that could be used in medical applications. Under the guidance of renowned cardiologist Michael DeBakey, a tiny micro-pump has been developed that can assist the heart in pumping blood.
