National Manufacturing Week A Success For SPD

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April 22, 1999 Huntsville, AL - The National Manufacturing Association's National Manufacturing Week trade show, the third largest trade show in the United States, proved to be an outstanding success for NASA's Space Product Development Program. More than 17,500 people were introduced to the program, which was part of the NASA Pavilion at the show. Visitors to the display could see an engine block and were able to learn about improved cast automotive parts that have come from commercial space research done by Ford with the Solidification Design Center.

In addition, they were able to examine ceramic-metallic composites -- which may lead to both bone substitutes and high-temperature filters -- developed by the Center for Commercial Applications of Combustion in Space, and a sample of aerogel -- the lightest solid known. Industry partner Guigne Technologies displayed a presentation on Space-DRUMS (TM), a commercial research facility that will fly on the International Space Station.

Finally, a LED surgical probe used in a special type of cancer treatment and a special LED unit being used to evaluate the use of LEDs in speeding the healing of wounds were on display courtesy of Quantum Devices, in collaboration with Dr. Harry Whelan at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The LEDs serve as light sources for commercial plant growth chambers developed by the Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics. A number of companies at the show expressed interest in the SPD program, and it is likely that the Commercial Space Centers may find some new industry partners as a result.