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News and Events for Goddard Space Flight Center's Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) Office

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NASA Technology Awards/Incentives
+ Awards won
+ Nomination information

IPP Office Technology Awards
+ Awards won
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GSFC Awards
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External Technology Awards
+ Awards won
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Award Contact Information
If you would like additional information, nomination procedures, or to nominate a team or individual for awards listed on this site, please contact:

Innovative Partnerships Program Office
Code 504
phone: (301) 286-5810
email: Innovative Partnerships Program Office

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Technology Transfer Newsletters

 Award Winners
Peter Shirron award acceptance
2005 Kerley Award winner, Peter Shirron (Code 552) recalls Dr. James Kerley’s “creative genius that he used to benefit not only NASA, but mankind in general.”

Significant awards have been bestowed upon Goddard staff both for their technologies and for successful technology transfer. (see also, Success Stories)

Listed below are 2005 winners. (See also 2004, 2006, and 2007 Winners.) For prior years, please select from the award categories at left.

+ Excellence in Information Science & Technology (IS&T) Award
+ Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC)
+ James Kerley Award
+ NASA Tech Brief Awards
+ Patent Awards
+ Software Release Awards
+ Space Act Awards








2005 Award Winners

Excellence in Information Science & Technology (IS&T) Award

  • Dr. James C. Tilton—Hierarchical Segmentation (HSEG) Software: The HSEG technology provides a new approach to image analysis, focusing on image regions—and how they change depending on how fine the resolution is—rather than just pixels.

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Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) 2005 Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer

Recognizes laboratory employees who have accomplished outstanding work in the process of transferring a technology developed by a federal laboratory.

  • Mid-Atlantic FLC Excellence in Technology Transfer Award Winners: Dr. James D. Spinhirne (MPL), Dr. Ellsworth J. Welton, V. Stanley Scott III, James R. Campbell, Timothy A. Berkoff, Luis A. Ramos-Izquierdo, Dennis L. Hlavka, Sandra C. Valencia, Daniel Hopf, Brent N. Holben, Dr. Si-Chee Tsay—Micro Pulse Lidar (MPLNET): The Micro Pulse Lidar device provides autonomous ground-based monitoring of clouds and aerosols-dust, soot, sulfate, sea salt and other particles caused by natural and human activities-in Earth's atmosphere. Using diode-pumped lasers with very low pulse energies and very high pulse repetition rates, MPL revolutionized the profiling of atmospheric cloud and aerosol vertical structure. The MPLNET Project was formally established in 2000 to organize, support, and coordinate the data being gathered by various MPL devices placed around the globe (some by NASA and some by other U.S. and foreign groups).

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2005 James Kerley Award

An annual award given by the Technology Transfer Program to GSFC civil servants who has been instrumental in transfer technologies.  The Kerley Award is named after James Kerley, a champion of technology transfer.

  • 2005—Peter Shirron (Code 552)—Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR)

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2005 NASA Tech Brief Article Award

A monetary award based on submission of an article published in NASA Tech Briefs.

  • AutoChem* (GSC-14862-1) by David John Lary (Code 610)—AutoChem is a suite of Fortran 90 computer programs for the modeling of kinetic reaction systems. AutoChem performs automatic code generation, symbolic differentiation, analysis, and documentation. It produces a documented stand-alone system for the modeling and assimilation of atmospheric chemistry. (November 2005)
  • Absolute Position Encoders With Vertical Image Binning — Conversion rates can exceed 20 kHz* (GSC-14633-1) by Douglas B. Leviton (Code 551)—Improved optoelectronic pattern recognition encoders measure rotary and linear 1-dimensional positions at conversion rates (numbers of readings per unit time) exceeding 20 kHz. The improvements of this technology make it possible to greatly increase conversion rates through substantial reductions in all three components of conversion time: exposure time, image-readout time, and image-processing time. (November 2005)
  • Portable Airborne Laser System Measures Forest-Canopy Height* (GSC-14906-1) by Ross Nelson (Code 614)—The Portable Airborne Laser System (PALS) is a combination of laser ranging, video imaging, positioning, and data-processing subsystems designed for measuring the heights of forest canopies along linear transects from tens to thousands of kilometers long. Unlike prior laser ranging systems designed to serve the same purpose, the PALS is not restricted to use aboard a single aircraft of a specific type: the PALS fits into two large suitcases that can be carried to any convenient location, and the PALS can be installed in almost any local aircraft for hire, thereby making it possible to sample remote forests at relatively low cost. (October 2005)
  • Rugged Iris Mechanism* (GSC-14550) by Nelson J. Ferragut —A rugged iris mechanism has been designed to satisfy several special requirements, including a wide aperture in the “open” position, full obscuration in the “closed” position, ability to function in a cryogenic or other harsh environment, and minimization of friction through minimization of the number of components. (September 2005)
  • Generating Solid Models From Topographical Data* (GSC-14897-1) by John W. Keller (Code 691)—Topographical data are converted into forms useable by rapid-prototyping machines. The method was developed to enable the use of the RP machine to make solid models of Martian terrain from Mars Orbiter laser-altimeter topographical data. The method is equally applicable to the generation of models of the terrains of other astronomical bodies, including other planets, asteroids, and Earth. (September 2005)
  • Treatments To Produce Stabilized Aluminum Mirrors for Cryogenic Uses* (GSC-14736-1) by Wahid Zewari (Code 544), Michael Barthelmy (Code 540), and Raymond Ohl (Code 551) —Selected heat treatments are performed between and after fabrication steps. five metallurgical treatments comprises a multistep process, the steps of which are interspersed with the steps of the mirror- fabrication process. (September 2005)
  • Selecting Data From a Star Catalog* (GSC-14574) by David A.Tracewell (Code 595) and Christopher B. Sande of Computer Sciences Corporation—MCDUMP is a computer program that selects data from the SKYMAP SKY2000 Master Star Catalog—a database about 150 MB in size, stored on a computer hard drive. (July 2005)
  • Parylene C as a Sacrificial Material for Microfabrication* (GSC-14803-1) by Michael Beamesderfer (Code 541)—Parylene C has been investigated for use as a sacrificial material in microfabrication, offering a set of properties that are complementary to those of photoresists. (June 2005)
  • Applications of the Hilbert-Huang Transform to Financial Data* (GSC-14807-1) by Norden Huang (Code 614)— Paper discusses the application of the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) method to time-series financial-market data. (April 2005)
  • Generating Animated Displays of Spacecraft Orbits* (GSC-14732-1) by Robert M. Candey (Code 612), Reine A. Chimiak (Code 583), and Bernard T. Harris (Code 583)— Tool for Interactive Plotting, Sonification, and 3D Orbit Display (TIPSOD) is a computer program for generating interactive, animated, four-dimensional (space and time) displays of spacecraft orbits. (February 2005)
  • Space Physics Data Facility Web Services* (GSC-14730-1) by Robert M. Candey (Code 612), Bernard T. Harris (Code 583), and Reine A. Chimiak (Code 583)—The Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF) Web services provides a distributed programming interface to a portion of the SPDF software, enabling additional collaboration and integration of the SPDF software system with other software systems. (February 2005)
  • Integrated Structural Analysis and Test Program* (GSC-14775-1) by Daniel Kaufman (Code 542)—An integrated structural-analysis and structure-testing computer program is being developed that includes modules pertaining to sinusoidal and random vibration, shock and time replication, acoustics, base-driven modal survey, and mass properties and static/dynamic balance. (January 2005)
  • Development of Software for a Lidar-Altimeter Processor* (GSC-14382) by Jacob S. Rosenberg (Code 582) and Carlos Trujillo (Code )—Report describes the development of software for a digital processor that operates in conjunction with a finite-impulseresponse (FIR) chip in a spaceborne lidar altimeter. (January 2005)
  • Fiber-Optic Sensor Would Monitor Growth of Polymer Film* (GSC-12757) by Michael Beamsderfer (Code 541)—A proposed optoelectronic sensor system would measure the increase in thickness of a film of parylene (a thermoplastic polymer made from para-xylene) during growth of the film in a vapor deposition process. (January 2005)

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2005 Patent Awards

  • Charge Dissipative Electrical Cable (GSC-14648-1) by John Kolasinski (Code 565) and Edward Wollack (Code 665)
  • Evolvable Neural Software System (GSC-14657-1) by Steven Curtis (Code 695)
  • HHT Financial Data (GSC-14807-1) by Norden Huang (Code 971)
  • Integrated Structural Analysis and Test Program (GSC-14775-1) by Daniel Kaufman (Code 542)
  • Low Powered X-Ray (GSC-14796-1) by Yosef Eisen, Samuel Floyd (Code 691), Jacob Trombka (Code 691), Timothy McClanahan (Code 691), Jeffrey Schweitz, and Arthur Ruitberg
  • Parylene Thickness Optical Sensor System (GSC-14757-1) by Michael Beamesderfer (Code 541)
  • Phase-Oriented Gears (GSC-14790-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)
  • Screw Locking Wrench (GSC-14561-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)
  • SMART Solar Sail (GSC-14762-1) by Steven Curtis (Code 695)
  • Stepping Flexures (GSC-14562-1) by John Vranish (Code 544)

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2005 Software Release Awards

  • (1) HDFEOS XML DTD and Scheams and (2) ODL to XML Converter by Muhammad Rabi (GST), Richard Ullman (Code 604), and Jinglie Yang (ERT)
  • (1) User Friendly Metadater, (2) Metadata Check, (3) HDF-EOS Metadata Updater, and (4) HDF-EOS Extractor by Richard Ullman (Code 604), Jinglie Yang (ERT), and Zhangshi Yin (GST)
  • (1) XML to HDF-EOS Converter, (2) HDF-EOS5 Validater, (3) HDF-EOS Web Server, (4) HDF-EOS2 and HDF-EOS5 Compatibility Library, (5) HDF-EOS To NetCDF Convertor, and (6) XML to ODL Converter by Bob Bane (GST), Richard Ullman (Code 604), and Jinglie Yang (Earth Resources Technology [ERT])
  • A Method and System for Procedure Development and Verification by Formal Specifications Derived Mechanically from Informal Procedure Descriptions by Mike Hinchey (Code 581), James Rash (Code 588), Christopher Rouff (Code 500), and Dennis Gracanin (Virginia Polytecnic University)
  • ACE (GSC-14911-1) by John Dorband
  • Adaptive Sensor Fleet (ASF) by Jeffrey Hosler (Code 588)
  • Analysis of Composite Shell (GSC-14756-1) by Gregory Clarke
  • AutoChem (GSC-14862-1) by David-Lary
  • Automated Segmentation of Insulin Granules from Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) of Rat Pancreatic Beta Cells by Murray Loew (691), Timothy McClanahan (Code 691), and Geoffrey Sharp (691)
  • Command Management Systems (GSC-14798-1) by Ron Kieckhefer
  • Core Command and Data Handling Component by Donald West (Code 681), et al.
  • Data Validation User Interface (DVUI): A Navigation/Discovery Client Via Earth Observing System ClearingHOuse (ECHO) by Beth Weinstein (Code 586)
  • Decomposition of High Order Transfer Functions (GSC-14868-1) by Eddie Akpan
  • Disturbance-Optics-Controls-Structures (DOCS) Toolbox by Carl Blaurock (MTC) and David Miller (MIT)
  • Fault Tolerant Digital Signal Processing (DSP) by Graham Stead (614)
  • Formation Flying Testbed Software Architecture and Implementation by Everett Cary (Code 591), David Gaylor (Code 595), Jason Mitchell (Code 591), John Higinbotham (Code 588)
  • General EQFlux (GSC-14791-1) by Edward Gaddy
  • GLAST ACD EGSE (GSC-14802-1) by Bruce Wendel
  • Integrated Structural Analysis and Test Program (GSC-14775-1) by Daniel Kaufman
  • Integrated Test and Operations System (GSC-14806-1) by Mark Richardson, Brian Goldman, Robert Rapp
  • Integrated Test and Operations System (Release 7-3) by Karen Calvert (Code 584), Warren Thompson (Code 444), Greg Greer (Code 584), Brian Goldman (Code 584), Mark Richardson (Code 584), and Robert Rapp (Code 584)
  • Java Application Shell (JAS) (GSC-14769-1) by Phil Miller, Jeremy Jones, Philip Wheeler, Carl Hostetter
  • LIS V.2 (GSC-14875-1) by Paul Houser, Sujay Kumar, Luther Lighty, Susan Olden, Christa Peters-Lidard, James Geiger, Yudong Tian
  • LIS V.4 (GSC-14997-1) by Paul Houser, Sujay Kumar, Luther Lighty, Susan Olden, Christa Peters-Lidard, James Geiger, Yudong Tian
  • Metric Analysis Tool (MAT) by Aaron Wilson (Code 180)
  • Navigation Accuracy Guidelines for Orbital Formation Flying by Kenneth Carpenter (Code 667)
  • Parallel Computing Tools for IDL by Peter Messmer (631) and Seth Veitzer (631)
  • Radio Software Library by Brad Fisher (SSAI), David Wolfe (SSAI), Bart Kelley (GMU)
  • SHARM (GSC-14838-1) by Alexei Lyapustin
  • Shuttle InfraRed Image Analysis Software (SIRIAS) (GSC-14852-1) by Donald Jennings, Brian Ottens, Bradford Parker
  • Simple Scalable Script Processor (GSC-14841-1) by Christopher Lynnes, Bruce Vollmer, Stephen Berrick, Michael Theobald
  • Software Metrics Analysis Tool (SMAT) by Phillip Merritt (Code 180)
  • Trending and Plotting System (TAPS) by Robert Sodano (Code 581)
  • Using IV and V Findings to Perform FSW Technical Assessments by Shirley Savirino (180), Scott Johnson (Code 180), Mike Beims (Code 180), Aileen Bisier (180), Ken McGill (Code 180), and Steve Pukansky (Code 180)

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The 2005 NASA Space Act Monetary Awards Program for Significant Scientific and Technical Contributions

The objectives of this program are to provide official recognition of, and to grant equitable monetary awards for those inventions and other scientific and technical contributions that have helped to achieve NASA's aeronautical, technology transfer, and space goals; and to stimulate and encourage the creation and reporting of similar contributions in the future.

  • AutoChem (GSC-14862-1) by David LaryMPL Radar (GSC-13493-1) by James Spinhirne
  • CodeIt Software (GSC-14742-1) by David Fisher, Edward Hicks, David Petrick, and Thomas Winkert
  • ECHO (GSC-14726-1) by Michael Burnett, Richard Newcomb, Maitreyee Pasad, Robin Pfister, and Keith Wichmann
  • Gear Bearings (GSC-14207-1) by John Vranish
  • Low Cost and High Quality Carbon Nanotubes (GSC-14435-1) by Jeannette Benavides and Henning Leidecker
  • RHSEG (GSC-14681-1) by James Tilton



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