NASA's Glenn Research Center has taken top honors at the prestigious R&D 100 Awards with two groundbreaking innovations: High-Rate Delay Tolerant Networking (HDTN) and soft magnetic nanocrystalline materials known as VulcanAlloy.
The HDTN project, spearheaded by Daniel Raible and Rachel Dudukovich, has revolutionized data streaming and communication in space. This cutting-edge software solution enables reliable, high-speed transmission of data between space and Earth under extreme conditions, minimizing loss and system delay. According to Raible, the HDTN protocol allows for faster, automated, and seamless data transfer – approximately 10 times faster than current delay-tolerant networking (DTN) protocols.
The implications of this technology extend far beyond NASA's boundaries, with potential applications in the rapidly growing commercial space industry. The open-source code of HDTN paves the way for collaboration, innovation, and adoption across various sectors. This could even lay the groundwork for a solar system-wide internet, supporting data exchange between Earth, spacecraft, and future missions involving human travel to the Moon and Mars.
Meanwhile, researchers at NASA Glenn, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and CorePower Magnetics, have developed VulcanAlloy – a breakthrough soft magnetic nanocrystalline material. This innovation operates above 500°C, far beyond the limits of conventional materials, thanks to its nano-engineered structure. The adjustable magnetic properties of VulcanAlloy make it an ideal replacement for multiple materials in components like inductors, transformers, motors, and sensors, reducing the need for bulky cooling systems.
The potential applications of VulcanAlloy are vast, with Raytheon having already tested the material's cores for use in electrified aircraft, defense, and aerospace systems. This innovation also holds promise for electric vehicles, data centers, microgrids, and energy systems, where smaller, lighter, and more efficient components are key to advancing next-generation power electronics.
The R&D 100 Awards, now in its 63rd year, is a worldwide science and innovation competition that recognizes breakthrough innovations in technology and science. With this win, NASA Glenn Research Center brings its total R&D 100 Awards to an impressive 130.
The HDTN project, spearheaded by Daniel Raible and Rachel Dudukovich, has revolutionized data streaming and communication in space. This cutting-edge software solution enables reliable, high-speed transmission of data between space and Earth under extreme conditions, minimizing loss and system delay. According to Raible, the HDTN protocol allows for faster, automated, and seamless data transfer – approximately 10 times faster than current delay-tolerant networking (DTN) protocols.
The implications of this technology extend far beyond NASA's boundaries, with potential applications in the rapidly growing commercial space industry. The open-source code of HDTN paves the way for collaboration, innovation, and adoption across various sectors. This could even lay the groundwork for a solar system-wide internet, supporting data exchange between Earth, spacecraft, and future missions involving human travel to the Moon and Mars.
Meanwhile, researchers at NASA Glenn, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and CorePower Magnetics, have developed VulcanAlloy – a breakthrough soft magnetic nanocrystalline material. This innovation operates above 500°C, far beyond the limits of conventional materials, thanks to its nano-engineered structure. The adjustable magnetic properties of VulcanAlloy make it an ideal replacement for multiple materials in components like inductors, transformers, motors, and sensors, reducing the need for bulky cooling systems.
The potential applications of VulcanAlloy are vast, with Raytheon having already tested the material's cores for use in electrified aircraft, defense, and aerospace systems. This innovation also holds promise for electric vehicles, data centers, microgrids, and energy systems, where smaller, lighter, and more efficient components are key to advancing next-generation power electronics.
The R&D 100 Awards, now in its 63rd year, is a worldwide science and innovation competition that recognizes breakthrough innovations in technology and science. With this win, NASA Glenn Research Center brings its total R&D 100 Awards to an impressive 130.
. I mean, have we really solved the problem of data loss in space yet? It's just going to be a matter of time before something goes wrong and our reliance on HDTN protocol is exposed 
. And VulcanAlloy, while cool and all, is it really worth replacing conventional materials at such high costs 
? What about the environmental impact of mass-producing these new materials? We're already dealing with enough waste in space... 
i was in school just yesterday learning about data streaming and communication in space, and now they're telling us that hdtn can transmit data like 10 times faster than current protocols? that's so cool! 
and vulcanalloy is gonna change the game for electric vehicles and energy systems too. i mean, who needs bulky cooling systems when you have a material that can operate above 500°C?! 
seriously though, this tech has so many implications beyond nasa's boundaries... it's like we're on the cusp of something huge! 
Those were the days... anyway, this HDTN project is mind-blowing. 10 times faster than current protocols? That's like going from cassette tapes to streaming services overnight! And VulcanAlloy? It's like they're taking materials science to a whole new level - kinda like how we used to be amazed by superconductors back in the '90s 
. I'm hoping we'll see more breakthroughs like this in the coming years. Fingers crossed! 
and VulcanAlloy is a total game changer for industries everywhere 
I'm totally stoked about NASA's latest wins! HDTN and VulcanAlloy are literally mind-blowing tech 
. It's like, what if we could use this tech for our own online classes? Like, no more buffering or laggy connections – just seamless learning experience 
