TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Peak-Seeking Technology to Optimize Flight, Manufacturing, and Business Operations (DRC-TOPS-21)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. THE TECHNOLOGY: Innovators at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center have developed and are patenting a peak-seeking algorithm that can optimize the performance of complex systems in real time. Originally designed for aircraft flying in formation, the algorithm can automatically find optimal formation configurations to reduce aircraft drag and therefore increase fuel efficiency. The method is capable of using real-time measurements and quickly adapting to changing environmental conditions. In addition to aerospace applications, including commercial flight, this technology could also be used in situations where optimization is critical, such as in feedback control systems for manufacturing, business processes, energy management, and the automotive industry. This peak-seeking control technology was developed, in part, to help demonstrate autonomous control and drag reduction for aircraft flying in formation. Pilots can reduce drag and use up to 20 percent less fuel by placing a wingtip in the vortex of the leading airplane. However, manually keeping the plane in the most optimal position during a long flight can fatigue the pilot, as conditions continually change and require adjustments. Armstrong researchers solved this problem with an adaptive peak-seeking algorithm that automatically determines optimal commands to place each aircraft in the most beneficial position by measuring and reacting to changing conditions in real time. To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/DRC-TOPS-21 If you have any questions, please contact NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center’s Technology Transfer Office at [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.