ATO #100 - March 9, 2000

PART 1: Upcoming Chats
PART 2: Project News
PART 3: Using computers to study hands to make smarter computers"

UPCOMING CHATS

I need help!!

We have experienced very low and non-attendance at chat sessions recently!

My strategy has been to find interesting volunteers who are willing to share their research for chats. I usually try to schedule them on Tuesdays at 10 AM Pacific, thinking this way both coasts can participate.

Obviously this isn't working for most folks. Can you let me know how I can make the opportunity to chat with Aerospace folks one that you can use?

In the meanwhile I urge you to attend some of these upcoming chats. We can guarantee your questions will be answered!

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from you!

Susan Lee
slee@quest.arc.nasa.gov

QuestChats require pre-registration. Unless otherwise
noted, registration
is at:  http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/aero/chats/#chatting

Tuesday, March 14, 2000, 10 AM - 11 AM Pacific
Aerospace Team Online QuestChat with Roxana Greenman

Roxana Greenman is currently designing applications for aviation. She is
developing computerized feedback systems which use artificial
intelligence. The feedback systems will be used to provide   
information for aircraft autopilot systems. Read her bio at  
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/team/greenman.html

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Tuesday March 21, 2000, 9-10 AM PST
Aerospace Team Online  Regimes of Flight Chat with Leslie Ringo
Leslie Ringo is one of the engineers responsible for ensuring the
Vertical Motion Simulator responds exactly as a real aircraft would in the
air. Read her bio at
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/team/ringo.html

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Tuesday, March 28, 2000, 10-11 AM PST
Aerospace Team Online QuestChat with Mary Reveley
Mary works with a propulsion systems analysis group to determine how
aircraft and engine designs will perform. Read her bio at
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/team/reveley.html

PROJECT NEWS

"Regimes of Flight"

The new revised Regimes of Flight curriculum pdf files (Adobe Acrobat)
 are online now. Don't miss this supplemental guide for grades 4-8.

The contents are great! Everything from Aircraft Trading Cards to Mach and
Mile Mathematics with the X-15!!


Learn about the speed of sound, the force of thrust, and how the first
pilot broke the sound barrier.

For more information see
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/events/regimes
 
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Design a New Aircraft CONTEST!!!

Regimes of Flight Design a New Aircraft Contest, Grades 4-8
March 3 - April 14, 2000

Choose one regime of flight: low, medium, high, supersonic, or hypersonic.
design an new aircraft for the regime you pick!
For more information: go to
http://quest.nasa.gov/aero/events/regimes/contest.html#design

USING COMPUTERS TO STUDY HANDS TO MAKE SMARTER COMPUTERS

by Roxana M. Greenman

March 8, 2000


I am an aerospace engineer at NASA Ames Research Center in the
Computational Sciences Division.  I perform research in the
Neuro-Engineering Laboratory. I like to work in the laboratory because it
is very interesting.

Currently, we are taking data of our hand motions using EMG data gathering
machines. We will then analyze this data to find new concepts for
human-computer interfaces.

We will use different information technology tools to help such as neural
networks and optimization routines. Neural networks are computational
tools that mimic the way the human brain functions. They are good at
predicting data and pattern recognition with the proper training.

In addition, I am currently working on developing a rapid-prototyping,
adaptive control system generation tool that should enable new vehicle
control generation, simulation, and evaluation using a neural controller.
This new tool would allow engineers to see what happens when they alter
the geometry of a vehicle during design or possibly what would happen if
the vehicle was damaged during flight.