News Archive
2007
US Air Force Selects Tao Systems for SBIR Phase II Award
Tao Systems was selected for a follow-on US Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to develop a closed-loop system for alleviating gust loads on aerial vehicles. Gust loads have a direct impact on the performance, wing structural weight and fatigue life of flight vehicles. The project involves the use of advanced flow/structural measurement and control techniques to substantially reduce the effects of gust loads while enabling new levels of aerodynamic efficiency. Applications include fixed and rotary wing aircraft. (January 2007)
2006
NASA Selects Tao Systems and Virginia Tech for ARMD NRA Award
Tao Systems and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) were selected for award by NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) to engage in foundational research under the Fundamental Aeronautics Program for hypersonics. The research involves the development of novel techniques to obtain high-resolution, calibrated heat transfer measurements for assessing the aerothermodynamic effects of flow phenomena in hypersonic regimes. Applications include reusable launch vehicles and other high-speed aerospace vehicles. (October 2006)
NASA Selects Tao Systems for SBIR Phase II Award
Tao Systems was selected for a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to implement a complete flow angle and airspeed sensor system (FASS) that operates at a full range of atmospheric conditions (sea level to high altitudes to even the thin Martian atmosphere) and airspeeds down to zero speed providing better than one knot accuracy. The follow-on award is a result of the successful Phase I demonstration of the FASS concept. Applications include aerospace vehicles, submarines, ships, boats, atmospheric wind sensing, and oceanographic measurements. (October 2006)
Tao Systems Awarded a NASA SBIR Phase III Contract
Tao Systems was awarded a NASA SBIR Phase III contract to develop an advanced flow diagnostics system for hypersonics based on previous innovative work in unsteady aerodynamics and instrumentation. Reliable flow sensing in hypersonics is very challenging due to the extreme environment. Development of a reliable measurement system for hypersonic flows will provide a basis for monitoring and controlling aerothermodynamic parameters for next-generation aerospace vehicles. (August 2006)
Tao Systems Awarded NASA NESC Support Service Contract
Tao Systems was awarded a NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) contract through Swales Aerospace to participate as a member of the NESC Super Problem Resolution Team (SPRT) for Structures. SPRT membership consists of well-recognized experts with broad-based experience and knowledge that provide technical leadership and independent test, analysis and evaluations. The SPRT addresses and resolves challenging multidisciplinary issues through the interaction of the best of the best in NASA, industry, academia and other government agencies. (July 2006)
US Air Force Selects Tao Systems for SBIR Phase I Award
Tao Systems was selected for a US Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award to develop a novel high-sensitivity MEMS accelerometer that operates across a wide dynamic range while maintaining 60dB resolution. The technology improves upon the current state-of-the-art accelerometer in sensitivity and range, and enables new diagnostic functionality required for high-shock environments. The project involves the use of advanced measurement and control techniques to obtain high sensitivity and resolution across an extreme bandwidth. Applications include munitions fuzing and vehicle health monitoring. (June 2006)
US Air Force Awards Tao Systems SBIR Phase I
Tao Systems was awarded a US Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to develop a closed-loop system for alleviating gust loads on aerial vehicles. Gust loads have a direct impact on the performance, wing structural weight and fatigue life of flight vehicles. The project involves the use of advanced flow/structural measurement and control techniques to substantially reduce the effects of gust loads while enabling new levels of aerodynamic efficiency. Applications include fixed and rotary wing aircraft. (April 2006)
Tao Systems Described in Cover Story
Tao Systems is featured on the cover of Inside Business, the Hampton Roads Business Journal. The cover article describes Tao Systems' successful business/technical history, potential and focus on the future. David Schwartz, "Going With the Flow," Inside Business, Vol. 12, No. 4, January 23-29, 2006. (January 2006)
2005
Tao Systems Exhibition at SensorsGov Expo & Conference
Tao Systems exhibited its advanced flow and structural instrumentation at the SensorsGov Expo & Conference held in Hampton, VA. Tao Systems joined Virginia's Center for Innovative and Technology (CIT) in a central display on the exhibition floor. (December 6 - 8, 2005)
Tao Systems Awarded a US Navy Contract
Tao Systems was awarded a US Navy contract from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) to understand the high-lift mechanisms of a biorobotics actuator through hydrodynamic experiments. The research is related to recent successes by Tao Systems in obtaining unsteady aerodynamic loads and moments of aircraft tail sections embedded with surface hot-film sensors. The experiment also tests Tao Systems' technological ability to perform underwater on a dynamic system with motion similar to fish, and validates the novel instrumentation's high signal-to-noise, using only unshielded wires, in the presence of strong electromagnetic noise from biorobotics actuators. Applications include autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), submarines, ships, and boats. (December 2005)
Tao Systems Exhibition at APS Conference
Tao Systems exhibited its advanced hot-wire anemometry at the American Physical Society (APS) 58th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) held in Chicago, IL. Tao Systems' constant voltage anemometer (CVA) is used for measuring accurate, simultaneous velocity/temperature fluctuations, turbulence and wall shear stress. In addition, Professor Emeritus Geneviéve Comte-Bellot presented a technical paper demonstrating a new technique using the unique features of the CVA to eliminate adverse harmonics arising from the interaction between turbulent fluctuations, thermal lag of the hot-wire and electronic circuitry. (November 20 - 22, 2005)
NASA Awards Tao Systems SBIR Phase I
Tao Systems was awarded a NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to implement a complete flow angle and airspeed sensor system that operates at a full range of atmospheric conditions (sea level to high altitudes to even the thin Martian atmosphere) and airspeeds down to zero speed providing better than one knot accuracy. The system eliminates issues that burden conventional systems such as pneumatic lags, inaccuracy at low speeds and thin atmospheres, and EMI/RFI. Applications include aerospace vehicles, submarines, ships, boats, atmospheric wind sensing, and oceanographic measurements. (November 18, 2005)
NASA Awards Tao Systems and U. of Florida STTR Phase I
Tao Systems and University of Florida, through a NASA Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) award, are jointly developing an aeroelasticity control toolbox that combines high-sensitivity flow/structural measurement and monitoring with advanced control synthesis to provide the pilot/computer the ability to reliably compensate for uncommanded deflections of flight systems. Advanced aerospace vehicles and system components tend to be slim and elastic, resulting in severe aeroservoelastic problems at high speeds, which require attention for both design and routine performance, safety and ride quality. Applications include fixed wing/rotary aircraft, turbomachinery, sailboats (sails, keel, and control surfaces), and tall structures. (November 18, 2005)
Tao Systems Exhibition at CFM Conference
Tao Systems exhibited its advanced hot-wire anemometry at the XVII Congrés Français de Mécanique (CFM) conference held in Troyes, France. The constant voltage anemometer (CVA) is used for measuring accurate, simultaneous velocity/temperature fluctuations, turbulence and wall shear stress. (August 29 - September 2, 2005)
Tao Systems Presentation at EUCASS Conference
Tao Systems presented its recent progress in developing state-of-the-art flow and structural monitoring and control systems at the 1st European Conference for Aerospace Sciences (EUCASS) conference held in Moscow, Russia. (July 4-7, 2005)
Tao Systems Technology Flies on NASA's F-15B Tail
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) conducts experimental flight tests with Tao Systems' sensors and electronics to determine unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of an F-15B tail instrumented with strain gages and hot-film sensors. (June-August 2005)
Tao Systems Exhibition/Presentation at US Navy Forum
Tao Systems presented and exhibited its underwater sensor and flow control system technology at the 2005 Navy Opportunity Forum in Arlington, VA. For more information on our technology presentation, visit Virtual Acquisition Showcase. Tao Systems is Company #132. (May 2-4, 2005)
Tao Systems Part of Governor Mark Warner's Trade Delegation
Tao Systems was selected by Virginia Governor Mark Warner to be a part of the largest Trade Delegation from Virginia to visit India in an effort to explore business opportunities for Virginia companies in the rapidly developing Indian economy. The Governor and the Delegation visited New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai to meet with important businesses and Chambers of Commerce. See the Press Release issued by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP). (April-May 2005)
Tao Systems Wins DARPA Contract
Tao Systems has been awarded a DARPA contract for advanced MEMS sensor development and fabrication. The contract involves the combination of unique MEMS sensor fabrication with Tao Systems' high performance measurement electronics. (March 2005)
2004
Tao Systems Part of Winning Team for NASA-Wide Contract
Tao Systems is an integral member of Boeing Phantom Work's team that has been awarded a NASA-wide contract to provide R&D services in structures and materials, aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, and acoustics technology. The R&D work involves configuration aerodynamics, flow physics and control, advanced measurement, diagnostics, and instrument systems. See the following NASA Press Release for more information. (August 2004)