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Space, the Final Frontier for…Welding? ISS National Lab-Sponsored Research to Test Cold Welding for Spacecraft Repairs

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The SpaceX CRS-31 mission for NASA will advance cold welding techniques for on-the-spot spacecraft hull repairs

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Imagine a spacecraft hurtling through deep space when suddenly, it’s struck by a rogue piece of space debris. In the harsh vacuum of space, traditional repair methods falter. Enter ASTROBEAT, an innovative experiment sponsored by the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, poised to advance spacecraft repairs using cold welding—a technique akin to patching a tire while soaring through space. 

This experiment, which arrived at the space station via SpaceX’s 31st Commercial Resupply Services mission for NASA, is spearheaded by Leonardo Barilaro, a senior lecturer in aerospace engineering at the Malta College of Arts, Sciences, and Technology (MCAST).

“Cold welding has long been considered an adverse phenomenon in space, but with ASTROBEAT, we’re transforming a problem into a viable repair mechanism,” Barilaro explains. “It aims to create a paradigm shift in conducting structural repairs in space—swiftly, efficiently, and with minimal external intervention.”

Cold welding employs a calibrated force to join metallic materials without heat, minimizing risks like structural damage to spacecraft from high temperatures. This technique benefits from the space station’s microgravity environment, where metals don’t re-oxidize quickly, allowing for cleaner and stronger bonds. The ASTROBEAT technology demonstration project will evaluate cold welding in space by testing metal patches on simulated spacecraft hulls, offering a safer and potentially more reliable method for in-orbit repairs than traditional techniques.

The remotely controlled experiment, designed to address hull breaches caused by micrometeoroids or space debris, consists of four chambers with calibrated metallic samples. If successful, the project could establish cold welding as a crucial tool for in-space repair, significantly boosting the durability of spacecraft and the safety of crewed missions.

“The introduction of ASTROBEAT to the ISS represents a crucial step from theoretical concepts to practical, potentially life-saving technology,” Barilaro adds. “We aim to provide astronauts with the capability to seal breaches from within the spacecraft, leveraging the unique conditions of cold welding adhesion in space.”

Upon completion of the space station testing, the project will return to Earth so the team can thoroughly analyze the cold-welded joints, assessing their effectiveness and resilience.

In addition to ASTROBEAT, Barilaro, a pianist, leads the Space Art project “Music from Space” in collaboration with Grammy-nominated cellist Tina Guo. This project uses art to engage and educate the public on the wonders of space science, highlighting the profound link between creativity and exploration in human spaceflight.

For additional information on ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations onboard the space station as part of NASA’s SpaceX CRS-31, view our launch page. Visit our website to learn more about the research and technology development sponsored by the ISS National Lab, including how to propose concepts for future space-based research.

Download an image for this release: ASTROBEAT module

About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory:
The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Laboratory® allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve quality of life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology, and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative Agreement with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravity research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit our website.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CASIS accepts corporate and individual donations to help advance science in space for the benefit of humanity. For more information, visit our donations page.

Media Contact:       

Patrick O’Neill   

904-806-0035 

PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org

 

International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory
       Managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS)
__________________________________________________________________________________ 

6905 N. Wickham Rd., Suite 500, Melbourne, FL 32940 • 321.253.5101 • www.ISSNationalLab.org

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SOURCE International Space Station National Lab

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REPLY: COVU Transforms Customer Experience with Amazon Connect, Partnering with Storm Reply

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CHICAGO, Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Storm Reply, an AWS Premier Consulting Partner and member of the Reply network, has successfully implemented Amazon Connect for COVU, a leader in AI-native services for insurance agencies. This integration empowers COVU to enhance its customer experience, scale operations with a growing number of AI solutions, and drive business growth with a robust and flexible contact center platform.

COVU’s contact center, the core of its operations, manages customer calls, text messages, web inquiries, and emails for numerous client agencies. As the company grew, COVU sought to replace its legacy system, which had limitations in visibility and call management. To further elevate its telephony capabilities, gain deeper insights into essential metrics like average wait times and abandonment rates, and build a foundation for rapidly developing new AI solutions, COVU partnered with Storm Reply to implement Amazon Connect, a cloud-based contact center system.

Storm Reply implemented several AI-driven features, including real-time call transcription, automated redaction of personally identifiable information (PII), and AI-powered call summaries. Additionally, sentiment analysis was integrated to help agents and supervisors proactively manage customer satisfaction.

Since implementing Amazon Connect, COVU has boosted efficiency and scalability, using AI-driven insights to handle more interactions without raising costs. Enhanced call routing and real-time insights have cut call abandonment rates by 20% and helped meet service level agreements, setting the stage for scalable growth. The integration of AWS telephony and SMS technology has further positioned COVU to quickly expand its AI capabilities, including the development of an AI voice agent that answers calls when human agents are busy, and creates tickets for operations staff, enhancing service efficiency. As a result, agent satisfaction has increased by over 250%.

Amin Zarshenas, Cofounder and Chief Product Officer at COVU  shared, “With Amazon Connect’s ability to seamlessly integrate with other AI services, we are poised to quickly launch new AI applications, drive operational efficiencies to foster business growth, and ensure success for our clients. This shift allows my leadership team and me to move beyond operational challenges and focus on strategic initiatives that fuel our company’s growth.”

Don Mishory, Managing Partner at Storm Reply, added, “By implementing Amazon Connect, we’ve empowered COVU to achieve remarkable efficiency and scalability. With AI-driven insights and advanced call routing, COVU has enhanced customer interactions while keeping operational costs steady. The integration of AWS technology has also paved the way for innovative solutions like an AI voice agent, significantly improving service efficiency and agent experience.”

Learn more about how COVU enhanced its customer experience here.

Reply

Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] specializes in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. As a network of highly specialized companies, Reply defines and develops business models enabled by the new models of AI, big data, cloud computing, digital media and the internet of things. Reply delivers consulting, system integration and digital services to organizations across the telecom and media; industry and services; banking and insurance; and public sectors. www.reply.com

Storm Reply

Storm Reply is a global leader in cloud-based solutions and services, specializing in the design and implementation of innovative Cloud infrastructures. As an AWS Premier Consulting Partner, Storm Reply supports businesses in implementing cloud systems, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). Storm Reply helps enterprises leverage the cloud to drive business transformation and growth.

COVU

COVU is a tech-enabled partner for independent insurance agencies, offering an AI-powered platform that combines advanced technology with licensed support staff, market access, and expert advice. COVU’s all-in-one solution helps insurance agencies focus on strategic growth, improve customer service, and future-proof their operations.

Press contact:

Reply
Fabio Zappelli
f.zappelli@reply.com
Tel. +390117711594

Anusha Shankar
a.shankar@reply.com
Tel. +1 3129980306

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reply-covu-transforms-customer-experience-with-amazon-connect-partnering-with-storm-reply-302298256.html

SOURCE Reply

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Therap Enhances Person-Centered Data Collection Tools and Expands Data Submission Window to Improve Individual Service Plans and Long-Term Care within the Human Services Sector

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TORRINGTON, Conn., Nov. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Therap Services, the forefront provider of HIPAA-compliant electronic documentation solutions for organizations and agencies in Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), and broader human services sectors, has recently expanded its ISP Data submission window and introduced key enhancements to its data collection and reporting features. These updates offer significant benefits to service providers by enhancing the management and tracking of goals and objectives, helping to improve overall care and outcomes.

A major improvement is the extension of the ISP Data submission window from six months to 13 months. This expanded time frame offers greater flexibility for providers to submit, update, and adjust data as necessary, ensuring that documentation stays up-to-date even in complex or evolving care scenarios. This longer window allows for more comprehensive data collection and reporting, ultimately leading to more accurate tracking of individual progress.

In addition to the extended submission window, Therap has made some other enhancements to the ISP Data module, designed to make the data collection process more streamlined and user-friendly. These improvements focus on simplifying the entry of key information, enabling staff to record data more efficiently and accurately. With these updates, service providers can better monitor individual progress, make more informed decisions, and adjust care plans as needed.

The reporting features within the ISP Data module have also been enhanced to provide more meaningful and actionable insights. By improving report generation and search functionality, providers can more easily track trends, measure outcomes, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. These updates support providers in delivering higher-quality services by offering clearer visibility into the effectiveness of their programs.

Overall, the expanded ISP Data submission window and enhanced features empower providers to deliver better care, improving outcomes for vulnerable populations.

For more information on Therap’s comprehensive eSolution for Person-Centered services, please visit https://www.therapservices.net/products/comprehensive-esolution-for-person-centered-services/

About Therap

Therap’s comprehensive and HIPAA-compliant software is used in human services settings for documentation, communication, reporting, EVV and billing.

Learn more at www.therapservices.net

Related Links
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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/therap-enhances-person-centered-data-collection-tools-and-expands-data-submission-window-to-improve-individual-service-plans-and-long-term-care-within-the-human-services-sector-302298909.html

SOURCE Therap Services

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TD Integrates with TouchBistro to Provide Payment Solution to Canadian Restaurant Owners

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TouchBistro POS and restaurant management system enables restaurant owners to manage orders, reservations, staffing, floor plan, and reconcile bills on one platform

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2024 /CNW/ – TD Bank Group (TD) is pleased to announce a collaboration with independent software vendor, TouchBistro, enabling Canadian restaurant and food service entrepreneurs to consolidate all management and payment services into one, easy to use POS and restaurant management system. Available to all TD customers, TouchBistro provides restaurateurs with everything they need to drive sales and streamline operations through their comprehensive suite of front of house, back of house, and guest engagement technology.

“Collaborating with TouchBistro gives our merchants the ability to integrate their TD payment devices and benefit from the restaurant POS functionality and features that TouchBistro has to offer,” says Alec Morley, Senior Vice President, Canadian Small Business Banking at TD. “In turn, Merchants have the peace of mind being supported by a bank and software vendor that they know and trust, helping entrepreneurs feel at ease while managing their restaurant business.”

When it comes to paying for meals, TouchBistro’s 2024 Canadian Diner Trends Report found that 84 percent of Canadian diners prefer to settle up by using either a credit or debit card, and 76 percent of patrons prefer using a handheld payment terminal that is brought to the table.

“Offering merchants the ability to integrate their TD payment device directly with a restaurant management tool allows them to deliver what Canadian diners are looking for – ease of payment combined with enhanced customer service,” says Morley. “When things like reservations, managing orders and floor plans, plus the ability to reconcile bills are offered in one platform, restaurant staff can focus their attention on diners and delivering the quality customer service that we know Canadians are looking for.”

“TouchBistro is constantly evolving to offer best-in-class solutions to operators, and we are excited to work with TD as one of our integrated payments providers,” said Samir Zabaneh, Chairman and CEO of TouchBistro. “As we continue to be the most comprehensive all-in-one POS and restaurant management system, this collaboration is a natural fit as we expand our portfolio to offer diverse solutions that cater to Canadian operators’ unique needs.”

Offering an integrated payment solution allows merchants to improve efficiencies, generate insights about their business, ensure that payment data is secure and provide a pleasant customer experience.

For more information on the TD-integrated payment solution with TouchBistro please visit: https://www.touchbistro.com/tdintegration/

About TD Bank Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (“TD” or the “Bank”). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by assets and serves over 27.5 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Auto Finance Canada; U.S. Retail, including TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, TD Auto Finance U.S., TD Wealth (U.S.), and an investment in The Charles Schwab Corporation; Wealth Management and Insurance, including TD Wealth (Canada), TD Direct Investing, and TD Insurance; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities and TD Cowen. TD also ranks among the world’s leading online financial services firms, with more than 17 million active online and mobile customers. TD had $1.97 trillion in assets on July 31, 2024. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol “TD” on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges.

About TouchBistro

TouchBistro is an all-in-one POS and restaurant management system that makes running a restaurant easier by providing essential front of house, back of house, and guest engagement solutions on one powerful platform. TouchBistro helps restaurateurs streamline and simplify their operations, drive sales, and deliver a great guest experience. For additional information, visit TouchBistro.com.

SOURCE TD Bank Group

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