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Spinoff story
Solving a Corrosion Problem
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Golden Gates Transit Authority's ferries were experiencing excessive corrosion due to electrolysis, which, unchecked, could have caused perforation of the hulls. New wire-and-rod grounding system was made of aluminum like the ferry's hull so there would be no longer dissimilar metals in contact. Ames Research Center's research on the matter and previous Skylab technology disclosed that the problem was not unique to Golden Gate ferries. It is being experienced by many pleasure boat operators who are probably as puzzled about it as the Golden Transit Authority.