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Spinoff story
Emission Testing
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
Nitrous oxide emissions readings vary with relative humidity in the test facility. EPA uses standard humidity measurement, but allows manufacturers to test under different humidity conditions. They apply a correction factor to adjust the results to the EPA standard. NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center developed analytic equations which provide a simple, computer-programmable method of correcting for humidity variations. Ford Motor Company now uses the Dryden equations for humidity adjusted emissions data now reported to the EPA.