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Spinoff story
Shock Absorbers Save Structures and Lives during Earthquakes
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
With NASA funding, North Tonawanda, New York-based Taylor Devices Inc. developed fluidic shock absorbers to safely remove the fuel and electrical connectors from the space shuttles during launch. The company is now employing the technology as seismic dampers to protect structures from earthquakes. To date, 550 buildings and bridges have the dampers, and not a single one has suffered damage in the wake of an earthquake.