Potomac Photonics Invited to Demo at NASA Technology Day on Capitol Hill

April 21, 2015; Baltimore, MD: Potomac Photonics, who has had a number of collaborations with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], has been invited to participate in the 2015 NASA Technology Day on the Hill happening April 29 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. The interactive event shows how American investment in space technology has enabled NASA-funded companies to make a difference here on earth.

Potomac will be showing samples of the many types of medical device and biotech products that have been developed and manufactured as an outgrowth of NASA contracts. These include Potomac’s early work for NASA through the Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] program that is intended to help small businesses come out with new products while providing R&D for the sponsoring Federal government agency. The SBIR grant funded research that was instrumental in developing the company’s core competencies in laser micromachining that are now used to manufacture many different types of products in a variety of markets.

Since that initial collaboration, NASA has contracted with Potomac to make parts for the Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST). For the ASTRO-H satellite project highly precise marks were laser engraved on filter carriers. Working with NASA and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL), Potomac also micro-marked miniature custom connectors for the Solar Probe Plus. These are all examples of how the company continues to utilize the R&D NASA originally funded in ongoing applications for space exploration.

Potomac’s recent commercial innovations for localized cancer treatment and a device to fight cervical cancer would not have been possible without the technological advancement made possible by NASA contracts. Products in the medical device and biotech markets are now changing people’s lives with complex digital fabrication originally used for the agency’s own space exploration program.

The expo takes place in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building and includes a reception of light hors d’oeuvres. Special guest NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman will also be on hand to speak about his mission to the International Space Station, where he spent 165 days in space. The free event is open to the public but registration is required. Email [email protected] to sign up.