CRI Working In a Collaboration with NASA

Atlanta, GA, December 2-- After several years of working together to enhance a hand held chemical analyzer, NASA, the Marshall Space Flight Center and KeyMaster Technologies of Kennewick, Washington have created a device that can both function as a quality control tool for parts destined for the Space Shuttle and help lead to cleaner carpets at home. In 2001, NASA and KeyMaster Technologies began work to improve a hand-held X-Ray Fluorescent device (XRF) that detects the presence of elements in various materials. The enhancements made it possible for KeyMaster's analyzer to identify a larger number of hard-to-detect elements such as sodium, aluminum, and silicon. According to Fred Schramm of Marshall's Engineering Directorate, "NASA needed this capability to conduct quality control for critical aluminum alloy parts used in the Space Shuttle Program." He continued, "Having a portable chemical analyzer enables NASA to conduct field analyses on larger components like Reusable Solid Rocket Motors." Under an exclusive license granted by NASA in 2004, KeyMaster now has the rights to use and market this device. In doing so, the company partnered with Professional Testing Laboratories, of Dalton, Georgia to use the NASA enhanced analyzer to test the effectiveness of various carpet cleaning methods. In a process developed through collaboration between Lloyd Starks and Robert Shannon, Ph.D. of KeyMaster and scientists at PTL, a designer soil created to mimic actual soil and foreign particulate contaminants is applied under strictly controlled conditions to carpet. The designer soil contains an exact quantity of each of multiple elements chosen for particle size and physical characteristics naturally occurring in soil such as clay-like zinc oxide and sand-like yttrium oxide. On a test bed developed by PTL, a NASA enhanced X-Ray fluorescence instrument measures the amount of designer soil applied to and removed from carpet. By repeating this process with different vacuum cleaners and extraction machines that use water, chemicals, or a mixture to clean carpets, testers can begin to establish benchmarks for performance. "This new test method is a great technological leap ahead for the flooring and floor care industry. It is our hope that this test will be adopted as a standard for cleaning performance," says Gary Asbury, president of PTL. That is already beginning to happen. Beam Industries, the largest manufacturer of built-in central vacuum systems, has embraced the new technology and recently tested several models of central and upright vacuums to analyze their cleaning capabilities. "XRF technology offers the fastest, most accurate method possible for analyzing the soil removal capabilities of floorcare products," says John Coghlan, president of Beam Industries. "We already are applying results from the XRF analysis to new central vacuum systems and accessories that will maintain a healthier living environment." ProTeam, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency clean air vacuums and a pioneer in backpack vacuum cleaner technology, has also embraced the XRF test protocol. According to Pro Team president Larry Shideler; "ProTeam is proud to be on the vanguard of supporting this test method developed by worldclass scientists and engineers. It enables measuring soil removal effectiveness in a precise scientific manner, validates high-performance products, and provides data for benchmarking and the improvement of equipment. We believe this milestone will facilitate cleaner, healthier environments for the consumer." In addition, the Carpet and Rug Institute of Dalton, Georgia, has committed to incorporate XRF technology in its testing programs for high efficiency vacuums and effective carpet cleaning products. "This technology is consistent with CRI's desire to see the best science applied to improving air quality in indoor environments and maintaining the life cycle of carpet."