[Video] Deflategate -How Temperature Can Influence Pressure in a Football

As an engineer I was intrigued by the #deflategate controversy and theories surrounding the New England Patriots. Again, as an engineer I like to test theories against real-world conditions. Basically I wanted to find out whether or not temperature can actually influence the pressure (measured in psi) of an official NFL football enough to account for what was seen during that infamous Patriots Colts playoff game - so I set up the following test:

The Test

I placed two official NFL footballs in our calibrated thermal chamber and let the footballs reach equilibrium at 24 C (75F) - the approximate temperature when the NFL officials tested the pressure of the Pats' balls.

How SBIR Grants can Help (or Hurt) your Small Business

Government funding is a great way to help advance your small business's technology. One of the most popular government funding avenues is the Small Business Innovative Research or SBIR program.

Our company, Mide Technology, has a long history of proposing to and winning SBIR research grants to develop and commercialize innovative technology. We've seen the benefits of securing funding through this program... but we've also experienced the challenges.

In this blog I'll provide information about the SBIR program, to those who may be unfamiliar, and some insights into what we've learned over the years. These lessons will help you in your quest to carry out your innovative research that aligns best with your small business company goals.

How SBIR Grants can Help (or Hurt) your Small Business

Government funding is a great way to help advance your small business's technology. One of the most popular government funding avenues is the Small Business Innovative Research or SBIR program.

Our company, Mide Technology, has a long history of proposing to and winning SBIR research grants to develop and commercialize innovative technology. We've seen the benefits of securing funding through this program... but we've also experienced the challenges.

In this blog I'll provide information about the SBIR program, to those who may be unfamiliar, and some insights into what we've learned over the years. These lessons will help you in your quest to carry out your innovative research that aligns best with your small business company goals.

Patent Strategizing: The First Steps

Mide works a lot with our patent lawyer Kirk Teska as we look to protect our intellectual property that emerges from one of our many research, development, and engineering programs. I've personally worked with him on a few patent applications and can attest that he knows his stuff!  

Kirk has kindly agreed to share this article he recently wrote where he discusses how one should go about patent strategizing to save time and potentially money. Hopefully, his insight can be of some help as you look to protect the exciting intellectual property you've developed!

Patents are important but expensive – one survey reveals a single patent application can cost around $10,000. Getting the patent to issue can cost twice that.  And so, clients regularly seek new strategies to lower patent legal costs. Here is one we at ITC call Claim Focused Strategizing.

Patent Strategizing: The First Steps

Mide works a lot with our patent lawyer Kirk Teska as we look to protect our intellectual property that emerges from one of our many research, development, and engineering programs. I've personally worked with him on a few patent applications and can attest that he knows his stuff!  

Kirk has kindly agreed to share this article he recently wrote where he discusses how one should go about patent strategizing to save time and potentially money. Hopefully, his insight can be of some help as you look to protect the exciting intellectual property you've developed!

Patents are important but expensive – one survey reveals a single patent application can cost around $10,000. Getting the patent to issue can cost twice that.  And so, clients regularly seek new strategies to lower patent legal costs. Here is one we at ITC call Claim Focused Strategizing.

What's going on in the world of SBIR and STTR Grants?

We often make assumptions that companies and the public sector folks that are involved in the SBIR/STTR solicitation and grant process are familiar with all aspects of the program.  Then you talk to a peer in another company, or meet with a government representative or come across information on the web and realize, “I didn’t know that, or they didn’t know that, wow”.

However, as you consider the breadth of the program and the numerous entities involved, it really is no surprise that beyond one’s direct area of involvement there is much to learn.

The Fundamentals of Motion Control System [Infographic]

Machine automation is entering an era of rapid changes and technological advances, enabling businesses to improve their production efficiency, lower the operational costs, and boost their bottom line.

The motion control system is widely used in various industries in order to develop automated systems. This system encompasses a broad range of components that control motion sequences, enabling the engineering team to control the precise speed, the position, and the torque of the system.