Press Release

Hands On with Electrostatic Discharge – ESD and Tribocharge Measurements at NASA’s Science Technology Showcase are for Kids, Too

“The June 29, 2009 event was very worthwhile!” said Bob Vermillion of NRP’s RMV Technology Group, LLC. “When RMV received the invitation to display at the NASA Science & Technology Showcase in Mountain View, we jumped on it right away as a means of getting the message out about static electricity problems to the general public, namely future astronauts and engineers - kids!” “To my surprise, said Renee Mitchell of RMV, “Bob had all kinds of experiments geared towards kids for generating static electricity. He even set up the same instruments used in satellite high bay areas
and university seminars. It seemed to work, as an overwhelming number of future scientists and astronauts were attracted to our booth.” “I was amazed that the youngest kids were able to grasp concepts about static electricity and ESD because they could participate in the experiments and see what was happening,” said Bob.

Vermillion explained how static electricity related issues are harmful to electronics in spacecraft, space suits and potential specimen sampling on Lunar or Mars due to Electrostatic Attraction (ESA), a concept the kids readily embraced. According to NASA JPL, ESD issues are a big problem and increasing -- as devices get smaller ESD sensitivities increase. The aerospace sector is seeing ESD sensitive devices being compromised at <50 volts and the roadmap is now at +/25 volts as the maximum allowable voltage seen on a device. In like fashion, microprocessor densification is sacrificing protection for real estate, Vermillion explained.  “With computer interfaced instrumentation in hand and visual aides, Bob was able to bring static electricity to life. Our booth was flooded with kids from age 4 to teenagers who were captivated by the experiments of Tribocharge Generation (charging by friction), Field Inducing ESD events and attraction issues,” said Renee. For the next NASA event, Bob will expand his array of experiments and equipment to accommodate more kids’ quest for science. According to a surprised Renee Mitchell of RMV, several parents had asked if Bob would set up experiments at their schools.

RMV Technology Group, LLC has been approved by the International Association of Radio, Telecommunications and Electromagnetics, Inc. as an Authorized iNARTE Test Center and Training Center for the ESD training of engineers and technicians in Space Technology, Aerospace & Defense, electronics, disk drive, Fiberoptics and semiconductor sectors at our headquarters located at NASA Research Park, Moffett Field, California.

Moffett Field, California. 16 March 2009. RMV Technology Group, LLC announced today its designation by the International Association of Radio, Telecommunications and Electromagnetics, Inc. as an approved iNARTE Test Center and Training Center for ESD training of Engineers and Technicians in the aerospace & defense, space technology, fiberoptics, telecommunications, electronics, semiconductor and disk drive industries. Located at NASA Research Park, in the heart of the Silicon Valley, you can now schedule a training class in the morning or afternoon to fit your schedule. Four-hour ESD Certification Courses will now be offered to individuals that will also include ‘hands on’ instrument training with interactive software to demonstrate live ESD events and fields occuring with materials and equipment. Each attendee with receive an ESD Certification Certificate that can be utilized for ISO and educational requirements. Annual or Two Year Re-Certification ESD Courses are also available in a 4-hour course format. For additional information and for current classes, please contact Renee Mitchell at 650.964.4792 or email Renee at renee@esdrmv.com.

About RMV Technology Group, LLC. RMV Technology Group is a SDVOSB/8(a) firm that provides ESD mitigation leadership of advanced and engineered materials, equipment centers, facility assessments, robotics, technical writing, technology training, consulting and long term storage solutions for materials and packaging in the space technology, aerospace/defense, medical device and pharmaceutical/drug delivery industries.