
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration has pioneered a number of amazing technologies, many of which have practical applications closer to home. One of these is Hummingbird Kinetics, a fluid harmonic damper for tall and supertall buildings that is based on NASA technology for reducing rocket vibrations during launch. Senior Principal Elisabeth Malsch explains how Thornton Tomasetti took this out-of-this-world idea and adapted it for the built environment, creating a more affordable, compact and flexible alternative to traditional damper systems.