microgravity4 innovation

Ames Research Center, Space Portal/Emerging Space Office STC

Microgravity:

The future of innovation

Ioana Cozmuta

Science and Technology

Corporation

Space Portal, NASA Ames

Research Center

For further inquiries including citation or

distribution of material contained herein please

contact: Ioana.cozmuta AT nasa.gov

MOTTO:

The difficult we do immediately,

The impossible takes a little longer


The value of ISS/microgravity research

ISS-US taxpayers investment ~$70 billion spent over 30 years

What is the ISS’s Return on Investment ? Return on Innovation?

Reformulate question:

What is the cost of NOT innovating and NOT exploring in

microgravity?

Yes

State of the art Desired outcome

No

Ground

Space

Publications Patents Spin-offs

otherwise-not-accessible-knowledge

Keep track of:

Comprehensive, searchable, public microg database

Resources, capabilities

Disruptive innovation

and technologies


3

International Space Station Truss

Challenged by the extreme environment, severe mass limitations

and the innate desire to explore the Universe in which we live,

humanity has developed many innovative space technologies

and acquired unique knowledge with great ancillary benefits here

on Earth.


1. Connecting the dots: products in our daily lives emerged

out of microgravity research

– Microgravity impact for basic science

2. Capabilities

3. Cultural Adjustments for improved outcomes and

opportunities


5

PRODUCT: Metallic Glass hardware/Liquidmetal

Technologies & Materion (mass scale manufacturing)

Adopting this technology are products manufactured by Motorola,

Samsung and LG Electronics, Sandisk, Apple


6

Microgravity research:

Viscous Liquid Foam-Bulk Metallic Glass

Bulk Metallic Glasses are a new family of glasses obtained by

undercooling an alloy (Zr, Ti, Cu, Ni, Be) and forming a solid,

non-crystalline structure under precise conditions (STS -

1990’s)

Properties:

-low surface roughness: <0.05mm (Cu, steel, Fe=5-150)

-high yield strength: 1900 MPa (alumina, aluminum, boron

carbide ~100-300 MPa)

-high corrosion and wear resistance (>336 hours)

-unique acoustical properties

- lightweight with considerably reduced thermal conductivity.

Caltech has an Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) facility for

containerless materials processing. It is used to manufacture

glass-forming alloys and measure thermal properties of

materials

SPINOFF: http://liquidmetal.com/


7

PRODUCT: Optical fibers for telecommunications, optical

computers, etc

IBM –integrates optical computing onto standard (90 nm) silicon

chips


8

ISS: ZBLAN-fluoride glass fiber/Physical Optics

Corporation

Fluoride Glass Fibers (blend of zirconium, barium,

lanthanum, aluminum and sodium) uniquely manufactured in

space. On Earth gravity causes convection or mixing in a

melt thus the melt becomes more fluid/less viscous and

tends to crystallize before glass can form.

-attenuation rate ~0.0001dB/km (current Si-based fibers

have an attenuation rate of 0.2dB/km)

-ensure wide spectral band optical transmission for satellite

track systems

-enable expansion of the detection range from UV to mid-

infrared wavelengths (for satellite spectral identification)

ZBLAN-prepares superior infrared transmitting optical fibers

with applications to both optical and quantum computers

Payload is selfcontained and automated

(left) a defect-free ZBLAN fiber

pulled during a low-g arc aboard

the KC-135; (right) a crystallized

fiber pulled from the same

apparatus under 1-g.


9

PRODUCT: cosmetics, household items, packaging

P&G studies systems in space that we will all benefit from in

everyday life: improved shelf life, enhanced product quality and

reduced product development time.


10

ISS: binary colloids and phase diagrams

With gravity turned on, a binary mixture prepared with a composition between the binodal and the spinodal curves

spontaneously decomposes, quickly driving the composition to the coexistence curve. Microgravity can 'fixate'

unstable regions in the phase diagram.

The spinodal is the limit of stability of a solution, denoting the boundary of absolute instability of a solution to

decomposition into multiple phases. Below this curve, "infinitesimally small fluctuations in composition and density

will lead to phase separation via spinodal decomposition. Outside of the curve, but below the binodal

(coexistence) curve, the solution is metastable with respect to fluctuations. It is in this region where microgravity

experiments can afford new materials with new properties.


11

Courtesy: NASA/Peter Lu et al., Harvard University

BCAT–3 critical point samples evolving in microgravity. Colloidal/polymer mixtures that are near the critical point

are already starting to phase separate into two components: a colloid-rich phase (blue areas) and a colloid-poor

phase (black areas). The quickly changing dynamic data captured in these photographs will help determine the

boundary conditions for future models of critical behavior. The long-term observation of which samples phase

separate will allow to precisely determine the critical point of this colloidal mixture. (Colloidal engineering)

ISS: binary colloids and phase diagrams


12

Courtesy: NASA/Arjun Yodh and Jiang Zhang, Penn State

BCAT–3 two months following mixing. The pink region is the phase separation region showing possible indication

of surface crystallization. The black asterisk indicates possible bulk crystal nucleation. Results help scientists

develop fundamental physics concepts previously unobserved due to the effects of gravity. Ordered arrays of

these micron-sized particles may be ideal for the development of next generation optical devices.

ISS: binary colloids and surface crystallization


13

PRODUCT: ZEOLITE CRYSTALS

Honda hydrogen

storage tanks

• The reversible physisorption of hydrogen on

porous solid state materials is important for

storing hydrogen and scales with the surface

area

• Reduction of by-products, increased

cleaning/detoxification efficacy

Lanfax Labs:

Phosphate free

detergents


ISS: ZEOLITES CRYSTAL GROWTH

Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals with pore diameters less than 2nm. The pores make zeolites

highly adsorbent; materials are attracted to the zeolite and adhere to the surface without changing state.

Production challenges for synthetically produced zeolites are:

1.Elucidation of the nucleation and growth mechanism of zeolites

2.Controlling zeolite crystal size and growth

3.Preparation of extra-large pore zeolites and layered zeolites

4.Synthesis of zeolitized mesoporous materials and chiral zeolites

5.Preparation of true molecular sieve membranes

The ZCG investigations examined how subtle changes in the chemical formulation affected nucleation and

growth of zeolite crystals. The microgravity environment allowed researchers to grow larger (average >10%) and

higher-quality crystals. The nutrients have to be added to the solution at a precise moment after onset of

crystallization to result in larger crystals. These crystals have a number of useful commercial applications as

catalysts and absorbents, chemical sensors.

SUSTAINABILITY: Everywhere we go today we come across pollutionZEOLITES =“nature’s detoxifier

Scanning Electron Microscopy image of flight (a)

and Earth (b) control zeolite crystals

Zeolite Crystals grown on the

ground (left) are smaller than

the ones grown in space (right)


15

PRODUCT: SE-FIT SOFTWARE; Advanced Wicking

• Software design of fluid systems for

spacecraft life support, thermal

control, cryogen and liquid propellant

management (bubbles, droplets and

unexpected wetting have significant

effect on system performance, crew

activity and comfort)

• Complex interface design for

microfluidic devices

• Capillary action and fluid surface

tension in small scale devices


16

ISS: Capillarity and bubble migration in mg

Various container shapes change transition in

fluid location. As a central vane is rotated in the

elliptic cylinder container, critical wetting

geometries are established leading to wicking

along the vane-wall gap and/or a shift of fluid from

right to left

SPINOFF

Single and multi-bubble migration and phase separation are

driven passively by specific control of container shape. A

taper in a polygonal sectioned conduit leads to capillary

pumping of liquid from right to left driving bubble left to

right. Application: fluid systems aboard spacecraft to

separate and store fluids by phase without moving parts

SUSTAINABILITY: Use knowledge from

Microgravity to design better tools that on earth are

used for microfluidic applications for energy and

sustainability:

• enzymatic conversion of biofuels

• rapid microfluidic analysis of cellular processes

in species with significant impact on the global

carbon cycle

• biohydrogen generation


17

ISS: Advanced Environmental Monitoring and Control

The JPL Electronic Nose (ENose) is a full-time, continuously operating event monitor designed to detect air

contamination from spills and leaks in the crew habitat in the International Space Station. It fills the long-

standing gap between onboard alarms and complex analytical instruments. ENose provides rapid, early

identification and quantification of atmospheric changes caused by chemical species to which it has been

trained.

• Use the electronic nose for dangerous airborne chemicals, monitor cleanup

processes after a leak or a spill, etc

• Sniffer for lung and brain cancer detection (City of Hope, World Brain Mapping)


18

PRODUCT: Photodynamic therapy

Quantum Devices, Inc: www.quantumdev.com/

CERES-solid state modular LED lighting system for life

science applications (JSC use for small-scale food plant

production)

SpectraLife-custom fabricated monochromatic array of

GaAiAs light emitting diodes to emit diffused

monochromatic light

Prof. Harry T Whelan (Medical College of Wisconsin)

uses photodynamic therapy as an unprecedented,

unique treatment of brain tumors in children and adults

(Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT01682746)

Photodynamic therapy uses light mediated activation of

a photosensitizer (Photofrin) that is selectively

accumulated in the target tissue causing tumor cell

destruction through singlet oxygen production

Ames Research Center, Space Portal/Emerging Space Office STCISS INVESTIGATION:Advanced Astroculture (ADVASC)

Objectives: To understand the effects of gravity on plant life by:

1. Determine if plants can complete their seed-to-seed life cycle in microgravity

3. Determine the effects of microgravity on gene expression levels

Secondary objective:

Develop a plant growth chamber w controlled environmental parameters

Light source used to simulate photosynthesis in the growth chamber needs to:

1. Deliver high intensity light energy with specific peak photon wavelengths

2. Should not heat/overheat chamber

SPINOFF: Quantum Devices Inc/QBMI PhotoMedicine

1. PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) for cancer treatment: intravenous injection of a photosensitizer that accumulates preferentially in cancer cells. Activated by the light source the photosensitizer results in free radical generation and cell death

2. Increased effectiveness of wound healing upon exposure to the light

Second Phase of Clinical Trials in the US and foreign hospitals with extremely good results from the first round of tests (healing of bone marrow transplant patients, mucositis, pediatric brain cancer)

SUSTAINABILITY:

Light source (light

emitting diode) used for

mimicking natural light

indoors?

SPINOFF:

http://www.quantumdev.co

m/


20

PRODUCT: BrightMark Tissue Site Marker/NuVue Chemo

Diagnostic: Microcapsule for biopsy site marker

lodged in the interstitial space of tissue without

migration for ultrasound monitoring via repeat

biopsies, or for marking the site before and/or after

surgery. Current tissue site markers typically

consist of metal clips that tend to migrate within

tissue, and so do not reliably mark the targeted

tissue with accuracy over the long term.

Therapy: Encapsulated FDA approved generic chemotherapy drugs

for the deposition, retention and imaging of the drug in the tissue;

microcapsules designed for release in a specific time desired

timeframe

SPIN-OFF: http://www.nuvuetherapeutics.com/


21

PRODUCT: CHI hair styling products/Farouk

1. Nanoceramic materials used in the CHI hair iron,

brushes, curling irons, nail lacquers and hair dryers

2. Liquid formulation line for hair color protection,

nutrition and conditioning

The combination of (1) and (2) improves moisture

retention during the styling process

1. Incorporation of nanosiliver particles inhibits

microbial growth

2. Scalp healing and stimulation of growth phase of

hair follicles that have become dormantMicrogravity finding:

-liquid filled microballoons formed an outer membrane in space

-ceramic nanoparticles containing unique mixture of metal oxides for

controlled delivery

-efficiency of microencapsulation of three antioxidants

-application of near-infrared light for improved skin healing and bone cell

replacement in astronautsFarouk Systems: http://www.farouk.com/ official hair care sponsor of Miss

Universe-first experiments sent in outer space by a hair care company

http://www.farouk.com/


22

Courtesy: NASA/Denis Morrison

Microencapsulation containing anti-tumor drugs

made on ISS

ISS: microencapsulation

The Microencapsulation Electrostatic Processing System-II experiment (MEPS-II), included innovative

encapsulation of several different anti-cancer drugs, magnetic triggering particles, and encapsulation of genetically

engineered DNA. The experiment system improved on existing microencapsulation technology by using

microgravity to modify the fluid mechanics, interfacial behavior, and biological processing methods as compared to

the way the microcapsules would be formed in gravity. Two immiscible liquids were combined in such a way that

surface tension forces (rather than fluid shear) dominated at the interface of the fluids. The significant performance

of the space-produced microcapsules as a cancer treatment delivery system (Le Pivert et al. 2004) motivated the

development of the Pulse Flow Microencapsulation System (PFMS), which is an Earth-based system that can

replicate the quality of the microcapsules created in space.

SPIN-OFF: http://www.nuvuetherapeutics.com/

Single cell microencapsulation


23

PRODUCT: ZEN perfume by Shiseido


24

How do roses smell in space? Overnight

Scentsation cultivated by International Flavors

and Fragrances.

The most romantic space experiment?

In microgravity the rose produced fever volatiles than it did on Earth but the fragrance that it did generate was

critically altered. Scents were collected using a tiny silicon fiber coated with a special liquid to which molecules

around the flower petal adhere. The fragrance was analyzed on ground and it is made up of nearly 200 different

compounds. Every sampling of the rose was different and the average of those samplings resulted in a new

fragrance incorporated in ZEN

PRODUCT: Perfume ZEN by Shiseido

A lab technician demonstrates the use of a

silicon fiber to collect scent-molecules from a

rose. Credit: International Flavors & Fragrances.


25

PRODUCT: Microgravity-enhanced genetic plant

engineering

Agriculture and food production:

transgenic soybeans for more

appetizing taste, texture; pest

resistance; transfer of one plant

characteristic to another (cotton, corn)

Target market: $14 billions a year

(even 1% product improvement has

significant interest)

Microgravity finding:

• In the low gravity environment of space, the transfer

of genetic information from one kind of plat to

another is enhanced due to lack of gravity induced

buoyancy and convection effects

• Leads to improved or new agricultural products


26

PRODUCT: Low-lignin OR high-lignin trees

• Environmental friendly/less

expensive paper production: low-

lignin trees would reduce the

necessity of chemically removing

lignin from trees

• Stronger wood products for the

lumber industry: high-lignin trees

Microgravity finding/BioServe

•Plants growing in space produce less lignin

•The reminder metabolic energy leads to production of

secondary metabolites used by the pharmaceutical industry ($50

billion/year)

Key to BioServe success was the development of a set of

generic space-flight hardware that can be shared by multiple life

science disciplines –increased/shared utilization


27

PRODUCT: Proleukin/Chiron and Alendronate/Merck

• Space was used to advance the

development of drugs

• Proleukin: used for treating metastatic

renal cell cancer, immune disorders,

influenza, some infections due to AIDS

• Biophosphonates/Alendronate: used

effectively to maintain bone mass, slow

down evolution of Paget disease,

osteoporosis

Microgravity finding:

• Space induced immune-system depression in mice was used

to test effectiveness of the drug resulting in a shortened

testing schedule for the drug

• Astronauts treated with Biophosphonates showed reduced

bone loss and reduced risk of renal stone formation


28

Microtumors to validate chemo-drugs efficacy


29

Cartilage growth-osteoporosis

Tissue engineering


• When the force of gravity is present other forces are

lost in the noise OR when you remove the force of

gravity other forces become predominant and drive a

different system dynamics

• Gravity is another physical parameter defining the

state and behavior of a system (similar to pressure or

temperature). Similarly, earlier on, major

breakthroughs and innovations were achieved when

systems were studied for example at low

temperatures.

Statements regarding microgravity


1. Defect free materials

2. Containerless processing

3. Avoidance of nucleation or single nucleation

4. No contribution from convective flow (purely diffusive transport

at L-S interface)

5. Free suspensions

6. Perfect spherical shape

7. Symmetric growth

8. Controlled growth (good success with dendritic systems)

9. Low undercooling

10.No solute buildup

11.No sedimentation

12.No wetting

13.Larger stable crystals with improved resolution vs ground

controls

14.More homogeneous materials

Microgravity benefits for material science


1. Presence of pressure: cell structure, adhesion and signaling

2. Sedimentation and buoyancy (root growth)

3. Stirring/thermal convection-slower heat and nutrient exchange

4. Surface forces-important for “chemical communication”: development,

disease, function (different gene expression, activation/deactivation of

mechanisms for inflammation, immunity, bacterial growth)

Contrary to earlier beliefs microgravity induces changes in single cells or

simple organisms not only in large, complex organisms

Response to gravity is complex:

•Cells affected by gravity/lack thereof: The molecular mechanisms by which

gravity affects biological systems are still largely unknown. A “gravity sensor”

has not yet been identified

•Cells respond to gravity/lack thereof: Adaptation to force of Earth’s gravity (up-

down asymmetry, structural strength, sensory systems) is encoded in genes.

An organism expects to experience the physical effects of unit gravity:

sedimentation, convection, transport processes, hydrostatic pressure,

boundary conditions, friction

Microgravity benefits for life science


1. SEM of 3D cultures in space more closely resembled natural tumor cells

found in cancer patients than ground controls grown on Earth

2. Cytoskeletal modifications affect cell proliferation in microgravity

3. Alteration in genes involved in the response of the microbe to the space

flight environment were observed. Increase virulence (Salmonella,

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, candida albicans)-vaccine resulted

4. Lymphocyte/monocyte system is most affected by space flight

5. Protein Crystal Growth-microgravity stimulates growth of structurally

superior crystals and polymers of biomolecules. Helps elucidate the

structure of hormones, enzymes, nucleic acids, other proteins –design of

more effective drugs

6. Tissue engineering: 3D tissue models of small intestine, placenta, lung,

bladder, neurons, prostate, ovarian, breast endocrine (NIH)

7. Human Research-developing and testing drug countermeasures (muscle,

bone loss, improved immune response )

8. Regenerative nanomedicine: BioNanoScaffolds

Microgravity benefits for life science


• The Game Changer

• Commercial space services

• Transportation infrastructure


1. How to engage key US ground technologies?

2. What are the customers needs?

3. What are the business/commercial opportunities that open up?

4. How do we appropriately communicate the value of ISS microgravity research?

Commercial cargo and crew enables:

1. Increased frequency of flight

2. Sample return capability

3. New perspective on the commercial

value of ISS

The Game Changer


Dragon Lab is a free-flying microgravity laboratory, unmanned, designed for

research and testing in microgravity

6000 kg total bulk upmass capability

3000 kg bulk downmass-10m3 pressurized and 14m3 unpressurized payload

volume

Payload integration timeline: nominal: L-14 days; Late-load: T-9 hours

Payload return: nominal EOM+14 days; Early Access: EOM + 6hours

www.spacex.com/

Dragon Lab


Perform all aspects of space operations (testing, safety,

paperwork, manifesting on launch vehicle, astronaut services,

data retrieval) for affordable, low costs

NanoLabs-1U: 10cmx10cmx10cm with a circuit board that

activates the experiment

Centrifuge to simulate Earth, Moon and Mars gravity

Microplate reader-repeatable experiments; returnable samples

Microscope-operated by the astronauts

MixStix-24 per module, 3 levels of containment for biological

samples; fluid and biological research

External Platform Program: access to the extreme

environment of space (sensor development,

testing of materials and electronics)Nanoracks.com

Nanoracks


Specialized in conducting microgravity life science research;

designing and developing space flight hardware to support it

Full service organization with its own full suite of space flight

certified hardware available to use:

1. Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) for life

and physical science

2. Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) for microorganisms, small

invertebrates, plants/seed germination, viruses, Protein crystal

growth, biomaterials

3. Group Activation Pack (GAP) for cell and tissue culture,

microbiology

4. Culture Habitat (CHAB) for cell and tissue culture,

microbiology, small and model organisms

http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/Bi

oServe/about.html

BioServe


UPMASS

CAPABILITY

DOWNMASS/

LANDING

CAPABILITYATV

ORBITAL

HTV

SPACE-X/DRAGON

CYGNUS/ORBITAL

SPACE-X/DRAGON

Bulk mass return from ISS

1-3/year

Current on-orbit transportation infrastructure


BULK MASS

for supplies

Ballistic L/D

CUSTOMIZED

/on-demand

Targeted

Controlled

Powered

Frequent: 2/month

Biotech; Genetic Engineering, etcNew materials; communication, next-gen computers;

Targeted

Not powered

Frequent: 1/week

Enhanced/customized transportation infrastructure

DOWNMASS CAPABILITY

MARKETS:


• Billionaires have started their own space program and are driving down costs while opening the door to a more diverse set of customers.

• An increasingly space capable international community is developing

• More customers want to fly smaller payloads so aggregation/integration of multiple customers makes sense

• NASA is an important -- but no longer primary! It is a customer of the space industry.

• Focus needs to be on developing new customers:

– Payload Aggregation and Commitment to purchase multiple flights containing smaller payloads opens new opportunities at lower costs

– Important new opportunities emerge if you can return CUSTOMIZED ON-DEMAND payloads from orbit

.

• Future space industry advances and commercialization both on ground and in space will rely on:

1. a solid, reliable and frequent transportation infrastructure to (upmass) and from orbit (downmass, customized on-demand)

2. identification of products that can be UNIQUELY manufactured in microgravity

3. identification of products that require microgravity research to ENABLE new terrestrial products or breakthroughs

Changing Landscape


ISS, a learning platform in space: one facet oriented

towards the Earth, the other towards the depths of space

Different people can realize different kinds of possibilities.

Realizing these possibilities together makes the impossible possible.

Very different futures are available to those that thrive beyond their

planet of origin versus those whose destinies are constrained to a single

world.


1. Proactively support national and commercial needs and track microgravity results

based on their relevance to key national technology needs and opportunities rather

than only ISS disciplines of origin to provide a more direct route of assessing their

true potential for commercialization and to better define the necessary infrastructure

(facilities, instrument, transportation, operations) improvements necessary to

support emerging markets.

• Determine where gravity limits or precludes advances in key US terrestrial

technology and public health arenas and assess the potential of microgravity to

provide unique solutions. Provide near term opportunities to validate most

promising areas in space.

• Increase the dialog between NASA and the external technical community.

Engage, learn from, educate and incentivize the private sector and non-

aerospace sectors by supporting ISS scientists and technologists to regularly

attend key meetings and conferences of the external communities to understand

their needs and discuss opportunities offered by space flight. Provide an annual

process to recommend to ISS management and decision makers where there

are new opportunities for growth and development and how those serve the

general welfare of the United States.


2. Introduce new areas of microgravity research and new researchers annually to

ensure a steady stream of new ideas, discoveries and innovation and provide the

hardware improvements and operational practices to support them. • Seek and motivate new and unexpected areas of research to be added annually to the

current pool of ISS investigations through an open call for innovative and exploratory

research ideas in addition to current targeted NRAs. Keep the opportunity open for

multiple years so that researchers know it is available and can begin to develop well-

conceived research ideas.

• Institutionalize the process of obtaining feedback from the external community that

translates into new best practices that enable new discoveries and developments.

• Provide sufficient government funds to explore a wider range of exploratory developments

to accelerate public benefits.

• Provide guides, mentors, and investment support to help new entrants in the field craft

successful flight experiments and upgrade or develop new hardware to enable new

classes of research. No laboratory researcher on Earth conducts research as it must be

done in space.

• Incentivize the research community at large by introducing a microgravity prize in their

field of research and microgravity sessions at major conferences in all the fields of

research. Microgravity results remain mostly unknown. It is not customary for scientists

and engineers without spaceflight experience to explore opportunities for solutions beyond

Earth.


3. Annually improve ISS access and operability and upgrade facilities and

capabilities, to support new science/technology endeavors. This will

enable the ISS to maintain the breadth of the existing investigations and

add the required depth (statistical aspects), and enable new discoveries,

increased synergies and growth in important areas. Some commonly

requested improvements include:

• Install a greater range of on-board analytical equipment for “on-site”

sample qualitative and quantitative analysis; allow ground teleoperation

of equipment; upgrade data downlink speed and amount; enable better

options for sample return.

• Enable and encourage scientist and technologists to conduct research

in person on-board the ISS.

• Synergize and increase flight research opportunities across platforms by

supporting research on multiple spacecraft, e.g. ISS-NL, DragonLab,

Bigelow Laboratory, robotic free-flying laboratories, etc.