NASA Selects 17 Projects to Advance Human Support Technologies
NASA’s Office of Biological and Physical Research has selected 17 researchers
to receive grants up to three years to conduct research in advanced human
support technologies. These technologies could have a significant impact
on the ability of humans to conduct long-duration space flight missions
safely. Benefits to the quality of life on Earth from improved environmental
technologies, may also result from this research.
The proposals were selected for one to three year efforts, and are worth
$8.8 million over three years. Work under these grants will enhance safe
human space flight in both the near-Earth orbit where the International
Space Station will operate, and in exploration of the solar system beyond
Earth orbit.
Six of the grants are for new technologies in advanced environmental
monitoring of space habitats. One grant addresses a strategy for advanced
control systems. Two projects address advanced food technologies. Two projects
focus on advanced technologies for extravehicular activity. Six others
address novel approaches to waste processing, including air revitalization,
water recycling, thermal control, and treatment of solid wastes.
NASA received 113 proposals in response to the research solicitation
released in March 2002. The Proposals were peer-reviewed by scientific
and technical experts from academia, government, and industry before the
selection. In addition to technical and scientific merit, relevancy to
NASA programs, and feasibility of implementation were also selection criteria.
Those selected are listed below by state, along with their institutions
and their research titles:
***** California
*****
Fisher, John NASA Ames Research Center
| Development of Metal Impregnated Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT) for Elimination of Toxic Contaminants in Advanced Life Support Systems |
Singh, R. Paul University of California Davis
| A Multipurpose Fruit and Vegetable Processing System for Advanced Life Support |
Yang, Rui NASA – Jet Propulsion Laboratory
| Mid-infrared vertical cavity surface emitting lasers for trace gas monitoring |
***** Colorado
*****
Copeland, Robert TDA Research, Inc.
| A Lightweight Freeze-Tolerant Radiator for an EMU |
***** District of Columbia
*****
Miller, J. Houston George Washington University
| Development Of A Cavity Ring Down Sensor For Measuring Spacecraft Air Contaminants using New DFB and External Cavity Laser Sources |
***** Delaware
*****
Graziosi, David ILC Dover, Inc.
| Development of a High Performance Mobility/Sizing Actuation System for Application to a Spacesuit Rear Entry Soft Upper Torso and Strength Augmented Mobility Joints |
***** Florida
*****
Drysdale, Alan Boeing
| Equivalent System Mass Impacts of Clothing on Wastes and Mission Cost |
Strayer, Richard Dynamac Corporation
| Denitrification Composter to Stabilize Space-Mission Trash |
***** Iowa
*****
Porter, Marc Iowa State University
| Multiplexed Colorimetric Solid Phase Extractions: Sensors for Monitoring Spacecraft Water Quality |
***** Michigan
*****
Swain, Greg Michigan State University
| Boron-Doped Microcrystalline and Nanocrystalline Diamond Thin-Films: New Materials for Electrochemical Detection in Microfluidic Systems and Electrolytic Water Purification |
***** Minnesota
*****
Koscheyev, Victor University of Minnesota
| Development of a Finger Calorimeter to Indicate General Thermal Status of Astronauts Onboard and During EVA |
***** New Mexico
*****
Eiceman, Gary New Mexico State University Main Campus
| Micro-Machined Drift Tubes for Ion Mobility Spectrometry: Studies Toward a Microbial Analyzer for Manned Spacecraft |
***** Ohio
*****
Dionysiou, Dionysios University of Cincinnati
| High Performance TiO2 Photocatalytic Coatings and Membranes for the Purification, Disinfection and Recycle of Water and Air in Space Applications |
Sastry, Sudhir The Ohio State University
| Reheating and Sterilization Technology for Food, Waste and Water |
***** Oregon
*****
Atwater, James UMPQUA Research Company
| Advanced Magnetic Methods for the Separation and Gasification of Solid Wastes in Microgravity and Hypogravity |
***** Tennessee
*****
Gautam Biswas Vanderbilt University
| Distributed Monitoring and Control of Complex Dynamic Systems |
***** Texas
*****
Tittel, Frank Rice University
| Development of Advanced Mid-Infrared Laser Based Gas Sensor Technology |
