NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Imagery

Experiment Overview


Brief Summary

The experiment tests a simple instrument (DTM DIAPASON) for the study of nano-particles migration and capture, achieved by very small thermal gradients. The particles range from 2 nm to 1 micron. This range allows the monitoring of combustion-generated pollution, the analysis of hostile environments, and the identification of atmospheric contaminants.

Principal Investigator(s)

Ferdinando Cassese

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

Information Pending

Developer(s)

DTM srl, ,

Sponsoring Space Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Sponsoring Organization

Italian Space Agency (ASI)

Research Benefits

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration

March 2013 - September 2013

Expeditions Assigned

35/36

Previous ISS Missions

The scientific instrument DIAPASON has been extensively and successfully tested on ground (several different ambient situations), but not in microgravity.

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Experiment Description

Research Overview

• The research is needed in order to improve the knowledge of the environment where we live and to know if pollutant elements are present (type, percentage?).



• The positive impact of the research is a better and safer living environment. Safer industrial way of operations. Anticipation of potential safety problematic (for instance in the chemical plants, in the off-shore installations?).

Description

DTM is studying a scientific phenomena based on nano-particle migration and capture achieved by very small thermal gradients. The particle dimensions that can be ?trapped? thanks to recently designed hardware range from one micron to one thousandth of a micron. This range is very meaningful in many fields. Some examples are:

• Combustion verification and tuning of parameters in order to improve efficiency, increase fuel savings and reduce pollution.



• Hostile environment analysis and monitoring due to the instrument?s capability to transmit acquired data via telemetry, and



• Prevention of pollution via analysis of atmospheric conditions, identification of contaminants, and calculation of percent concentration.

Due to the above, the applications of this technology can be very broad. The instrument is simple, light and rugged. It can be operated by non-trained personnel.

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Applications

Space Applications

The information achieved by testing DIAPASON aboard the ISS are very helpful to investigate possible pollution of the ISS environment (several checks can be performed in different ISS modules). From the results analysis, on ground, suggestions can also be given on how to improve the atmosphere were the astronauts leave during their Space mission.

Earth Applications

DTM DIAPASON is mainly focused on Earth needs (monitoring of pollution in large crowded cities, industrial environment, hostile environment like chemical plants, pipelines boosting stations, combustion facilities, nuclear plants, offshore installations..). Anyhow, microgravity experimentation shall provide to DTM technicians new data allowing them to further improve the functionality of this light and very accurate science instrument.

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Operations

Operational Requirements

5 sessions required. Data are recorded in the instrument. Downloading of the instrument is required.

Operational Protocols

Information Pending

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Results/More Information

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Related Websites

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Imagery