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Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA)
12.14.07
Scientists and payload developers can get more information on International Space Station research facilities by contacting the ISS Payloads Office or at 281-244-6187.

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Facility/Payload Overview

Brief Facility Summary

The Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) is similar to a small test tube containing a glass barrel with a rubber septa in a LexanTM sheath and has gas permeable membranes, however gas exchange is limited. The FPA allows the sequential mixing of 2 or 3 fluids within a sterile environment.

Facility Manager(s)

Stefanie Countryman, BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado - Colorado, Boulder, CO

Co-Facility Manager(s)

No Information Available

Facility Developer

BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado - Colorado, Boulder, CO

Sponsoring Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Expeditions Assigned

8,13

Previous ISS Missions

Thousands of FPA's have flown on board the Space Shuttle, Progress Module, Mir and the International Space Station.

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Facility/Payload Description

Facility Summary

  • The Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) provides the ability to mix fluids in microgravity.


  • FPA can be used in a wide variety of biological studies such as, antibiotic producing bacteria, yeast investigations and cell culture studies.

Description

The Fluid Processing Apparatus (FPA) is a test tube that allows controlled, sequential mixing of 2 or 3 fluids in microgravity. A total of 6.5-ml of fluid is contained inside a glass barrel (1.35 cm ID x 11.7 cm) surrounded by a Lexan(tm) sheath and can be initially isolated into 3 volumes by rubber septa. A bypass in the glass barrel allows the mixing of a fluid into its adjacent chamber as a plunger mechanism pushes the septa forward. FPA's can be housed in sets of 8 in a device called a Group Activation Pack (GAP). Currently there are four types of GAPs which support the FPA, they are:

  • Manual Group Activation Pack (GAP) - provides a third level of fluid containment and allows 8 FPA's to be processed simultaneously. Crewmembers manually activate the GAP by attaching a crank handle.


  • Automated Group Activation Pack (auto-GAP) - provides a third level of fluid containment and allows 8 FPA's to be processed simultaneously utilizing a DC-motor drive mechanism to initiate and terminate experiments based on preprogrammed instructions. The auto-GAP can be housed within the Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA) ICM v.1 and 2 for computer and thermal control.


  • Internal Motor Group Activation Pack (IM-GAP) - provides a third level of fluid containment and allows 8 FPA's to be processed simultaneously. It utilizes an internal centerline DC-motor drive mechanism to initiate and terminate experiments based on pre-programmed instructions. The IM-GAP shell is constructed of aluminum to improve heat transfer properties. The IM-GAP can be housed within CGBA ICM v.3 for computer and individual thermal control.


  • Gas Exchange Group Activation Pack (GE-GAP) - provides a third level of fluid containment and allows 8 FPA's to be processed simultaneously when used in conjunction with an IM-GAP or can house a stack of nine 105-mm petri dishes. Like the IM-GAP design, the GE-GAP shell is constructed of aluminum to improve heat transfer properties. Gas-permeable membrane covered openings in the wall allow passive gas exchange for the experimental samples. The GE-GAP is housed within CGBA ICM v.3 for computer and individual thermal control.
FPA has gas permeable membranes which allow limited gas exchange. Each FPA has a total liquid volume 6.5-ml and allows sequential mixing of 2 or 3 fluids in a sterile environment. Eight FPAs can be housed in an automated/motorized group activation pack (GAP).

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Operations

Facility Operations

The CGBA ICM v.4 and 5 can provide highly-accurate temperature control between -10 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Eight individually-controlled temperature areas are available inside CGBA when loaded with the GAP hardware. CGBA ICM v.4 and 5 are fully equipped with data, video, and telemetry electronics to allow telescience remote operation and can be equipped with a number of bioprocessing inserts, including the FPAs within GAPs.

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Results/More Information

No Information Available

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Availability

Developed for ISS

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Related Web Sites

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Publications

Results Publications

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    Related Publications

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      Images

      imageThe FPA is essentially a microgravity test tube that allows controlled, sequential mixing of 2 or 3 fluids in a weightless environment. Image courtesy of BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado - Boulder, Boulder, CO.
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      Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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