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Bioengineering Branch at Ames

One of BioSentinel’s microfluidic cards that will be used to measure the impact of radiation on yeast cells.

Future human missions beyond low Earth orbit will require the development of technologies that minimize launch mass and resupply costs, while providing a high degree of reliability and self-sufficiency. Currently, the Closed-Loop Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on the International Space Station (ISS) consists of subsystems that enable humans to live and work in the space environment.

The Bioengineering Branch works collaboratively with other NASA centers to maintain the current ECLSS on the ISS. It is also developing the next generation of regenerative technologies to enable humans to live beyond low Earth orbit for extended periods.  Research expertise and technology development areas include atmosphere revitalization and trace contaminant control, water recovery, and logistics reduction including solid waste management, in situ resource utilization, and synthetic biology.

The ongoing research and development efforts are integral to achieving the ambitious goals of space exploration. By pioneering advanced life support systems and biotechnologies, we are paving the way for sustainable human presence beyond low Earth orbit. In addition, these technologies can be transferred to terrestrial applications to enhance life here on Earth.

Research and Technology Development Capability Areas

Atmosphere Revitalization

The SCB Air Revitalization group develops advanced technologies to remove carbon dioxide and other contaminants from cabin atmospheres and to facilitate their transformation into safe and useful products. Therefore, the SCB air revitalization staff are subject matter experts in several physio-chemical methods applicable to this field, including the development and application of solid and liquid sorbent materials as well as cold surface deposition. A short description of the air revitalization projects is listed below and at https://www.nasa.gov/ames/space-biosciences/bioengineering-branch/air-revitalization-at-arc/.

  • Air-Cooled Temperature Swing Adsorption and Compression System (AC-TSAC)
  • CO2 Deposition (CDep)
  • Liquid Amine CO2 Removal (LACR)
  • Multifunctional Sorbent Devices (MultiSORB)

Water Recovery

The SCB water recovery group are subject matter experts in all aspects of water recovery in ECLSS for short and long duration missions. Expertise ranges from chemical to mechanical engineering in thedevelopment of technologies to significantly improve water recovery rates, increase reliability, and reduce consumables. Some areas of expertise are listed here:

  • Brine Evaporation Bag
  • Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO
  • Reverse Osmosis
  • Forward Osmosis
  • Electrolysis
  • Biofilm Mitigation

Logistic Reduction

The SCB Logistic Reduction Group is comprised of subject matter experts dedicated to developing technologies for volume reduction, water and other resource recovery, and the microbial and chemical safening and repurposing of waste materials. Recently, the group has begun examining technologies to optimize solid waste processing systems and their conversion for use in various NASA missions, including the Artemis and Mars missions. Some examples of current projects are listed here:

Synthetic Biology

The SCB synthetic biology group engineer biological systems to provide critical resources for exploration, including food, life support, and materials.

  • Bionutrients
  • LEIA

Analytical Chemistry Lab

The SCB analytical chemistry lab is afull-service analytical chemistry lab supporting a wide variety of gas and liquid sample analysis needs for the branch, as well as other researchers, on an as-needed basis. The lab capabilities are listed here. The lab manager/chemist also acts as a consultant on different projects regarding analytical methods.

  • Ion Chromatography
  • Total Organic Carbon
  • FTIR
  • HPLC
  • Elemental Analyzer
  • UV/Vis, fluorescent and RI detector
  • Gas Chromatography
  • Mass Spectrometry