Page 106 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

based on DNA analysis to help astronauts check
whether harmful bacteria developed on a filter.
Using the microbial analysis technology developed for
ESA, Bioclear can identify the presence of a bacterial
threat in water or soil and estimate the power of that
threat. Bioclear’s technology has found use in a variety
of commercial applications, from tracking hygiene
issues in drinking water to monitoring pollutant-
degrading bacteria in contaminated soil. There has
been great demand from iron pipeline owners to identify
where soil is inhabited by corrosion-causing bacteria so
inspectors can target weak spots along the pipeline.

Space-tested Fluid Flow Advances
Infectious Disease Diagnoses
A low-energy medical device that can diagnose
infectious diseases on-site may soon be operating in
remote areas of the world that have limited access to
power sources. With a reduced need for energy and
on-site diagnosis, less time would be needed between
identifying a disease and beginning the treatment for it.
The device that could quickly identify diseases
such as HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis relies on a
deeper understanding of capillary flow. That deeper
understanding is the result of research conducted
on the ISS. A view of Capillary Flow Experiment-2 Interior
Corner Flow 3 vessels set up during an
Assisted by researchers at NASA’s Glenn Research experiment aboard the ISS. This study looks
Center in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Mark Weislogel of at capillary flow in interior corners.
Portland State University in Oregon conducted the
Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE)—a suite of fluid Image credit: NASA
physics experiments conducted on the space station.
Capillary flow, also known as wicking, is the ability of a
liquid to flow without the assistance of gravity and other The effect of capillary forces is more dramatic in the
external forces. It even works in opposition to those absence of gravity. For example, the water would rise
forces. When you stick a straw into a glass of water, and completely fill a straw before you began to drink
the water will rise perhaps a few millimeters in the straw through it.
before you begin to drink through it. Or consider how CFE was a basic fluid physics investigation that refined
a paper towel will draw, or wick, liquid into it. our understanding of how capillary action helps fluids
flow. The principle has application in many fluid-
handling systems—from fuel tanks to cooling systems
to medical devices. Cell samples in the form of bodily
By relying on the principles of fluids or blood are placed in medical devices. Enzymes
capillary flow, the device uses much burst the samples, leaving behind DNA or RNA, which
is then captured on a bead that is processed by the
less energy and can provide medical device to identify the infectious virus. Capillary flow such
professionals with a valuable tool in as that studied by CFE is used to manage and direct
the flow of the cell samples inside the device.
areas with limited resources.
David Kelso, Ph.D., of Northwestern University
in Evanston, Illinois, developed the simple,

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