Page 87 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

ACE includes these six investigations: liquid pharmaceuticals. Longer shelf life means
• Advanced Colloids Experiment-Microscopy-1 some perishable items can be stored long-term
(ACE-M-1), on behavior of microscopic particles in for disaster preparedness.
liquids, gels and creams, including keeping stabilizers In addition, future space exploration may employ
from clumping and sinking—a process known self-assembly and self-replication to make materials
as coarsening. and devices that can repair themselves. Ultimately,
• ACE-M-2, continued work in phase separation of structures based on colloids may produce new devices
liquids and gases in microgravity that could benefit for chemical energy, communication and photonics.
a wide range of fluid storage, and transport and P&G has already seen direct results from its research
processing systems for future spacecraft, as well in microgravity, with three patents published that,
as provide household product formulations with within a few years, could result in new or improved
maximum stability and shelf life. commercial products.
• ACE-M-3, on design and self-assembly of complex
3-D structures from small particles suspended within Combating Muscular Atrophy with
a fluid medium.
Implantable Devices
• Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature
control-1 (ACE-T-1), on fundamental behaviors Extended spaceflight takes a toll on many systems
of colloids, including self-assembly. within the human body, including the musculoskeletal
system. An investigation aboard the ISS will examine
• ACE-T-6, microscopic behavior of colloids in gels a drug compound and a drug delivery system aimed
and creams, including those with varied particle size. at preventing, slowing or even reversing muscular
• ACE-T-7, continued investigation of design and breakdown, both in space and on Earth.
self-assembly of complex 3-D colloid structures. Rodent Research-6 (RR-6), a twofold investigation,
This basic scientific knowledge about how varied will study the effectiveness of both the drug compound
mixtures and particles behave allows manufacturers and the nano-channel drug delivery implant for their
to predict characteristics such as shelf life for a wide use in the treatment of muscle loss in future spaceflight,
variety of commercial products. However, the research and in the treatment of patients with muscle-wasting
B4H 3rd Edition
has many other potential benefits. More-concentrated diseases or conditions on Earth.
products use less packaging, resist collapse and The drug compound will be administered through
remain consistent, which reduces production and a device implanted beneath the skin, allowing for
transportation costs. Better formulas can improve a constant, steady delivery of the drug.

“The unique aspect of the mission is the nano-channel
delivery system is implanted under the skin and
provides constant drug delivery in the body, which
prevents the need for injections or taking pills,” said
Particles ACE a Test Yasaman Shirazi, the project’s mission scientist at
in Stability NASA Ames Research Center, “and if you want to

The Advanced Colloids
ExperimentACE (ACE) suite of
Scientific
investigations studied the microscopic behavior Economic
Valuation
Valuation
of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles An investigation aboard the ISS
and their ability to remain physically and will examine a drug compound
chemically stable for longer periods of time on ECONOMIC
SCIENTIFIC
Eearth and in the microgravity environment. and a drug delivery system aimed
VALUATION
VALUATION
These findings show that PMMA particles open at preventing, slowing or even
doors for accomplishing never- before- reversing muscular breakdown,
performed experiments.
both in space and on Earth.

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