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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Space crop production facilities are expanding and a current area of key interest is seed sanitation before transport from ground to the ISS. Sanitation practices are performed to mitigate any potential biohazard and to ensure the viability of the seed. Conventional methods involve fumigation of seeds or chemical processes but are not effective with all seed types. Therefore, plasma technology was implemented in this one year IRTD opportunity in order to explore low-temperature plasmas as an alternative means for seed sanitation without the need for chemicals. This project addressed the viability of plasma as a means for sanitation by incorporating three different plasma types within the study.
Plasma offers an alternative method of sanitization that can also aid in plant growth.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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