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Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)
The key innovation of this work lies in the scalable, affordable, self-sterilization surface technology for safe, sustainable habitats while sophisticated medical interventions are not available in prolonged space exploration. The proposed technology enables (1) self-sterilization surface on flexible structural fabrics; (2) long and robust sterilization activity with a minimum maintenance requirement; (3) photocatalysis and sterilization activity even in the absence of light; (4) repurposability for CO2 scrubbing and fuel production.
In FY21 (Year 1), the fabric of inflatable habitat coated with self-sterilization layer will be developed by spray-coating a Cu-containing TiO2 nanoparticle solution to achieve a high catalytic efficiency, sterilization efficacy, and mechanical durability. As continuing efforts in Years 2&3, the self-sterilization habitat fabrics will be developed in scalable and affordable way in collaboration with habitat team (LaRC/industry partners), lunar dust mitigation team (LaRC), engineering directorate (LaRC), and material suppliers. Besides the imminent application for NASA human space exploration, this technology will benefit global efforts to stop surface-transmitted diseases and hospital acquired infection. The photocatalytic CO2 sequestration technology can also benefit the on-going efforts to turn the greenhouse gas into clean energy fuels, thus reducing global warming.
According to the recent NASA studies, it is confirmed that the environmental surfaces of the International Space Station (ISS) are contaminated with the microbes (bacteria/fungus) and potential pathogens which may impact the immunity/health of the astronauts and cause serious maintenance issues of ISS by formation of biofilms. As an inflatable habitat is considered as the candidate system for long-duration human space explorations to the Moon and Mars, the proposed surface technology focuses on the treatment of inflatable habitat for self-sterilization and CO2 sequestration by using Cu-containing TiO2 coating technology and repurposing to a CO2 scrubber.
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