Side-Emitting Optical Fibers for Delivery of UV-C Light to Disinfect Key Bacteria in Space Station Water and Storage and Conveyance Systems

Bacteria in water and surface-attached biofilms pose health and operational challenges in human support systems and can pose higher risks for longer duration missions or equipment dormancy periods. Current biofilm control technologies (i.e., hydrophobic surfaces, biocide-impregnated plastic coatings, chemical biocides, mercury-based lamps or light emitting diodes (LEDs)) either work for a short duration, lead to residual chemical by-products of concern, have impractical physical designs, or have limited light irradiation capacity. Our technology increases the irradiation area of a UV-C LED by >100x by launching light from an LED into side-emitting optical fibers (SEOFs), essentially creating germicidal thin, flexible glowsticks. Currently only visible light SEOFs are commercially available. Our technology (patent-pending) achieves side-emission of UV-C light along the entire optical fiber length to control biofilm in water or air, including narrow channels or tubing or on surfaces. Research performed during the Phase II STTR successfully 1) developed prototype SEOF devices and demonstrated full-scale manufacturability, 2) advanced development of desirable light profiles along the germicidal optical fiber, 3) advanced and validated a proprietary first-principle optical fiber light scattering ray-tracing mathematical model to engineer the SEOF and 4) demonstrated bacterial inactivation in water and on surfaces. For NASA, this Phase II-E STTR proposal will advance research initiated in the Phase I and II STTR by (1) developing a germicidal optical fiber mesh that can be used to control biofilm on submerged surfaces or in dormant equipment. Additionally, a field demonstration is proposed in cooperation with our Phase II-E investor to control biofilm to target a primary area where biofilm can harbor legionella bacteria. This work will advance the technology readiness from TRL 5 to 6.

Potential NASA applications involve using germicidal UV-SEOF for biofilm control in potable water devices including pipes, tubing, water storage bladders and tanks and other equipment (i.e., space suits) where biofilm growth is of concern.

The global economic impact of biofilms is estimated at over $4 Trillion and impacts sectors including health, food and water security, the marine sector, and industrial processes. This proposed Phase II-E work focuses on development of a commercial product to control biofilm in commercial and industrial equipment where biofilms can harbor dangerous legionella bacteria.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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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