Plasma Produced Gaseous Species for Food, Seed, and Equipment Sanitization

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

The purpose of this project is to explore a potentially enabling capability of plasma produced gaseous species and their ability to provide sanitization of food, seed, and equipment without direct plasma interaction with the materials. Different methods of using plasma to produce gaseous species were tested. The gases are produced in one volume and transferred to a secondary volume where inoculated test articles are located. The test articles are exposed for different times and their surfaces are tested for microorganisms to determine the effectiveness of plasma as a sanitizing technology.

Benefits

Current state of the art practice is to use Prosan® wipes to wipe down food produce and crop production facilities on the ISS before use. This leaves a citrus-based flavor on edible items as well as a residue. Wipes are consumables that require resupply from Earth. This technology aims to sanitize food and equipment surfaces using plasma produced gases from air with the goal of replacing the Prosan technology. Future work will investigate any potential effects on taste.

Details

Technology area	Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems > Human Health and Performance > Food Production, Processing, and Preservation
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: KSC IRAD (KSC IRAD)
Lead organization	Kennedy Space Center, Kennedy Space Center, FL
Start date	2022-03-01
End date	2023-03-31

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Kenneth Engeling — kenneth.engeling@nasa.gov
Aaron B Curry — aaron.b.curry@nasa.gov
Bruce M Link — bruce.m.link@nasa.gov
Jennifer L Gooden — jennifer.l.gooden@nasa.gov
Lashelle E Spencer — lashelle.e.spencer@nasa.gov
Mary P Hummerick — mary.e.hummerick@nasa.gov
Ryan P Gott — ryan.p.gott@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.