Each individual NASA Center has full discretion on the use of the funds and the Center Chief Technologists coordinates a competitive process at their Center for the selection of projects. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) considers CIF very important because it encourages employees to develop innovative concepts that, if successful, can solve future mission needs. As in prior years, KSC put a strong emphasis on low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) technologies for CIF in support of Space Technology Area Roadmaps that align with KSC core capabilities.
KSC has emphasized partnerships for several years and has benefited in many ways from the other NASA centers and government agencies, academia and industry collaborations. In keeping with this emphasis, a key selection criterion for KSC CIF relates to collaborations and partnerships (with leveraged funding).
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Determine to what extent the physical properties of the omniphobic and PC coatings will increase resistance to microbial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation. Long-term control of microbial contamination and biofilm development in systems, particularly in the water storage/distribution systems and in food production/storage materials. Initial testing on coupons (both metal and polymer-based) with multiple omniphobic and PC coatings will be completed to optimize and down-select top-performing treatments for biofilm resistance. Partners at the University of Michigan will fabricate and provide different omniphobic surfaces possessing hierarchical texture on various polymer and metal coupons. Similarly, the PVA Tepla America team will treat the various materials with various PC-based compounds. Physical characterization using X-ray Photon Spectroscopy (xPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), as well as surface roughness and contact angle/surface free energy analysis will be completed, and, if possible, treatments will be down-selected for microbial testing. A NASA Research Announcement has been submitted which would provide additional funding to evolve the project for an International Space Station (ISS) flight demonstration of the technology.
","benefits":"Inhibit biofilm formation in any water system through the use of novel omniphobic and phosphorylcholine (PC) coatings. Microbial contamination onboard the International Space Station (ISS) continues to pose significant mission risks, both in terms of crew health and functionality of mechanical systems. The presence of opportunistic pathogens in potable water systems, in food production systems, and on surfaces within the crew cabin, combined with lowered immune system function in crewmembers, presents the possibility for serious illness. Similar contamination issues could be seen in future flight and surface systems.
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