scholarly journals Chlorella Vulgaris Photobioreactor for Oxygen and Food Production on a Moon Base—Potential and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Detrell
Keyword(s):  
Chlorella Vulgaris ◽  
Radiation Effects ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Algal Species ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Wide Range

A base on the Moon surface or a mission to Mars are potential destinations for human spaceflight, according to current space agencies’ plans. These scenarios pose several new challenges, since the environmental and operational conditions of the mission will strongly differ than those on the International Space Station (ISS). One critical parameter will be the increased mission duration and further distance from Earth, requiring a Life Support System (LSS) as independent as possible from Earth’s resources. Current LSS physico-chemical technologies at the ISS can recycle 90% of water and regain 42% of O2 from the astronaut’s exhaled CO2, but they are not able to produce food, which can currently only be achieved using biology. A future LSS will most likely include some of these technologies currently in use, but will also need to include biological components. A potential biological candidate are microalgae, which compared to higher plants, offer a higher harvest index, higher biomass productivity and require less water. Several algal species have already been investigated for space applications in the last decades, being Chlorella vulgaris a promising and widely researched species. C. vulgaris is a spherical single cell organism, with a mean diameter of 6 µm. It can grow in a wide range of pH and temperature levels and CO2 concentrations and it shows a high resistance to cross contamination and to mechanical shear stress, making it an ideal organism for long-term LSS. In order to continuously and efficiently produce the oxygen and food required for the LSS, the microalgae need to grow in a well-controlled and stable environment. Therefore, besides the biological aspects, the design of the cultivation system, the Photobioreactor (PBR), is also crucial. Even if research both on C. vulgaris and in general about PBRs has been carried out for decades, several challenges both in the biological and technological aspects need to be solved, before a PBR can be used as part of the LSS in a Moon base. Those include: radiation effects on algae, operation under partial gravity, selection of the required hardware for cultivation and food processing, system automation and long-term performance and stability.

An iterative methodology for the prediction of dynamic vehicle–track interaction and long-term periodic rail wear

2018 ◽  
Vol 232 (6) ◽  
pp. 1718-1730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Carlberger ◽  
Peter T Torstensson ◽  
Jens CO Nielsen ◽  
Anders Frid
Keyword(s):  
General Purpose ◽  
Domain Model ◽  
Small Radius ◽  
Wear Depth ◽  
Commercial Software ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Rail Corrugation ◽  
Rail Wear ◽  
Wide Range

In this study, a versatile numerical method for the prediction of long-term growth of rail roughness is presented and its functionality is demonstrated for the development of rail corrugation on small radius curves. The procedure includes two sub-modules: (1) a time-domain model for the simulation of dynamic vehicle–track interaction in a wide range of frequencies by using a commercial software for multibody dynamics and (2) a post-calculation of sliding wear based on the Archard’s model in combination with a non-Hertzian and transient wheel–rail contact model. The structural flexibility of the wheelset is accounted for by using the finite element method. The rail wear generated by a large number of passing trains is assessed by recurrently updating the rail surface based on the wear depth calculated in each post-processing step. The current work sets out from a previous study in which a model for the prediction of long-term growth of rail roughness on small radius curves was developed in a general-purpose programming language. By transferring the model into a commercial software, the aim is to develop an engineering tool that is more applicable for different operational conditions, such as various vehicle and track designs and track alignments. The proposed method is verified by comparing the simulation results against those obtained with the pre-existing software. Conditions similar to a 120 m radius curve on the Stockholm metro exposed to corrugation growth on the low rail are considered. The corrugation is found to be generated by the leading wheelsets. The prevailing wavelength-fixing mechanisms are identified and discussed.

Characterization of Swept Synthetic High Quality Quartz Crystal

2014 ◽  
Vol 633 ◽  
pp. 326-329
Author(s):  
Shao Feng Zhang ◽  
Ji Wu Shang
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Effects ◽  
Quartz Crystal ◽  
Ionic Conduction ◽  
Promising Result ◽  
Temperature Stability ◽  
Radiation Environment ◽  
Thermal Coefficient ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Voltage Current Characteristic

The synthetic quartz crystal is widely utilized in electronic and optical components due to its high frequency and temperature stability, good dielectric properties, low thermal coefficient of linear expansion, and wide range of optical transparency. However, radiation effects due to cosmic rays are responsible for a frequency shift for quartz oscillators in space systems, which impair their performance. Sweeping quartz at high electric field is a well-established method for improving device performance in a radiation environment. The present paper focuses on the voltage current characteristic of swept quartz. First, the sweeping conduction mechanism is ionic conduction. Second, as the voltage increases, the current increases first, then decreases, and then increases. ICP-AES results indicated that the sweeping process make Na+ a oriented locomotion. Third, the etch channel tensity is obviously reduced to less than 3/cm3, which is a very promising result for space applications. Moreover, the radiation resistance properties are improved after electrical sweeping.

scholarly journals The World Smallest Plants (Wolffia Sp.) as Potential Species for Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in Space

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1896
Author(s):  
Leone Ermes Romano ◽  
Giovanna Aronne
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Space Missions ◽  
Biological Traits ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Bioregenerative Life Support System ◽  
Available Information ◽  
Bioregenerative Life Support

To colonise other planets, self-sufficiency of space missions is mandatory. To date, the most promising technology to support long-duration missions is the bioregenerative life support system (BLSS), in which plants as autotrophs play a crucial role in recycling wastes and producing food and oxygen. We reviewed the scientific literature on duckweed (Lemnaceae) and reported available information on plant biological traits, nutritional features, biomass production, and space applications, especially of the genus Wolffia. Results confirmed that the smallest existing higher plants are the best candidate for space BLSS. We discussed needs for further research before criticalities to be addressed to finalise the adoption of Wolffia species for space missions.

scholarly journals Biosphere 2’s Lessons about Living on Earth and in Space

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mark Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Biosphere 2 ◽  
Space Life Support ◽  
Bioregenerative Life Support

Biosphere 2, the largest and most biodiverse closed ecological system facility yet created, has contributed vital lessons for living with our planetary biosphere and for long-term habitation in space. From the space life support perspective, Biosphere 2 contrasted with previous BLSS work by including areas based on Earth wilderness biomes in addition to its provision for human life support and by using a soil-based intensive agricultural system producing a complete human diet. No previous BLSS system had included domestic farm animals. All human and domestic animal wastes were also recycled and returned to the crop soils. Biosphere 2 was important as a first step towards learning how to miniaturize natural ecosystems and develop technological support systems compatible with life. Biosphere 2’s mostly successful operation for three years (1991-1994) changed thinking among space life support scientists and the public at large about the need for minibiospheres for long-term habitation in space. As an Earth systems laboratory, Biosphere 2 was one of the first attempts to make ecology an experimental science at a scale relevant to planetary issues such as climate change, regenerative agriculture, nutrient and water recycling, loss of biodiversity, and understanding of the roles wilderness biomes play in the Earth’s biosphere. Biosphere 2 aroused controversy because of narrow definitions and expectations of how science is to be conducted. The cooperation between engineers and ecologists and the requirement to design a technosphere that supported the life inside without harming it have enormous relevance to what is required in our global home. Applications of bioregenerative life support systems for near-term space applications such as initial Moon and/or Mars bases, will be severely limited by high costs of transport to space and so will rely on lighter weight, hydroponic systems of growing plants which will focus first on water and air regeneration and gradually increase its production of food required by astronauts or inhabitants. The conversion of these systems to more robust and sustainable systems will require advanced technologies, e.g., to capture sunlight for plant growth or process usable materials from the lunar or Martian atmosphere and regolith, leading to greater utilization of in situ space resources and less on transport from Earth. There are many approaches to the accomplishment of space life support. Significant progress has been made especially by two research efforts in China and the MELiSSA project of the European Space Agency. These approaches use cybernetic controls and the integration of intensive modules to accomplish food production, waste treatment and recycling, atmospheric regeneration, and in some systems, high-protein production from insects and larvae. Biosphere 2 employed a mix of ecological self-organization and human intervention to protect biodiversity for wilderness biomes with a tighter management of food crops in its agriculture. Biosphere 2’s aims were different than bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) which have focused exclusively on human life support. Much more needs to be learned from both smaller, efficient ground-based BLSS for nearer-term habitation and from minibiospheric systems for long-term space application to transform humanity and Earth-life into truly multiplanet species.

scholarly journals TCAD AND SPICE MODELING OF SILICON VLSI ELEMENTS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT FOR TEMPERATURE, RADIATION AND AGING EFFECTS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantin Petrosyants
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Effects ◽  
Aging Effects ◽  
Term Operation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Temperature Radiation ◽  
Silicon Vlsi

RAD-THERM-AGING versions of TCAD and SPICE models have been developed for BiCMOS VLSI components with submicron and nanometer sizes, taking into account for various types of radiation effects, temperatures in the wide range of -260°C…+300°C and aging during long-term operation.

67. Loving your child to death: Considerations of the care of chronically-ill children and euthanasia in Emil Sher's Mourning Dove and implications for medical educations

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
K. Mukhida
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Mourning Dove ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Constant Pain ◽  
Withdraw Life Support ◽  
Wheat Farmer

How do parents cope when their child is ill or dying, when he or she experiences constant pain or suffering? What do parents think of the contributions that medical professionals make to the care of their chronically or terminally ill child? Is it possible for a parent to love a child so much that the child is wished dead? The purpose of this paper is to explore those questions and aspects of the care of chronically or terminally ill children using Mourning Dove’s portrayal of one family’s attempt to care for their ill daughter. A play written by Canadian playwright Emil Sher, Mourning Dove is based on the case of Saskatchewan wheat farmer Robert Latimer who killed his 12 year old daughter Tracy who suffered with cerebral palsy and lived in tremendous pain. Rather than focusing on the medical or legal aspects of the care of a chronically ill child, the play offers a glimpse into how a family copes with the care of such a child and the effects the child’s illness has on a family. Reading and examination of non-medical literature, such as Mourning Dove, therefore serve as a useful means for medical professionals to better understand how illness affects and is responded to by patients and their families. This understanding is a prerequisite for them to be able to provide complete care of children with chronic or terminal illnesses and their families. Nuutila L, Salanterä S. Children with long-term illness: parents’ experiences of care. J Pediatr Nurs 2006; 21(2):153-160. Sharman M, Meert KL, Sarnaik AP. What influences parents’ decisions to limit or withdraw life support? Pediatr Crit Care Med 2005; 6(5):513-518. Steele R. Strategies used by families to navigate uncharted territory when a child is dying. J Palliat Care 2005; 21(2):103-110.

Modern prevention and active longevity programs on the basis of disruptive domestic technologies: positive experience and prospects for application

2020 ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
A. Simonova ◽  
S. Chudakov ◽  
R. Gorenkov ◽  
V. Egorov ◽  
A. Gostry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personalized Medicine ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Positive Experience ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Integrated Program ◽  
Long Term Experience ◽  
Early Detection And Prevention

The article summarizes the long-term experience of practical application of domestic breakthrough technologies of preventive personalized medicine for laboratory diagnostics of a wide range of socially significant non-infectious diseases. Conceptual approaches to the formation of an integrated program for early detection and prevention of civilization diseases based on these technologies are given. A vision of the prospects for the development of this area in domestic and foreign medicine has been formed.

To the 70th anniversary of World Meteorological Organization. Scientific and technical cooperation of Hydrometeorological Center of the USSR/Russia in the Programs of World Meteorological Organization

2020 ◽  
pp. 117-138
Author(s):  
S.V. Borshch ◽  
◽  
R.M. Vil’fand ◽  
D.B. Kiktev ◽  
V.M. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
World Meteorological Organization ◽  
70Th Anniversary ◽  
Technical Level ◽  
Technical Cooperation ◽  
Wide Range

The paper presents the summary and results of long-term and multi-faceted experience of international scientific and technical cooperation of Hydrometeorological Center of Russia in the field of hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring within the framework of WMO programs, which indicates its high efficiency in performing a wide range of works at a high scientific and technical level. Keywords: World Meteorological Organization, major WMO programs, representatives of Hydrometeorological Center of Russia in WMO

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