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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2002

Photoabsorption Study of Bacillus megaterium, DNA and Related Biological Materials in the Phosphorus K-edge Region

We have measured the x-ray transmission spectra of several biologically related samples in the phosphorus K-edge absorption region. These include elemental red phosphorus, hydrated sodium phosphate (Na3PO4.12H2O), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), adenosinetriphosphate (ATP), diolylphosphatidyl choline (DOPC), and Bacillus megaterium spores. Elemental red phosphorus essentially displays an edge-jump. All other spectra are similar in form and energy position. Each spectrum for these substances is dominated by a narrower, more intense first peak and a broader but less intense second peak. The corresponding K-edge absorption thresholds are shifted towards higher energy relative to that for elemental red phosphorus, as expected for increasing degrees of phosphorus oxidation. The B. megaterium spectrum has aspects common to both the phosphate and DNA spectra and is therefore interpreted as a composite of spectra arising from DNA/RNA and phosphates within the spore. The B. megaterium spore spectrum provides needed information for resonant radiation damage studies in the phosphorus K-edge absorption region by identifying candidate photoexcitations. In addition,the absorption spectra will be useful in macromolecular crystallography studies employing anomalous dispersion effects at the phosphorus K-edge.

Frigo, Sean P.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Photoabsorption study of Bacillus megaterium, DNA and Related Biological Materials in the Phosphorus K-edge Region

We have measured the x-ray transmission spectra of several biologically related samples in the phosphorus K-edge absorption region. These include red phosphorus, hydrated sodium phosphate (Na3PO4 12 H2O), deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), adenosinetriphosphate (ATP), diolylphosphatidyl choline (DOPC), and Bacillus megaterium spores. Red phosphorus essentially displays an edge-jump. All other spectra are similar in form and energy position, where each is dominated by a narrower, more intense first peak and a broader but less intense second peak. The corresponding K-edge absorption thresholds are shifted towards higher energy relative to that for red phosphorus, as expected for increasing degrees of phosphorus oxidation. The B.meguterium spectrum has aspects common to both the phosphate and DNA spectra and is therefore interpreted as a composite of spectra arising from DNA/RNA and phosphates within the spore. The B. megaterium spore spectrum provides needed information for resonant radiation damage studies in the phosphorus K-edge absorption region by identifying candidate photoexcitations. In addition, the absorption spectra will be useful in macromolecular crystallography studies employing anomalous dispersion effects at the phosphorus K-edge.

Frigo, Sean P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Studies on aqueous two phase polymer systems useful for partitioning of biological materials

The two phase systems that result when aqueous solutions of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are mixed above a critical concentration of a few percent provide a useful medium for the separation of biological cell subpopulations via partition between the top, PEG-rich phase and the liquid-liquid phase boundary. Interfacial tensions of such systems have been measured by the rotating drop technique and found to range between 0.1-100 micro-N/m. The tension was found to depend on the length of the tie line describing the system on a phase diagram, via a power law relationship which differed depending on the concentration of Na phosphate buffer present. The electrokinetic properties of drops of one phase suspended in the other were studied for a variety of systems. It was found that the droplet electrophoretic mobility increased monotonically with phosphate concentration and drop diameter but exhibited the opposite sign from that anticipated from phosphate partition measurements. It was possible to take advantage of these electrokinetic properties and dramatically enhance the speed of phase separation through application of relatively small electric fields.

Brooks, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1965

Dynamic response of biological materials.

Effect of varying strain rate on physical properties of bone and muscle tissue, measuring load and time displacement with constant-velocity compression test machine

STRAIN RATE↗
NASA NTRS1986

Separation of biological materials in microgravity

Partition in aqueous two phase polymer systems is a potentially useful procedure in downstream processing of both molecular and particulate biomaterials. The potential efficiency of the process for particle and cell isolations is much higher than the useful levels already achieved. Space provides a unique environment in which to test the hypothesis that convection and settling phenomena degrade the performance of the partition process. The initial space experiment in a series of tests of this hypothesis is described.

Brooks, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Use of a Novel Rover-mounted Fluorescence Imager and Fluorescent Probes to Detect Biological Material in the Atacama Desert in Daylight

We have developed an imaging system, the Fluorescence Imager (FI), for detecting fluorescence signals from sparse microorganisms and biofilms during autonomous rover exploration. The fluorescence signals arise both from naturally occurring chromophores, such as chlorophyll of cyanobacteria and lichens, and from fluorescent probes applied to soil and rocks. Daylight imaging has been accomplished by a novel use of a high-powered flashlamp synchronized to a CCD camera. The fluorescent probes are cell permanent stains that have extremely low intrinsic fluorescence (quantum yields less than 0.01) and a large fluorescence enhancement (quantum yields greater than 0.4) when bound to the target. Each probe specifically targets either carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids or membrane lipids, the four classes of macromolecules found in terrestrial life. The intent of the probes is to interrogate the environment for surface and endolithic life forms.

Weinstein, S.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Rapid Prototyping of Biological Materials for In-Space Applications

The topics include: 1) Why is this technology needed? 2) In-Situ Fabrication and Repair (ISFR) and In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU); 3) Multi-Material Fabricator; 4) Medical Products; 5) Bioplotter; 6) Closing Remarks; and 7) Additional Information.

Frazier, Natalie↗
NASA NTRS2002

Interaction of high intensity focused ultrasound with biological materials

This work is motivated by the possible medical application of focused ultrasound in minimally invasive treatment of a variety of disorders including those associated with soft tissue or disk element disruption in the vicinity of the spine causing impingement on the spinal cord.

focused ultrasound HIFU PZFlex↗
NASA NTRS2014

Method for Monitored Separation and Collection of Biological Materials

A device for separating and purifying useful quantities of particles comprises: (a) an anolyte reservoir connected to an anode, the anolyte reservoir containing an electrophoresis buffer; (b) a catholyte reservoir connected to a cathode, the catholyte reservoir also containing the electrophoresis buffer; (c) a power supply connected to the anode and to the cathode; (d) a column having a first end inserted into the anolyte reservoir, a second end inserted into the catholyte reservoir, and containing a separation medium; (e) a light source; (f) a first optical fiber having a first fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a second fiber end connected to the light source; (g) a photo detector; (h) a second optical fiber having a third fiber end inserted into the separation medium, and having a fourth fiber end connected to the photo detector; and (i) an ion-exchange membrane in the anolyte reservoir.

Jackson, George William↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

3D Construction of Biologically Derived Materials

System for the 3D Construction of Biologically Derived Materials, Structures, and Parts NASA has developed a novel approach for macroscale biomaterial production by combining synthetic biology with 3D printing. Cells are biologically engineered to deposit desired materials, such as proteins or metals, derived from locally available resources. The bioengineered cells build different materials in a specified 3D pattern to produce novel microstructures with precise molecular composition, thickness, print pattern, and shape. Scaffolds and reagents can be used for further control over material product. This innovation provides modern design and fabrication techniques for custom-designed organic or organic-inorganic composite biomaterials produced from limited resources. Benefits Conserves resources. Few raw or bulk starting materials needed Enables custom design of diverse materials Fast, portable, macroscale, on-demand manufacturing High-fidelity microstructures Uses commercially available parts Applications Biomaterials, biotechnology Organic-inorganic composite materials On-demand manufacturing In situ resource utilization Space stations Military Infrastructure materials The Technology Once genes for a desired material type, delivery mode, control method and affinity have been chosen, assembling the genetic components and creating the cell lines can be done with well-established synthetic biology techniques. A 3D microdeposition system is used to make a 3D array of these cells in a precise, microstructure pattern and shape. The engineered cells are suspended in a printable 'ink'. The 3D microdeposition system deposits minute droplets of the cells onto a substrates surface in a designed print pattern. Additional printer passes thicken the material. The cell array is fed nutrients and reagents to activate the engineered genes within the cells to create and deposit the desired molecules. These molecules form the designed new material. If desired, the cells may be removed by flushing. The end product is thus a 3D composite microstructure comprising the novel material. This innovation provides a fast, controlled production of natural, synthetic, and novel biomaterials with minimum resource overhead and reduced pre- and post-processing requirements.

3D↗
NASA NTRS2020

Restricted and Uncontained: Health Care and Public Health Considerations in the Event of Loss of Containment During the Restricted Earth Return of Extraterrestrial Samples

The normal scope of an adequate public health response to released biological material is framed by working with biological vectors with known pathogenicity and virulence. Defining the scope of a response to the release of biological material with unknown pathogenicity and virulence enters into a novel and yet to be framed domain. A current case, the case of returning samples from a location other than Earth, extraterrestrial samples from a location such as Mars, which may harbor life as we know it, requires framing a public health response. An unintentional release of biological material with unknown pathogenicity and virulence may occur when biological containment mechanisms in the Earth-returning transport method are lost. This paper raises initial public health and healthcare response questions during a return of extraterrestrial samples to Earth, in the event of its release from biological containment mechanisms: How does the public health community prepare for a response when there is release of samples that may contain potential extraterrestrial organisms from a planetary body or hardy terrestrial organisms surviving a round trip? If a mishap occurs during the return of these samples, what considerations need to be made to confine, decontaminate, and collect material in regions around the mishap? How will the public health community work with relevant government organizations to prepare the general public? The unknowns of exposure, potential extraterrestrial pathogenicity, and decontamination approaches, underscore gaps in biopreparedness for this novel case from the federal to local levels.

Betsy Pugel↗