Identification of Genes Involved in Mechanical Sensing in Arabidopsis Roots

In a reduced gravity environment, the orientation of plant root growth is not determined by gravitropism to grow “downward” and the roots’ response to mechanical forces is enhanced. As a result, plant roots avoid growing into nutrient medium and do not grow and develop properly presenting problems for plant growth in the microgravity of space. The goal of this proposal is to identify the mechanism by which plant roots sense and respond to mechanical stimuli independently of gravity perception. By identifying the genes involved in responding to mechanical stimuli, there is the potential for developing plants that able to grow into nutritive media in microgravity.

  Developing a Real-time Behavioral Stress Recognition System Using Visible and
  Thermal Infrared Cameras in Space Exploration

Astronauts are required to perform mission-critical tasks during space missions. Evidence from U.S. and Russian space missions indicates that flight crew personnel experience operational stressors that adversely affect physiological and psychological well-being and performance capability. In order to provide timely countermeasures for stressor-induced impairments in astronauts, it is crucial to develop real-time, unobtrusive, and automated measures of the presence of stress reaction. We are developing a stress recognition system using both the visible and infrared cameras to capture the human behaviors and analyzing the video data in real time.

  Linking Blue E/SO Galaxies to the Birth Epoch of Our Milky Way

Spiral galaxies like our Milky Way fill the universe, posing a problem for modern theories in which galaxies grow and cluster via mergers of smaller systems into larger ones.  Mergers tend to destroy spiral disks and create thick/round systems like elliptical E and lenticular S0 galaxies.  A possible solution to this puzzle lies in our recent discovery of a class of E/S0 galaxies that are rebuilding disks. We will now extend this research to the distant/early universe, to determine whether early disk-building E/S0s could be the progenitors of spiral galaxies like our Milky Way.

Oxygen Extraction from Lunar Regolith: Development of Thermo-Fluid Analysis Tools to Predict Power Requirements for In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)
PI: Dr. John Kizito - North Carolina A&T State University

Oxygen extraction from the lunar regolith is a near-term objective in NASA’s Exploration Systems Architecture Study.  The goal of our research is to develop thermo-fluids computational models to determine the power requirements for ISRU processes such as extracting oxygen from lunar regolith.  We propose to measure the heat transport properties of dirt mimicking lunar regolith.  These properties will then be used to model the amount of power needed for oxygen extraction.  Lunar energy availability is influenced by environmental conditions such as temperatures which vary between -230oC and +130oC during night and day respectively, each lunar period lasting fourteen Earth days. 

  Efficacy of Resistive Whole Body Vibration Exercise as a Countermeasure to
  Microgravity Induced Changes in Neuromuscular Function, Body Compsition and
  Bone Mineral Density
  PI: Dr. Jeffrey McBride - Appalachian State University

The interest and study of the effects of microgravity on nervous system and muscle function has been paramount in terms of the efficacy of space exploration.  Microgravity can result in negative changes in muscle strength, body composition and bone mineral density.  Both resistance training and whole body vibration (WBV) have been shown to have positive effects on muscle strength, activity and function as well as body composition and bone mineral density.  This investigation will involve the study of resistive WBV exercise in a simulated microgravity environment and determine if this type of physical activity might be utilized for maintaining muscle strength and function with space travel.

  Use of Yttrium Oxide Nanoparticles as Reactive Oxygen Species Scavengers for
  Space Flight Applications

Estimates of ionizing radiation exposure to astronauts during extended missions will exceed the limits that have been previously set for low earth orbit missions. We hypothesize that the unique chemical properties of yttrium oxide nanoparticles can be optimized to promote scavenging of reactive oxygen species. This proposed program involves synthesizing yttrium oxide nanoparticle solutions, determining defects in yttrium oxide nanoparticles, and assessing cell interactions with yttrium oxide nanoparticle solutions.

  Ultrastrong, Lightwieght Carbon Nanotube Fibers for Space Structures

For a wide variety of envisioned applications in space explorations, materials will be required to be significantly stronger, stiffer, and lighter than what is currently available. Here we propose to synthesize carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers that are an order of a magnitude stronger and stiffer per weight than the best existing engineering fibers and much better than currently reported CNT fibers. These new CNT fibers will not only make current space vehicles/structures stronger, lighter, safer and cost less to launch, but also bring to fruition many envisioned space adventures/technologies that have been so far unfeasible due to material restrictions.