Microbiological Characterization of the International Space Station Water Processor Assembly External Filter Assembly S/N 01

Weir, Natalee; Wilson, Mark; Yoets, Airan; Molina, Thomas C.; Bruce, Rebekah J.; Sitler, Glenn; Carter, Layne

doi:10.2514/6.2012-3595

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…16,19 In 2010, biofilms caused a reduced flow rate in the water processor assembly unit on the International Space Station, and a filter replacement of every 3-6 months was recommended but deemed impractical due to limitation in logistics and crew time. 20 As a result, it is critical to implement biofilm mitigation and prevention strategies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slippery lubricant-infused silica nanoparticulate film processing for anti-biofouling applications

Li Sip,

Jacobs,

Morales

et al. 2023

Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microbial biofilm build-up in water distribution systems can pose a risk to human health and pipe material integrity. The impact is more devastating in space stations and to astronauts due to the isolation from necessary replacement parts and medical resources. As a result, there is a need for coatings to be implemented onto the inner region of the pipe to minimize the adherence and growth of biofilms. Lubricant-infused surfaces has been one such interesting material for anti-biofouling applications in which their slippery property promotes repellence to many liquids and thus prevents bacterial adherence. Textured and porous films are suitable substrate candidates to infuse and contain the lubricant. However, there is little investigation in utilizing a nanoparticulate thin film as the substrate material for lubricant infusion. A nanoparticulate film has high porosity within the structure which can promote greater lubricant infusion and retention. The implementation as a thin film structure aids to reduce material consumption and cost. In our study, we utilized a well-studied nanoporous thin film fabricated via layer-by-layer assembly of polycations and colloid silica and then calcination for greater stability. The film was further functionalized to promote fluorinated groups and improve affinity with a fluorinated lubricant. The pristine nanoporous film was characterized to determine its morphology, thickness, wettability, and porosity. The lubricant-infused film was then tested for its lubricant layer stability upon various washing conditions and its performance against bacterial biofilm adherence as a result of its slippery property. Overall, the modified silica nanoparticulate thin film demonstrated potential as a base substrate for lubricant-infused surface fabrication that repelled against ambient aqueous solvents and as an anti-biofouling coating that demonstrated low biofilm coverage and colony forming unit values. Further optimization to improve lubricant retention or incorporation of a secondary function can aid in developing better coatings for biofilm mitigation.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Slippery lubricant-infused silica nanoparticulate film processing for anti-biofouling applications

Li Sip,

Jacobs,

Morales

et al. 2023

Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Biofilms are certainly present on human-occupied spacecraft and have been associated with problems associated with life support and other equipment. Biofouling problems are not exclusive to systems operation on Earth, as the Russian Salyut 6 and 7, and Mir space stations, as well as the ISS had engineering challenges arise from biofilm buildup [ [8] , [9] , [10] , 21 , 22 ]. In the case of the ISS, the WPA has presented the most pressing challenges that need to be addressed before human exploration moves forward to Mars and beyond.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As seen in Table 1 , some of the most common microbial organisms isolated from the WRS (namely on the filter immediately downstream of the WPA wastewater tank), are Ralstonia picketii , Bulkholderia sp. and Cupriavidus metallidurans [ 10 ]. More recently several metagenomic studies have been performed in the ISS (e.g.…”

Section: Introduction Biofilms and Spacecraft Environmental Control mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Detecting and monitoring bacterial and biofilm levels will be necessary in key ECLSS components, so that appropriate life support functions are maintained. While the bulk of the identified biofilm issues in spacecraft relate to the WRS component of ECLSS [ 10 ], one might also anticipate microbial growth on surfaces prone to water condensation or absorption. Volatile organic compound condensation onto surfaces has been proposed as a strategy for extracting airborne compounds during analytical chemical approaches [ 16 ] and so one might assume that a similar process along with associated biofilm formation would occur on surfaces or materials prone to water accumulation on spacecraft.…”

Section: Introduction Biofilms and Spacecraft Environmental Control mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Potential biofilm control strategies for extended spaceflight missions

Zea

McLean

Rook

et al. 2020

Biofilm

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…For WPA the most common microbial organisms isolated are Ralstonia picketii, Bulkholderia sp. and Cupriavidus metallidurans [6]. Biofilm formation is critical in any spacecraft J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f system, however, it is of utmost relevance when it affects ECLSS, given the relevance of this system to the health of the crew.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%