NASA STTR 2019-II Solicitation

Proposal Summary

Proposal Information

Proposal Number:
19-2- T6.06-2448
Phase 1 Contract #:
80NSSC19C0564
Subtopic Title:
Spacecraft Water Sustainability through Nanotechnology
Proposal Title:
Side-Emitting Optical Fibers for Delivery of UV-C Light to Disinfect Key Bacteria in Space Station Water and Storage and Conveyance Systems
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC):
H2O Insights, LLC
12794 East Sahuaro Drive
Scottsdale AZ  85259 - 4331
Phone: (480) 209-9140
RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
Arizona State University-Tempe
P.O. Box 876011
AZ  85287 - 6011
Phone: (480) 965-1427

Principal Investigator (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Paul Westerhoff
E-mail:
p.westerhoff@asu.edu
Address:
Arizona State University BOX3005 Arizona, AZ 85287 - 3005
Phone:
(480) 965-2885

Business Official (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Kelly Westerhoff
E-mail:
k.westerhoff@h2oinsightsaz.com
Address:
12794 E Sahuaro Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85259 - 4331
Phone:
(480) 209-9140
Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :
Begin: 4
End: 5
Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)

Bacteria in water and surface-attached biofilms pose health and operational challenges in human support systems. Current biofilm control technologies (i.e., hydrophobic surfaces, biocide-impregnated plastic coatings, chemical biocides, mercury-based lamps or light emitting diodes (LEDs)) either work for a very short duration, lead to residual chemical by-products of concern, have impractical physical designs, or limited light irradiation capacity. We propose a means of increasing the irradiation area of a UV-C LED by >100x by launching its light into side-emitting optical fibers (SEOFs), essentially creating germicidal flexible glowsticks. Currently only visible light SEOFs are commercially available. However, we discovered a technology (patent-pending) using silica nanoparticles (NPs) permanently attached to optical fibers that achieve side-emission of UV-C light along the entire optical fiber length. This is achieved using our dual-layer SEOF that includes 1) tunable shape-, size-, and surface chemistry-modified silica NPs that create photon and energy-scattering centers on the fiber surface and 2) UV-C transparent polymer coating over the NPs that protects the SEOF while allowing light to enter the water. Flexible individual or bundled SEOFs can deliver light from UV-C LED(s) to large surface areas. Our SEOF technology targets biofilm control in water or air, including narrow channels in potable water devices or tubing, biomedical devices or surface disinfection. Research performed during the Phase I STTR successfully 1) optimized the SEOF NP coating, 2) advanced development of desirable light profiles along SEOF, 3) developed a proprietary first-principle optical fiber light scattering mathematical model to engineer the SEOF and 4) demonstrated bacterial inactivation in water or on surfaces. This Phase II STTR proposal advances research initiated in Phase I and develops prototype devices for technology demonstration (TRL 5).

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

Microbial control in potable water systems; air/surface disinfection applications

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

Biofilm control in major home appliances/water appliances; biomedical devices; legionella control; air/surface disinfection applications

Duration: 24
Form Generated on 06/27/2021 15:51:42