Biological Research In Canisters

Facility Description

The Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) facility contains a suite of six different hardware configurations. Investigations that use BRIC study the effects of microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. on biological specimens. Small specimens are typically housed in culture chambers or Petri plates and then contained in aluminum cylinders or boxes. All BRIC hardware configurations provide three levels of containment. BRIC-60s, BRIC-100s, and BRIC 100VCs are aluminum cylinders that house biological specimens in Petri dishes or tubes, and some are capable of controlling the composition of the interior atmosphere. BRIC-PDFUs and BRIC-LEDs are aluminum boxes with sealed lids that house biological specimens and allow crew members to deliver fluid treatments during the experiments. Some BRIC-PDFUs and BRIC-LEDs allow specimens to be exposed to light treatment and provide temperature control. The BRIC-LED facility is permanently installed in an EXPRESS Rack and is used to house BRIC-LED canisters.