The ISS National Lab Announces Grant Awards for Materials Science Investigations

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL. (November 19, 2014) – The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) has announced grant awards for three projects focused on materials science from the International Space Station (ISS), totaling approximately $800,000 in funding. These awards stem from the ISS National Lab Request for Proposals (RFP) “Materials Science in Space.” The ISS National Lab is the nonprofit organization managing research onboard the ISS U.S. National Laboratory.

The purpose of this RFP was to seek flight research investigations that develop new or improve existing materials that will have direct terrestrial benefit. Awardees include:

Alexei Churilov (Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.) from Watertown, MA, will conduct a series of experiments on the ISS to grow scintillator crystals. Scintillators excite when exposed to certain types of radiation. They can be used in detectors, primarily for homeland security applications.

Hulya Demiryont (Eclipse Energy Systems, Inc.) from St. Petersburg, FL, will examine how variable emissivity devices (VEDs) interact with the punishing environment of space.  VEDs could be used on Earth in energy- saving smart- roofing technology that will switch from blocking heat in the summer months to passing heat in the winter months in order to reduce heating and cooling costs.

Aleksandar Ostrogorsky (Illinois Institute of Technology) from Chicago, IL, will synthesize new types of semiconductor crystals on the ISS. They will show this material can positively compare with other semiconductor materials, in how it is non-toxic, and can be grown at a much faster rate.

“Materials science continues to be a major point of emphasis for utilization of the U.S. National Laboratory,” said the ISS National Lab Director of Portfolio Management Warren Bates. “The ISS National Lab is excited to announce three innovative projects resulting from our latest materials science solicitation, and we look forward to these concepts reaching the space station with the ultimate goal of benefitting life on Earth.”

Final award of grant money is contingent upon the acceptance of legal terms and conditions between recipients and the ISS National Lab.

For additional information about the ISS National Lab opportunities, including instructions on submitting a proposal, continue to check the ISS National Lab solicitations site: stg-issnationallab-issnldevsite.kinsta.cloud/solicitations

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About CASIS: The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (the ISS National Lab) was selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory through 2020. the ISS National Lab is dedicated to supporting and accelerating innovations and new discoveries that will enhance the health and wellbeing of people and our planet. For more information, visit stg-issnationallab-issnldevsite.kinsta.cloud.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low Earth orbit, and varied environments of space.

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