UMAS (Understanding Muscular Atrophy in Space)

TEAM MEMBERS

It is well known that extended spaceflight causes significant skeletal muscle atrophy in astronauts. The team at Ohio State University has proposed a product using miniaturized tissue-engineered skeletal muscle constructs to investigate the mechanisms behind skeletal muscle atrophy in microgravity.

Utilizing standard biology lab well plates, tissue-engineered skeletal muscle, a camera, an onboard computer system with necessary instrumentation, a means of electrically stimulating the muscle cells, and a stabilizer solution known as RNAlater, this product will allow muscle cells to undergo the process of atrophy while in a microgravity environment. The camera will acquire data during flight, yielding a visual of the muscles contracting and relaxing. The RNAlater will be injected into the muscle cell cultures while in microgravity to freeze their gene expression, allowing further investigation in a lab environment upon return to Earth.

Dr. Ali Jhemi – Faculty Advisor

Matt Arnott

Kelly DeRees

Vinny Funari

Brandon Lundeen

Fiona Muyo

Andrew Wolfe

Retractable Blade to Dispense Tape

TEAM MEMBERS

After thorough research and actual interviews with astronauts, a common annoyance expressed about life in space is the lack of a tape dispenser that can be used with one hand while working. Tape dispensers currently are not allowed aboard the ISS because of the potentially dangerous sharp edges. An ideal design would have a retractable blade to hide these edges. So, the team at Oregon State has come up with a design that currently uses a straight-edge, box-cutter blade to cut the tape. As the tape is pulled from the dispenser, the blade rises at a slight angle, such that there will be more concentrated force to cut the tape. Once the tape is cut, tension is released, and the blade lowers safely back into concealment.

Donald Heer - Faculty Advisor

Hanna Anderson

Jacob Dawes

Scott Laughlin

Behnam Saeedi

M.E.S.S. -- Modular Expandable Storage System

TEAM MEMBERS

After heavy research into astronaut lifestyles, physical activity, work schedules, and numerous personal online interviews, our team concluded that the most effective design concept would need to mitigate an explicitly mentioned nuisance in microgravity.

The most commonly reported problem we found was that in microgravity, objects need to be strapped down when not in use. Since there is no up/down reference frame, experiments, tools, and laptops can be stored on all six sides of a room. When performing experiments, an astronaut may need to move from one wall to another, constantly using and replacing different tools and equipment. Our design is aimed at logistically reducing the time spent 'hunting and gathering' by creating a portable, modular storage container that attaches to multiple types of surfaces, coupled with a "third arm" that can hold laptops, tablets, tools, and much more in strategic positions.

Dr. Sharon Wood – Faculty Advisor

Calvin Giddens

Brian Catozzi

Rohan Dalal

Arthur Erickson

Joe McCloskey

Project: Modular Toolkit

TEAM MEMBERS

Our team’s concept for the HP Life in Space Design Challenge is a compact, modular toolbox that astronauts will be able to use both in and out of the International Space Station. It will be small enough that it can be easily strapped to an astronaut’s space suit or carried under the arm for use inside the space station, and will contain screwdriver bits, socket heads, and tape measures at the bare minimum. The toolbox will also have a selection device that allows the user to select and access certain tools and parts while keeping the others hidden away.

Chris Blackburn

Rebecca Ahn

Jared Arkfled

Hunter Caron

Shun Pan