'Plasma gun' technology could transform space laundry and sanitation for future missions
Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), part of The University of Alabama System, are developing plasma-based technology to help astronauts stay healthier during missions to the moon and Mars by sanitizing clothing, bedding and other fabrics without water or traditional cleaning chemicals.
Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are creating plasma-based technology to sanitize clothing, bedding, and other materials during space missions to the moon and Mars. The technology, developed by Dr. Gabe Xu and his team, uses a "laundry gun" that emits cold plasma into fabrics to eliminate harmful bacteria, eliminating the need for water and traditional cleaning chemicals.
The sterilization process generates reactive oxygen species, which damage bacteria by disrupting their cell membranes, without removing stains like coffee or grass. The project, a collaboration with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, aims to improve planetary protection, maintain clean living quarters, and support plant growth for space agriculture.
While the technology has shown promise in laboratory testing, it requires further engineering and ozone removal before it can be used in spaceflight.
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