Scientists create 'laundry gun' for astronauts to clean their clothes by shooting out plasma
A pen-sized apparatus called a "laundry gun" could sterilize astronauts' clothes in space.
Astronauts could soon have a new way to keep their clothes clean during long space missions, thanks to a prototype "laundry gun" that sterilizes fabric using cold plasma. This innovative device, created by a team from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in collaboration with NASA, could significantly reduce the need for cleaning chemicals and bulky laundry equipment on future missions to Mars.
The plasma gun, about the size of a pen, shoots a violet-colored plasma at fabric, which then kills bacteria by oxidizing their protective membranes. Tests showed that the prototype reduced spore colonies on fabric by more than 75%. The plasma is generated from the spacecraft's air and water vapor, making it a lightweight and efficient solution for space travel.
However, the device has its limitations. It may not remove stains like coffee or grass, and larger, more practical versions are still in development. The ozone created by the plasma can also be harmful in large quantities, so researchers are working on a filtration system to ensure astronaut safety. As space laundry research continues to advance, it could soon become an essential part of long-duration space missions.
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