Oklahoma State University: OSU Department Of Physics Remains At The Forefront For Radiation Research In Space Trave ...

Press release from Oklahoma State University:

2022-03-15

The future of space exploration might be found in a mysterious, off-campus building
in Stillwater.

The Venture One building is home to the Oklahoma State University Department of Physics.
Its few markings leave the imagination to wonder what goes on behind its cool exterior,
however it is a hub of research and an institute of space and air innovations.

Part of that research is focused on monitoring radiation.

With the recent focus on public space travel, Dr. Eric Benton, a radiation physicist
at OSU, explained that all flights are exposed to some sort of radiation, but prolonged
exposure and the effects on technology and electronics are the real unknowns.

“We don’t know how radiation corrupts information,” Benton said. “We don’t know how
radiation damages DNA. We need to track radiation to find the benchmark. We need to
learn the balance of radiation. It gets a bad rap, but it obviously helps, too.”

To assist with that, Benton and his team created the Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation Tissue Equivalent Dosimeter (AirTED), which measures radiation. Their device has now been selected as the measurement
device of choice to ride in the 2023 Blue Origin payload locker.

This will not be the first flight for OSU technology, though. AirTED was permanently
installed on the WB-57, a high-altitude research plane, in December 2021.

Originally, the B-57 was made for World War I. Now, the modified plane is owned by
NASA.

There are three still in flight and used for research. In its original form, the B-57
had a second seat for the bombardier but now the payload, or the AirTED, is permanently
mounted in that position.

“Collectively, scientists have atmospheric measurements for space, but now we need
atmospheric measurements specifically for radiation,” Benton said. “Space tourism
is obviously hot right now, but radiation measurements and detectors are as important,
even moreso, now.”

Scientists understand the balance of radiation and its attributes and harmful qualities,
but seek the quantitative effect at different levels of exposure, he added.

Not only has OSU technology flown before AirTED, but is has also been used in space
travel, as well.

“NASA’s EPSCoR Program was the first flight for the OSU team’s radiation detection. But the device
was damaged in shipment,” Benton said.

In 2018, the OSU physics department again landed a spot for the detector to board
a ship bound to the International Space Station.

After these opportunities, Benton’s team went looking for another. In 2020-2021, NASA
added a new program and the team applied and won, Benton said. This new program came
with the requisite to find their own flight to the space station.

With the assistance of Dr. Brad Gersey, OSU adjunct professor, and Josh Desmond, contracting
and industrial sponsored research officer, AirTED received a round-trip ticket on
Blue Origin.

The suborbital trip will lift off in 2022-2023 with the purpose of tracking radiation
fluctuation data in orbit.

Dr. Benton and his team look ahead to continued radiation research and the future
growth in OSU technology.

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Media Contact:
Kimberly Watkins | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-3546 | kimberly.watkins@okstate.edu

If the proverbial, “necessity is the mother of invention” is true, then spill resistant
fabric will become a textile revolution. 

If the proverbial, “necessity is the mother of invention” is true, then spill resistant
fabric will become a textile revolution. 

For Dr. Yu Jessie Mao, a daily chore — washing spills out of fabric — was the catalyst
for what could be a textile revolution.

For Dr. Yu Jessie Mao, a daily chore — washing spills out of fabric — was the catalyst
for what could be a textile revolution.

Mao, a material scientist at Oklahoma State University, often has lightbulb moments at home with her two children and this was no different.
She wanted to develop a spill resistant fabric.

Mao, a material scientist at Oklahoma State University

As a mom, her inspiration was a common problem in many households — spills. 

As a mom, her inspiration was a common problem in many households — spills. 

“I had an idea,” Mao said. “Because I was constantly washing clothes and tablecloths.”

“I had an idea,” Mao said. “Because I was constantly washing clothes and tablecloths.” In 2017, she began to meet with her lab partners to develop the idea, a year later
they had determined that a spill resistant fabric would be their goal.  The end result of that goal was OmniPhobic — an all-resistant textiles technique.
The fabric is created with a shield of sorts protecting it from stains. So instead
of spraying the fabric with a protectant the fabric is created with the protectant.  Omniphobic is not an application process nor spray, it is the actual fabric.  “I’m a chemist,” Mao said. “I knew it needed to be permanent. It is the fabric.”  More importantly this concept and eventual product is short-chain — having less than
six carbons in their chemical structure, which scientists believe to be more environmentally
friendly.  “The sediment doesn’t come off and end up in our water,” Mao said. “I saw the need
in daily life, that was the spark. I knew it would benefit a lot of families and industries.
It’s so rewarding to help make a difference.”  The fabric could not have been possible without a team effort, Mao said. “In the lab or by Zoom calls, we come up with things we want to pursue and we reach
out to each other," Mao said, “I like the internal community [at OSU]. We have researchers
from different areas and we help each other.” Although OmniPhobic is currently not available to the everyday consumer, Mao hopes
it will benefit hospitality and commercial airlines industries. Through Cowboy Innovations — the bridge for OSU technology to the real world — Mao
has brought OmniPhobic to industries.   However, seat cushions, airline seats, and hotel and restaurant tablecloths and linens
are just a few of Mao’s visions. She hopes to expand the availability of the fabric
to manufacturers and eventually to the consumer.  “This is what I love about being a scientist. We experience real world problems and
then discuss possible solutions that can truly help others,” Mao said. 

This press release was produced by Oklahoma State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.