2024-07-13 17:27:38
There are researchers at Cornell University developed a new urine collection and filtration system for spacesuits, designed to improve the hygiene and comfort of astronauts during long spacewalks. This new system, inspired by the ‘leisure suits‘ from Dunne’s franchise, urine is recycled into drinking water using a vacuum-based external catheter and reverse osmosis unit. It is expected to be tested for use on NASA’s upcoming missions to the moon and Mars. Phys.Org reports:
[Los investigadores] They have now designed a urine collection device, which includes underwear made from multiple layers of flexible fabric. This connects to a collection cup (different shapes and sizes for women and men) made of molded silicone, which fits around the genitals. The inside of the collection cup is lined with polyester microfiber or a blend of nylon and spandex, to draw urine away from the body and towards the inside of the cup, from where it is sucked with a vacuum pump. An RFID tag, attached to an absorbent hydrogel, reacts to moisture by activating the pump.
Once collected, urine is diverted to the urine filtration system, where it is recycled at 87% efficiency through an integrated two-stage reverse osmosis filtration system. It uses a concentration gradient to extract water from urine, as well as a pump to separate water from salt. The purified water is then enriched with electrolytes and pumped into the suit’s beverage bag, making it available for consumption again. It only takes five minutes to collect and purify 500 ml of urine.
The system, which integrates control pumps, sensors and a liquid crystal display, is powered by a 20.5 V battery with a capacity of 40 amp-hours. Its overall size is 38 by 23 by 23 cm, weight about eight kilograms: compact and light enough to be carried on the back of a space suit. Now that the prototype is available, he can test the new design in simulated conditions and later during real spacewalks The design is published in the journal Frontiers in Space Technology .
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