Over the past 50 years, we have often heard of the many surprising results of the manned space flight program, ranging from personal computers to solar energy. We also see tangible direct benefits from research on the International Space Station (ISS).
The ISS provides a unique environment for scientific discoveries that simply can not be duplicated anywhere on Earth. The research conducted in this orbital laboratory not only allows humans to explore the solar system
I like to point out that the transfer of technology in the space program is a bidirectional process. Many NASA engineers provide their experience and free time to apply the technology of space programs to the problems faced by developing countries. In doing so, they learn valuable lessons that will allow us to drive space exploration beyond low Earth orbit. The very effective engineering approaches that are required in developing countries (robust solutions that require very little maintenance, replenishment or training) are the same approaches that we must use if we want to think outside the box. orbit.
Each year, NASA celebrates an invention among many derived technologies such as NASA's commercial invention of the year. A solar-powered refrigerator designed to withstand life on the moon, but with a great application on Earth, won the prestigious title for 2011. With approximately 2 billion inhabitants of Earth without access to electricity, this technology was developed at NASA's Johnson Space Center will help us explore space and dramatically improve the lives of many people on Earth.
Co-developers Mike Ewert and David Bergeron worked with NASA's advanced thermal team to develop solar cooling technology to cool habitats in space. They also understood the need for a comparable solar refrigerator that can work in conjunction with existing simple solar lighting systems on Earth. A modified "solar photovoltaic" solar pump has been developed to produce a refrigerator with a battery-less, vapor-compression cooling system that converts electricity from solar panels into thermal energy stored inside, using materials Low-cost phase change that controls temperature changes. This system eliminates dependence on an electrical grid, does not require batteries, stores thermal energy for efficient use in the absence of sun and is designed to operate anywhere in the world.
Such a scalable, energy-efficient resource can be an incredible resource in places where people do not have a refrigeration system, including remote medical centers and underdeveloped areas. Electricity is essential for storing vaccines and medicines. This technology can significantly reduce costs and increase the availability of vaccines delivered in the poorest regions of the world.