AAAR 36th Annual Conference October 16 - October 20, 2017 Raleigh Convention Center Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Abstract View
Aerosol Sampling Experiment on the International Space Station Part II: Characterization Techniques and Results
GARY CASUCCIO, Kristin Bunker, Traci Lersch, Roger R. West, Marit Meyer, RJ Lee Group, Inc.
Abstract Number: 498 Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract On October 17, 2016, active aerosol (AAS) and passive aerosol samplers (PAS) were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of an experiment to investigate air quality in cabin areas on the ISS. The active aerosol sampler consisted of a thermophoretic sampler that was designed for low gravity operation. The passive aerosol sampler was designed with five compartments so that sampling could be performed for different time periods (e.g. 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days). Sampling on the ISS using the active and passive aerosol samplers was conducted from November 29, 2016 to January 18, 2017. The samples were returned to Earth on March 20, 2017 and are in the process of being examined using a variety of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques including light microscopy, manual scanning electron microscopy (MSEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS); computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM); electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and Raman spectroscopy.
The PAS samples were initially evaluated by optical microscopy in order to document loading and general sample characteristics. This indicated that the seven passive samples were successful in the collection of airborne particulate matter. In the initial evaluation, a select set of samples were also analyzed in the SEM both manually and using CCSEM to determine, in general, what types of particles were collected. While particle characterization is ongoing, preliminary results obtained thus far show that the particulate matter consists primarily of fibrous material (white, red, blue, and yellow), metal particles as well as some biological material. Initial review of the active samples indicates that limited amounts of nanometer size particles were collected; however interesting structures have been observed.
The characterization methodology incorporating multiple analytical techniques along with the analytical results obtained using active and passive samplers will be discussed.