Spacecraft Lighting to Mitigate Microbial GrowthIn this innovation project, we investigated the usage of narrow band violet light (408 nm) to attenuate the growth of bacteria typically found on ISS. Violet light is less hazardous than UV light and it can transmit through plastics, such as clear acrylics, making it possible to incorporate into large surface lamps and acrylic or polycarbonate based optical light guides. This study built a custom LED surface panel that was edge lit by an array of 408 nm violet LEDS. The optical light guide technology used in the lamp and the 408 nm violet LEDs are available on the market from multiple vendors. The application of the concept of using violet light driven LED panels and optical light guides is to integrate the paneling into spacecraft architectural surfaces for the automation of a light based microbial countermeasure that could enhance current cleaning methods used in areas on spacecraft prone to microbial growth.
Document ID
20190032558
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Poster
Authors
Clark, Toni A. (Wyle Laboratories, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)
Castro, Christian (Wyle Laboratories, Inc. Houston, TX, United States)