Bremen 2017 – scientific programme
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P: Fachverband Plasmaphysik
P 4: Plasma Technology
P 4.5: Talk
Monday, March 13, 2017, 15:15–15:30, HS 2010
Decontamination of Space Equipment Using Cold Atmospheric Plasma — •Meike Müller1, Sylvia Binder2, Tetsuji Shimizu2, Igor Semenov1, Julia Zimmermann2, Petra Rettberg3, Gregor Morfill2, and Hubertus Thomas1 — 1Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Institut für Materialphysik im Weltraum; Argelsrieder Feld, Wessling 82234, Germany — 2terraplasma GmbH, Lichtenbergstraße, Garching 85741, Germany — 3Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin, Linder Höhe, Köln 51147, Germany
Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a very effective technology for the inactivation of microorganisms, which is of crucial interest for extraterrestrial space missions. In our study, a new designed plasma-gas circulation system has been developed and tested. The investigations with bioindicators (Bacillus atrophaeus spores) show that this technology has a high biocidal effect. Therefore, several treatment volumes were tested to optimize the CAP efficacy. In addition, we plan to perform a series of measurements for chemical composition by using a FTIR spectrometer. This provides an insight into the plasma chemistry including the influence of the humidity on the inactivation of microorganisms. In this contribution, we propose a possible design of decontamination system for larger spacecraft facilities using CAP. Furthermore we will discuss the advantage of CAP technology in comparison with conventional sterilization methods.