Browsing by Author "Chertkovsky, Dennis"

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Ground Testing of Full-Scale Direct Contact Ultrasonic Human Solid Waste Dryer with Water Extraction System
(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Bigelow, Jon; Shelander, Connor; Chertkovsky, Dennis; Richardson, Tra-My Justine; Martin, Kevin; Sepka, Steven; Momen, Ayyoub
In this study, we will report on the development and ground testing results of the novel ultrasonic human solid waste dryer at scale and its water extraction performance. Unlike conventional thermal drying methods, direct contact ultrasonic drying technology does not require substantial heat for water evaporation. Therefore, it is not constrained by the high energy input needed for water vaporization. This innovative drying method removes water by rapidly shaking the object (on a micron-scale) utilizing piezoelectric transducers. By partially bypassing the evaporation process, the technology demonstrates significantly higher efficiency and drying speed for bagged human solid waste. Previously, the performance of this platform technology for human fecal drying has been shown in the laboratory and at the benchtop scale. The team also demonstrated a lab-scale system performance under zero Gravity conditions and parabolic flights. In this paper, we will report on the full-size machine design and development process and the ground testing results of the ultrasonic drying performance of simulated feces and its water capture potential. This study will also report our team's effort to make the process as automated as possible for flight crew members' ease of use. The results of this study serve as the cornerstone for developing the first human solid waste dryer system for ISS, Moon, Mars, and other space applications.
Initial Testing of a Full-Scale Ultrasonic Clothes Washer/Dryer for Moon, Mars, ISS and Beyond
(2024 International Conference on Environmnetal Systems, 2024-07-21) Bigelow, Jon; Shelander, Connor; Chertkovsky, Dennis; Ewert, Michael; McKinley, Melissa; Momen, Ayyoub
NASA's Life Support and Habitation Systems Focus Area seeks key capabilities and technology solutions to support extended human presence in deep space. A critical technological gap involves developing a clothing washer/dryer combination suitable for lunar or Martian conditions. In contrast to conventional thermal drying methods, our team's direct contact ultrasonic drying innovation eliminates the need for substantial heat to evaporate water. Consequently, it is not constrained by the high energy input required for water vaporization. This novel drying method mechanically removes water by rapidly shaking the object on a micron scale employing piezoelectric transducers. By partially bypassing the evaporation process, the technology exhibits significantly higher efficiency and drying speed when applied to various wet materials. Unlike traditional agitation washing methods that may introduce unwanted gyroscopic effects, need for substantial detergent, and generate a considerable amount of lint, we also explored the potential of fabric ultrasonic cleaning for garment washing. This paper will present the results of a comprehensive study of the ultrasonic cleaning potential for fabric and its unique design at scale, including the matching system design for ultrasonic drying. We will also report a semi-empirical model for ultrasonic drying performance. The results of this study could pave the path for the development of the first garment washing and drying system for use on the ISS, Moon, Mars, and other space applications, contributing to the prolonged presence of humans in space.
Ultrasonic Clothes Washer/Dryer Combination for Moon, Mars, and ISS Applications
(2023 International Conference on Environmental Systems, 2023-07-16) Ellis, Justin; Bigelow, Jonathan; Shelander, Connor; Chertkovsky, Dennis; Ewert, Michael; McKinley, Melissa; Momen, Ayyoub
Our study aims to investigate the effectiveness of an ultrasonic-based combo garment washing and drying system for space applications. Our system leverages our technological innovations in direct-contact ultrasonic fabric drying in combination with ultrasonic fabric washing. The main objective of this investigation is to gauge the effectiveness of washing and drying textile garments ultrasonically. In this paper, we will report the results of experiments conducted to assess the effectiveness of washing clothes ultrasonically, including ultrasonic intensity testing, stain removal testing, and fabric degradation testing. This study's outcome could lead to the production of an Ultra-Fast Ultrasonic Washer/Dryer Combination unit that would reduce clothing resupply costs for crewed missions to the moon, Mars, and the ISS.