Research contributing to better materials on Earth and seeking resources in space to fuel future exploration will be featured at NASA's Microgravity Materials Science Conference in the North Hall of the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala., June 6-8.
For three days, experts from across the nation will discuss current hot topics in their fields - such as nanotechnology and biomaterials. Media can hear about the latest research findings reported by hundreds of investigators from NASA, universities and industry.
The conference is hosted by Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville - NASA's Lead Center for Microgravity Research -- and the Microgravity Research Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Investigators funded by NASA's Human Exploration and Development of Space Enterprise will participate in a workshop to discuss taking advantage of materials on the Moon and Mars to advance space exploration -- called in-situ resource utilization. This research focuses on "living off the land'' by using lunar or Martian soil to build habitats, produce fuel, water and propellant. On the last day of the conference, the group will report its findings.
A preliminary schedule and speaker description follows. For the most up-to-date information, media should consult the conference Web site at: http://www.science.nasa.gov/colloquia/mmsm/matscience.htm
To arrange interviews or attendance at the conference, media should contact Steve Roy of the Marshall Media Relations Department at 256-544-0034.
Preliminary Conference Schedule and Speaker Information
Tuesday, June 6
… 8:40 a.m.- Welcome: Art Stephenson, Marshall Center Director
… 8:45 a.m. - Overview of Microgravity Program: Dr. Arnauld Nicogossian, associate administrator for Life and Microgravity Sciences, and other NASA officials and scientists
… 10:45 a.m. - Nanomaterials for NASA Missions: Dr. Meyya Meyyappan, project manager and senior scientist for NASA's Nanotechnology Program at Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif. Nanotechnology - manipulation of materials on the atomic and molecular scale to build microscopic devices smaller than human cells - is predicted to revolutionize vaccines, computers, automobiles and rocket ships - to cite just a few examples.
… 1:15 - 3:30 p.m. Technical Sessions: Sessions on NASA-funded research in electronic materials, biomaterials, metals and alloys, microporous materials, and glasses.
Wednesday, June 7
… 8:30 a.m. - Materials for Radiation Protection: Dr. Jim Adams, a Marshall Center astrophysicist with 20 years of experience studying the effects of cosmic ray radiation on microelectronics, will discuss new materials that can be used to protect humans and spacecraft from radiation.
… 9 a.m. - In-situ Resource Utilization: Dr. Gregg Maryniak, executive director of the X PRIZE Foundation, St. Louis, Mo., sponsor of a $10 million prize to spur creation of new launch vehicles for space tourism. He will talk about using materials that exist in space for construction and fuel to increase business activity in space.
… 10 a.m. - noon - Technical Sessions: Electronic materials, polymers and metals
… 1- 3:30 p.m. - Technical Sessions: Nanomaterials, colloids, dendrites, radiation materials and crystal growth
… 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. - Poster Sessions: Technical presentations in exhibit area
… 6 p.m. - Future of Space Transportation: Banquet speaker: Dennis Smith, deputy manager, Marshall Center Space Transportation Directorate.
Thursday, June 8
… 8:05 a.m. - Biomaterials: Dr. Michael Jaffe, director of the Medical Device Concept Laboratory for the New Jersey Center for Biomaterials in Newark, N.J., on the future of biomaterials for producing new medical tools.
… 8:50 a.m. - In-situ Resource Utilization Workshop Report: Dr. Peter Curreri, a materials scientist at the Marshall Center, will report on the workshop findings.
… 9:50 a.m. -12:30 p.m. - Technical Sessions: Metals, alloys and dendrites.
The Web
News release
http://www1.msfc.nasa.gov/NEWSROOM/news/releases/2000/00-176.html
Microgravity Research Program
http://microgravity.nasa.gov/
Microgravity Materials Science Conference Schedule and Information
http://www.science.nasa.gov/colloquia/mmsm/matscience.htm