As we enter the era of manned space flight and habitation beyond low Earth orbit, much longer duration human occupation and much less frequent resupply will be the norm, stretching the capacities and capabilities of life support systems. The myriad internal surfaces aboard ISS and the various crew compartments on drawing boards today are viewed as a liability due to contamination and fouling. Yet, if such surfaces operate synergistically with life support systems, these same surfaces become an asset with practically no increased load weight penalty. Virtually all of these surfaces are coated. Bio-based, non-toxic additives to such coatings, many of which are already being marketed for 1XG applications, will create the functionalized surfaces needed.

Speaker: Steve McDaniel, Reactive Surfaces, Inc.

To see archives of the SETI Institute Lectures, check out their website, http://www.seti.org/talks

Hosted by: Silicon Valley Engineering Council
When: February – March 2012
Application Deadline: January 31, 2012
What: During February and March of 2012, as an adjunct to National Engineers Week, engineers from local corporations will begin visiting classrooms to share the excitement and rewards of being an engineer. Engineers can also visit classrooms after March. The engineers will discuss careers in engineering with the students and can involve students in hands-on activities. Following this, there can be question-and-answer periods. Engineers will be glad to tailor their presentations to particular teachers’ needs and can bring posters, bookmarks, and brochures to hand out to promote Discover “E.” For more information and an application, please visit http://www.svec.org/DiscoverE/teachltr.html.