Read about some of the investigations traveling to the space station:<\/p>\n
Better semiconductor crystals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"F2A0100.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/jsc2025e067415\/jsc2025e067415~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1914&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nOptical micrograph of a semiconductor composite wafer with embedded semimetal phases extracted from a space grown crystal in the SUBSA facility during Mission 1<\/div>\nUnited Semiconductors LLC<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nResearchers are continuing to fine-tune in-space production<\/a> of semiconductor crystals, which are critical for modern devices like cellphones and computers.<\/p>\nThe space station\u2019s microgravity environment could enable large-scale manufacturing of complex materials, and leveraging the orbiting platform for crystal production is expected to lead to next-generation semiconductor technologies with higher performance, chip yield, and reliability.<\/p>\n
\u201cSemiconductor devices fabricated using crystals from a previous mission demonstrated performance gain by a factor of two and device yield enhanced by a factor of 10 compared to Earth-based counterparts,\u201d said Partha S. Dutta, principal investigator, United Semiconductors LLC in Los Alamitos, California.<\/p>\n
Dutta highlighted that three independent parties validated microgravity\u2019s benefits for growing semiconductor crystals and that the commercial value of microgravity-enhanced crystals could be worth more than\u00a0$1 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds).<\/p>\n
Space-manufactured crystals could help meet the need for radiation-hardened, low-power, high-speed electronics and sensors for space systems. They also could provide reduced power use, increased speed, and improved safety. The technology also has ground applications, including electric vehicles, waste heat recovery, and medical tools.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the SUBSA-InSPA-SSCug<\/strong><\/a> experiment.<\/p>\nLethal light<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/gulbi-horizontal.jpg?w=618\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nGermicidal Ultraviolet (UV) light is emitted by an optical fiber running through the center of an agar plate<\/div>\nArizona State University<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nResearchers are examining<\/a> how microgravity affects ultraviolet (UV) light\u2019s ability to prevent the formation of biofilms \u2014 communities of microbes that form in water systems. Investigators developed special optical fibers to deliver the UV light, which could provide targeted, long-lasting, and chemical-free disinfection in space and on Earth.<\/p>\n\u201cIn any water-based system, bacterial biofilms can form on surfaces like pipes, valves, and sensors,\u201d said co-investigator Paul Westerhoff, a professor at Arizona State University in Tempe. \u201cThis can cause serious problems like corrosion and equipment failure, and affect human health.\u201d<\/p>\n
The UV light breaks up DNA in microorganisms, preventing them from reproducing and forming biofilms. Preliminary evidence suggests biofilms behave differently in microgravity, which may affect how the UV light reaches and damages bacterial DNA.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ll learn about biofilms and UV light in microgravity could help us design safer water and air systems not just for space exploration, but for hospitals, homes, and industries back on Earth,\u201d Westerhoff said.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the GULBI<\/strong><\/a> experiment.<\/p>\nSowing seeds for pharmaceuticals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"O\u2019Hara,](\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss070e129524\/iss070e129524~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1280&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nNASA astronaut Loral O\u2019Hara displays the specialized sample processor used for pharmaceutical research aboard the International Space Station<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAn investigation<\/a> using a specialized pharmaceutical laboratory aboard the space station examines how microgravity may alter and enhance crystal structures of drug molecules. Crystal structure can affect the production, storage, effectiveness, and administration of medications.<\/p>\n\u201cWe are exploring drugs with applications in cardiovascular, immunologic, and neurodegenerative disease as well as cancer,\u201d said principal investigator Ken Savin of Redwire Space Technologies in Greenville, Indiana. \u201cWe expect microgravity to yield larger, more uniform crystals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Once the samples return to Earth, researchers at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, will examine the crystal structures.<\/p>\n
The investigators hope to use the space-made crystals as seeds to produce significant numbers of crystals on Earth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have demonstrated this technique with a few examples, but need to see if it works in many examples,\u201d Savin said. \u201cIt\u2019s like being on a treasure hunt with every experiment.\u201d<\/p>\n
This research also helps enhance and expand commercial use of the space station for next-generation biotechnology research and in-space production of medications.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the ADSEP PIL-11<\/strong><\/a> experiment.<\/p>\nKeeping fuel cool<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"Acaba,](\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/iss053e027051\/iss053e027051~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1277&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\")
<\/a><\/figure>\niss0NASA astronaut Joe Acaba installs hardware for the first effort in 2017 aboard the International Space Station to test controlling pressure in cryogenic fuel tanks<\/div>\nNASA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMany spacecraft use cryogenic or extremely cold fluids as fuel for propulsion systems. These fluids are kept at hundreds of degrees below zero to remain in a liquid state, making them difficult to use in space where ambient temperatures can vary significantly. If these fluids get too warm, they turn into gas and boiloff<\/a>, or slowly evaporate and escape the tank, affecting fuel efficiency and mission planning.<\/p>\nA current practice to prevent this uses \u00a0onboard fuel to cool systems before transferring fuel, but this practice is wasteful and not feasible for Artemis missions to the Moon and future exploration of Mars and beyond. A potential alternative is using special gases that do not turn into liquids at cold temperatures to act as a barrier in the tank and control the movement of the fuel.<\/p>\n
Researchers are testing<\/a> this method to control fuel tank pressure in microgravity. It could save an estimated 42% of propellant mass per year, according to Mohammad Kassemi, a researcher at NASA\u2019s National Center for Space Exploration Research and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.<\/p>\nThe test could provide insights that help improve the design of lightweight, efficient, long-term in-space cryogenic storage systems for future deep space exploration missions.<\/p>\n
Learn more about the ZBOT-NC<\/strong><\/a> experiment.\u00a0<\/p>\nDownload high-resolution photos and videos<\/a> of the research highlighted in this feature.<\/p>\nLearn more about the research aboard the International Space Station at:<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/figure>Researchers are continuing to fine-tune in-space production<\/a> of semiconductor crystals, which are critical for modern devices like cellphones and computers.<\/p>\n The space station\u2019s microgravity environment could enable large-scale manufacturing of complex materials, and leveraging the orbiting platform for crystal production is expected to lead to next-generation semiconductor technologies with higher performance, chip yield, and reliability.<\/p>\n \u201cSemiconductor devices fabricated using crystals from a previous mission demonstrated performance gain by a factor of two and device yield enhanced by a factor of 10 compared to Earth-based counterparts,\u201d said Partha S. Dutta, principal investigator, United Semiconductors LLC in Los Alamitos, California.<\/p>\n Dutta highlighted that three independent parties validated microgravity\u2019s benefits for growing semiconductor crystals and that the commercial value of microgravity-enhanced crystals could be worth more than\u00a0$1 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds).<\/p>\n Space-manufactured crystals could help meet the need for radiation-hardened, low-power, high-speed electronics and sensors for space systems. They also could provide reduced power use, increased speed, and improved safety. The technology also has ground applications, including electric vehicles, waste heat recovery, and medical tools.<\/p>\n Learn more about the SUBSA-InSPA-SSCug<\/strong><\/a> experiment.<\/p>\n Researchers are examining<\/a> how microgravity affects ultraviolet (UV) light\u2019s ability to prevent the formation of biofilms \u2014 communities of microbes that form in water systems. Investigators developed special optical fibers to deliver the UV light, which could provide targeted, long-lasting, and chemical-free disinfection in space and on Earth.<\/p>\n \u201cIn any water-based system, bacterial biofilms can form on surfaces like pipes, valves, and sensors,\u201d said co-investigator Paul Westerhoff, a professor at Arizona State University in Tempe. \u201cThis can cause serious problems like corrosion and equipment failure, and affect human health.\u201d<\/p>\n The UV light breaks up DNA in microorganisms, preventing them from reproducing and forming biofilms. Preliminary evidence suggests biofilms behave differently in microgravity, which may affect how the UV light reaches and damages bacterial DNA.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we\u2019ll learn about biofilms and UV light in microgravity could help us design safer water and air systems not just for space exploration, but for hospitals, homes, and industries back on Earth,\u201d Westerhoff said.<\/p>\n Learn more about the GULBI<\/strong><\/a> experiment.<\/p>\n An investigation<\/a> using a specialized pharmaceutical laboratory aboard the space station examines how microgravity may alter and enhance crystal structures of drug molecules. Crystal structure can affect the production, storage, effectiveness, and administration of medications.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are exploring drugs with applications in cardiovascular, immunologic, and neurodegenerative disease as well as cancer,\u201d said principal investigator Ken Savin of Redwire Space Technologies in Greenville, Indiana. \u201cWe expect microgravity to yield larger, more uniform crystals.\u201d<\/p>\n Once the samples return to Earth, researchers at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, will examine the crystal structures.<\/p>\n The investigators hope to use the space-made crystals as seeds to produce significant numbers of crystals on Earth.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have demonstrated this technique with a few examples, but need to see if it works in many examples,\u201d Savin said. \u201cIt\u2019s like being on a treasure hunt with every experiment.\u201d<\/p>\n This research also helps enhance and expand commercial use of the space station for next-generation biotechnology research and in-space production of medications.<\/p>\n Learn more about the ADSEP PIL-11<\/strong><\/a> experiment.<\/p>\n Many spacecraft use cryogenic or extremely cold fluids as fuel for propulsion systems. These fluids are kept at hundreds of degrees below zero to remain in a liquid state, making them difficult to use in space where ambient temperatures can vary significantly. If these fluids get too warm, they turn into gas and boiloff<\/a>, or slowly evaporate and escape the tank, affecting fuel efficiency and mission planning.<\/p>\n A current practice to prevent this uses \u00a0onboard fuel to cool systems before transferring fuel, but this practice is wasteful and not feasible for Artemis missions to the Moon and future exploration of Mars and beyond. A potential alternative is using special gases that do not turn into liquids at cold temperatures to act as a barrier in the tank and control the movement of the fuel.<\/p>\n Researchers are testing<\/a> this method to control fuel tank pressure in microgravity. It could save an estimated 42% of propellant mass per year, according to Mohammad Kassemi, a researcher at NASA\u2019s National Center for Space Exploration Research and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.<\/p>\n The test could provide insights that help improve the design of lightweight, efficient, long-term in-space cryogenic storage systems for future deep space exploration missions.<\/p>\n Learn more about the ZBOT-NC<\/strong><\/a> experiment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Download high-resolution photos and videos<\/a> of the research highlighted in this feature.<\/p>\n Learn more about the research aboard the International Space Station at:<\/p>\nLethal light<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>Sowing seeds for pharmaceuticals<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>Keeping fuel cool<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/figure>