Their innovation will gain height!
A small team of Breton engineers;
commissioned a year and a half ago by the Jean Hénaff group and the company Innovons à 360 °, in conjunction with the National Center for Space Studies (Cnes), has just developed a biodegradable “somewhat spatial” foam.
She will embark with Thomas Pesquet aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in a few weeks.
As part of his experiments, the latter will be able to test its efficiency aboard his shuttle, then in the station, during his mission.
VIDEO.
Thomas Pesquet, first French captain on board the International Space Station
The usefulness of this foam?
"It is capable of withstanding very powerful shocks and vibrations, both on take-off and once there," boasts Yves-Marie Corre, technical manager at ComposiTIC, a technology transfer platform between the world of research and that of industry, and structure of the Université Bretagne-Sud, whose laboratory is based in Ploemeur.
For the transport and protection of equipment and ... the cultivation of plants
“This foam is PHA, a material resulting from bacterial and therefore organic production,” indicates the technical manager.
Before long, it will be used to transport and protect the study headband
(Editor's note: a helmet)
to track weightless sleep.
We have shaped it by 3D printing so that it matches the shape of the helmet in question as well as possible.
"
The very long lifespan of this foam can allow two applications: the transport and protection of equipment, but also… the cultivation of plants.
“It will be tested on the next missions.
We can use it as a growth substrate… so grow salads, for example ”.
The small team from Lorientais, more used to working for aeronautics, is delighted in any case to be able to send its creation into the stratosphere.
