From Ground To Space: Studying Wicking Aboard The International Space Station

Science (Audio)

Our respiratory system provides oxygen to and removes carbon dioxide from the body. To function properly, the lungs need to fill up with fresh air upon inhalation. Unfortunately, for a variety of medical reasons, the amount of air that reaches the lungs can be insufficient, causing respiratory distress. Healthcare providers often administer liquid drugs in the trachea to ensure prompt relief. In this program, Emilie Dressaire, professor of mechanical engineering at UC Santa Barbara, discusses how the liquid drugs make their way down to the lungs. To answer open questions on drug delivery, her team has built an experimental system that is currently in Space. She presents the journey from UCSB to the International Space Station and shares the first results. Series: "GRIT Talks" [Science] [Show ID: 40087]