Title :
Effects of simulated hypergravity on biomedical experiments
Author :
Russomano, Thais ; Rizzatti, Mara R. ; Coelho, Rodrigo P. ; Solari, D. ; Souza, Daniel De ; Prá-veleda, Paula
Author_Institution :
Centro de Microgravidade, PUCRS, Porto Alegre
Abstract :
This article presents the conception and development of a centrifuge for hypergravity research use. Experiments were recorded via a digital camera and the images acquired were processed for better visualization of the effects of simulated variation of gravitational force on models of living systems and plant germination. Four different test models were used to illustrate the effects of 1.5 Gz and 7.0 Gz on human physiology, including the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems. One experiment was conducted to evaluate plant germination and growth after intermittent hypergravity exposures to 7.0 Gz, which can demonstrate the usefulness of centrifuges on plant development in extra-terrestrial colonies.
Keywords :
aerospace biophysics; bone; botany; cardiovascular system; muscle; biomedical experiments; cardiovascular; centrifuge; digital camera; extraterrestrial colonies; gravitational force; human physiology; image processing; living systems; musculoskeletal systems; plant development; plant germination; plant growth; simulated hypergravity; Acceleration; Digital cameras; Earth; Gravity; Humans; Organisms; Physiology; Space missions; System testing; Visualization;
Journal_Title :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MEMB.2007.364932
