Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Dr. James Fritz, an emeritus professor from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, spoke to some 30 staff and students of the chemistry department at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Friday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. His presentation entitled, "Analytical Chemistry in Space: Water Disinfectants" covered his research for the past two years with co-investigators Matteo Arena, Marc Porter, Neil Dias, and UWP's own associate chemistry professor, Stephen Steiner.

The research is being conducted due to astronauts' dire need for pure drinking water in space. The method Fritz's team developed is called Colormetric Solid-Phase Extraction (C-SPE). C-SPE is "ideal for any kind of field work, not just that in zero gravity" commented Fritz. Other topics Fritz covered included using the Kubelka-Monk Function, methods for SPE, and the numerous problems encountered concerning zero gravity conditions, and the solutions they developed to solve these problems

To test their method in zero gravity, a modified KC-135 turbojet transporter was used in coordination with NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Tex. The turbojet flies to a high altitude and then dives at a 45 degree angle flying in hundreds of thousands of parabolic arcs inducing weightless periods for 20 to 25 seconds. This type of experimentation is also known as the "vomit comet" chuckles Fritz because so many people get sick. Overall, the simulated weightlessness results in easier testing methods than those of a space rocket. According to Fritz, testing at zero gravity compared to earth testing is "quite satisfactory" and NASA is pleased with the development of C-SPE. In fact, they are so satisfied that they hope to someday use it permanently on the international space station. These are the "original methods which are highly selective and they have worked as a dream" commented Fritz. Steiner suspects that this research will eventually become applied to all water sources on earth to preserve and purify the natural water supply.

Steiner, who has been involved in the project from the beginning, knows what a great opportunity the research offers for him as well as for students. "To be involved with great people, accomplishing great research, and making world wide connections is really something unique and opens lots of doors."

One of these opportunities was the chance to present their research findings at international conferences such as one in San Diego, Calif., which Steiner and Fritz recently attended. The first paper on C-SPE research was published in 2001 as part of a three-year contract with NASA. Since then two or three other papers have been published, but there are only five in the world on this aspect of water disinfectants. The research team is currently immersed in a second three-year contract phase with NASA.