Development of a 3D printable clinostat for generating simulated microgravity under radiation

Abstract

Future manned space missions to the Moon and Mars require the human body to be exposed to several weeks to months of microgravity and various space radiation. Further research on how these environments affect the human organism with the focus on human cells can use ground-based experimental platforms, such as clinostats which simulate microgravity over a long period of time. The aim of this bachelor thesis is the development, design and construction of a 3D printable clinostat for studies of organoids under simulated microgravity and simultaneous irradiation of heavy ions and X-rays. Thus, two aspects of the space environment can be modeled. To make this possible, a concept was developed based on requirements, and optimized and tested via prototypes printed using the FDM process. The result is a 3D printable clinostat. This demonstrates that small laboratory devices can be printed in a cost-effective manner. The advantage is the possibility to reprint the spare parts, but also to modify the CAD models according to the desired requirements.