Presentation of an innovative short-arm centrifuge for future studies on the effects of artificial gravity (AG) on the human body

Abstract

In July 2013, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne, Germany, commissions their new medical research facility :envihab. One central element of the facility is a new type of short arm centrifuge called :enviFuge, which has been developed in collaboration with AMST Systemtechnik GmbH. Equipped with the capacity to instantaneously and independently move the four nacelles along the acceleration axis, the centrifuge allows the possibility to perform up to four complex trials simultaneously. The shift of subjects above heart-level on a short arm centrifuge allows unique studies about e.g. the cardiovascular regulation in surroundings with a high gradient of artificial gravity. The maximal acceleration is 6G at the foot level, and each nacelle provides enough space for up to 150kg payload, additionally 2 x 100kg equipment can be mounted on the main arm. Standard features of the centrifuge include a 6-camera motion capturing system and two triaxial force plates to study the kinematics of physical exercise (e.g. squatting, jumping, or vibration training) under increased gravity. Future projects involving :enviFuge will allow the development and testing of potential countermeasures and training methods against the negative effects of weightlessness in space on the human physiology.