Bozeman, Mont. -- Montana Microbiological Services, LLC (MMS) of Bozeman has won a contract from NASA Johnson Space Center to begin early stage development of an automated water quality monitoring system that can detect microscopic contaminants in closed water systems like those on spacecraft or submarines. The company was recently notified of the NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract for Phase I development of their novel technology. MMSís proposal was one of 325 selected from a pool of 1,659 submitted this year.

NASA annually awards a limited number of SBIR contracts nationwide to small businesses to research and develop new technology that will benefit space exploration and can be commercialized. The three-phase SBIR program is highly competitive. Phase I funding is awarded for feasibility studies of up to six months to evaluate the merit of an idea. Phase II funding is awarded for a period of up to two years to further develop Phase I and to create a prototype of the technology. Phase III is for the commercialization of the results of Phase II and requires the company to obtain private sector or non-SBIR federal funding.

MMS learned of NASAís critical need to ensure that manned space missions have safe water supplies through a research and development partnership facilitated by the Montana State University TechLink Center, a NASA-funded technology transfer organization in Bozeman.

"We developed the SBIR proposal in order to pursue our technological concept into a commercial product," said James Smith, MM's research director. "Microbiological monitoring of water supplies is currently performed manually using significant labor and laboratory resources. Our technology is designed to automate that process."

NASA manned spacecraft have self-contained water systems that undergo a variety of treatments including recycling to minimize the quantity required for life support in space. However, the closed environment of manned spacecraft provides a potential for runaway contamination by bacteria or other undesirable organisms, like those that clog filters and pipes.

Astronauts must perform time-intensive and waste-producing laboratory tests of water to prevent illness and mechanical problems.

MMS's novel monitoring system automatically analyzes the microbial status of water and can alert a spacecraft crew to problems before they reach the critical stage. Ultimately, the microbial assay system will be developed for minimal size and weight, according to Smith. On Earth, commercial applications of MMS' automated water testing system are anticipated for a range of potable water systems in closed containment environments such as submarines and large municipal water supplies.

MMS's first step is to develop a prototype system, using funds from the NASA Phase I contract. "The prototype will demonstrate a hands-free system that will acquire a minimal water sample on a regular basis and conduct microbiological assays robotically," said Nick Zelver, project director for biotechnical initiatives for MSU TechLink.

According to Smith, the company hopes this contract will lead to future opportunities for increased collaboration with NASA for spacecraft microbiological monitoring.

TechLink is funded by NASA and the Department of Defense to link companies in Montana and the surrounding region with federal laboratories for joint research and technology transfer. Its purpose is to contribute to the success of both technology-based companies and key resource-based industries in the state and region.

CONTACTS:
Nick Zelver
MSU TechLink
(406) 994-7706
nzelver@montana.edu

James Smith, PhD
Montana Microbiological Services, LLC
(406) 586-5590
jim00@in-tch.com

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