Samueli School of Engineering

The principal idea involves the utilization of existing solar radiation to degrade model pollutants (midodrine and humic acid) in aqueous solution.  The decomposition of said pollutants will be observed through a photochemical effect known as “fluorescence”, whereby substances emit light after absorbing electromagnetic radiation.  The experiment will be carried out on a Class 2U Cube Satellite; hence the designation of “UCISAT-2.”  In addition, UCISAT-2 will utilize an electric propulsion system couple with a flight control system to achieve full attitude control and thus orient the payload (the experiment) towards the sun.  The development of such a purification technology has direct economic and practical implications for the future of space exploration and missions.  To give some perspective, the current International Space Station (ISS) water purification systems encompasses the size of four fully grown men and weighs thousands of pounds.  Furthermore, between 2000 and 2005, approximately &60 million was spent on sending fresh water up to the ISS.  Therefore, it is clear that developing a solar-based purification system would affect tremendous savings in weight and cost, and ultimately advance the scope of space operations and future missions.    Advisors: Cooper, William [PhD], Gamero-Castano, Manuel [PhD], Rafique, Khalid [PhD], Villac, Benjamin [PhD]; UCI Dean's Choice Award