The interaction of laser modified medicine solutions with hydrophilic and
hydrophobic target surfaces has been investigated under the effect of simulated
hypergravity conditions, employing the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) facility,
developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Experiments have been performed
within the HyperMed project under the aegis of the ESA “Spin Your Thesis!” 2015
programme. During centrifugation, real-time video files have been recorded regarding
generation of ultrapure water, unexposed and laser exposed chlorpromazine aqueous
pendant droplets, followed by their detachment due to the exerted high gravitational
accelerations and finally by the formation of sessile droplets on target surfaces. In this
way, information about the volume of the generated droplet, the degree of wetting and
its time evolution at different hypergravity levels has been obtained. Phenothiazine
solutions irradiated with UV laser radiation indicate reduced surface tension, thus
presenting better wetting properties. Target surfaces impregnated with medicine
solutions may constitute an unconventional tool and even vector in developing new
drug delivery systems. Such a wetting process under high g-level conditions may be
useful in space medicine applications. Microorganisms can survive, grow and even
proliferate under the effect of increased gravity. Therefore, upon launching of a
spacecraft, during a long-term mission in microgravity conditions, astronauts and
spacecraft surfaces may require treatment and decontamination, respectively,
against onboard infectious microbes. Since non-terrestrial gravity may alter drug
properties, medicine droplets behaviour in interaction with target surfaces under
hypergravity conditions is the aim of the present study.
Keywords: Activated charcoal, Aluminium, Contact angle, Cotton, Hydrophilic
surface, Hydrophobic surface, Hypergravity conditions, HyperMed project, Large
Diameter Centrifuge, Long-Term space mission, Microbial infections, Multiple
drug resistance, Nd:YAG laser, Parafilm M, Phenothiazines, Space medicine,
“Spin Your Thesis!”.
