Device, based on gel-impingement technique, collects microorganism specimens from circulating air streams. Device is useful to air pollution studies involving the collection of airborne microbial specimens

Reed, L. L.

Smith, J. M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1971
	 Brief 71-10487 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Langley Research Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a aubscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Microorganism Sample Device 
A compact device automatically collects micro-
organism specimens from circulating air streams. 
The device may find application in air pollution 
studies involving the collection of airborne microbial 
specimens.
Impingement 
Nozzle 
Coolant Pa ssages	 Guillotine 
Actuator
impingement nozzle (see figure). The agar acts as 
an inert carrier for the specimens and provides suf-
ficient moisture to prevent their dehydration. 
Thin layers of the agar are deposited in square 
bands along one surface of a continuous length of 
Imoervious /7	 (
 Film 
Air Outlet
Impingement 
Nozzle
Adhesive 
4 	 Takeup  Reel Supply	 Agar "^'\N Reel k\O 
Insulation	 Quick Release	 Air Inlet
Clamp 
The device is based on a gel-impingement technique 
in which the microorganisms are separated from 
the atmosphere by a rapid 90° change in the flow 
direction of the air stream. The separated micro-
organisms impinge upon and adhere to an agar sur-
face on an impervious plastic tape moving past an 
the	 tape. Intervening	 areas	 are covered	 with	 an 
adhesive, and a second impervious	 film	 is	 pressed 
over	 the entire	 surface, thereby providing	 a	 pro-
tective	 cover and	 seal for	 the agar	 squares.	 The 
composite tape is wound on	 the	 supply	 reel,	 and 
the	 detachable	 cassette housing the	 takeup	 reel	 is 
(coillifluec] oscricaf)
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights. 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710000484 2020-03-17T02:26:43+00:00Z
insulated and provided with coolant passages to 
maintain a temperature of 100 F. 
As the composite tape unwinds, the protective 
film is stripped off, the agar areas are exposed to 
the air flowing from the impingement nozzle, and the 
film rejoins and reseals the tape before it reaches 
the takeup reel. At the end of the sampling period, a 
spring-loaded guillotine is manually actuated to 
sever the tape and seal off the coolant passages in 
the cassette. A quick-release clamp is then opened, 
allowing the cassett to be removed.
Notes: 
1. Related information is contained in NASA Tech 
Brief 69-1022 3. 
2. No additional documentation is available. 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: J. M. Smith and L. L. Reed of 
Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.

under contract to
Langley Research Center 
(LA R- 10258) 
Brief 71-10487	 Category 05


Microorganism sample device

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