Envihab
Envihab ( proper spelling:: envihab ) is a medical research facility of the Institute for Aerospace Medicine of the DLR , in which the effects of various environmental conditions on humans and possible countermeasures are researched. The name envihab combines the terms "environment" (English for environment) and "habitat" (Latin for place of residence, living space). The concept deals with the complex issues of a life support system and the interaction between humans and the environment from a medical, biological and psychological perspective. The focus is on research questions that deal with maintaining human health and performance. The modular house-in-house principle enables the various modules and their technical equipment to be used on site without leaving the building. Up to 12 test persons can be permanently exposed to the same controlled environmental conditions on around 3500 m² of floor space. The institute is located in Cologne-Grengel .
Modules
The five modules are linked to one another via the medical core area. They are individually or in combination with respect to the environment in terms of acoustics, climate (temperature, humidity, light, including daily cycle) and z. T. oxygen content and pressure closable. Test subjects are isolated, immobilized and specifically exposed to stressful situations. In addition, physical as well as psychological methods for recreation and as countermeasures z. B. examined against immobilization / weightlessness . Envihab is designed so that large training or simulation equipment can be installed. Special features are the human centrifuge in the center of Envihab as well as oxygen reduction areas and a pressure area in which heights of up to 5500 m can be simulated.
EnviBio
The EnviBio facility ("Envihab - Biology") provides a laboratory environment in which microbiological research work is carried out. The existing basic equipment and the spatial properties of the module support biological research work up to security level S2 (GenTSV) and under class 8 clean room conditions. The three most important topics that are examined in EnviBio are thus
- Microbiological environmental monitoring : Investigations of the diversity and changes in the microbiological colonization of the environment, also taking into account the influence of humans,
- Investigations into components of bioregenerative life support systems and
- Development and preparation of biological space experiments
EnviFit
A stay of astronauts in space leads to a significant weakening of the cardiovascular system as well as a considerable reduction in muscle and bone mass and strength. This is what astronauts have in common with the older population - especially those who are bedridden and thus immobilized; an aspect that is becoming more and more important against the background of demographic developments in Germany. Similar conditions can also be found in young, sedentary people. The costs that arise due to the sedentary lifestyle and related diseases such as osteoporosis , diabetes , cardiovascular diseases, strokes and several forms of cancer are immense.
It is therefore important to develop effective and efficient countermeasures for both the astronaut and the aging or immobile person. That is why preventive measures must be developed that can reduce or even prevent the development of immobility-induced diseases.
EnviFit ("Envihab - Fitness") is a modular test facility in which it is possible to analyze physiological changes such as those that occur, for example. B. occur during immobility or in microgravity to simulate. This is done on the one hand by bed rest with the head lying down 6 degrees, on the other hand by using dry water immersion, i.e. water basins that allow test subjects to be examined for days or even weeks. During immersion, the test subjects lie on the water, but are separated from the water by a waterproof tarpaulin, thus simulating weightlessness .
EnviMeet
EnviMeet is the publicly accessible area of Envihab. The visitors are to be informed about the goals and contents of Envihab and the entirety of its functional elements and to gain an authentic impression of lived science.
EnviSim
EnviSim is a worldwide unique test facility in which it is possible to precisely simulate or create environmental conditions. In this way, the typical environmental conditions for different environments (aircraft cabin, space station, field hospital, etc.) can be simulated realistically. On the one hand, investigations under unusual, for example extreme, environmental conditions are possible; on the other hand, human behavior can be investigated much more cost-effectively in already known and defined environments (for example by dispensing with flight tests). It will also be possible to specifically modify individual environmental parameters so that the influence of a single parameter or the interaction of two or more parameters can be examined with regard to their effect on humans.
EnviRec
Long stays in artificial or secluded work environments cause the risk of stimulus deprivation with its serious dangers for the human psyche and thus also for performance.
The focus in EnviRec ("Envihab - Recreation") lies in researching various methods to compensate for stimulus deprivation. For this purpose, a presentation of environmental stimuli from the earth as realistic as possible should create opportunities for recreation for the crew members. The connection with long-term studies in the EnviSim module and interdisciplinary research methods are intended to make the influence on the individual crew members, teamwork and thus the control of the entire system quantifiable.
research
With Envihab, long-term medical habitat research is promoted, which generally strengthens the science and business location of Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia in terms of aerospace and especially the profile of DLR as a nationally and internationally excellent institution for top research in aerospace Space medicine sharpens. In the context of the Regionale 2010, a research facility is to be built that will deliver scientific progress and economic added value based on results that can be used by industry and at the same time support public debate on key future issues for life on earth.
With the new DLR research facility, the prerequisites are to be created for carrying out integrative life science research at the highest international level. Thanks to the overall concept, which is modular in terms of both content and structure, Envihab enables future research areas to be added that go far beyond primarily medical research tasks and are strategically dedicated to research tasks whose applications we urgently need on earth today.
Before an experiment is carried out in Earth orbit, the parameters of the project on Earth are researched. What applies to technical and materials science experiments is all the more important when it comes to getting people into space and performing medical examinations. In the future, the aerospace physicians at DLR will have a modern research building that is optimally adapted to their needs: the Envihab.
architecture
As part of the Regionale 2010, a Europe-wide architecture competition for the Envihab concept at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne was unanimously chosen in favor of the Berlin architecture firm Glass Kramer Löbbert and Uta Graff Architects. The office with the architecture professor Uta Graff received the biennial German Steel Construction Prize in 2014 for the building .
The building consists of 2 levels, the lower user level and the technical level above with the entire building supply. The user level around the modules as well as the divisible lecture hall and the exhibition area are publicly accessible and usable for groups of visitors.
Web links
Footnotes
- ↑ Kölner Stadtanzeiger from 10./11. May 2014, p. 30
- ↑ Note and building description at bauforumstahl.de ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
Coordinates: 50 ° 51 '9.3 " N , 7 ° 7' 46.6" E