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Innovative Science Experiments Aboard NASA’s SpaceX 30th Resupply Mission to the ISS

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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023, on the company’s 29th commercial resupply services mission for the agency to the International Space Station. Liftoff was at 8:28 p.m. EST. Credit: SpaceXNASA and the agency’s international partners are sending scientific investigations to the International Space Station on the 30th SpaceX commercial resupply services mission, including tests of technologies to monitor sea ice, automate 3D mapping, and create nanoparticle solar cells. The company’s Dragon cargo spacecraft is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 4:55 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 21.VIDEORead more about some of the research making the journey to the orbiting laboratory: Plants off the PlanetPlants can be used in regenerative life support systems, to provide food, and to contribute to the well-being of astronauts on future deep space exploration missions. C4 Photosynthesis in Space (APEX-09) examines how microgravity affects the mechanisms by which two types of grasses, known as C3 and C4, capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.“Plants respond to stressful conditions based on their genetic makeup and the environment,” said Pubudu Handakumbura, principal investigator with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “We aim to uncover the molecular changes involved in plants exposed to spaceflight stressors and develop an understanding of the mechanisms of photosynthesis in space.” Results could clarify plant responses to stressful environments and inform the design of bio-regenerative support systems on future missions, as well as systems for plant growth on Earth.Brachypodium and Setaria were grown in the Plant Growth Systems (PGS) and tested under International Space Station environmental conditions using the Veggie units at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center during the APEX-09 Experiment Verification Test. Credit: Pubudu HandakumburaSensing the SeaThe ocean significantly affects the global climate. A technique called Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry (GNSS-R), which receives satellite signals reflected from the surface of Earth, shows promise as a way to monitor ocean phenomena and improve climate models. Killick-1: A GNSS Reflectometry CubeSat for Measuring Sea Ice Thickness and Extent (Nanoracks KILLICK-1) tests using this technique to measure sea ice. The project supports development of space and science capabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, by providing hands-on experience with space systems and Earth observation. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate engineering students participated in the project.“The most exciting aspect of this project is that students have the opportunity to launch a mission into space,” said Desmond Power, a co-investigator with C-CORE of Canada. “It is also exciting to build a tiny satellite that does different things, including contributing to our knowledge of climate change.”GNSS-R technology is low-cost, light, and energy efficient. Its potential applications on Earth include providing data for weather and climate models and improving the understanding of ocean phenomena such as surface winds and storm surge.Fully assembled Nanoracks-Killick-1 CubeSat with its Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) antenna deployed. Nanoracks-Killick-1 measures sea ice using GNSS-R. Potential applications of GNSS-R include providing data for weather and climate models and improving understanding of ocean phenomena such as surface winds and storm surge. Credit: C-CORE and Memorial University.Automated Autonomous AssistanceThe Multi-resolution Scanner (MRS) Payload for Astrobee (Multi-Resolution Scanning) tests technology to automate 3D sensing, mapping, and situational awareness systems.“Our MRS on an Astrobee free-flying robot will create 3D maps inside the space station,” said Marc Elmouttie, project lead with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, which developed the technology with The Boeing Company. “The scanner integrates technologies developed by our mining and robotics teams. By combining data from multiple sensors, we compensate for weaknesses in any one system. This provides very high-resolution 3D data and more accurate trajectory data to help us understand how the robot moves around in space.”“The technology could be used to autonomously operate spacecraft with minimal or no human occupancy where robots must sense the environment and precisely maneuver, including the lunar Gateway space station,” said Principal Investigator Connie Miller of Boeing. “Other uses could be to inspect and maintain spacecraft and for autonomous vehicle operations on other celestial bodies. Results also support improvements in robotic technologies for harsh and dangerous environments on Earth.”CSIRO Project Lead Marc Elmouttie with the MRS hardware and Astrobee robot ready for final pre-flight testing. Credit: NASAPlacement of ParticlesThe Nano Particle Haloing Suspension investigation examines how nanoparticles and microparticles interact within an electrical field. A process called nanoparticle haloing uses charged nanoparticles to enable precise particle arrangements that improve the efficiency of quantum-dot synthesized solar cells, according to Stuart J. Williams, principal investigator with the University of Louisville Department of Mechanical Engineering.Quantum dots are tiny spheres of semiconductor material with the potential to convert sunlight into energy much more efficiently. Conducting these processes in microgravity provides insight into the relationship between shape, charge, concentration, and interaction of particles.The investigation is supported by NASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which partners with government, higher education, and industry on projects to improve research infrastructure and research and development capacity and competitiveness.A capstone student assembles the microscope and fluid breadboard for the Nano Particle Haloing Suspension payload. This payload tests controlled assembly of nanoparticles in a solution of zirconia and titanium-dioxide coated silica. Effective demonstration could lead to applications in an enhanced solar cell generation technology known as quantum-dot solar synthesis. Credit: University of Louisville

NASA and the agency’s international partners are sending scientific investigations to the International Space Station on the 30th SpaceX commercial resupply services mission, including tests...

SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket 29th Commercial Resupply Services Mission

NASA and the agency’s international partners are sending scientific investigations to the International Space Station on the 30th SpaceX commercial resupply services mission, including tests of technologies to monitor sea ice, automate 3D mapping, and create nanoparticle solar cells. The company’s Dragon cargo spacecraft is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 4:55 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 21.

VIDEO

Read more about some of the research making the journey to the orbiting laboratory:

Plants off the Planet

Plants can be used in regenerative life support systems, to provide food, and to contribute to the well-being of astronauts on future deep space exploration missions. C4 Photosynthesis in Space (APEX-09) examines how microgravity affects the mechanisms by which two types of grasses, known as C3 and C4, capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“Plants respond to stressful conditions based on their genetic makeup and the environment,” said Pubudu Handakumbura, principal investigator with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “We aim to uncover the molecular changes involved in plants exposed to spaceflight stressors and develop an understanding of the mechanisms of photosynthesis in space.” Results could clarify plant responses to stressful environments and inform the design of bio-regenerative support systems on future missions, as well as systems for plant growth on Earth.

Brachypodium and Setaria were grown in the Plant Growth Systems (PGS) and tested under International Space Station environmental conditions using the Veggie units at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center during the APEX-09 Experiment Verification Test. Credit: Pubudu Handakumbura

Sensing the Sea

The ocean significantly affects the global climate. A technique called Global Navigation Satellite System reflectometry (GNSS-R), which receives satellite signals reflected from the surface of Earth, shows promise as a way to monitor ocean phenomena and improve climate models. Killick-1: A GNSS Reflectometry CubeSat for Measuring Sea Ice Thickness and Extent (Nanoracks KILLICK-1) tests using this technique to measure sea ice. The project supports development of space and science capabilities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, by providing hands-on experience with space systems and Earth observation. More than 100 undergraduate and graduate engineering students participated in the project.

“The most exciting aspect of this project is that students have the opportunity to launch a mission into space,” said Desmond Power, a co-investigator with C-CORE of Canada. “It is also exciting to build a tiny satellite that does different things, including contributing to our knowledge of climate change.”

GNSS-R technology is low-cost, light, and energy efficient. Its potential applications on Earth include providing data for weather and climate models and improving the understanding of ocean phenomena such as surface winds and storm surge.

Fully assembled Nanoracks-Killick-1 CubeSat with its Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) antenna deployed. Nanoracks-Killick-1 measures sea ice using GNSS-R. Potential applications of GNSS-R include providing data for weather and climate models and improving understanding of ocean phenomena such as surface winds and storm surge. Credit: C-CORE and Memorial University.

Automated Autonomous Assistance

The Multi-resolution Scanner (MRS) Payload for Astrobee (Multi-Resolution Scanning) tests technology to automate 3D sensing, mapping, and situational awareness systems.

“Our MRS on an Astrobee free-flying robot will create 3D maps inside the space station,” said Marc Elmouttie, project lead with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, which developed the technology with The Boeing Company. “The scanner integrates technologies developed by our mining and robotics teams. By combining data from multiple sensors, we compensate for weaknesses in any one system. This provides very high-resolution 3D data and more accurate trajectory data to help us understand how the robot moves around in space.”

“The technology could be used to autonomously operate spacecraft with minimal or no human occupancy where robots must sense the environment and precisely maneuver, including the lunar Gateway space station,” said Principal Investigator Connie Miller of Boeing. “Other uses could be to inspect and maintain spacecraft and for autonomous vehicle operations on other celestial bodies. Results also support improvements in robotic technologies for harsh and dangerous environments on Earth.”

CSIRO Project Lead Marc Elmouttie with the MRS hardware and Astrobee robot ready for final pre-flight testing. Credit: NASA

Placement of Particles

The Nano Particle Haloing Suspension investigation examines how nanoparticles and microparticles interact within an electrical field. A process called nanoparticle haloing uses charged nanoparticles to enable precise particle arrangements that improve the efficiency of quantum-dot synthesized solar cells, according to Stuart J. Williams, principal investigator with the University of Louisville Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Quantum dots are tiny spheres of semiconductor material with the potential to convert sunlight into energy much more efficiently. Conducting these processes in microgravity provides insight into the relationship between shape, charge, concentration, and interaction of particles.

The investigation is supported by NASA’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which partners with government, higher education, and industry on projects to improve research infrastructure and research and development capacity and competitiveness.

Nano Particle Haloing Suspension Hardware

A capstone student assembles the microscope and fluid breadboard for the Nano Particle Haloing Suspension payload. This payload tests controlled assembly of nanoparticles in a solution of zirconia and titanium-dioxide coated silica. Effective demonstration could lead to applications in an enhanced solar cell generation technology known as quantum-dot solar synthesis. Credit: University of Louisville

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MIT affiliates named 2024 AAAS Fellows

The American Association for the Advancement of Science recognizes six current affiliates and 27 additional MIT alumni for their efforts to advance science and related fields.

Six current MIT affiliates and 27 additional MIT alumni have been elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The 2024 class of AAAS Fellows includes 471 scientists, engineers, and innovators, spanning all 24 of AAAS disciplinary sections, who are being recognized for their scientifically and socially distinguished achievements.Noubar Afeyan PhD ’87, life member of the MIT Corporation, was named a AAAS Fellow “for outstanding leadership in biotechnology, in particular mRNA therapeutics, and for advocacy for recognition of the contributions of immigrants to economic and scientific progress.” Afeyan is the founder and CEO of the venture creation company Flagship Pioneering, which has built over 100 science-based companies to transform human health and sustainability. He is also the chairman and cofounder of Moderna, which was awarded a 2024 National Medal of Technology and Innovation for the development of its Covid-19 vaccine. Afeyan earned his PhD in biochemical engineering at MIT in 1987 and was a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management for 16 years, starting in 2000. Among other activities at the Institute, he serves on the advisory board of the MIT Abdul Latif Jameel Clinic for Machine Learning and delivered MIT’s 2024 Commencement address.Cynthia Breazeal SM ’93, ScD ’00 is a professor of media arts and sciences at MIT, where she founded and directs the Personal Robots group in the MIT Media Lab. At MIT Open Learning, she is the MIT dean for digital learning, and in this role, she leverages her experience in emerging digital technologies and business, research, and strategic initiatives to lead Open Learning’s business and research and engagement units. She is also the director of the MIT-wide Initiative on Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (raise.mit.edu). She co-founded the consumer social robotics company, Jibo, Inc., where she served as chief scientist and chief experience officer. She is recognized for distinguished contributions in the field of artificial intelligence education, particularly around the use of social robots, and learning at scale.Alan Edelman PhD ’89 is an applied mathematics professor for the Department of Mathematics and leads the Applied Computing Group of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, the MIT Julia Lab. He is recognized as a 2024 AAAS fellow for distinguished contributions and outstanding breakthroughs in high-performance computing, linear algebra, random matrix theory, computational science, and in particular for the development of the Julia programming language. Edelman has been elected a fellow of five different societies — AMS, the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the Association for Computing Machinery, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and AAAS.Robert B. Millard '73, life member and chairman emeritus of the MIT Corporation, was named a 2024 AAAS Fellow for outstanding contributions to the scientific community and U.S. higher education "through exemplary leadership service to such storied institutions as AAAS and MIT." Millard joined the MIT Corporation as a term member in 2003 and was elected a life member in 2013. He served on the Executive Committee for 10 years and on the Investment Company Management Board for seven years, including serving as its chair for the last four years. He served as a member of the Visiting Committees for Physics, Architecture, and Chemistry. In addition, Millard has served as a member of the Linguistics and Philosophy Visiting Committee, the Corporation Development Committee, and the Advisory Council for the Council for the Arts. In 2011, Millard received the Bronze Beaver Award, the MIT Alumni Association’s highest honor for distinguished service.Jagadeesh S. Moodera is a senior research scientist in the Department of Physics. His research interests include experimental condensed matter physics: spin polarized tunneling and nano spintronics; exchange coupled ferromagnet/superconductor interface, triplet pairing, nonreciprocal current transport and memory toward superconducting spintronics for quantum technology; and topological insulators/superconductors, including Majorana bound state studies in metallic systems. His research in the area of spin polarized tunneling led to a breakthrough in observing tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) at room temperature in magnetic tunnel junctions. This resulted in a huge surge in this area of research, currently one of the most active areas. TMR effect is used in all ultra-high-density magnetic data storage, as well as for the development of nonvolatile magnetic random access memory (MRAM) that is currently being advanced further in various electronic devices, including for neuromorphic computing architecture. For his leadership in spintronics, the discovery of TMR, the development of MRAM, and for mentoring the next generation of scientists, Moodera was named a 2024 AAAS Fellow. For his TMR discovery he was awarded the Oliver Buckley Prize (2009) by the American Physical Society (APS), named an American National Science Foundation Competitiveness and Innovation Fellow (2008-10), won IBM and TDK Research Awards (1995-98), and became a Fellow of APS (2000).Noelle Eckley Selin, the director of the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy and a professor in the Institute for Data, Systems and Society and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, uses atmospheric chemistry modeling to inform decision-making strategies on air pollution, climate change, and toxic substances, including mercury and persistent organic pollutants. She has also published articles and book chapters on the interactions between science and policy in international environmental negotiations, in particular focusing on global efforts to regulate hazardous chemicals and persistent organic pollutants. She is named a 2024 AAAS Fellow for world-recognized leadership in modeling the impacts of air pollution on human health, in assessing the costs and benefits of related policies, and in integrating technology dynamics into sustainability science.Additional MIT alumni honored as 2024 AAAS Fellows include: Danah Boyd SM ’02 (Media Arts and Sciences); Michael S. Branicky ScD ’95 (EECS); Jane P. Chang SM ’95, PhD ’98 (Chemical Engineering); Yong Chen SM '99 (Mathematics); Roger Nelson Clark PhD '80 (EAPS); Mark Stephen Daskin ’74, PhD ’78 (Civil and Environmental Engineering); Marla L. Dowell PhD ’94 (Physics); Raissa M. D’Souza PhD ’99 (Physics); Cynthia Joan Ebinger SM '86, PhD '88 (EAPS/WHOI); Thomas Henry Epps III ’98, SM ’99 (Chemical Engineering); Daniel Goldman ’94 (Physics); Kenneth Keiler PhD ’96 (Biology); Karen Jean Meech PhD '87 (EAPS); Christopher B. Murray PhD ’95 (Chemistry); Jason Nieh '89 (EECS); William Nordhaus PhD ’67 (Economics); Milica Radisic PhD '04 (Chemical Engineering); James G. Rheinwald PhD ’76 (Biology); Adina L. Roskies PhD ’04 (Philosophy); Linda Rothschild (Preiss) PhD '70 (Mathematics); Soni Lacefield Shimoda PhD '03 (Biology); Dawn Y. Sumner PhD ’95 (EAPS); Tina L. Tootle PhD ’04 (Biology); Karen Viskupic PhD '03 (EAPS); Brant M. Weinstein PhD ’92 (Biology); Chee Wei Wong SM ’01, ScD ’03 (Mechanical Engineering; and Fei Xu PhD ’95 (Brain and Cognitive Sciences).

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EPA considers eliminating its science arm

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering the elimination of its science arm and firing most of its employees, according to documents reviewed by the Democratic staff of the House Science Committee. A plan reviewed by the committee staffers calls for the elimination of the Office of Research and Development as an EPA National Program Office. It called for the elimination of 50 to 75 percent of the office’s 1,540 staffers. This office is the agency’s science branch and provides the underlying research that guides the EPA’s work to protect the public from pollution. According to The New York Times, which first reported on the plan, it was presented to the White House on Friday for review. Meanwhile, the EPA said that nothing is final. “While no decisions have been made yet, we are actively listening to employees at all levels to gather ideas on how to increase efficiency and ensure the EPA is as up-to-date and effective as ever,” EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou said in an emailed statement. This story is developing and will be updated.

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Out of the Lab and Into the Streets, Researchers and Doctors Rally for Science Against Trump Cuts

Researchers, doctors, their patients and supporters are venturing out of labs, hospitals and offices across the country to stand up to what they call an attack on life-saving science by the Trump administration

WASHINGTON (AP) — Researchers, doctors, their patients and supporters ventured out of labs, hospitals and offices Friday to stand up to what they call a blitz on life-saving science by the Trump administration.In the nation's capital, several hundred people gathered at the Stand Up for Science rally. Organizers said similar rallies were planned in more than 30 U.S. cities. Politicians, scientists, musicians, doctors and their patients were expected to make the case that firings, budget and grant cuts in health, climate, science and other research government agencies in the Trump administration's first 47 days in office are endangering not just the future but the present.“Science is under attack in the United States,” said rally co-organizer Colette Delawalla, a doctoral student in clinical psychology. “We're not just going to stand here and take it.”“American scientific progress and forward movement is a public good and public good is coming to a screeching halt right now,” Delawalla said. “It's a very bad time with all the promise and momentum," said Collins. Friday's rally in Washington was at the Lincoln Memorial, in the shadow of a statue of the president who created the National Academy of Sciences in 1863. Some of the expected speakers study giant colliding galaxies, the tiny genetic blueprint of life inside humans and the warming atmosphere.Nobel Prize winning biologist Victor Ambros, Bill Nye The Science Guy, former NASA chief Bill Nelson and a host of other politicians, and patients — some with rare diseases — were expected to take the stage to talk about their work and the importance of scientific research. The rallies were organized mostly by graduate students and early career scientists. Dozens of other protests were also planned around the world, including more than 30 in France, Delawalla said.“The cuts in science funding affects the world,” she said.She said the administration’s campaign to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion have delayed and threatened her grant because the National Institutes of Health is scrubbing proposals with words such as “female” or “woman.” Her research focuses on compulsive alcohol use in people, which is different for men and women.The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Photos You Should See - Feb. 2025

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A leg up for STEM majors

MIT undergraduates broaden their perspectives and prospects through political science.

Senior Kevin Guo, a computer science major, and junior Erin Hovendon, studying mechanical engineering, are on widely divergent paths at MIT. But their lives do intersect in one dimension: They share an understanding that their political science and public policy minors provide crucial perspectives on their research and future careers.For Guo, the connection between computer science and policy emerged through his work at MIT's Election Data and Science Lab. “When I started, I was just looking for a place to learn how to code and do data science,” he reflects. “But what I found was this fascinating intersection where technical skills could directly shape democratic processes.”Hovendon is focused on sustainable methods for addressing climate change. She is currently participating in a multisemester research project at MIT's Environmental Dynamics Lab (ENDLab) developing monitoring technology for marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR).She believes the success of her research today and in the future depends on understanding its impact on society. Her academic track in policy provides that grounding. “When you’re developing a new technology, you need to focus as well on how it will be applied,” she says. “This means learning about the policies required to scale it up, and about the best ways to convey the value of what you’re working on to the public.”Bridging STEM and policyFor both Hovendon and Guo, interdisciplinary study is proving to be a valuable platform for tangibly addressing real-world challenges.Guo came to MIT from Andover, Massachusetts, the son of parents who specialize in semiconductors and computer science. While math and computer science were a natural track for him, Guo was also keenly interested in geopolitics. He enrolled in class 17.40 (American Foreign Policy). “It was my first engagement with MIT political science and I liked it a lot, because it dealt with historical episodes I wanted to learn more about, like World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam,” says Guo.He followed up with a class on American Military History and on the Rise of Asia, where he found himself enrolled with graduate students and active duty U.S. military officers. “I liked attending a course with people who had unusual insights,” Guo remarks. “I also liked that these humanities classes were small seminars, and focused a lot on individual students.”From coding to electionsIt was in class 17.835 (Machine Learning and Data Science in Politics) that Guo first realized he could directly connect his computer science and math expertise to the humanities. “They gave us big political science datasets to analyze, which was a pretty cool application of the skills I learned in my major,” he says.Guo springboarded from this class to a three-year, undergraduate research project in the Election Data and Science Lab. “The hardest part is data collection, which I worked on for an election audit project that looked at whether there were significant differences between original vote counts and audit counts in all the states, at the precinct level,” says Guo. “We had to scrape data, raw PDFs, and create a unified dataset, standardized to our format, that we could publish.”The data analysis skills he acquired in the lab have come in handy in the professional sphere in which he has begun training: investment finance.“The workflow is very similar: clean the data to see what you want, analyze it to see if I can find an edge, and then write some code to implement it,” he says. “The biggest difference between finance and the lab research is that the development cycle is a lot faster, where you want to act on a dataset in a few days, rather than weeks or months.”Engineering environmental solutionsHovendon, a native of North Carolina with a deep love for the outdoors, arrived at MIT committed “to doing something related to sustainability and having a direct application in the world around me,” she says.Initially, she headed toward environmental engineering, “but then I realized that pretty much every major can take a different approach to that topic,” she says. “So I ended up switching to mechanical engineering because I really enjoy the hands-on aspects of the field.”In parallel to her design and manufacturing, and mechanics and materials courses, Hovendon also immersed herself in energy and environmental policy classes. One memorable anthropology class, 21A.404 (Living through Climate Change), asked students to consider whether technological or policy solutions could be fully effective on their own for combating climate change. “It was useful to apply holistic ways of exploring human relations to the environment,” says Hovendon.Hovendon brings this well-rounded perspective to her research at ENDLab in marine carbon capture and fluid dynamics. She is helping to develop verification methods for mCDR at a pilot treatment plant in California. The facility aims to remove 100 tons of carbon dioxide directly from the ocean by enhancing natural processes. Hovendon hopes to design cost-efficient monitoring systems to demonstrate the efficacy of this new technology. If scaled up, mCDR could enable oceans to store significantly more atmospheric carbon, helping cool the planet.But Hovendon is well aware that innovation with a major impact cannot emerge on the basis of technical efficacy alone.“You're going to have people who think that you shouldn't be trying to replicate or interfere with a natural system, and if you're putting one of these facilities somewhere in water, then you're using public spaces and resources,” she says. “It's impossible to come up with any kind of technology, but especially any kind of climate-related technology, without first getting the public to buy into it.”She recalls class 17.30J (Making Public Policy), which emphasized the importance of both economic and social analysis to the successful passage of highly impactful legislation, such as the Affordable Care Act.“I think that breakthroughs in science and engineering should be evaluated not just through their technological prowess, but through the success of their implementation for general societal benefit,” she says. “Understanding the policy aspects is vital for improving accessibility for scientific advancements.”Beyond the domeGuo will soon set out for a career as a quantitative financial trader, and he views his political science background as essential to his success. While his expertise in data cleaning and analysis will come into play, he believes other skills will as well: “Understanding foreign policy, considering how U.S. policy impacts other places, that's actually very important in finance,” he explains. “Macroeconomic changes and politics affect trading volatility and markets in general, so it's very important to understand what's going on.”With one year to go, Hovendon is contemplating graduate school in mechanical engineering, perhaps designing renewable energy technologies. “I just really hope that I'm working on something I'm genuinely passionate about, something that has a broader purpose,” she says. “In terms of politics and technology, I also hope that at least some government research and development will still go to climate work, because I'm sure there will be an urgent need for it.”

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The best portable air purifiers for 2025

Numerous studies reveal that Indoor air can be more polluted than the air outside. Air purifiers can help improve indoor air quality. However, more powerful smart models are quite bulky and hard to transport from one room—or place—to the next. Many air purifiers for home can weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, making them difficult to move. “Portable air purifiers can help improve your home’s indoor air quality by actively reducing indoor particulate matter and airborne allergens,” says Dr. John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd. Since air purifiers are designed to clean the air in one room or area effectively, portability is essential if you only have one air purifier. “You’ll want it in the living room when you’re in that room and in the bedroom when you’re there,” McKeon explains. You may also want to take an air purifier—like our best overall, the TruSens Air Purifier—with you to work or when you’re visiting environments that can trigger allergies. The best portable air purifiers are not only easy to move, but they also have many of the same features (on a smaller scale) as larger models. Best overall: TruSens Air Purifier Best design: Smartmi Air Purifier Best value: Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier Best splurge: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Air Purifier How we chose the best portable air purifiers To compile this list of the best portable air purifiers, we conducted extensive research, contacted Dr. John McKeon and Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), and did lots of first-hand testing. We wanted to provide a variety of choices, so the list is a mix of smallish, lightweight air purifiers with handles, and handheld air purifiers that can fit in a vehicle’s cup holder. We also considered peer recommendations and consumer reviews, the clean air delivery rate (CADR), recommended room sizes, filtration, and noise levels. The best portable air purifiers: Reviews & Recommendations As a general rule, the CADR is one of the most critical factors. However, if you need a portable air purifier, the CADR doesn’t really matter if the air purifier is too big and bulky to transport as needed. Some of our articles, like the best smart air purifiers, and the best air purifiers for asthma, include some models with a CADR as high as the 400 to 600 range, which is exceptionally high, considering the average “good” air purifier has a CADR in the 200 range. However, the air purifiers with the highest CADR tend to be big and bulky, so they’re not conducive to moving. So, most of the air purifiers on this list have a good CADR (when that information is available), but keep in mind that, as a general rule, a smaller air purifier isn’t going to deliver the same power as a much larger model. McKeon also says it is important to remember that an air purifier is only one part of a comprehensive approach to improving indoor air quality. “It’s most effective when used in conjunction with other strategies, such as regular cleaning, proper ventilation, and effective source control of pollutants,” he says. But you’re here to improve your environment with the best portable air purifiers, so read on. Best overall: TruSens Air Purifier Terri Williams Pros Stylish design Handle makes it easy to transport UV, Carbon, and HEPA filtration Three fan speeds Cons No auto mode Specs Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 17 inches Weight: 8.81 pounds Recommended coverage area: Up to 443 sq. ft. CADR: N/A Noise level: 30 – 65 dB I’ve had the TrueSens Small Air Purifier for years, and it’s like an old friend I can always rely on. I have smoking neighbors and tend to use larger, more powerful air purifiers in my living space. However, I keep the TruSens Small Air Purifier downstairs in my garage, which doesn’t get as much smoke—but still a fair amount, and also experiences a variety of other smells. The air purifier does an excellent job of removing those odors and smells. It has a three-part filtration process that includes a HEPA Type filter, a carbon filter, and a UV-C light (which I never use—it can be turned on and off). The air purifier traps dust, pet dander, smoke, and other allergen, and the bi-directional airflow quickly delivers fresh air. The air purifier has three fan speeds (including a Turbo option), providing options for letting me control the airflow and noise level. The touch controls on the top are easy to operate, and the display panel reveals the speed and lets me know when the filters need to be replaced. This is our top choice because it has an excellent price, is easy to transport, and is quite effective for the scenarios in which most people would use an air purifier. It also has a sleek and space-saving design and is lightweight enough to grab by the handle and move from room to room or even toss in your car and carry to work or other locations. TruSens also makes this air purifier in medium and large sizes, and those models include additional features, like real-time air monitoring, washable pre-filter, timer, and additional fan speeds. Best design: Smartmi P1 Air Purifier Terri Williams Pros App Voice control Dual-laser particle sensor Leather strap Choice of filter Cons Have to turn it upside down to replace the filter Specs Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 17 inches Weight: 3 kg Recommended coverage area: 180 to 320 sq. ft. CADR: 250 Noise level: 19 – 49 dB At first glance, the Smartmi P1 Air Purifier looks like a knockoff of the Molecule Air Mini+ air purifier, which also has a leather strap. However, the Molecule Air Mini (which costs twice as much) only has a small leather strap on the side (with space for one or two fingers), whereas the Smartmi P1 has a stylish leather strap across the entire top. I’ve tested the Molecle, and the Smartmi strap feels much sturdier and doesn’t put all the weight on one or two fingers. The Smarti has a great design overall and is certainly one of the best-looking air purifiers on the market, But that’s not the only reason it gets our best design award. The Smartmi P1 also offers a choice of 2 filter types. The Pollen filter is a good choice for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. There’s also a Pet Filter that’s helpful if you have furry friends in your home. Both filters contain a True HEPA filter, preliminary filter for large particles, and carbon/inner filter, and can remove dust, smoke, pet dander, and other allergens. The touch controls and LCD monitor are on the top and include a dual PM 2.5/PM 10 particle sensor to capture both small and large particles in the air. The air purifier has a timer as well. Since it’s a smart air purifier, I can control it via smartphone or voice control. Best value: Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier Terri Williams Pros Fits in vehicle cup tray Several color choices Rechargeable battery Three fan speeds Sits horizontally or vertically Cons Only for a personal bubble Specs Dimensions: 3.3 x 8.5 x 2.7 inches Weight: 0.6 ounces Recommended coverage area: 54 sq. ft. CADR: N/A Noise level: Up to 50 dB If it’s possible for an air purifier to be fun, the Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier certainly is. It’s about the size of a 12-ounce soft drink and fits in my car’s cup holder. It’s also small enough to toss in my handbag or suitcase. When traveling, this air purifier allows me to purify the air when I’m in a hotel room or staying with family members or friends. And the fact that it’s battery-operated means I can use it literally everywhere. Although it’s small, the PureZone Mini works well. It has a dual HEPA filter that also includes an activated charcoal filter. The device has three fan speeds, but you must remember that the higher the speed, the quicker the battery runs out and needs to be recharged. The air purifier filters everything from dust to smoke to pollen and pet dander. One of my favorite features is the adjustable handle. This allows me to stand the device upright or tilt it on the side so it can be used vertically or horizontally. And when it’s hot, the air purifier also doubles as a small fan, providing both purified and cool air. Best splurge: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Air Purifier Terri Williams Pros Smartphone control Lightweight Voice control Real-time air-quality indicator Cons Bulky compared to others on this list Specs Dimensions: 18.3 x 9.6 x 16.8 inches Weight: 12.3 pounds Recommended coverage area: up to 1,575 sq ft CADR: 221 Noise level: 24 – 53 dB While not necessarily an expensive air purifier (we’ve tested models that cost well over $1,000), the Coway AP-1512HH Air Purifier is the most expensive model on this list, which is why it’s our splurge choice. It can cover up to 1,474 sq. ft., and we think this model is a good portable choice for large rooms. The air purifier is easy to operate and the filtration system includes a pre-filter, True HEPA filter, and a Fresh Starter deodorizer filter, so it can capture both larger and smaller particles while also removing cooking and tobacco odors. The user-friendly control panel on the top lets me view real-time air-quality data, and the color-coded indicators turn blue when the air is fresh and clean, yellow when it’s problematic, and red when the air is unhealthy. There are five speeds, and when the air purifier is in auto mode, the fan will automatically increase or decrease depending on the air-quality indicator data. I can also set the timer for 1, 4, or 8 hours. The filter replacement light (one for the HEPA filter, one for the deodorizer filter) comes on when one of the filters needs to be replaced. What to consider when buying the best portable air purifiers There are several factors to consider when deciding which portable air purifier is right for you. When writing this guide, these are the factors we considered most important. Room Size An air purifier may be effective in a smaller room but less effective in a larger room. That’s why we included the recommended room size for each air purifier on our list. Ensure you’re not expecting the air purifier to clean more space than it’s recommended to handle. CADR For air-cleaning effectiveness, McKeon says selecting the correct Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) for the room size is vital. “This is an important metric, which indicates the volume of filtered air an air cleaner can deliver, with separate scores when the device was tested with smoke, pollen, and dust challenges.” (Note: Some manufacturers combine the scores for smoke, pollen, and dust and just list the average CADR rating of the three tests.) “A higher CADR means the device can filter more particles,” McKeon says. Filtration Filtration is another important factor to continue, and the presence of a HEPA filter is always a good sign. “HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air,” Mendez explains. “These filters are media-based, meaning that they are physical filters, which capture particles as air passes through them, and HEPA filters are designed to filter out at least 99.7 percent of particles of 0.3 microns or larger diameter,” he says. Smart Smart features can make the air purifier easier to operate. For example, some models have an app, so you can control it using your smartphone and even issue voice commands. Other smart features include the ability to auto-detect the level of air purification needed and adjust the airflow accordingly. FAQS Q: How do air purifiers work? “Portable air purifiers function similarly to whole-home systems, but they are designed to clean the air in a specific room,” McKeon says. “They draw air in and pass it through specific filters to remove airborne pollutants, and. they’re often used to address specific areas, like rooms most affected by smoke, or bedrooms where people can spend lots of time.” Q: Where is the best place to put a portable air purifier? “When determining where to place a portable air purifier, you should consider the rooms in the house where you spend the most time,” Mendez says. “This may vary throughout the day, so, you may place the air purifier in a home office during the day and then move it to your bedroom while sleeping.” Q: Do portable air purifiers work for COVID and other airborne viruses? “According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), when used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses in a home or confined space,” Mendez says. “However, by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.” Q: Can air purifiers help with allergies? “Yes. Air purifiers can be a useful tool for reducing exposure to common allergens such as pollen, mold, and pet dander,” Mendez says. McKeon agrees. “Air purifiers can play a key role in helping to manage allergies by removing airborne allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, mold, and dust mite allergen from the breathing zone,” McKeon says. Q: Is it OK to sleep with an air purifier running? Yes. It is generally safe to sleep with an air purifier running. You should always pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations for information on how long to run your purifier and where to place it,” Mendez says. “When properly used, an air purifier can help improve the air quality where you sleep.” Final thoughts on the best portable air purifiers Best overall: TruSens Air Purifier Best design: Smartmi Air Purifier Best value: Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier Best splurge: Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Air Purifier An air purifier can only be beneficial to you if it’s in the same room where you’re residing. The best portable air purifiers can be easily transported from one room or area to the next, and some can even be placed in your backpack or vehicle’s cup holder and transported to the office or taken on trips. Factors to consider include filtration, room size, CADR, and preferences such as smart features. The right portable air purifier can help to filter your air—wherever you are. The post The best portable air purifiers for 2025 appeared first on Popular Science.

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