18-Year-Old Genius Develops Apparatus to Enhance NASA Space Suits
To say that Derek Netto is not your average teen would be an understatement. His list of accomplishments, from sixth grade to his recent graduation from Archbishop Molloy High School, are nothing short of astounding.
"Over the past six years I have worked on five books in collaboration with the Aquinas Honor Society, two of which have been published. The most recent book, Images of America: Jamaica Estates, was published by Arcadia Publishing, a major publishing company," said Netto.
"Arcadia Publishing was so impressed by our work that they requested us to write an additional book covering the entire town of Jamaica. The book, Images of America: Jamaica,was published this spring."
From The G-Man showcased students from the Aquinas Honor Society at the Immaculate Conception School and their publications in a previous installment of Leaders of Tomorrow.
Netto became a founding member of the Aquinas Honor Society in 2005. Through numerous projects, the organization erected historical markers, fought social ills, promoted diversity, educated the public and worked to preserve history. One of their projects involved the design and installation of a stained glass window made with scrap from the Twin Towers that symbolized hope.
Another venture led to the renovation of a forgotten WWII monument. The 18-year-old, whose parents hail from India, directed a long-term project to restore the stolen bust of Jacob Riis at Riis National Park. After five years of conceptualization and execution, the work was featured in the New York Daily News.
"As a historian, I am always trying to educate the public about the past. At Spirits Alive, an annual event held at Kew Gardens' Maple Grove Cemetery, actors dress up in costume and portray various historical figures who lived in my neighborhood," continued Netto.
"I have been a part of this event from its beginnings, before it was well known. In recent years, I have taken on an organizational role in addition to acting."
"Seeing and shaking hands with President Obama was one of the greatest experiences of my life," said Netto, who is located at the bottom of the photo.
Netto has successfully completed the NYU Poly: Innovative Conceptual Engineering Design Course – Grades 10-12; the ACE Mentor Program – Grades 11-12; the Women and Minorities Engineering Program – Summer 2010; and the Dolan DNA Learning Center Program – Summer 2009.
In addition to being a gifted student, Netto is also an exceptionally-talented martial artists. He was employed at the ASAHI Martial Arts Academy from 2008 to 2011, as Senior Instructor, and trained younger students in the art of Tae Kwon Do -- teaching them concentration, self-defense, and discipline.
In January of this year, Netto ventured into online auto sales and has gone on to sell a total of 27 cars, and it was only recently that he celebrated his 18th birthday!
The boy wonder's recent achievements and awards include the Innovative Engineering Award from the National Society of Professional Engineers and Professional Engineers in Industry; the Frank W. and Jan J. Stahl Memorial Award for Technical Excellence; the U.S. Army Award for Outstanding Science Project; and the New York State Comptroller’s Award for Academic Excellence & Civic Commitment. Remarkably, Netto received all of the awards in 2011.
From The G-Man posed the following questions to Netto, and the responses he gave clearly illustrate that he is wise beyond his years.
FTG: What has been your greatest source of inspiration, thus far?
Netto: My greatest inspiration is my grandfather who lives his life to the fullest. He advises me that four things come not back to man: the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity.
FTG: What goal would you like to achieve in the next two years?
Netto: In the next two years, I would like to be involved in the testing of biological cells and soft tissues to gain a better understanding of their properties.
FTG: What is your biggest fear regarding the future?
Netto: My biggest fear is that climate change may accelerate faster than modern technology can develop an effective method to suppress its consequences.
The Aquinas Honor Society member will be pursuing a major in mechanical engineering at Columbia University in the fall as an incoming freshman.
Derek Netto, without question, one of America's brilliant... leaders of tomorrow.
Editor's Note: In order to further illustrate the extraordinary talent of this young man, From The G-Man has taken the liberty of publishing Netto's groundbreaking concept that was specifically created for NASA space suits and astronauts. Netto received a national award for the design.
NYCSEF
The Biological Injection System
Project ID: 1558
Derek Netto
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to enhance the current NASA spacesuit and provide astronauts with the means necessary to carry out missions with increased efficiency. The Biological Injection System was designed to meet this purpose. Ideal chemical compounds for each of the Biological Injection System's functions were researched and found. Epinephrine, glucose, and saline served as the principal injections. Intravenous saline injection is considered to be the most efficient means of temperature regulation because no heat is lost to the atmosphere. The injection system was constructed using 0.6 diameter plastic tubing, tape, and syringes. The Biological Injection System's effective delivery of substances was demonstrated on clear Jell-O representing the human forearm. The system was able to successfully inject the Jell-O with colored dyes each representing their respective substance. Adrenaline, glucose, and saline were represented by red, green, and blue respectively. The apparatus was able to fulfill its purpose of delivering the substances. The Biological Injection System and its components can easily be integrated into the current NASA Portable Life Support System carried by astronauts. The Biological Injection System may also be used to aid exploration and enhance human life in harsh environments such as deserts or high altitude mountains.
Introduction:
This project brings an innovation to the field of Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering. The Biological Injection System will give astronauts the means necessary to carry out more complex missions and allow them to work outside their habitat for a period longer than the current eight hour maximum. Currently, spacesuits employ an air cooling system for temperature regulation. However, such a system would not be ideal for the planned mission to Mars. Because the Martian temperature is generally too cold for human comfort, an alternate to the current air temperature regulation system is needed. The Biological Injection System is also safer than the current system because it reduces the potential failure mechanism of puncture. The Biological Injection System’s intravenous injection is more efficient than the current system because all of the thermal energy is transferred directly into the bloodstream of the astronaut. Use of the Biological Injection System in space exploration can lead to numerous new discoveries and help humans gain a better understanding of the universe.
Materials and Methods:
The Biological Injection System would provide astronauts with additional time in a fatal situation, nourishment when they are away from habitat, and a maximum efficiency temperature regulation system. These benefits are gained through the three injections that the system offers. The adrenaline provides astronauts with additional time in a fatal situation. The glucose injection gives astronauts the sustenance they need to effectively carry out missions away from the habitat. A maximum efficiency temperature regulation system uses temperature controlled saline used to intravenously regulate the body temperature of the astronaut. The beneficial effects of these chemicals on the human body were researched and compared to the chemical’s side effects.
The Biological Injection System is a simple apparatus that was made with materials readily available at a hardware store. The apparatus was constructed using 0.6 diameter tubing, tape, and syringes. (See Figures 1, 2, and 3). The Biological Injection System's effective delivery of substances was demonstrated on clear Jell-O representing the human forearm. Clear gelatin was used so the injected substances could be seen inside the gelatin. The system was able to successfully inject the Jell-O with colored dyes each representing their respective substance. Adrenaline, glucose, and saline were represented by red, green, and blue respectively. The effective delivery was demonstrated 10 times. The apparatus was able to fulfill its purpose of delivering the substances.
Figure 1: 1st Sketch of Design
Figure 2: 2nd Sketch of Design
Figure 3: Photograph of Final Design
Red tip (Needle to astronaut), Syringes (left to right: Glucose, Adrenaline and Saline)
Discussion:
Because it may be hard to convince astronauts to use a syringe to carry out their missions, alternate delivery methods were researched. Instead of using a syringe, an alternate model of the Biological Injection System could incorporate a microneedle patch into its design. A microneedle patch is a device used in drug delivery that only enters the epidermis, causing virtually no pain. The use of this attachment would increase the device’s safety, comfort, redundancy, and reliability.
The Biological Injection System would serve as a driving force behind space exploration. The Biological Injection System would provide astronauts with additional time in a fatal situation, nourishment when they are away from habitat, and a maximum efficiency temperature regulation system. The Biological Injection System and its components can easily be integrated into the current NASA Portable Life Support System carried by astronauts. The Biological Injection System may also be used to aid and enhance exploration and human life in harsh environments such as deserts or high altitude mountains. The Biological Injection System may even allow humans to inhabit and thrive in environments that were otherwise considered to be unsuitable for human life. The use of the Biological Injection System in space exploration can lead to numerous new discoveries and help humans gain a better understanding of the universe. This innovation has the potential to open a vast amount of doors to scientific discovery.
References
Luttge, R. "Silicon Micromachined Hollow Microneedles for Transdermal Liquid Transport." Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems 12.6 (2003): 855-62. IEEE Xplore. Web. 12 Aug. 2010. .
Norman, James. "Insulin Regulation of Blood Sugar and Diabetes - The Important Roles of Insulin and Glucagon: Diabetes and Hypoglycemia." EndocrineWeb. 29 Mar. 2009. Web. 04 Aug. 2010. .
Stendell, E. "An Experimental Study of Warming Intravenous Fluid in a Cold Environment." PubMed. Web. 06 Aug. 2010. .
Stone, C. K. "Controlled Trial of an Intravenous Fluid Warmer." PubMed 13.1 (1994): 18-20. Web. 06 Aug. 2010. .
Voelckel, Wolfgang G. "Effects of Epinephrine and Vasopressin in a Piglet Model of Prolonged Ventricular Fibrillation and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation." Critical Care Medicine 30.5 (2002): 957-62.
