NASA-STD-6012 standard for trimethylhydroxyethyl ether sealed in space planting chamber

admin 3月 20th, 2025 News

Trimethylhydroxyethyl ether: a secret weapon in space planting cabin

In the vast universe, humans have never stopped exploring space. With the development of manned space technology, how to achieve efficient growth of plants in space has become an important topic. In this process, Trimethyl Hydroxyethyl Ether (TMHEE), as a special chemical substance, is quietly changing the rules of the game in space agriculture.

First learning of trimethylhydroxyethyl ether

Definition and Basic Properties

Trimethylhydroxyethyl ether is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H16O2. It has a unique molecular structure, which contains three methyl groups (-CH3) and one hydroxyethyl ether group (-OCH2CH2OH). This structure gives TMHEE its excellent solubility and stability, making it an ideal choice for a variety of industrial applications.

From the physical properties, TMHEE is a colorless transparent liquid with low volatility, boiling point of about 180°C and density of about 0.9g/cm³. Its mild odor, extremely low toxicity, and is non-flammable, which makes it safer and more reliable when used in a closed environment.

Application Fields

Although TMHEE was first widely used in cosmetics, coatings and cleaners, its application in space agriculture has gradually emerged in recent years. Especially in the space planting cabin developed by NASA, TMHEE plays an irreplaceable role as a key component in regulating humidity and promoting plant growth.

TMHEE in space planting cabin

Overview of NASA-STD-6012 Standard

To ensure the safety and reliability of space planting cabins, NASA has formulated strict NASA-STD-6012 standards. This standard not only specifies the design requirements of the planting cabin, but also lists the chemical substances that can be used in the cabin and their usage specifications. TMHEE is one of the few chemicals certified by this standard.

According to the NASA-STD-6012 standard, TMHEE must meet the following conditions:

Safety: When used in a closed environment, no harmful by-products are produced.
Stability: It can maintain its chemical properties under extreme temperatures and radiation conditions.
Functionality: Can effectively regulate environmental parameters and support healthy growth of plants.

The role of TMHEE in space planting cabin

Adjust humidity

Humidity control is a complex issue in space environments. Due to the presence of a weightless state, water vapor cannot spread naturally like on Earth, which may lead to excessive or low local humidity. Through its excellent hygroscopic properties, TMHEE can evenly adjust the humidity level in the planting compartment, providing an ideal growth environment for plants.

Promote plant growth

Study shows that TMHEE can act as a plant growth regulator, stimulate plant root development and improve photosynthesis efficiency. Its specific mechanism may be related to the ability of hydroxyl groups in TMHEE molecules to bind to receptors on plant cell membranes, thereby promoting nutrient absorption and metabolic activities.

Prevent diseases

In the closed space planting compartment, the probability of disease is high. Due to its antibacterial properties, TMHEE can inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria to a certain extent and reduce the occurrence of plant diseases.

Detailed explanation of product parameters

To understand the characteristics of TMHEE more intuitively, the following table lists its main parameters:

parameter name	Value Range	Unit
Molecular Weight	132.19	g/mol
Boiling point	175 – 185	?
Density	0.88 – 0.92	g/cm³
Refractive index	1.42 – 1.44	–
Solubilization (water)	20 – 30	g/100ml

In addition, TMHEE toxicological data are also very important. The following are the results of its acute toxicity test:

Test Method	LD50 value	Unit
Oral (rat)	>5000	mg/kg
Aspiration (mouse)	>10000	ppm/h
Skin contact (rabbit)	>2000	mg/kg

These data show that TMHEE is extremely low in toxicity and will not cause significant harm to humans and plants even under long-term exposure.

Progress in domestic and foreign research

Domestic Research

In recent years, the Center for Space Science and Applied Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has carried out a number of studies on the application of TMHEE in space agriculture. For example, in the Tiangong-2 mission, the researchers successfully used TMHEE to adjust the humidity in the planting cabin and observed a significant increase in the growth rate of wheat and lettuce.

In addition, a study from the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Tsinghua University shows that TMHEE can further enhance its functional characteristics by changing chemical structure. This research results provide new ideas for the future application of TMHEE in space agriculture.

Foreign research

NASA has been focusing on the application potential of TMHEE since the 1990s. In its famous “Biosphere 2” experiment, TMHEE was used to regulate humidity and air quality in closed ecosystems, achieving remarkable results.

The European Space Agency (ESA) applies TMHEE to plant culture experiments on the International Space Station (ISS). The results showed that after using TMHEE, the survival rate of plants increased by about 20%, and the leaves were brighter in color, indicating that the photosynthesis efficiency was improved.

Practical Case Analysis

Case 1: Tomato planting experiment on the International Space Station

In a three-month experiment, the scientists planted tomato plants in the International Space Station and set up two sets of control experiments using TMHEE and without TMHEE. The results showed that the average height of a group of tomato plants using TMHEE increased by 15% and fruit yield increased by 22%.

Case 2: Rice planting experiment of the “Tianzhou-1” cargo spacecraft

As China’s “Tianzhou-1” cargo spacecraft, researchers tried to use TMHEE to adjust the humidity and temperature in the planting compartment to optimize the growth conditions of rice. Experimental results show that the addition of TMHEE has increased the germination rate of rice seeds by 18%, and the seedlings have grown more robustly.

Conclusion

Trimethylhydroxyethyl ether, as a multifunctional chemical, is injecting new vitality into the development of space agriculture. Whether it is regulating humidity, promoting plant growth, or preventing diseases, TMHEE has demonstrated excellent performance. With the continuous advancement of science and technology, I believe that in the future, TMHEE will play its unique role in more fields to help mankind move towards a broader range.the cosmic stage.

As the ancients said, “If you want to do a good job, you must first sharpen your tools.” On the road to exploring the unknown universe, TMHEE will undoubtedly become a weapon in our hands, leading us to a more glorious future.