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Chemically activated electroadhesive pads on spacecraft surface, allowing astronauts to maneuver or work in zero gravity environments

Triethylene thiophosphoramide (Thio-TEPA) as an adjuvant to radical mastectomy for the treatment of carcinoma of the breast has been shown to be effective in reducing tumour recurrences. In many centres radiotherapy is considered valuable in breast cancer treatment, and in the minds of many there has existed the question of the safety of giving triethylene thiophosphoramide, a radiomimetic drug, at the time of surgery to the patient destined to receive post-operative radiotherapy. Fears had been expressed that the additive effects of triethylene thiophosphoramide and radiotherapy would result in serious complications and preclude the use of this valuable drug.A total of 70 patients with breast cancer were treated by radical mastectomy and administration of triethylene thiophosphoramide. Most patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Results of this study showed that the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy with triethylene thiophosphoramide need not be withheld and that the drug may be administered with safety to the patient with breast carcinoma for whom radical mastectomy and postoperative radiotherapy are planned.

Initial studies of the electroadhesive phenomenon are shown to indicate that electroadhesors are potentially usable as zero-g assistive devices for a range of intra- and extravehicular activities in space missions. These uses generally are related to astronaut and cargo maneuvering, worksite restraint, and tool and equipment tiedown.