San Juan, Puerto Rico. March 10, 2025 – The Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust announces the launch of an innovative research project developed on the island, destined for the International Space Station (ISS). The experiment, Rhodium Water Filtration 01, is led by Dr. David Suleiman Rosado, professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). This research aims to transform water purification in space environments, addressing critical challenges such as energy consumption and the efficient reuse of water resources.
The project will be transported as part of the NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 mission, scheduled to launch on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 7:48 p.m. (Puerto Rico time). The live broadcast of the launch will be available on NASA’s website.
The International Space Station continuously faces challenges in water purification and reuse due to resupply costs, energy limitations, and maintenance requirements. Rhodium Water Filtration 01 introduces advanced technology based on a polymer nanocomposite membrane (PNM) designed to capture essential ions (Na+ and K+), inactivate microorganisms, and separate urea from water. This three-stage system optimizes purification efficiency and represents a key advancement, not only for ensuring self-sufficiency in future space missions to the Moon and Mars but also for improving water treatment on Earth.
[Quote from Suleiman – obtained from summary] “Polymeric nanostructured membranes allow for the development of sophisticated separation systems using knowledge of chemistry and engineering. This application, which we will study on the International Space Station, is not only an inspiration for me and all my students, but it can also be fundamental for the success of future space missions and help us better understand transport mechanisms, which could have implications for various applications benefiting our society,” said Suleiman Rosado.
This technology, which has been studied and refined over the years, initially received funding from NASA. Its transition to space missions is possible thanks to the support of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust’s Research Grant Program, through its Advanced Research Grants: Space Edition. It is also backed by Rhodium Scientific, the preferred
commercial service provider for biotechnology missions on the ISS. This achievement represents a significant step forward in promoting science and innovation on the island, opening new opportunities for scientific research in space environments. There are now two projects that have been funded thanks to this collaboration between both entities.
“We are honored to be able to witness this launch with another research project facilitated from Puerto Rico. Fostering these collaborations and endorsing these initiatives, is aligned with our mission to invest, facilitate and develop the necessary capabilities to continuously advance Puerto Rico’s economy and the well-being of its citizens through innovation-based enterprises, science, technology and public health. In this second project that Puerto Rico sends to the ISS, Dr. David Suleiman has a pioneer project for water purification which we are eager to know the results,” said Lucy Crespo, Chief Executive Officer of the PRSTRT.
Andreica Maldonado, Director of the Trust’s Research Grant Program, added: “We are incredibly proud to support this groundbreaking water purification project, which will launch aboard SpaceX Crew-10. Access to clean water is essential—not just here on Earth, but also in space, where sustaining human life on long-duration missions presents unique challenges. Innovations like this have the potential to be game changers, paving the way for more efficient resource management in space exploration while also advancing water purification solutions for communities in need on our planet. This project embodies the power of science and technology to push boundaries and create a sustainable future for all.”
“Rhodium Scientific is honored to be implementing this second mission in partnership with the Trust to support Dr. David Suleiman’s water filtration technology. UPR Mayagüez is high caliber with top-tier research coming from the university. This mission represents a unique technology demonstration with potential to improve life support systems on the ISS and future on space destinations. Our partnership with the Trust and UPR Mayagüez represents the foundation of a commercial space industry emerging from Puerto Rico. Together, we are able to rapidly develop and test novel bioengineering solutions to solve persistent challenges to space habitation.” – Olivia Gamez Holzhaus, Founder and CEO Rhodium Scientific.
This is the second space project funded by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust and Rhodium Scientific, demonstrating the island’s commitment to innovation and cutting-edge scientific development. The collaboration between academic institutions, government entities, and the private sector continues to position Puerto Rico as a key player in aerospace research and sustainable space exploration.
The project is part of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission and is scheduled to launch at 7:48 p.m. on March 12, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
The Research Grant Program of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust plays a pivotal role in advancing scientific and technological research, supporting innovative projects, and fostering the growth of a world-class research community.
About the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust:
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, as described in Public Law 214, is a private nonprofit organization established in 2004 to promote the Island’s participation and job creation in the global knowledge economy by promoting investments and financing for research and development in science and technology. It invests, facilitates, and develops capacities that continually advance Puerto Rico’s economy and the well-being of its citizens through research and development-based enterprises, science and technology, public health, and innovation, aiming for Puerto Rico to be a globally recognized center of innovation. For more information: www.prsciencetrust.org.
About Rhodium Scientific: Founded in 2014, Rhodium Scientific is America’s first space biotechnology company with headquarters in Houston, Texas. Rhodium is a Hispanic American, woman-owned-and-operated small business having agreements with NASA and the ISS National Laboratory. The company provides quality assured, scientific and technology development services aboard the ISS. Having supported over 30 missions in microgravity, Rhodium has successfully pioneered the standardization of advanced space protocols vetted by the U.S. Department of Defense and the creation of the Rhodium Space Biobank, a dedicated repository for space-flown samples funded by the National Science Foundation. For more information: https://www.rhodiumscientific.com/
