Another time, I was asked to wear a biohazard suit to feed a laboratory monkey.

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Without functioning toilets, passengers were given red biohazard bags to use -- and it became the crew's duty to pick up the used ones.

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From water purification systems and biohazard sensors to efficient energy systems and nutritional supplements in baby food, the spinoffs from space technology are myriad.

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Its polymer technology also carries the potential for other application markets, including water desalination, ultra-capacitors and energy generation, chemical and biohazard resistant fabrics, and immersion coatings.

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Cepheid has a partnership with Northrop Grumman (nyse: NOC - news - people ) to supply the Biohazard Detection System to the U.S. Postal Service.

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