It's International Science Center & Science Museum Day (#ISCSMDGlobalScienceShow), and science centers all over the world are sharing videos of experiments! We're sharing one of our newest: a "hypospray experiment," inspired by the hypospray device from Star Trek and featured in our "Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience" exhibition.

In "Star Trek," a hypospray is used for delivering injections in the body. In the real world, we do this too. Without a needle involved, this is a more sterile practice, reducing the danger of blood-borne pathogens. This device uses pressurized air and a nozzle smaller than a human hair to force the medicine into the body, through the skin.

There are many additional advantages to using this device:

• Assists patients with needle phobias
• Lowers the amount of time it takes for the medicine to be absorbed, with a low surface area to volume ratio
• No disposal of needles or risk of needle-related injuries
• Can be a reusable system or a one-dose prepared injection
• Reduces pain and trouble for when patients need to inject themselves frequently (ex. diabetes)

In our experiment, we show guests how the hypospray is used to inject food coloring into a gel. Check it out:

You can see this experiment in-person on your next visit to LSC, and you can also learn more about this device, and many others from Star Trek, in "Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience."