[NASA] Station Science Top News: Dec. 20, 2024

[SpaceMan 0]

A method for evaluating thermophysical properties of metal alloys

Simulation of the solidification of metal alloys, a key step in certain industrial processes, requires reliable data on their thermophysical properties such as surface tension and viscosity. Researchers

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

comparing predictive models with experimental outcomes as a method to assess these data.

Scientists use data on surface tension and viscosity of titanium-based alloys in industrial processes such as casting and crystal growth.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

, an ESA (European Space Agency) investigation, examined the microstructure and growth of these alloys using the station’s Electromagnetic Levitator. This facility eliminates the need for containers, which can interfere with experiment results.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Alexander Gerst is shown in the Columbus module of the International Space Station during the installation of the Electromagnetic Levitator.

ESA/Alexander Gerst

Overview of techniques for measuring thermal diffusion

Researchers

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

techniques for measuring thermal diffusion of molecules in a mixture. Thermal diffusion is measured using the Soret coefficient – the ratio of movement caused by temperature differences to overall movement within the system. This has applications in mineralogy and geophysics such as predicting the location of natural resources beneath Earth’s surface.

A series of ESA investigations studied diffusion, or how heat and particles move through liquids, in microgravity.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

examined how vibrations affect diffusion in mixtures with two components and

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

measured more-complex diffusion in mixtures of three or more components. Understanding and predicting the effects of thermal diffusion has applications in various industries such as modeling of underground oil reservoirs.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

NASA astronaut Kate Rubins works on Selectable Optical Diagnostics Instrument Experiment Diffusion Coefficient Mixture-3 (SODI) DCMix-3 installation inside the station’s Microgravity Science Glovebox.

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)/Takuya Onishi

Research validates ferrofluid technology

Researchers

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

the concept of using ferrofluid technology to operate a thermal control switch in a spacecraft. This outcome could support development of more reliable and long-lasting spacecraft thermal management systems, increasing mission lifespan and improving crew safety.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

analyzed the performance of ferrofluids, a technology that manipulates components such as rotors and switches using magnetized liquids and a magnetic field rather than mechanical systems, which are prone to wear and tear. This technology could lower the cost of materials for thermal management systems, reduce the need for maintenance and repair, and help avoid equipment failure. The paper discusses possible improvements to the thermal switch, including optimizing the geometry to better manage heat flow.

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

A view of hardware for the Ferrofluid Application Research Goes Orbital investigation.

UAE (United Arab Emirates)/Sultan Alneyadi

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up