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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Light Microscopy Module A Facility Overview-History and Science

We will share a brief history and provide a science overview of the many accomplishments of the Light Microscopy Module (LMM), a microscope that has been operating in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station (ISS) since 2010. It will be removed in October 2021. It was initially outfitted for the Constrained Vapor Bubble – Wickless Heat Pipe experiment. It was later reconfigured and upgraded many times to support a broad portfolio of Physical science and Biological experiments including: Complex Fluids, Colloids, Macro-Molecular Biophysics, Protein Crystals, and Plant Biology. The LMM has enabled many significant studies and discoveries and has seen its fair share of pleasant surprises. These include recording order arising out of disorder, e.g., systems of colloids that were glasses on Earth crystallizing to form large defect-free crystals, nematic ordering of elliptical colloids, and colloidal-polymer systems crystallizing. The LMM science teams have also seen how to improve product stabilizers once the effects of sedimentation on Earth were removed; they were able to see which tagged genes express in plants when gravity is removed, telling them which genes are essential for growing plants in space; they’ve tested protein crystal growth models; checked models for creating bijel electrodes that turn batteries into fast-charging supercapacitors; tested many forms of colloidal self-assembly: including those using depletion attraction, magnetic fields, and critical Casimir forces; they’ve observed explosive bubble nucleation in a wickless heat pipe, and much more. This work has been supported by the NASA Biological and Physical Sciences (BPS) Division and the ISS Program Office, Johnson Space Center Code OZ and Code OB, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) / ISS National Lab, EPSCoR, and ISS international partners from ESA – the Netherlands and Italy, CSA, JAXA and S. Korea, and by Space Act Agreements with Procter and Gamble (P&G).

Colloids↗
NASA NTRS1987

Weathering of sulfides on Mars

Pyrrhotite-pentlandite assemblages in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks may have contributed significantly to the chemical weathering reactions that produce degradation products in the Martian regolith. By analogy and terrestrial processes, a model is proposed whereby supergene alteration of these primary Fe-Ni sulfides on Mars has generated secondary sulfides (e.g., pyrite) below the water table and produced acidic groundwater containing high concentrations of dissolved Fe, Ni, and sulfate ions. The low pH solutions also initiated weathering reactions of igneous feldspars and ferromagnesian silicates to form clay silicate and ferric oxyhydroxide phases. Near-surface oxidation and hydrolysis of ferric sulfato-and hydroxo-complex ions and sols formed gossan above the water table consisting of poorly crystalline hydrated ferric sulfates (e.g., jarosite), oxides (ferrihydrite, goethite), and silica (opal). Underlying groundwater, now permafrost contains hydroxo sulfato complexes of Fe, Al, Mg, Ni, which may be stabilized in frozen acidic solutions beneath the surface of Mars. Sublimation of permafrost may replenish colloidal ferric oxides, sulfates, and phyllosilicates during dust storms on Mars.

Burns, Roger G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Sulfide mineralization: Its role in chemical weathering of Mars

Pyrrhotite-pentlandite assemblages in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks may have contributed significantly to the chemical weathering reactions that produced degradation products in the Martian regolith. By analogy with terrestrial processes, a model is proposed whereby supergene alteration of these primary Fe-Ni sulfides on Mars has generated secondary sulfides (e.g., pyrite) below the water table and produced acidic groundwater containing high concentrations of dissolved Fe, Ni and sulfate ions. The low pH solutions also initiated weathering reactions of igneous feldspars and ferromagnesian silicates to form clay silicate and ferric oxyhydroxide phases. Near-surface oxidation and hydrolysis of ferric sulfato- and hydroxo-complex ions and sols formed gossans above the water table consisting of poorly crystalline hydrated ferric sulfates (e.g., jarosite), oxides (ferrihydrite, goethite) and silica (opal). Underlying groundwater, now permafrost, contains hydroxo sulfato complexes of Fe, Al, Mg, Ni, etc., which may be stabilized in frozen acidic solutions beneath the surface of Mars. Sublimation of permafrost may replenish colloidal ferric oxides, sulfates and phyllosilicates during dust storms on Mars.

Burns, Roger G.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Combustion, Complex Fluids, and Fluid Physics Experiments on the ISS

From the very early days of human spaceflight, NASA has been conducting experiments in space to understand the effect of weightlessness on physical and chemically reacting systems. NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio has been at the forefront of this research looking at both fundamental studies in microgravity as well as experiments targeted at reducing the risks to long duration human missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. In the current International Space Station (ISS) era, we now have an orbiting laboratory that provides the highly desired condition of long-duration microgravity. This allows continuous and interactive research similar to Earth-based laboratories. Because of these capabilities, the ISS is an indispensible laboratory for low gravity research. NASA GRC has been actively involved in developing and operating facilities and experiments on the ISS since the beginning of a permanent human presence on November 2, 2000. As the lead Center for combustion, complex fluids, and fluid physics; GRC has led the successful implementation of the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) and the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) as well as the continued use of other facilities on the ISS. These facilities have supported combustion experiments in fundamental droplet combustion; fire detection; fire extinguishment; soot phenomena; flame liftoff and stability; and material flammability. The fluids experiments have studied capillary flow; magneto-rheological fluids; colloidal systems; extensional rheology; pool and nucleate boiling phenomena. In this paper, we provide an overview of the experiments conducted on the ISS over the past 12 years.

Motil, Brian↗
NASA NTRS2012

Combustion, Complex Fluids, and Fluid Physics Experiments on the ISS

From the very first days of human spaceflight, NASA has been conducting experiments in space to understand the effect of weightlessness on physical and chemically reacting systems. NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) in Cleveland, Ohio has been at the forefront of this research looking at both fundamental studies in microgravity as well as experiments targeted at reducing the risks to long duration human missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. In the current International Space Station (ISS) era, we now have an orbiting laboratory that provides the highly desired condition of long-duration microgravity. This allows continuous and interactive research similar to Earth-based laboratories. Because of these capabilities, the ISS is an indispensible laboratory for low gravity research. NASA GRC has been actively involved in developing and operating facilities and experiments on the ISS since the beginning of a permanent human presence on November 2, 2000. As the lead Center both Combustion, Fluid Physics, and Acceleration Measurement GRC has led the successful implementation of an Acceleration Measurement systems, the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR), the Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) as well as the continued use of other facilities on the ISS. These facilities have supported combustion experiments in fundamental droplet combustion fire detection fire extinguishment soot phenomena flame liftoff and stability and material flammability. The fluids experiments have studied capillary flow magneto-rheological fluids colloidal systems extensional rheology pool and nucleate boiling phenomena. In this paper, we provide an overview of the experiments conducted on the ISS over the past 12 years. We also provide a look to the future development. Experiments presented in combustion include areas such as droplet combustion, gaseous diffusion flames, solid fuels, premixed flame studies, fire safety, and super critical oxidation processes. In fluid physics, experiments are discussed in multiphase flows, capillary phenomena, and heat pipes. Finally in complex fluids, experiments in rheology and soft condensed materials will be presented.

Motil, Brian↗
NASA NTRS2016

Fabrication of Metallic Hollow Nanoparticles

Metal and semiconductor nanoshells, particularly transition metal nanoshells, are fabricated using dendrimer molecules. Metallic colloids, metallic ions or semiconductors are attached to amine groups on the dendrimer surface in stabilized solution for the surface seeding method and the surface seedless method, respectively. Subsequently, the process is repeated with additional metallic ions or semiconductor, a stabilizer, and NaBH.sub.4 to increase the wall thickness of the metallic or semiconductor lining on the dendrimer surface. Metallic or semiconductor ions are automatically reduced on the metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles causing the formation of hollow metallic or semiconductor nanoparticles. The void size of the formed hollow nanoparticles depends on the dendrimer generation. The thickness of the metallic or semiconductor thin film around the dendrimer depends on the repetition times and the size of initial metallic or semiconductor seeds.

Kim, Jae-Woo↗
NASA NTRS2001

Process for Making Ceramic Mold

An improved process for slip casting molds that can be more economically automated and that also exhibits greater dimensional stability is disclosed. The process involves subjecting an investment pattern, preferably made from wax, to successive cycles of wet-dipping in a slurry of colloidal, silica-based binder and dry powder-coating, or stuccoing with plaster of Paris or calcium sulfate mixtures to produce a multi-layer shell over the pattern. The invention as claimed entails applying a primary and a secondary coating to the investment pattern. At least two wet-dipping on in a primary slurry and dry-stuccoing cycles provide the primary coating, and an additional two wet-dippings and dry-stuccoing cycles provide the secondary, or back-up, coating. The primary and secondary coatings produce a multi-layered shell pattern. The multi-layered shell pattern is placed in a furnace first to cure and harden, and then to vaporize the investment pattern, leaving a detailed, high precision shell mold.

Buck, Gregory M.↗
NASA NTRS2020

Progress on LISA Colloid Microthruster Technology Development

Colloid microthrusters have been operated successfully in flight, providing drag-free and precision control for spacecraft that can be used for future applications such as gravity wave and exoplanet observatories. The Space Technology 7 Disturbance Reduction System (ST7- DRS) technology demonstration payload included eight Busek Colloid Micro-Newton Thrusters (CMNTs) as part of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Pathfinder mission that launched in December of 2015. The CMNTs provided full attitude and precision drag-free control of the spacecraft with <10 nm/√Hz stability along the most sensitive axis during commissioning, nominal, and extended mission phases through April of 2017. Performance requirements (≤0.1 μN/√Hz) were met and models were validated based on on- orbit measurements of test mass motion and actuation during the 60-day nominal and 30-day extended missions. In 2018, the European Space Agency (ESA) selected LISA to be the agency’s next “large-class” mission, currently in Phase A, with a launch scheduled for 2034 and a 12.5-year duration, including the transfer (1.5 years), commissioning (1 year), nominal (4 or 6 years), and extended (6 or 4 years) phases of the mission, which sets the lifetime and consumables requirement. NASA is considering a significant contribution of hardware to the ESA-led mission, potentially including colloid microthrusters. In preparation, NASA is developing five technologies to TRL 5 and 6, including the colloid microthrusters, to be ready for infusion into LISA by the mission adoption review (MAR), currently scheduled for 2024. While ST7-DRS effectively brought the CMNTs to TRL 7, additional lower-TRL flow control components must be developed for full redundancy, reducing the system-level TRL back to 4. Key to the future of the colloid microthruster technology will be to use lessons learned and keep as much of the heritage from the ST7 design as possible while updating the system to support redundancy and lifetime requirements of a flagship-class mission. This paper describes the technology plan and progress to reach TRL 6 by the MAR, focusing on near- term plans to reach TRL 5 by the end of March 2022 for the LISA Colloid Microthrusters (CMTs). Work includes requirements development and sizing studies, breadboard and brassboard hardware developments at Busek, including relevant lifetime and environment testing, and lifetime modeling, verification and validation efforts at JPL, UCLA, and UCI.

Gamero-Castaño, Manuel↗
NASA NTRS1999

Chain Dynamics in Magnetorheological Suspensions

Magnetorheological (MR) suspensions are composed of colloidal particles which acquire dipole moments when subjected to an external magnetic field. At sufficient field strengths and concentrations, the dipolar particles rapidly aggregate to form long chains. Subsequent lateral cross-linking of the dipolar chains is responsible for a rapid liquid-to-solid-like rheological transition. The unique, magnetically-activated rheological properties of MR suspensions make them ideal for interfacing mechanical systems to electronic controls. Additionally, the ability to experimentally probe colloidal suspensions interacting through tunable anisotropic potentials is of fundamental interest. Our current experimental work has focused on understanding the fluctuations of dipolar chains. It has been proposed by Halsey and Toor (HT) that the strong Landau-Peierls thermal fluctuations of dipolar chains could be responsible for long-range attractions between chains. Such interactions will govern the long-time relaxation of MR suspensions. We have synthesized monodisperse neutrally buoyant MR suspensions by density matching stabilized ferrofluid emulsion droplets with D2O. This allows us to probe the dynamics of the dipolar chains using light scattering without gravitational, interfacial, and polydispersity effects to resolve the short-wavelength dynamics of the dipolar chains. We used diffusing wave spectroscopy to measure these dynamics. The particle displacements at short times that show an independence to the field strength, but at long times exhibit a constrained, sub-diffusive motion that slows as the dipole strength is increased. The experiments are in good qualitative agreement with Brownian dynamics simulations of dipolar chains. Although there have been several important and detailed studies of the structure and interactions in MR suspensions, there has not been conclusive evidence that supports or contradicts the HT model prediction that long-range interactions exist between fluctuating chains of dipolar particles. Resolving this issue would contribute greatly to the understanding of these interesting and important materials. We have begun to test the predictions of the HT model by both examining the dynamics of individual chains and by measuring the forces between dipolar chains directly to accurately and quantitatively assess the interactions that they experience. To do so, we employ optical trapping techniques and video-microscopy to manipulate and observe our samples on the microscopic level. With these techniques, it is possible to observe chains that are fluctuating freely in three-dimensions, independent of interfacial effects. More importantly, we are able to controllably observe the interactions of two chains at various separations to measure the force-distance profile. The techniques also allow us to study the mechanical properties of individual chains and chain clusters. Our work to this point has focused on reversibly-formed dipolar chains due to field induced dipoles where the combination of this chaining, the dipolar forces, and the hydrodynamic interactions that dictate the rheology of the suspensions. One can envision, however, many situations where optical, electronic, or rheological behavior may be optimized with magneto-responsive anisotropic particles. Chains of polarizable particles may have the best properties as they can coil and flex in the absence of a field and stiffen and orient when a field is applied. We have recently demonstrated a synthesis of stable, permanent paramagnetic chains by both covalently and physically linking paramagnetic colloidal particles. The method employed allows us to create monodisperse chains of controlled length. We observed the stability, field-alignment, and rigidity of this new class of materials. The chains may exhibit unique rheological properties in an applied magnetic field over isotropic suspensions of paramagnetic particles. They are also useful rheological models as bead-spring systems. These chains form the basis for our current experiments with optical traps.

Gast, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Long term flight electrodes

The reproducibility, stability, and methods of preparation for the various types and forms of biomedical electrodes are discussed. A critical and selective compilation of information on biological and/or physiological electrodes is presented. A discussion of plant hydrocolloids, clays, hydrophyllic colloids, synthetic waxes, and acrylic polymers is included.

Mosier, B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Processing of laser formed SiC powder

Superior SiC characteristics can be achieved through the use of ideal constituent powders and careful post-synthesis processing steps. High purity SiC powders of approx. 1000 A uniform diameter, nonagglomerated and spherical were produced. This required major revision of the particle formation and growth model from one based on classical nucleation and growth to one based on collision and coalescence of Si particles followed by their carburization. Dispersions based on pure organic solvents as well as steric stabilization were investigated. Although stable dispersions were formed by both, subsequent part fabrication emphasized the pure solvents since fewer problems with drying and residuals of the high purity particles were anticipated. Test parts were made by the colloidal pressing technique; both liquid filtration and consolidation (rearrangement) stages were modeled. Green densities corresponding to a random close packed structure (approx. 63%) were achieved; this highly perfect structure has a high, uniform coordination number (greater than 11) approaching the quality of an ordered structure without introducing domain boundary effects. After drying, parts were densified at temperatures ranging from 1800 to 2100 C. Optimum densification temperatures will probably be in the 1900 to 2000 C range based on these preliminary results which showed that 2050 C samples had experienced substantial grain growth. Although overfired, the 2050 C samples exhibited excellent mechanical properties. Biaxial tensile strengths up to 714 MPa and Vickers hardness values of 2430 kg/sq mm 2 were both more typical of hot pressed than sintered SiC. Both result from the absence of large defects and the confinement of residual porosity (less than 2.5%) to small diameter, uniformly distributed pores.

Haggerty, J. S.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Dendritic Growth of Hard-Sphere Crystals

Recent observations of the disorder-order transition for colloidal hard spheres under microgravity revealed dendritic crystallites roughly 1-2 mm in size for samples in the coexistence region of the phase diagram. Order-of-magnitude estimates rationalize the absence of large or dendritic crystals under normal gravity and their stability to annealing in microgravity. A linear stability analysis of the Ackerson and Schaetzel model for crystallization of hard spheres establishes the domain of instability for diffusion-limited growth at small supersaturations. The relationship between hard-sphere and molecular crystal growth is established and exploited to relate the predicted linear instability to the well-developed dendrites observed.

Russel, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Advanced Colloids Experiment (Temperature Controlled) – ACE-T5

The attached will be presented at the JSC Science Symposium as a preview of the ACE-T5 flight experiment. The Principal Investigator (PI) for this experiment is Professor Ali Mohraz at the University of California - Irvine.Bijels (bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels) were discovered in 2007 at the University of Edinburgh. These materials feature a tubular, bicontinuous arrangement of two fluid phases separated by a monolayer of jammed colloidal particles at the interface.Because of their unique morphological characteristics, bijels hold significant promise as next-generation materials for energy and biotechnology applications. But in order to fully realize their potential, their physics and mechanical properties must be better understood. The mechanical properties and stability of bijels is mediated by an interplay between interfacial forces that impart elasticity to the system, and external stresses. Unfortunately, the interfacial forces are inherently coupled with density differences and cannot be studied systematically in the presence of gravity.

Mohraz, Ali↗
NASA NTRS2005

Thermal Characterization of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Formed from Poorly Crystalline Siderite

Increasing interest in environmental geochemistry has led to the recognition that crystals with sizes in the nanometer range (e.g., colloids and nanoscale precipitates) and poorly crystalline compounds (e.g., ferrihydrites) may comprise the majority of reactive mineral surface area near the Earth s surface. When the diameters of individual particles are in the range of 100 nm or less, the surface energy contribution to the free energy modifies phase stability. This results in stabilization of polymorphs not normally encountered in the macrocrystal domain. These phases potentially have very different surface-site geometries, adsorptive properties, and growth mechanisms, and exhibit size-dependent kinetic behavior. Thus nanophases dramatically modify the physical and chemical properties of soils and sediments. In a more general sense, the characteristics of nanocrystals are of intense technological interest because small particle size confers novel chemical, optical, and electronic properties. Thus, nanocrystalline materials are finding applications as catalytic substrates, gas phase separation materials, and even more importantly in the field of medicine. This is an opportune time for mineral physicists working on nanocrystalline materials to develop collaborative efforts with materials scientists, chemists, and others working on nanophase materials of technological interest (e.g., for magnetic memories). Our objective in this study was to synthesize submicron (<200 nm) magnetite and to study their thermal and particle size properties.

Lauer, H. V., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Particles Growing in Solutions: Depletion Forces and Instability of Homogeneous Particle Distribution

Crystallites, droplets and amorphous precipitates growing from supersaturated solution are surrounded by zones, which are depleted with respect to the molecules they are built of. If two such particles of colloidal size are separated by a distance comparable to their diameters, then the depletion within the gap between particles is deeper than that at the outer portion of the particles. This will cause depletion attraction between the particles should appear. It may cause particle coagulation and decay of the originally homogeneous particle distribution into a system of clouds within which the particle number density is higher, separated by the region of the lower number density. Stability criterion, Q = 4 pi R(exp 3)c/3 >> 1, was analytically found along with typical particle density distribution wavevector q = (Q/I)(exp 1/2)(a/R)(exp 1/4). Here, R and a are the particle and molecular radii, respectively, c is the average molecular number density in solution and I is the squared diffusion length covered by a molecule during a typical time characterizing decay of molecular concentration in solution due to consumption of the molecules by the growing particles.

Chernov, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

LISA Technology Development and Risk Reduction at NASA

The Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) is a joint ESA-NASA project to design, build and operate a space-based gravitational wave detector based on a laser interferometer. LISA relies on several technologies that are either new to spaceflight or must perform at levels not previously demonstrated in a spaceflight environment. The ESA-led LISA Pathfinder mission is the main effort to demonstrate LISA technology. NASA also supports complementary ground-based technology development and risk reduction activities. This presentation will report the status of NASA work on micronewton thrusters, the telescope, the optical pointing subsystem and mission formulation. More details on some of these topics will be given in posters. Other talks and posters will describe NASA-supported work on the laser subsystem, the phasemeter, and aspects of the interferometry. Two flight-qualified clusters of four colloid micronewton thrusters, each capable of thrust Levels between 5 and 30 microNewton with a resolution less than 0.l microNewton and a thrust noise less than 0.1 microNewton/vHz (0.001 to 4 Hz), have been integrated onto the LISA Pathfinder spacecraft. The complementary ground-based development focuses on lifetime demonstration. Laboratory verification of failure models and accelerated life tests are just getting started. LISA needs a 40 cm diameter, afocal telescope for beam expansion/reduction that maintains an optical pathlength stability of approximately 1 pm/vHz in an extremely stable thermal environment. A mechanical prototype of a silicon carbide primary-secondary structure has been fabricated for stability testing. Two optical assemblies must point at different distant spacecraft with nanoradian accuracy over approximately 1 degree annual variation in the angle between the distant spacecraft. A candidate piezo-inchworm actuator is being tested in a suitable testbed. In addition to technology development, NASA has carried out several studies in support of the mission formulation. The results of systems engineering work on flight software, avionics and reliability will be summarized.

Stebbins, Robin T.↗