Material Science Investigations

	ESL Information Source Electrostatic Levitator pictures, FAQ, and news links. Read More
	The first Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1) will provide a dedicated platform for conducting materials science experiments on the ISS. Read More
	PFMI Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation. Read More

Miscible Fluids in Microgravity (MFMG) - The Miscible Fluid in Microgravity (MFMG) experiment will test how miscible fluids, that is, fluids that completely dissolve in each other, interact without the interference of gravity. Read More

In Space Soldering Investigation (ISSI) - The In Space Soldering Investigation (ISSI) experiment is designed to fill knowledge gaps about soldering practices and behavior in a microgravity environment-an area particularly relevant to NASA's vision for space exploration. Read More

Coupled Growth in Hypermonotectics (CGH) - Hypermonotectic alloys consist of two separated phases not only in the solid, but also in the liquid. With liquids of different densities, sedimentation of the denser phase takes place on the ground. This Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR) payload will help in elucidating the theory behind the formation, and hence will improve our ability to produce the desired structures on the ground.

Kinetics of Nucleation and Crystal Growth in Glass Forming Melts in Microgravity (CROMIS) - CROMIS will investigate why glass forms more easily and is more chemically homogeneous in microgravity than on Earth. The flight experiment will include melting lithium disilicate, a glass with well-known properties, then treating it at selected temperatures for different amounts of time at each temperature. Measurements of the rates of nucleation and crystal growth in microgravity will be compared to those on Earth.

Coarsening of Solid-Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2) - This MSG investigation will examine competitive growth of microscopic tin particles within a liquid tin-lead matrix. The low -gravity ISS environment will produce data that can be compared directly to theory without the effects of convection and sedimentation. This will allow a greater understanding of the factors controlling the morphology of solid-liquid mixtures during coarsening.

Gravitational Effects on Distortion in Sintering (GEDS) - The GEDS Apparatus will use the Low Gradient Furnace (LGF). The Microgravity liquid phase sintering (LPS) experiments contained in the GEDs apparatus are designed to isolate gravity-porosity interactions with respect to densification, component distortion, and underlying microstructure evolution. Findings from this research will be used to improve modeling of LPS by including gravity-porosity effects.

Glovebox Integrated Microgravity Isolation Technology (gLIMIT) - The g-LIMIT apparatus will be installed in the MSG rack to provide an vibration-free environment so that experiments operating within the MSG facility can achieve their science. Goals of the g-LIMIT apparatus will to dampen unwanted accelerations within the MSG; to characterize the MSG acceleration environment; and to demonstrate high-performance, robust control technology. It will also be available to provide vibration isolation and measurement to other MSG investigations.

Levitation Observation of Dendrite Evolution in Steel Ternary Alloy Rapid Solidification (LODESTARS) - This payload will help to develop a better understanding of how nucleation and growth of the austenitic phase affect phase selection in ternary steel alloys following formation of a primary metastable ferritic dendritic array.

Mechanics of Granular Materials (MGM) - The objective of this research is to gain a quantitative understanding of the mechanical behavior of granular materials under very low confining pressures. The microgravity environment provides data on granular materials under conditions that cannot be mimicked on Earth. Knowledge derived from the MGM experiments will further the understanding of design models for soil movement under confinement and various stresses. These models can be applied to strengthening building foundations, managing undeveloped land, and handling powdered and granular materials in chemical, agricultural, and other industries. [Read More]
- Marshall Engineer Postpones Retirement to Lead an Experiment that Could Help Make Buildings Safer

Particle Engulfment and Pushing by Solidifying Interfaces (PEP) - The PEP investigation seeks to enhance understanding the pushing and engulfing behavior of ceramic particles that are dispersed within liquid metallic alloys during solidification. As the solid/liquid interface forms and moves, the particles are either pushed ahead of, or engulfed by, the growing solid material The microgravity environment will validate analytical and numerical models that describe the influence of convection in this phenomenon.

Quench Module Insert (QMI) - The QMI is being designed for materials science research inside the Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) in the first Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1). QMI is a high-temperature, Bridgman-type furnace with an actively cooled cold zone. The apparatus will create an extremely high-temperature gradient for the directional solidification processing of metals and alloys. It is also capable of rapidly freezing (quenching) samples at the solid/liquid interface, where most of the science takes place during directional solidification.

Reduction of Defects in Germanium-Silicon (RDGS) - Flight hardware used by the RDGS investigation is anticipated to be the Low Gradient Furnace (LGF). The mechanism leading to detached crystal growth in the Bridgman configuration will be investigated and the parameters essential for the controlled use for detached growth will be determined. A comparison will be made of processing-induced defects in Bridgman, detached Bridgman, and float-zone growth configurations in germanium-silicon crystals. A determination will be made as to whether detached Bridgman or float-zone processing can produce lower defect germanium-silicon crystals and any differences will be quantified. [Read More]

Spaceflight Holography Investigation in a Virtual Apparatus (SHIVA) - SHIVA plans to use the MSG and possibly g-LIMIT. SHIVA will record particle motion in a fluid using holographic data.

Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA) - This investigation will test the performance of an automatically moving baffle in microgravity and determine the behavior and possible advantages of liquid encapsulation in microgravity conditions. This low-cost MSG experiment will resolve several key technological questions and lessen the risk and uncertainties of using a baffle and liquid encapsulation in future major materials science facilities.

Transient Interfacial Phenomena in Miscible Polymer Systems (TIPMIPS) - This experiment will measure the fluid flow induced by a temperature gradient along the interface between a polymer and its monomer, the fluid flow induced by a variation in the initial width of the interface between a polymer and its monomer, determine if Marangoni Instability can occur at a miscible interface, and determine if a bubble driven by temperature gradient penetrates a miscible interface.