Electrostatic Levitation for Studies of Additive Manufactured Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Rogers, Jan R.; Tramel, Terri

2014-01-01

The electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is a unique facility for investigators studying high temperature materials. The laboratory boasts two levitators in which samples can be levitated, heated, melted, undercooled, and resolidified. Electrostatic levitation minimizes gravitational effects and allows materials to be studied without contact with a container or instrumentation. The lab also has a high temperature emissivity measurement system, which provides normal spectral and normal total emissivity measurements at use temperature. The ESL lab has been instrumental in many pioneering materials investigations of thermophysical properties, e.g., creep measurements, solidification, triggered nucleation, and emissivity at high temperatures. Research in the ESL lab has already led to the development of advanced high temperature materials for aerospace applications, coatings for rocket nozzles, improved medical and industrial optics, metallic glasses, ablatives for reentry vehicles, and materials with memory. Modeling of additive manufacturing materials processing is necessary for the study of their resulting materials properties. In addition, the modeling of the selective laser melting processes and its materials property predictions are also underway. Unfortunately, there is very little data for the properties of these materials, especially of the materials in the liquid state. Some method to measure thermophysical properties of additive manufacturing materials is necessary. The ESL lab is ideal for these studies. The lab can provide surface tension and viscosity of molten materials, density measurements, emissivity measurements, and even creep strength measurements. The ESL lab can also determine melting temperature, surface temperatures, and phase transition temperatures of additive manufactured materials. This presentation will provide background on the ESL lab and its capabilities, provide an approach to using the ESL in supporting the development and modeling of the selective laser melting process for metals, and provide an overview of the results to date.

Rapid Quench in an Electrostatic Levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Rogers, Jan R.; Matson, Douglas M.

2016-01-01

The Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) Laboratory at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is a unique facility for investigators studying high-temperature materials. The ESL laboratory's main chamber has been upgraded with the addition of a rapid quench system. This system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy, as a quench medium. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. Up to eight quench vessels can be loaded into a wheel inside the chamber that is indexed with control software. The system has been tested successfully with samples of zirconium, iron-cobalt alloys, titanium-zirconium-nickel alloys, and a silicon-cobalt alloy. This new rapid quench system will allow materials science studies of undercooled materials and new materials development. In this presentation, the system is described and some initial results are presented.

Rapid Quench in an Electrostatic Levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Rogers, Jan R.; Matson, Michael M.

2016-01-01

The Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) Laboratory at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is a unique facility for investigators studying high-temperature materials. The ESL laboratory’s main chamber has been upgraded with the addition of a rapid quench system. This system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy, as a quench medium. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. Up to eight quench vessels can be loaded into a wheel inside the chamber that is indexed with control software. The system has been tested successfully with samples of zirconium, iron-cobalt alloys, iron-chromium-nickel, titanium-zirconium-nickel alloys, and a silicon-cobalt alloy. This new rapid quench system will allow materials science studies of undercooled materials and new materials development. The system is described and some initial results are presented.

Dielectrophoretic levitation of droplets and bubbles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, T. B.

1982-01-01

Uncharged droplets and bubbles can be levitated dielectrophoretically in liquids using strong, nonuniform electric fields. The general equations of motion for a droplet or bubble in an axisymmetric, divergence-free electrostatic field allow determination of the conditions necessary and sufficient for stable levitation. The design of dielectrophoretic (DEP) levitation electrode structures is simplified by a Taylor-series expansion of cusped axisymmetric electrostatic fields. Extensive experimental measurements on bubbles in insulating liquids verify the simple dielectrophoretic model. Other have extended dielectrophoretic levitation to very small particles in aqueous media. Applications of DEP levitation to the study of gas bubbles, liquid droplets, and solid particles are discussed. Some of these applications are of special interest in the reduced gravitational field of a spacecraft.

Design, Fabrication and Levitation Experiments of a Micromachined Electrostatically Suspended Six-Axis Accelerometer

PubMed Central

Cui, Feng; Liu, Wu; Chen, Wenyuan; Zhang, Weiping; Wu, Xiaosheng

2011-01-01

A micromachined electrostatically suspended six-axis accelerometer, with a square plate as proof mass housed by a top stator and bottom stator, is presented. The device structure and related techniques concerning its operating principles, such as calculation of capacitances and electrostatic forces/moments, detection and levitation control of the proof mass, acceleration measurement, and structural parameters design, are described. Hybrid MEMS manufacturing techniques, including surface micromachining fabrication of thin film electrodes and interconnections, integration fabrication of thick nickel structures about 500 μm using UV-LIGA by successful removal of SU-8 photoresist mold, DRIE of silicon proof mass in thickness of 450 μm, microassembly and solder bonding, were employed to fabricate this prototype microdevice. A levitation experiment system for the fabricated microaccelerometer chip is introduced, and levitation results show that fast initial levitation within 10 ms and stable full suspension of the proof mass have been successfully demonstrated. PMID:22247662

Levitation Technology in International Space Station Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guinart-Ramirez, Y.; Cooley, V. M.; Love, J. E.

2016-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique multidisciplinary orbiting laboratory for science and technology research, enabling discoveries that benefit life on Earth and exploration of the universe. ISS facilities for containerless sample processing in Materials Science experiments include levitation devices with specimen positioning control while reducing containment vessel contamination. For example, ESA's EML (ElectroMagnetic Levitator), is used for melting and solidification of conductive metals, alloys, or semiconductors in ultra-high vacuum, or in high-purity gaseous atmospheres. Sample heating and positioning are accomplished through electromagnetic fields generated by a coil system. EML applications cover investigation of solidification and microstructural formation, evaluation of thermophysical properties of highly reactive metals (whose properties can be very sensitive to contamination), and examination of undercooled liquid metals to understand metastable phase convection and influence convection on structural changes. MSL utilization includes development of novel light-weight, high-performance materials. Another facility, JAXA's ELF (Electrostatic Levitation Furnace), is used to perform high temperature melting while avoiding chemical reactions with crucibles by levitating a sample through Coulomb force. ELF is capable of measuring density, surface tension, and viscosity of samples at high temperatures. One of the initial ELF investigations, Interfacial Energy-1, is aimed at clarification of interfacial phenomena between molten steels and oxide melts with industrial applications in control processes for liquid mixing. In addition to these Materials Science facilities, other ISS investigations that involve levitation employ it for biological research. For example, NASA's "Magnetic 3D Culturing and Bioprinting" investigation uses magnetic levitation for three-dimensional culturing and positioning of magnetized cells to generate spheroid assemblies for biomedical applications. Levitation is also used as a modeled microgravity ground analog in the NASA OsteoOmics ISS investigation, which tests whether magnetic levitation accurately simulates microgravity conditions by studying gravitational regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast genomics and metabolism. Elucidating the cellular mechanisms of bone loss in microgravity contributes to the understanding of bone loss in medical disorders on Earth, which may lead to development of preventive or therapeutic countermeasures. Thus, the ISS state-of-the-art laboratory offers various levitation capability platforms with applications for innovative research in Materials and Life Sciences disciplines, with benefits for humanity.

Improved Position Sensor for Feedback Control of Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, Robert; Savage, Larry; Rogers, Jan

2004-01-01

An improved optoelectronic apparatus has been developed to provide the position feedback needed for controlling the levitation subsystem of a containerless-processing system. As explained, the advantage of this apparatus over prior optoelectronic apparatuses that have served this purpose stems from the use of an incandescent lamp, instead of a laser, to illuminate the levitated object. In containerless processing, a small object to be processed is levitated (e.g., by use of a microwave, low-frequency electromagnetic, electrostatic, or acoustic field) so that it is not in contact with the wall of the processing chamber or with any other solid object during processing. In the case of electrostatic or low-frequency electromagnetic levitation, real-time measurement of the displacement of the levitated object from its nominal levitation position along the vertical axis (and, in some cases, along one or two horizontal axes) is needed for feedback control of the levitating field.

Electrostatically Levitated Ring-Shaped Rotational-Gyro/Accelerometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakoshi, Takao; Endo, Yasuo; Fukatsu, Keisuke; Nakamura, Sigeru; Esashi, Masayoshi

2003-04-01

This paper reports an electrostatically levitated inertia measurement system which is based on the principle of a rotational gyro. The device has several advantages: the levitation of the rotor in a vacuum eliminates mechanical friction resulting in high sensitivity; the position control for the levitation allows accelerations to be sensed in the tri-axis; and the fabrication of the device by a micromachining technique has the cost advantages afforded by miniaturization. Latest measurements yield a noise floor of the gyro and that of the accelerometer as low as 0.15 deg/h1/2 and 30 μG/Hz1/2, respectively. This performance is achieved by a new sensor design. To further improve of the previous device, a ring-shaped structure is designed and fabricated by deep reactive ion etching using inductively coupled plasma. The rotor levitation is performed with capacitive detection and electrostatic actuation. Multiaxis closed-loop control is realized by differential capacitance sensing and frequency multiplying. The rotation of the micro gyro is based on the principle of a planar variable capacitance motor.

Electrostatic Levitation Furnace for the ISS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murakami, Keiji; Koshikawa, Naokiyo; Shibasaki, Kohichi; Ishikawa, Takehiko; Okada, Junpei; Takada, Tetsuya; Arai, Tatsuya; Fujino, Naoki; Yamaura, Yukiko

2012-01-01

JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) has just started the development of Electrostatic Levitation Furnace to be launched in 2014 for the ISS. This furnace can control the sample position with electrostatic force and heat it above 2000 degree Celsius using semiconductor laser from four different directions. The announcement of Opportunity will be issued soon for this furnace. In this paper, we will show the specifications of this furnace and also the development schedule

Optical sample-position sensing for electrostatic levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sridharan, G.; Chung, S.; Elleman, D.; Whim, W. K.

1989-01-01

A comparative study is conducted for optical position-sensing techniques applicable to micro-G conditions sample-levitation systems. CCD sensors are compared with one- and two-dimensional position detectors used in electrostatic particle levitation. In principle, the CCD camera method can be improved from current resolution levels of 200 microns through the incorporation of a higher-pixel device and more complex digital signal processor interface. Nevertheless, the one-dimensional position detectors exhibited superior, better-than-one-micron resolution.

Design of electrostatically levitated micromachined rotational gyroscope based on UV-LIGA technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Feng; Chen, Wenyuan; Su, Yufeng; Zhang, Weiping; Zhao, Xiaolin

2004-12-01

The prevailing micromachined vibratory gyroscope typically has a proof mass connected to the substrate by a mechanical suspension system, which makes it face a tough challenge to achieve tactical or inertial grade performance levels. With a levitated rotor as the proof mass, a micromachined rotational gyroscope will potentially have higher performance than vibratory gyroscope. Besides working as a moment rebalance dual-axis gyroscope, the micromachined rotational gyroscope based on a levitated rotor can simultaneously work as a force balance tri-axis accelerometer. Micromachined rotational gyroscope based on an electrostatically levitated silicon micromachined rotor has been notably developed. In this paper, factors in designing a rotational gyro/accelerometer based on an electrostatically levitated disc-like rotor, including gyroscopic action of micro rotor, methods of stable levitation, micro displacement detection and control, rotation drive and speed control, vacuum packaging and microfabrication, are comprehensively considered. Hence a design of rotational gyro/accelerometer with an electroforming nickel rotor employing low cost UV-LIGA technology is presented. In this design, a wheel-like flat rotor is proposed and its basic dimensions, diameter and thickness, are estimated according to the required loading capability. Finally, its micromachining methods based on UV-LIGA technology and assembly technology are discussed.

Molecular dynamics simulation of liquid structure for undercooled Zr-Nb alloys assisted with electrostatic levitation experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, S. J.; Hu, L.; Wang, L.; Wei, B.

2018-06-01

The liquid structures of undercooled Zr90Nb10, Zr70Nb30 and Zr50Nb50 alloys were studied by molecular dynamics simulation combined with electrostatic levitation experiments. The densities of three alloys were measured by electrostatic levitation to modify the Zr-Nb potential functions by adjusting parameters in potential functions. In simulation, the atomic packing in Zr-Nb alloys was more ordered at lower temperatures. The Voronoi tessellation analyses indicated Nb-centered clusters were easier to form than Zr-centered clusters although the Nb content was less than 50%. The partial pair distribution functions showed that the interactions among Zr atoms are quite different to that among Nb atoms.

Electrostatic levitation technology for thermophysical properties of molten materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu

1993-01-01

Measurements of thermophysical properties of undercooled liquids often require some kind of levitator which isolates samples from container walls. We introduce in this presentation a high temperature/high vacuum electrostatic levitator (HTHVESL) which promises some unique capabilities for the studies of thermophysical properties of molten materials. Although substantial progress has been made in the past several months, this technology is still in the development stage, therefore, in this presentation we only focus on the present state of the HTHVESL(1) and point out other capabilities which might be realized in the near future.

Noncontact technique for measuring the electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of electrostatically levitated melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rustan, G. E.; Spyrison, N. S.; Kreyssig, A.; Prozorov, R.; Goldman, A. I.

2012-02-01

Over the last two decades the popularity of levitation methods for studying equilibrium and supercooled melts has increased steadily. Measurements of density, viscosity, surface tension, and atomic structure have become well established. In contrast, measurements of electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of levitated melts have been very limited. To fill this void, we have combined the tunnel diode oscillator (TDO) technique with electrostatic levitation (ESL) to perform inductively coupled measurements on levitated melts. A description of the basic operating principles of the TDO and ESL will be given, as well as a description of the implementation and performance characteristics of this technique. Preliminary measurements of electrical resistivity in the solid and liquid state will be presented for samples of Zr, Si, and Ge, as well as the measurements of ferromagnetic transitions in Fe and Co based alloys.

Laser Induced Rotation of a Levitated Sample in Vacuum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, W. K.; Paradis, P. F.

1999-01-01

A method of systematically controlling the rotational state of a sample levitated in a high vacuum using the photon pressure is described. A zirconium sphere was levitated in the high-temperature electrostatic levitator and it was rotated by irradiating it with a narrow beam of a high power laser on a spot off the center of mass.

The Japanese containerless experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Azuma, Hisao

1990-01-01

There are three sets of Japanese containerless experiments. The first is Drop dynamics research. It consists of acoustic levitation and large amplitude drop oscillation. The second is Optical materials processing in an acoustic levitation furnace. And the third is Electrostatic levitator development by two different Japanese companies.

Development of a Tunnel Diode Resonator technique for magnetic measurements in Electrostatic Levitation chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spyrison, N. S.; Prommapan, P.; Kim, H.; Maloney, J.; Rustan, G. E.; Kreyssig, A.; Goldman, A. I.; Prozorov, R.

2011-03-01

The incorporation of the Tunnel Diode Resonator (TDR) technique into an ElectroStatic Levitation (ESL) apparatus was explored. The TDR technique is known to operate and behave well at low temperatures with careful attention to coil-sample positioning in a dark, shielded environment. With these specifications a frequency resolution of 10-9 in a few seconds counting time can be achieved. Complications arise when this technique is applied in the ESL chamber where a sample of molten metal is levitating less then 10 mm from the coil in a large electrostatic field. We have tested a variety of coils unconventional to TDR; including Helmholtz pairs and Archimedean spiral coils. Work was supported by the Nation Science Foundation under grant DMR-08-17157

NASA MSFC Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) Rapid Quench System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Craven, Paul D.

2014-01-01

Electrostatic levitation, a form of containerless processing, is an important tool in materials research. Levitated specimens are free from contact with a container; therefore, heterogeneous nucleation on container walls is not possible. This allows studies of deeply undercooled melts. Furthermore, studies of high-temperature, highly reactive materials are also possible. Studies of the solidification and crystallization of undercooled melts is vital to the understanding of microstructure development, particularly the formation of alloys with unique properties by rapid solidification. The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) lab has recently been upgraded to allow for rapid quenching of levitated materials. The ESL Rapid Quench System uses a small crucible-like vessel that can be partially filled with a low melting point material, such as a Gallium alloy, as a quench medium. An undercooled sample can be dropped into the vessel to rapidly quench the sample. A carousel with nine vessels sits below the bottom electrode assembly. This system allows up to nine rapid quenches before having to break vacuum and remove the vessels. This new Rapid Quench System will allow materials science studies of undercooled materials and new materials development. In this presentation, the system is described and initial results are presented.

Solidification kinetics of a Cu-Zr alloy: ground-based and microgravity experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galenko, P. K.; Hanke, R.; Paul, P.; Koch, S.; Rettenmayr, M.; Gegner, J.; Herlach, D. M.; Dreier, W.; Kharanzhevski, E. V.

2017-04-01

Experimental and theoretical results obtained in the MULTIPHAS-project (ESA-European Space Agency and DLR-German Aerospace Center) are critically discussed regarding solidification kinetics of congruently melting and glass forming Cu50Zr50 alloy samples. The samples are investigated during solidification using a containerless technique in the Electromagnetic Levitation Facility [1]. Applying elaborated methodologies for ground-based and microgravity experimental investigations [2], the kinetics of primary dendritic solidification is quantitatively evaluated. Electromagnetic Levitator in microgravity (parabolic flights and on board of the International Space Station) and Electrostatic Levitator on Ground are employed. The solidification kinetics is determined using a high-speed camera and applying two evaluation methods: “Frame by Frame” (FFM) and “First Frame - Last Frame” (FLM). In the theoretical interpretation of the solidification experiments, special attention is given to the behavior of the cluster structure in Cu50Zr50 samples with the increase of undercooling. Experimental results on solidification kinetics are interpreted using a theoretical model of diffusion controlled dendrite growth.

Physical properties of molten core materials: Zr-Ni and Zr-Cr alloys measured by electrostatic levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohishi, Yuji; Kondo, Toshiki; Ishikawa, Takehiko; Okada, Junpei T.; Watanabe, Yuki; Muta, Hiroaki; Kurosaki, Ken; Yamanaka, Shinsuke

2017-03-01

It is important to understand the behaviors of molten core materials to investigate the progression of a core meltdown accident. In the early stages of bundle degradation, low-melting-temperature liquid phases are expected to form via the eutectic reaction between Zircaloy and stainless steel. The main component of Zircaloy is Zr and those of stainless steel are Fe, Ni, and Cr. Our group has previously reported physical property data such as viscosity, density, and surface tension for Zr-Fe liquid alloys using an electrostatic levitation technique. In this study, we report the viscosity, density, and surface tension of Zr-Ni and Zr-Cr liquid alloys (Zr1-xNix (x = 0.12 and 0.24) and Zr0.77Cr0.23) using the electrostatic levitation technique.

Noncontact surface tension and viscosity measurements of molten oxides with a pressurized hybrid electrostatic-aerodynamic levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishikawa, Takehiko; Yu, Jianding; Paradis, Paul-François

2006-05-01

In order to measure the surface tension and the viscosity of molten oxides, the oscillation drop technique has been applied on a pressurized hybrid electrostatic-aerodynamic levitator. To suppress the electrical discharge between the top and bottom electrodes, the drop excitation method which has been used with high vacuum electrostatic levitators has been modified. As a demonstration, the surface tension and viscosity of liquid BaTiO3 were measured using this new method. Over the 1500-2000K interval, the surface tension was measured as γ(T )=349-0.03 (T-Tm) (10-3N/m), where Tm=1893K is the melting temperature. Similarly, the viscosity was determined as η(T )=0.53exp[5.35×104/(RT)](10-3Pas) over the same temperature interval.

In situ Investigation of Magnetism in Metastable Phases of Levitated Fe83 B17 During Solidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quirinale, D. G.; Messina, D.; Rustan, G. E.; Kreyssig, A.; Prozorov, R.; Goldman, A. I.

2017-11-01

In situ measurements of structure, density, and magnetization on samples of Fe83 B17 using an electrostatic levitation furnace allow us to identify and correlate the magnetic and structural transitions in this system during its complex solidification process. In particular, we identify magnetic ordering in the metastable Fe23 B6 /fcc Fe coherently grown structures and primitive tetragonal Fe3 B metastable phase in addition to characterizing the equilibrium Fe2 B phase. Our measurements demonstrate that the incorporation of a tunnel-diode oscillator circuit within an electrostatic levitation furnace enables investigations of the physical properties of high-temperature metastable structures.

Submersion Quenching of Undercooled Liquid Metals in an Electrostatic Levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Rogers, Jan R.

2016-01-01

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory has a long history of providing materials research and thermophysical property data. The laboratory has recently added a new capability, a rapid quench system. This system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals and alloys. This is the first submersion quench system inside an electrostatic levitator. The system has been tested successfully with samples of zirconium, iron-cobalt alloys, titanium-zirconium-nickel alloys, and silicon-cobalt alloys. This rapid quench system will allow materials science studies of undercooled materials and new materials development, including studies of metastable phases and transient microstructures. In this presentation, the system is described and some initial results are presented.

A new, simple electrostatic-acoustic hybrid levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lierke, E. G.; Loeb, H.; Gross, D.

1990-01-01

Battelle has developed a hybrid levitator by combining the known single-axis acoustic standing wave levitator with a coaxial DC electric field. The resulting Coulomb forces on the charged liquid or solid sample support its weight and, together with the acoustic force, center the sample. Liquid samples with volumes approximately less than 100 micro-liters are deployed from a syringe reservoir into the acoustic pressure node. The sample is charged using a miniature high voltage power supply (approximately less than 20 kV) connected to the syringe needle. As the electric field, generated by a second miniature power supply, is increased, the acoustic intensity is reduced. The combination of both fields allows stable levitation of samples larger than either single technique could position on the ground. Decreasing the acoustic intensity reduces acoustic convection and sample deformation. Neither the electrostatic nor the acoustic field requires sample position sensing or active control. The levitator, now used for static and dynamic fluid physics investigations on the ground, can be easily modified for space operations.

In situ Investigation of Magnetism in Metastable Phases of Levitated Fe 83 B 17 During Solidification

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Quirinale, D. G.; Messina, D.; Rustan, G. E.

In situ measurements of structure, density, and magnetization on samples of Fe 83 B 17 using an electrostatic levitation furnace allow us to identify and correlate the magnetic and structural transitions in this system during its complex solidification process. In particular, we identify magnetic ordering in the metastable Fe 23 B 6 / fcc Fe coherently grown structures and primitive tetragonal Fe 3 B metastable phase in addition to characterizing the equilibrium Fe 2 B phase. Our measurements demonstrate that the incorporation of a tunnel-diode oscillator circuit within an electrostatic levitation furnace enables investigations of the physical properties of high-temperaturemore » metastable structures.« less

Materials Science

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-09-30

Dr. Jan Rogers, project scientist for the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center(MSFC). The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an obejct (about 2-3 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber while a laser heats the sample until it melts. This lets scientists record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contacting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. The Electrostatic Levitator is one of several tools used in NASA's microgravity materials sciences program.

Thermophysical Properties Measurements of Zr62Cu20Al10Ni8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bradshaw, Richard C.; Waren, Mary; Rogers, Jan R.; Rathz, Thomas J.; Gangopadhyay, Anup K.; Kelton, Ken F.; Hyers, Robert W.

2006-01-01

Thermophysical property studies performed at high temperature can prove challenging because of reactivity problems brought on by the elevated temperatures. Contaminants from measuring devices and container walls can cause changes in properties. To prevent this, containerless processing techniques can be employed to isolate a sample during study. A common method used for this is levitation. Typical levitation methods used for containerless processing are, aerodynamically, electromagnetically and electrostatically based. All levitation methods reduce heterogeneous nucleation sites, 'which in turn provide access to metastable undercooled phases. In particular, electrostatic levitation is appealing because sample motion and stirring are minimized; and by combining it with optically based non-contact measuring techniques, many thermophysical properties can be measured. Applying some of these techniques, surface tension, viscosity and density have been measured for the glass forming alloy Zr62Cu20Al10Ni8 and will be presented with a brief overview of the non-contact measuring method used.

Solution electrostatic levitator for measuring surface properties and bulk structures of an extremely supersaturated solution drop above metastable zone width limit.

PubMed

Lee, Sooheyong; Jo, Wonhyuk; Cho, Yong Chan; Lee, Hyun Hwi; Lee, Geun Woo

2017-05-01

We report on the first integrated apparatus for measuring surface and thermophysical properties and bulk structures of a highly supersaturated solution by combining electrostatic levitation with real-time laser/x-ray scattering. Even today, a proper characterization of supersaturated solutions far above their solubility limits is extremely challenging because heterogeneous nucleation sites such as container walls or impurities readily initiate crystallization before the measurements can be performed. In this work, we demonstrate simultaneous measurements of drying kinetics and surface tension of a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH 2 PO 4 ) aqueous solution droplet and its bulk structural evolution beyond the metastable zone width limit. Our experimental finding shows that the noticeable changes of the surface properties are accompanied by polymerizations of hydrated monomer clusters. The novel electrostatic levitation apparatus presented here provides an effective means for studying a wide range of highly concentrated solutions and liquids in deep metastable states.

Non-contact Creep Resistance Measurement for Ultra-High Temperature Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, J.; Bradshaw, C.; Rogers, J. R.; Rathz, T. J.; Wall, J. J.; Choo, H.; Liaw, P. K.; Hyers, R. W.

2005-01-01

Conventional techniques for measuring creep are limited to about 1700 C, so a new technique is required for higher temperatures. This technique is based on electrostatic levitation (ESL) of a spherical sample, which is rotated quickly enough to cause creep deformation by centrifugal acceleration. Creep of samples has been demonstrated at up to 2300 C in the ESL facility at NASA MSFC, while ESL itself has been applied at over 3000 C, and has no theoretical maximum temperature. The preliminary results and future directions of this NASA-funded research collaboration will be presented.

Containerless protein crystal growth method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu; Chung, Sang K.

1991-01-01

A method of growing protein crystals from levitated drops is introduced and unique features of containerless approach in 1-g and micro-G laboratories are discussed. Electrostatic multidrop levitation system which is capable of simultaneous four drop levitation is described. A method of controlling protein saturation level in a programmed way is introduced and discussed. Finally, some of the unique features of containerless approach of protein crystal growth in space are discussed and summarized.

Experiments Using a Ground-Based Electrostatic Levitator and Numerical Modeling of Melt Convection for the Iron-Cobalt System in Support of Space Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jonghyun; SanSoucie, Michael P.

2017-08-01

Materials research is being conducted using an electromagnetic levitator installed in the International Space Station. Various metallic alloys were tested to elucidate unknown links among the structures, processes, and properties. To accomplish the mission of these space experiments, several ground-based activities have been carried out. This article presents some of our ground-based supporting experiments and numerical modeling efforts. Mass evaporation of Fe50Co50, one of flight compositions, was predicted numerically and validated by the tests using an electrostatic levitator (ESL). The density of various compositions within the Fe-Co system was measured with ESL. These results are being served as reference data for the space experiments. The convection inside a electromagnetically-levitated droplet was also modeled to predict the flow status, shear rate, and convection velocity under various process parameters, which is essential information for designing and analyzing the space experiments of some flight compositions influenced by convection.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-09-30

Dr. Rulison of Space System LORAl working with the Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) prior to the donation. Space System/LORAL donated the electrostatic containerless processing system to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The official hand over took place in July 1998.

Dynamics of Oscillating and Rotating Liquid Drop using Electrostatic Levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsumoto, Satoshi; Awazu, Shigeru; Abe, Yutaka; Watanabe, Tadashi; Nishinari, Katsuhiro; Yoda, Shinichi

2006-11-01

In order to understand the nonlinear behavior of liquid drop with oscillatory and/or rotational motions, an experimental study was performed. The electrostatic levitator was employed to achieve liquid drop formation on ground. A liquid drop with about 3 mm in diameter was levitated. The oscillation of mode n=2 along the vertical axis was induced by an external electrostatic force. The oscillatory motions were observed to clarify the nonlinearities of oscillatory behavior. A relationship between amplitude and frequency shift was made clear and the effect of frequency shift on amplitude agreed well with the theory. The frequency shift became larger with increasing the amplitude of oscillation. To confirm the nonlinear effects, we modeled the oscillation by employing the mass-spring-damper system included the nonlinear term. The result indicates that the large-amplitude oscillation includes the effect of nonlinear oscillation. The sound pressure was imposed to rotate the liquid drop along a vertical axis by using a pair of acoustic transducers. The drop transited to the two lobed shape due to centrifugal force when nondimensional angular velocity exceeded to 0.58.

Prediction of Mass Evaporation of During Measurements of Thermophysical Properties Using an Electrostatic Levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J.; Matson, D. M.

2014-10-01

This paper describes the prediction of mass evaporation of at% alloys during thermophysical property measurements using the electrostatic levitator at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, AL. The final mass, final composition, and activity of individual component are considered in the calculation of mass evaporation. The predicted reduction in mass and variation in composition are validated with six ESL samples which underwent different thermal cycles. The predicted mass evaporation and composition shift show good agreement with experiments with the maximum relative errors of 4.8 % and 1.7 %, respectively.

Appearance of metastable B2 phase during solidification of Ni 50 Zr 50 alloy: electrostatic levitation and molecular dynamics simulation studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Quirinale, D. G.; Rustan, G. E.; Wilson, S. R.

2015-02-04

High-energy x-ray diffraction measurements of undercooled, electrostatically levitated Ni 50Zr 50 liquid droplets were performed. The observed solidification pathway proceeded through the nucleation and growth of the metastable B2 phase, which persisted for several seconds before the rapid appearance of the stable B33 phase. This sequence is shown to be consistent with predictions from classical nucleation theory using data obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A plausible mechanism for the B2–B33 transformation is proposed and investigated through further MD simulations.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-09-30

Optical ports ring the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) vacuum chamber to admit light from the heating laser (beam passes through the window at left), positioning lasers (one port is at center), and lamps to allow diagnostic instruments to view the sample. The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an object (about 2-3 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber while a laser heats the sample until it melts. This lets scientists record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contacting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. The Electrostatic Levitator is one of several tools used in NASA's microgravity materials science program.

Dielectric-Particle Injector For Processing Of Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leung, Philip L.; Gabriel, Stephen B.

1992-01-01

Device generates electrically charged particles of solid, or droplets of liquid, fabricated from dielectric material and projects them electrostatically, possibly injecting them into electrostatic-levitation chamber for containerless processing. Dielectric-particle or -droplet injector charges dielectric particles or droplets on zinc plate with photo-electrons generated by ultraviolet illumination, then ejects charged particles or droplets electrostatically from plate.

Containerless protein crystal growth technology: Electrostatic multidrop positioner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu

1990-01-01

A brief discussion of containerless protein crystal growth in space and a diagram of the electrostatic multidrop positioner are presented. A picture of lysome crystals growing in a drop and a graph of levitation voltage versus time (minutes) are also presented.

Small-amplitude oscillations of electrostatically levitated drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, J. Q.; Beard, K. V.

1990-07-01

The nature of axisymmetric oscillations of electrostatically levitated drops is examined using an analytical method of multiple-parameter perturbations. The solution for the quiescent equilibrium shape exhibits both stretching of the drop surface along the direction of the externally applied electric field and asymmetry about the drop's equatorial plane. In the presence of electric and gravitational fields, small-amplitude oscillations of charged drops differ from the linear modes first analyzed by Rayleigh. The oscillatory response at each frequency consists of several Legendre polynomials rather than just one, and the characteristic frequency for each axisymmetric mode decreases from that calculated by Rayleigh as the electric field strength increases. This lowering of the characteristic frequencies is enhanced by the net electric charge required for levitation against gravity. Since the contributions of the various forces appear explicitly in the analytic solutions, physical insight is readily gained into their causative role in drop behavior.

Angular trapping of anisometric nano-objects in a fluid.

PubMed

Celebrano, Michele; Rosman, Christina; Sönnichsen, Carsten; Krishnan, Madhavi

2012-11-14

We demonstrate the ability to trap, levitate, and orient single anisometric nanoscale objects with high angular precision in a fluid. An electrostatic fluidic trap confines a spherical object at a spatial location defined by the minimum of the electrostatic system free energy. For an anisometric object and a potential well lacking angular symmetry, the system free energy can further strongly depend on the object's orientation in the trap. Engineering the morphology of the trap thus enables precise spatial and angular confinement of a single levitating nano-object, and the process can be massively parallelized. Since the physics of the trap depends strongly on the surface charge of the object, the method is insensitive to the object's dielectric function. Furthermore, levitation of the assembled objects renders them amenable to individual manipulation using externally applied optical, electrical, or hydrodynamic fields, raising prospects for reconfigurable chip-based nano-object assemblies.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-09-30

Optical prots ring the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) vacuum chamber to admit light from the heating laser (the beam passes through the window at left), poisitioning lasers (one port is at center), and lamps (such as the deuterium arc lamp at right), and to allow diagnostic instruments to view the sample. The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an object (about 2-3 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber while a laser heats the sample until it melts. This lets scientists record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contacting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. The Electrostatic Levitator is one of several tools used in NASA's microgravity materials science program.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-09-30

Optical prots ring the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) vacuum chamber to admit light from the heating laser (the beam passes through the window at left), poisitioning lasers (one port is at center), and lamps (arc lamp at right), and to allow diagnostic instruments to view the sample. The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an object (about 2-3 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber while a laser heats the sample until it melts. This lets scientists record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contacting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. The Electrostatic Levitator is one of several tools used in NASA's microgravity materials science program.

Reduced-Gravity Measurements of the Effect of Oxygen on Properties of Zirconium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhao, J.; Lee, J.; Wunderlich, R.; Fecht, H.-J.; Schneider, S.; SanSoucie, M.; Rogers, J.; Hyers, R.

2016-01-01

The influence of oxygen on the thermophysical properties of zirconium is being investigated using MSL-EML (Material Science Laboratory - Electromagnetic Levitator) on ISS (International Space Station) in collaboration with NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and DLR (German Aerospace Center). Zirconium samples with different oxygen concentrations will be put into multiple melt cycles, during which the density, viscosity, surface tension, heat capacity, and electric conductivity will be measured at various undercooled temperatures. The facility check-up of MSL-EML and the first set of melting experiments have been successfully performed in 2015. The first zirconium sample will be tested near the end of 2015. As part of ground support activities, the thermophysical properties of zirconium and ZrO were measured using a ground-based electrostatic levitator located at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The influence of oxygen on the measured surface tension was evaluated. The results of this research will serve as reference data for those measured in ISS.

Electrostatic Levitation of Lunar Dust: Preliminary Experimental Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshall, J.; Davis, S.; Laub, J.

2007-12-01

A lunar dust laboratory has been established in the Space Science Division at NASA Ames to evaluate fundamental electrostatic processes at the Moon's surface. Photoelectric charging, triboelectric charging, and interactions of these processes are investigated for dust-size materials. An electric field simulating the solar- plasma induced E-field of the lunar surface has been created with parallel charged capacitance plates. The field is linear, but field-shaping to create lunar-like exponentially decaying E-fields will be conducted in the near future. Preliminary tests of dust tribocharging have been conducted using a vibrating base plate within the electric field and have produced electrostatic levitation of 1.6 micron diameter silicate particles. We were able to achieve levitation in a modest vacuum environment (1.7 Torr) with the particles charged to approximately 15 percent of the Gaussian limit (defined as 2.64 E-5 C/m-2 for atmospheric air) at a threshold field strength of 2250 V/m. This charging corresponds to only a few hundred (negative) charges per particle; the field strength drops to 375 V/m when gravitationally scaled for the Moon, while dust tribocharging to greater than 100 percent of the Gaussian limit would be possible in the ultra high vacuum environment on the Moon and result in even lower threshold field strengths. We conclude therefore, that anthropogenic disturbance of lunar dust (as a result of NASA's proposed base construction, mining, vehicle motion, etc) could potentially pollute the lunar environment with levitated dust and severely impair scientific experiments requiring a pristine lunar exosphere.

Measurement and Control of Oxygen Partial Pressure in an Electrostatic Levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Rogers, Jan R.

2014-01-01

Recently the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory has been upgraded to include an oxygen control system. This system allows the oxygen partial pressure within the vacuum chamber to be measured and controlled, at elevated temperatures, theoretically in the range from 10(exp -36) to 10(exp 0) bar. The role of active surface agents in liquid metals is fairly well known; however, published surface tension data typically has large scatter, which has been hypothesized to be caused by the presence of oxygen. The surface tension of metals is affected by even a small amount of adsorption of oxygen. It has even been shown that oxygen partial pressures may need to be as low as 10(exp -24) bar to avoid oxidation. While electrostatic levitation is done under high vacuum, oxide films or dissolved oxygen may have significant effects on materials properties, such as surface tension and viscosity. Therefore, the ability to measure and control the oxygen partial pressure within the chamber is highly desirable. The oxygen control system installed at MSFC contains a potentiometric sensor, which measures the oxygen partial pressure, and an oxygen ion pump. In the pump, a pulse-width modulated electric current is applied to yttrium-stabilized zirconia, resulting in oxygen transfer into or out of the system. Also part of the system is a control unit, which consists of temperature controllers for the sensor and pump, PID-based current loop for the ion pump, and a control algorithm. This system can be used to study the effects of oxygen on the thermophysical properties of metals, ceramics, glasses, and alloys. It can also be used to provide more accurate measurements by processing the samples at very low oxygen partial pressures. The oxygen control system will be explained in more detail and an overview of its use and limitations in an electrostatic levitator will be described. Some preliminary measurements have been made, and the results to date will be provided.

Large charged drop levitation against gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu; Chung, Sang Kun; Hyson, Michael T.; Trinh, Eugene H.; Elleman, Daniel D.

1987-01-01

A hybrid electrostatic-acoustic levitator that can levitate and manipulate a large liquid drop in one gravity is presented. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time such large drops (up to 4 mm in diameter in the case of water) have been levitated against 1-gravity. This makes possible, for the first time, many new experiments both in space and in ground-based laboratories, such as 1)supercooling and superheating, 2) containerless crystal growth from various salt solutions or melts, 3) drop dynamics of oscillating or rotating liquid drops, 4) drop evaporation and Rayleigh bursting, and 5) containerless material processing in space. The digital control system, liquid drop launch process, principles of electrode design, and design of a multipurpose room temperature levitation chamber are described. Preliminary results that demonstrate drop oscillation and rotation, and crystal growth from supersaturated salt solutions are presented.

Parameters of a collisional radio-frequency sheath and dust characteristics resulting from the microparticle levitation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yaroshenko, V. V.; Antonova, T.; Thomas, H. M.

2009-10-15

The screening length, the time-average electric field, and the particle charge as well as the local vertical gradients of these quantities are determined experimentally within a sheath of a capacitively coupled rf, 13.56 MHz, discharge at enhanced argon gas pressures of 30, 55, and 100 Pa. The parameters are derived directly from comparative measurements of levitation positions of the particles of different sizes and variations in the levitation heights caused by formation of new dust layers. The electrostatic effect of the horizontally extended dust layers on the sheath electric field is investigated.

Plasma heating for containerless and microgravity materials processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leung, Emily W. (Inventor); Man, Kin F. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A method for plasma heating of levitated samples to be used in containerless microgravity processing is disclosed. A sample is levitated by electrostatic, electromagnetic, aerodynamic, or acoustic systems, as is appropriate for the physical properties of the particular sample. The sample is heated by a plasma torch at atmospheric pressure. A ground plate is provided to help direct the plasma towards the sample. In addition, Helmholtz coils are provided to produce a magnetic field that can be used to spiral the plasma around the sample. The plasma heating system is oriented such that it does not interfere with the levitation system.

Design and validation of a high-voltage levitation circuit for electrostatic accelerometers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, G.; Wu, S. C.; Zhou, Z. B.

2013-12-15

A simple high-voltage circuit with a voltage range of 0 to 900 V and an open-loop bandwidth of 11 kHz is realized by using an operational amplifier and a MOSFET combination. The circuit is used for the levitation of a test mass of 71 g, suspended below the top-electrodes with a gap distance of 57 μm, so that the performance of an electrostatic accelerometer can be tested on the ground. The translation noise of the accelerometer, limited by seismic noise, is about 4 × 10{sup −8} m/s{sup 2}/Hz{sup 1/2} at 0.1 Hz, while the high-voltage coupling noise is one-order ofmore » magnitude lower.« less

Improved Creep Measurements for Ultra-High Temperature Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, Robert W.; Ye, X.; Rogers, Jan R.

2010-01-01

Our team has developed a novel approach to measuring creep at extremely high temperatures using electrostatic levitation (ESL). This method has been demonstrated on niobium up to 2300 C, while ESL has melted tungsten (3400 C). This method has been extended to lower temperatures and higher stresses and applied to new materials, including a niobium-based superalloy, MASC. High-precision machined spheres of the sample are levitated in the NASA MSFC ESL, a national user facility and heated with a laser. The samples are rotated with an induction motor at up to 30,000 revolutions per second. The rapid rotation loads the sample through centripetal acceleration, producing a shear stress of about 60 MPa at the center, causing the sample to deform. The deformation of the sample is captured on high-speed video, which is analyzed by machine-vision software from the University of Massachusetts. The deformations are compared to finite element models to determine the constitutive constants in the creep relation. Furthermore, the non-contact method exploits stress gradients within the sample to determine the stress exponent in a single test.

Correlation of the fragility of metallic liquids with the high temperature structure, volume, and cohesive energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gangopadhyay, A. K.; Pueblo, C. E.; Dai, R.; Johnson, M. L.; Ashcraft, R.; Van Hoesen, D.; Sellers, M.; Kelton, K. F.

2017-04-01

The thermal expansion coefficients, structure factors, and viscosities of twenty-five equilibrium and supercooled metallic liquids have been measured using an electrostatic levitation (ESL) facility. The structure factor was measured at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne, using the ESL. A clear connection between liquid fragility and structural and volumetric changes at high temperatures is established; the observed changes are larger for the more fragile liquids. It is also demonstrated that the fragility of metallic liquids is determined to a large extent by the cohesive energy and is, therefore, predictable. These results are expected to provide useful guidance in the future design of metallic glasses.

Laboratory Measurements of Charging of Apollo 17 Lunar Dust Grains by Low Energy Electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, Mian M.; Tankosic, Dragana; Spann, James F.; Dube, Michael J.; Gaskin, Jessica

2007-01-01

It is well recognized that the charging properties of individual micron/sub-micron size dust grains by various processes are expected to be substantially different from the currently available measurements made on bulk materials. Solar UV radiation and the solar wind plasma charge micron size dust grains on the lunar surface with virtually no atmosphere. The electrostatically charged dust grains are believed to be levitated and transported long distances over the lunar terminator from the day to the night side. The current models do not fully explain the lunar dust phenomena and laboratory measurements are needed to experimentally determine the charging properties of lunar dust grains. An experimental facility has been developed in the Dusty Plasma Laboratory at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center MSFC for investigating the charging properties of individual micron/sub-micron size positively or negatively charged dust grains by levitating them in an electrodynamic balance in simulated space environments. In this paper, we present laboratory measurements on charging of Apollo 17 individual lunar dust grains by low energy electron beams in the 5-100 eV energy range. The measurements are made by levitating Apollo 17 dust grains of 0.2 to 10 micrometer diameters, in an electrodynamic balance and exposing them to mono-energetic electron beams. The charging rates and the equilibrium potentials produced by direct electron impact and by secondary electron emission processes are discussed.

Electrostatic stabilizer for a passive magnetic bearing system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Post, Richard F

2016-10-11

Electrostatic stabilizers are provided for passive bearing systems composed of annular magnets having a net positive stiffness against radial displacements and that have a negative stiffness for vertical displacements, resulting in a vertical instability. Further embodiments are shown of a radial electrostatic stabilizer geometry (using circuitry similar to that employed in the vertical stabilizer). This version is suitable for stabilizing radial (lateral) displacements of a rotor that is levitated by annular permanent magnets that are stable against vertical displacements but are unstable against radial displacements.

Electrostatic stabilizer for a passive magnetic bearing system

DOEpatents

Post, Richard F.

2015-11-24

Electrostatic stabilizers are provided for passive bearing systems composed of annular magnets having a net positive stiffness against radial displacements and that have a negative stiffness for vertical displacements, resulting in a vertical instability. Further embodiments are shown of a radial electrostatic stabilizer geometry (using circuitry similar to that employed in the vertical stabilizer). This version is suitable for stabilizing radial (lateral) displacements of a rotor that is levitated by annular permanent magnets that are stable against vertical displacements but are unstable against radial displacements.

Effect of atomic size on undercoolability of binary solid solution alloy liquids with Zr, Ti, and Hf using electrostatic levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeon, S.; Kang, D.-H.; Lee, Y. H.; Lee, S.; Lee, G. W.

2016-11-01

We investigate the relationship between the excess volume and undercoolability of Zr-Ti and Zr-Hf alloy liquids by using electrostatic levitation. Unlike in the case of Zr-Hf alloy liquids in which sizes of the constituent atoms are matched, a remarkable increase of undercoolability and negative excess volumes are observed in Zr-Ti alloy liquids as a function of their compositional ratios. In this work, size mismatch entropies for the liquids were obtained by calculating their hard sphere diameters, number densities, and packing fractions. We also show that the size mismatch entropy, which arises from the differences in atomic sizes of the constituent elements, plays an important role in determining the stabilities of metallic liquids.

The effect of dust charge variation, due to ion flow and electron depletion, on dust levitation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Land, Victor; Douglass, Angela; Qiao Ke

2011-11-29

Using a fluid model, the plasma densities, electron temperature and ion Mach number in front of a powered electrode in different plasma discharges is computed. The dust charge is computed using OML theory for Maxwellian electrons and ions distributed according to a shifted-Maxwellian. By assuming force balance between gravity and the electrostatic force, the dust levitation height is obtained. The importance of the dust charge variation is investigated.

Titanium-Zirconium-Nickel Alloy Inside Marshall's Electrostatic Levitator (ESL)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

This is a close-up of a sample of titanium-zirconium-nickel alloy inside the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) vacuum chamber at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an object (about 3-4 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber allowing scientists to record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contracting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. Once inside the chamber, a laser heats the sample until it melts. The laser is then turned off and the sample cools, changing from a liquid drop to a solid sphere. Since 1977, the ESL has been used at MSFC to study the characteristics of new metals, ceramics, and glass compounds. Materials created as a result of these tests include new optical materials, special metallic glasses, and spacecraft components.

Acoustic Streaming in Microgravity: Flow Stability and Heat Transfer Enhancement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.

1999-01-01

Experimental results are presented for drops and bubbles levitated in a liquid host, with particular attention given to the effect of shape oscillations and capillary waves on the local flow fields. Some preliminary results are also presented on the use of streaming flows for the control of evaporation rate and rotation of electrostatically levitated droplets in 1 g. The results demonstrate the potential for the technological application of acoustic methods to active control of forced convection in microgravity.

(abstract) Undercooling Studies of the Bulk Metallic Glass Forming Zr(sub 41.2)Ti(sub 13.8)Cu(sub 12.5)Ni(sub 10.0)Be(sub 22.5) Alloy During Containerless Electrostatic Levitation Processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Y. J.; Busch, R.; Johnson, W. L.; Rulison, A. J.; Rhim, W. K.

1995-01-01

Bulk glass forming metallic alloys have long been desired for technological applications and for investigation into liquid undercooling, solidification processes, and thermophysical properties. A glass forming alloy Zr(sub 41.2)Ti(sub 13.8)Cu(sub 12.5)Ni(sub 10.0)Be(sub 22.5) was used to investigate the thermal treatments affecting undercooling and vitrification. The experiments were performed using the high temperature high vacuum electrostatic levitator at JPL. A sample approximately 3 mm in diameter was melted, superheated, undercooled, and solidified while levitated in high vacuum. The results show that when the sample was held above its melting temperature for a sufficient period of time to dissolve oxides and then cooled faster than a critical cooling rate, it undercooled to the glass transition temperature, T(sub g), and formed a glassy alloy. The required critical cooling rate for metallic glass formation was obtained to be between 0.9 K per second and 1.2 K per second for the 42.4 mg sample.

Advanced Measurement Devices for the Microgravity Electromagnetic Levitation Facility EML

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brillo, Jurgen; Fritze, Holger; Lohofer, Georg; Schulz, Michal; Stenzel, Christian

2012-01-01

This paper reports on two advanced measurement devices for the microgravity electromagnetic levitation facility (EML), which is currently under construction for the use onboard the "International Space Station (ISS)": the "Sample Coupling Electronics (SCE)" and the "Oxygen Sensing and Control Unit (OSC)". The SCE measures by a contactless, inductive method the electrical resistivity and the diameter of a spherical levitated metallic droplet by evaluating the voltage and electrical current applied to the levitation coil. The necessity of the OSC comes from the insight that properties like surface tension or, eventually, viscosity cannot seriously be determined by the oscillating drop method in the EML facility without knowing the conditions of the surrounding atmosphere. In the following both measurement devices are explained and laboratory test results are presented.

Titanium-Zirconium-Nickel Alloy Inside Marshall's Electrostatic Levitator (ESL)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

This Photo, which appeared on the July cover of `Physics Today', is of the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an object (about 3-4 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber allowing scientists to record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contracting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. Once inside the chamber, a laser heats the sample until it melts. The laser is then turned off and the sample cools, changing from a liquid drop to a solid sphere. In this particular shot, the ESL contains a solid metal sample of titanium-zirconium-nickel alloy. Since 1977, the ESL has been used at MSFC to study the characteristics of new metals, ceramics, and glass compounds. Materials created as a result of these tests include new optical materials, special metallic glasses, and spacecraft components.

Noncontact technique for measuring the electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of electrostatically levitated materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rustan, G. E.; Spyrison, N. S.; Kreyssig, A.; Prozorov, R.; Goldman, A. I.

2012-10-01

We describe the development of a new method for measuring the electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility of high temperature liquids and solids. The technique combines a tunnel diode oscillator with an electrostatic levitation furnace to perform noncontact measurements on spherical samples 2-3 mm in diameter. The tank circuit of the oscillator is inductively coupled to the sample, and measurements of the oscillator frequency as a function of sample temperature can be translated into changes in the sample's electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility. Particular emphasis is given on the need to improve the positional stability of the levitated samples, as well as the need to stabilize the temperature of the measurement coil. To demonstrate the validity of the technique, measurements have been performed on solid spheres of pure zirconium and low-carbon steel. In the case of zirconium, while absolute values of the resistivity were not determined, the temperature dependence of the resistivity was measured over the range of 640-1770 K and found to be in good agreement with literature data. In the case of low-carbon steel, the ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition was clearly observable and, when combined with thermal data, appears to occur simultaneously with the solid-solid structural transition.

Advances in Non-contact Measurement of Creep Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, Robert W.; Canepari, Stacy; Rogers, Jan. R.

2009-01-01

Our team has developed a novel approach to measuring creep at extremely high temperatures using electrostatic levitation (ESL). This method has been demonstrated on niobium up to 2300 C, while ESL has melted tungsten (3400 C). High-precision machined spheres of the sample are levitated in the NASA MSFC ESL, a national user facility, and heated with a laser. The laser is aligned off-center so that the absorbed photons transfer their momentum to the sample, causing it to rotate at up to 250,000+ RPM. The rapid rotation loads the sample through centripetal acceleration, causing it to deform. The deformation of the sample is captured on high-speed video, which is analyzed by machine-vision software from the University of Massachusetts. The deformations are compared to finite element models to determine the constitutive constants in the creep relation. Furthermore, the noncontact method exploits stress gradients within the sample to determine the stress exponent in a single test. This method was validated in collaboration with the University of Tennessee for niobium at 1985 C, with agreement within the uncertainty of the conventional measurements. A similar method is being employed on Ultra-High-Temperature ZrB2- SiC composites, which may see application in rocket nozzles and sharp leading edges for hypersonic vehicles.

Two-dimensional time-resolved X-ray diffraction study of liquid/solid fraction and solid particle size in Fe-C binary system with an electrostatic levitator furnace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yonemura, M.; Okada, J.; Watanabe, Y.; Ishikawa, T.; Nanao, S.; Shobu, T.; Toyokawa, H.

2013-03-01

Liquid state provides functions such as matter transport or a reaction field and plays an important role in manufacturing processes such as refining, forging or welding. However, experimental procedures are significantly difficult for an observation of solidification process of iron and iron-based alloys in order to identify rapid transformations subjected to fast temperature evolution. Therefore, in order to study the solidification in iron and iron-based alloys, we considered a combination of high energy X-ray diffraction measurements and an electrostatic levitation method (ESL). In order to analyze the liquid/solid fraction, the solidification of melted spherical specimens was measured at a time resolution of 0.1 seconds during rapid cooling using the two-dimensional time-resolved X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the observation of particle sizes and phase identification was performed on a trial basis using X-ray small angle scattering with X-ray diffraction.

Correlation of Mechanical Properties in Bulk Metallic Glasses with 27Al NMR Characteristics

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

recycle delay of 300 ms. Magnetization measurements were conducted at room temperature using a Quantum Design SQUID magne- tometer. The magnetization of...Gangopadhyay A K, et al. First X-ray scattering studies on electrostatically levitated metallic liquids: Demonstrated influence of local icosahedral

Ground Based Studies of Thermocapillary Flows in Levitated Drops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sadhal, Satwindar Singh; Trinh, Eugene H.

1996-01-01

Ground-based experiments together with analytical studies are presently being conducted for levitated drops. Both acoustic and electrostatic techniques are being employed to achieve levitation of drops in a gaseous environment. The scientific effort is principally on the thermal and the fluid phenomena associated with the local heating of levitated drops, both at 1-g and at low-g. In particular, the thermocapillary flow associated with local spot heating is being studied. Fairly stable acoustic levitation of drops has been achieved with some exceptions when random rotational motion of the drop persists. The flow visualization has been carried out by light scattering from smoke particles for the exterior flow and fluorescent tracer particles in the drop. The results indicate a lack of axial symmetry in the internal flow even though the apparatus and the heating are symmetric. The theoretical studies for the past year have included fundamental analyses of acoustically levitated spherical drops. The flow associated with a particle near the velocity antinode is being investigated by the singular perturbation technique. As a first step towards understanding the effect of the particle displacement from the antinode, the flow field about the node has been calculated for the first time. The effect of the acoustic field on the interior of a liquid drop has also been investigated. The results predict that the internal flow field is very weak.

Micromachined electrostatic vertical actuator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Abraham P.; Sommargren, Gary E.; McConaghy, Charles F.

A micromachined vertical actuator utilizing a levitational force, such as in electrostatic comb drives, provides vertical actuation that is relatively linear in actuation for control, and can be readily combined with parallel plate capacitive position sensing for position control. The micromachined electrostatic vertical actuator provides accurate movement in the sub-micron to micron ranges which is desirable in the phase modulation instrument, such as optical phase shifting. For example, compact, inexpensive, and position controllable micromirrors utilizing an electrostatic vertical actuator can replace the large, expensive, and difficult-to-maintain piezoelectric actuators. A thirty pound piezoelectric actuator with corner cube reflectors, as utilized inmore » a phase shifting diffraction interferometer can be replaced with a micromirror and a lens. For any very precise and small amplitudes of motion` micromachined electrostatic actuation may be used because it is the most compact in size, with low power consumption and has more straightforward sensing and control options.« less

Micromachined electrostatic vertical actuator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, A.P.; Sommargren, G.E.; McConaghy, C.F.

A micromachined vertical actuator utilizing a levitational force, such as in electrostatic comb drives, provides vertical actuation that is relatively linear in actuation for control, and can be readily combined with parallel plate capacitive position sensing for position control. The micromachined electrostatic vertical actuator provides accurate movement in the sub-micron to micron ranges which is desirable in the phase modulation instrument, such as optical phase shifting. For example, compact, inexpensive, and position controllable micromirrors utilizing an electrostatic vertical actuator can replace the large, expensive, and difficult-to-maintain piezoelectric actuators. A thirty pound piezoelectric actuator with corner cube reflectors, as utilized inmore » a phase shifting diffraction interferometer can be replaced with a micromirror and a lens. For any very precise and small amplitudes of motion, micromachined electrostatic actuation may be used because it is the most compact in size, with low power consumption and has more straightforward sensing and control options.« less

The Specific Volumes and Viscosities of the Ni-Zr Liquid Alloys and their Correlation with the Glass Formability of the Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohsaka, K.; Chung, S. K.; Rhim, W. K.

1997-01-01

The specific volumes and viscosities of the Ni-Zr liquid alloys as a function of temperature are determined by employing a digitizing technique and numeric analysis methods applied to the optical images of the electrostatically levitated liquid alloys.

Acoustic levitation for high temperature containerless processing in space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rey, C. A.; Sisler, R.; Merkley, D. R.; Danley, T. J.

1990-01-01

New facilities for high-temperature containerless processing in space are described, including the acoustic levitation furnace (ALF), the high-temperature acoustic levitator (HAL), and the high-pressure acoustic levitator (HPAL). In the current ALF development, the maximum temperature capabilities of the levitation furnaces are 1750 C, and in the HAL development with a cold wall furnace they will exceed 2000-2500 C. The HPAL demonstrated feasibility of precursor space flight experiments on the ground in a 1 g pressurized-gas environment. Testing of lower density materials up to 1300 C has also been accomplished. It is suggested that advances in acoustic levitation techniques will result in the production of new materials such as ceramics, alloys, and optical and electronic materials.

Electrostatic Levitation of Fines on Asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, P.

1995-09-01

Electrostatic fields can develop at the surface of resistive asteroids exposed directly to solar radiation and to the solar wind. As on the Moon (e.g., [1-3]), the process may lead to the levitation and transport of charged grains, and contribute to winnowing asteroidal regoliths of their finest particle size fraction. Two commonly proposed mechanisms for the levitation of dust on the Moon are applied to asteroids. The first depends on global scale electrostatic fields and involves the development of a near-surface photoelectron layer over the asteroid's sunlit hemisphere [4,5] ; the second involves local fields near the terminator and particle charging by higher-energy photoelectron emission on the sunlit faces of blocks and other small-scale prominences [6,7]. Preliminary modeling results suggest that on a sufficiently resistive and slow-rotating asteroid at a heliocentric distance of 3 AU, the subsolar region evolves surface electrostatic fields of ~5 V/m^-1, while field intensities in the terminator zone may reach ~10^5 V/m^-1. Charged regolithic fines are easily levitated, their fate being a function of their charge and size. On a 20 km-radius chondritic main belt asteroid, particles up to ~100 microns across may be electro- statically accelerated to escape. Fines <=1 micron across are subject to radiation pressure and/or to solar wind drag as soon as they are lofted, and may be quickly entrained to escape even if initially launched at sub-escape velocities. Larger particles levitated in the sub-escape regime remain gravitationally bound to the asteroid and experience lateral transport along local electrostatic and gravity gradients. The particles may migrate across the asteroid's surface indefinitely or, more likely, until they settle in perenially shadowed areas and/or topographic lows (craters or grooves), thus smoothing the asteroid's topography and minimizing shadows. They will remain on the asteroid until ejected by impacts or until the particles are further comminuted by micrometeoritic sandblasting. Remote-sensing studies of asteroids and the examination of meteorite regolithic breccias indicate that, in comparison to the lunar regolith, asteroidal regoliths are generally deficient in fine-grained material <=100 microns across (i.e. in dust and agglutinates) (e.g., [8,9]). This characteristic, usually attributed to the preferential loss of smaller particles by micrometeoritic bombardment [10], may be in part due to electrostatic winnowing. Surface features on Phobos, Deimos and on asteroids 951 Gaspra and 243 Ida (regional albedo-topography relationships [11-13], dark-floored craters [11,14], grooves [11,15], blocks with possible basal debris aprons [16]) appear consistent with an electrophysical mobilization of fines. The inference from polarimetry [17] that the surfaces of M-type asteroids, which are thought to be metal-rich and thus unlikely to evolve strong fields, are finer-grained than most other types of asteroid surfaces suggests that the size of the smallest particles retained on asteroids may indeed be related to their electrophysical properties. Although many unknowns remain with regard to the actual electrophysical properties of asteroid surfaces and to the true effectiveness of the levitation mechanisms invoked, the available models predict interesting results. Electrostatic levitation offers an additional means of particle segregation, transport, and removal on asteroids. The process is expected to be more effective closer to the sun, on less massive objects, on asteroids with a slower spin rate, on the more resistive surfaces, over the more rugged terrain, for less dense particles, and for smaller grains. References: [1] Rennilson J. J. and Criswell D. R. (1974) Moon, 10, 121-142. [2] Berg O. E. et al. (1974) GRL, 1, 289. [3] Whipple E. C. (1981) Rept. Prog. Phys., 44, 1197-1250. [4] Singer S. F. and Walker E. H. (1962) Icarus, 1, 7-12. [5] Mendis D. A. et al. (1981) Astrophys. J., 249, 789-797. [6] Criswell D. R. (1973) in Photons and Particle Interactions with Surfaces in Space (R. Grard, ed.), 545-556. [7] De B. R. and Criswell D. R. (1977) JGR, 82, 999-1004. [8] McKay D. S. et al. (1989) in Asteroids II (R. Binzel et al., eds.), 617-642. [9] Bunch T. E. and Rajan R. S. (1988) in Meteorites and the Early Solar System (J. Kerridge and M. Matthews, eds.), 144-164. [10] Matson D. L. et al. (1977). Proc. LSC 8th, 1001-1011. [11] Thomas P. and Veverka J. (1979) in Asteroids (T. Gehrels, ed.), 628-651. [12] Helfenstein P. et al. (1994) Icarus, 107, 37-60. [13] Helfenstein P. et al. (1995) Icarus, submitted. [14] Sullivan R. et al. (1995) Icarus, submitted. [15] Veverka J. et al. (1994) Icarus, 107, 72-83. [16] Lee P. et al. (1995) Icarus, submitted. [17] Dollfus A. et al. (1989) in Asteroids II (R. Binzel et al., eds.), 594-616.

The NASA MSFC Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) Laboratory: Summary of Capabilities, Recent Upgrades, and Future Work

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

SanSoucie, Michael P.; Vermilion, David J.; Rogers, Jan R.

2015-01-01

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory has a long history of providing materials research and thermophysical property data. A summary of the labs capabilities, recent upgrades, and ongoing and future work will be provided. The laboratory has recently added two new capabilities to its main levitation chamber: a rapid quench system and an oxygen control system. The rapid quench system allows samples to be dropped into a quench vessel that can be filled with a low melting point material, such as a gallium or indium alloy. Thereby allowing rapid quenching of undercooled liquid metals. The oxygen control system consists of an oxygen sensor, oxygen pump, and a control unit. The sensor is a potentiometric device that determines the difference in oxygen activity between two gas compartments separated by an electrolyte, which is yttria-stabilized zirconia. The pump utilizes coulometric titration to either add or remove oxygen. The system is controlled by a desktop control unit, which can also be accessed via a computer. This system allows the oxygen partial pressure within the vacuum chamber to be measured and controlled, theoretically in the range from 10-36 to 100 bar. The ESL laboratory also has an emissometer, called the High-Temperature Emissivity Measurement System (HiTEMS). This system measures the spectral emissivity of materials from 600degC to 3,000degC. The system consists of a vacuum chamber, a black body source, and a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The system utilizes optics to swap the signal between the sample and the black body. The system was originally designed to measure the hemispherical spectral emissivity of levitated samples, which are typically 2.5mm spheres. Levitation allows emissivity measurements of molten samples, but more work is required to develop this capability. The system is currently setup measure the near-normal spectral emissivity of stationary samples, which has been used to take measurements of ablative materials, rocket nozzle coating materials, and materials for spacecraft instruments.

Beamline Electrostatic Levitator (BESL) for in-situ High Energy K-Ray Diffraction Studies of Levitated Solids and Liquids at High Temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gangopadhyay, A. K.; Lee, G. W.; Kelton, K. F.; Rogers, J. R.; Goldman, A. I.; Robinson, D. S.; Rathz, T. J.; Hyers, R. W.

2005-01-01

Determinations of the phase formation sequence, the crystal structures and the thermodynamic properties of materials at high temperatures are difficult because of contamination from the sample container and environment. Containerless processing techniques, such as electrostatic (ESL), electromagnetic (EML), aerodynamic, and acoustic levitation, are most suitable these studies. An adaptation of ESL for in-situ structural studies of a wide range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, insulators using high energy (125 keV) synchrotron x-rays is described here. This beamline ESL (BESL) allows the in-situ determination of the atomic structures of equilibrium solid and liquid phases, including undercooled liquids, as well as real-time studies of solid-solid and liquid-solid phase transformations. The use of image plate (MAR345) or GE-Angio detectors enables fast (30 ms - 1s) acquisition of complete diffraction patterns over a wide q-range (4 - 140/mm). The wide temperature range (300 - 2500 K), containerless processing under high vacuum (10(exp -7) - 10(exp -8) torr), and fast data acquisition, make BESL particularly suitable for phase diagram studies of high temperature materials. An additional, critically important, feature of BESL is the ability to also make simultaneous measurement of a host of thermo-physical properties, including the specific heat, enthalpy of transformation, solidus and liquidus temperatures, density, viscosity, and surface tension; all on the same sample and simultaneous with the structural measurements.

Dust Dynamics Near Planetary Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colwell, Joshua; Hughes, Anna; Grund, Chris

Observations of a lunar "horizon glow" by several Surveyor spacecraft in the 1960s opened the study of the dynamics of charged dust particles near planetary surfaces. The surfaces of the Moon and other airless planetary bodies in the solar system (asteroids, and other moons) are directly exposed to the solar wind and ionizing solar ultraviolet radiation, resulting in a time-dependent electric surface potential. Because these same objects are also exposed to bombardment by micrometeoroids, the surfaces are usually characterized by a power-law size distribution of dust that extends to sub-micron-sized particles. Individual particles can acquire a charge different from their surroundings leading to electrostatic levitation. Once levitated, particles may simply return to the surface on nearly ballistic trajectories, escape entirely from the moon or asteroid if the initial velocity is large, or in some cases be stably levitated for extended periods of time. All three outcomes have observable consequences. Furthermore, the behavior of charged dust near the surface has practical implications for planned future manned and unmanned activities on the lunar surface. Charged dust particles also act as sensitive probes of the near-surface plasma environment. Recent numerical modeling of dust levitation and transport show that charged micron-sized dust is likely to accumulate in topographic lows such as craters, providing a mechanism for the creation of dust "ponds" observed on the asteroid 433 Eros. Such deposition can occur when particles are supported by the photoelectron sheath above the dayside and drift over shadowed regions of craters where the surface potential is much smaller. Earlier studies of the lunar horizon glow are consistent with those particles being on simple ballistic trajectories following electrostatic launching from the surface. Smaller particles may be accelerated from the lunar surface to high altitudes consistent with observations of high altitude streams observed by Apollo astronauts and potentially also by the Clementine spacecraft. In addition to the Surveyor images of lunar horizon glow and the high altitude streamer measurements, the Apollo 17 Lunar Ejecta and Meteorite surface package detected signals consistent with the impact of relatively slow-moving dust particles that may have been charged dust electrostatically levitated from the surface. There is renewed interest in this near-surface dust environment with plans to return robotic landers and astronauts to the lunar surface. No Apollo-era instruments were specifically designed to detect or measure dust levitated off the lunar surface. One new experiment under study is the Autonomous Lunar Dust Observer (ALDO). ALDO is a high-sensitivity scanning lidar (laser radar) that autonomously maps and records its 3-D dust environment. Flexibility of programmable scan pattern enables ALDO to characterize the dust context in and around experiment sites. Repeated shallow angle scans in a vertical plane enable high vertical resolution studies of dust levitation near the ground. Single elevation angle sector or full azimuth scans enable large-area statistical surveys of the frequency and size of ejecta plumes from micrometeoroid impacts, and vertical or fixed-angle stares enable very high sensitivity dust profiles to extended ranges. It is estimated that backscatter from dust concentrations as low as 1/cm3 can be measured. The concept is equally applicable to surface and atmospheric studies of other airless bodies.

Measurement of Density, Sound Velocity, Surface Tension, and Viscosity of Freely Suspended Supercooled Liquids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.

1995-01-01

Non-contact methods have been implemented in conjunction with levitation techniques to carry out the measurement of the macroscopic properties of liquids significantly cooled below their nominal melting point. Free suspension of the sample and remote methods allow the deep excursion into the metastable liquid state and the determination of its thermophysical properties. We used this approach to investigate common substances such as water, o-terphenyl, succinonitrile, as well as higher temperature melts such as molten indium, aluminum and other metals. Although these techniques have thus far involved ultrasonic, electromagnetic, and more recently electrostatic levitation, we restrict our attention to ultrasonic methods in this paper. The resulting magnitude of maximum thermal supercooling achieved have ranged between 10 and 15% of the absolute temperature of the melting point for the materials mentioned above. The physical properties measurement methods have been mostly novel approaches, and the typical accuracy achieved have not yet matched their standard equivalent techniques involving contained samples and invasive probing. They are currently being refined, however, as the levitation techniques become more widespread, and as we gain a better understanding of the physics of levitated liquid samples.

Measurement of density, sound velocity, surface tension, and viscosity of freely suspended supercooled liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trinh, E. H.; Ohsaka, K.

1995-03-01

Noncontact methods have been implemented in conjunction with levitation techniques to carry out the measurement of the macroscopic properties of liquids significantly cooled below their nominal melting point. Free suspension of the sample and remote methods allow the deep excursion into the metastable liquid state and the determination of its thermophysical properties. We used this approach to investigate common substances such as water, v-terphenyl. succinonitrile, as well as higher temperature melts such as molten indium, aluminum, and other metals. Although these techniques have thus far involved ultrasonic, eletromagnetic, and more recently electrostatic levitation, we restrict our attention to ultrasonic methods in this paper. The resulting magnitude of maximum thermal supercooling achieved has ranged between 10% and 15% of the absolute temperature of the melting point for the materials mentioned above. The methods for measuring the physical properties have been mostly novel approaches, and the typical accuracy achieved has not yet matched the standard equivalent techniques involving contained samples and invasive probing. They are currently being refined, however, as the levitation techniques become more widespread and as we gain a better understanding of the physics of levitated liquid samples.

Containerless Processing in Reduced Gravity Using the TEMPUS Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roger, Jan R.; Robinson, Michael B.

1996-01-01

Containerless processing provides a high purity environment for the study of high-temperature, very reactive materials. It is an important method which provides access to the metastable state of an undercooled melt. In the absence of container walls, the nucleation rate is greatly reduced and undercooling up to (Tm-Tn)/Tm approx. 0.2 can be obtained, where Tm and Tn are the melting and nucleation temperatures, respectively. Electromagnetic levitation represents a method particularly well-suited for the study of metallic melts. The TEMPUS facility is a research instrument designed to perform electromagnetic levitation studies in reduced gravity. It provides temperatures up to 2600 C, levitation of several grams of material and access to the undercooled state for an extended period of time (up to hours).

Ultra-High Temperature Materials Characterization for Space and Missile Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, Jan; Hyers, Robert

2007-01-01

Numerous advanced space and missile technologies including propulsion systems require operations at high temperatures. Some very high-temperature materials are being developed to meet these needs, including refractory metal alloys, carbides, borides, and silicides. System design requires data for materials properties at operating temperatures. Materials property data are not available at the desired operating temperatures for many materials of interest. The objective of this work is to provide important physical property data at ultra-high temperatures. The MSFC Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) facility can provide measurements of thermophysical properties which include: creep strength, emissivity, density and thermal expansion. ESL uses electrostatic fields to position samples between electrodes during processing and characterization experiments. Samples float between the electrodes during studies and are free from any contact with a container or test apparatus. This provides a high purity environment for the study of high-temperature, reactive materials. ESL can be used to process a wide variety of materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, glasses and semiconductors. A system for the determination of total hemispherical emissivity is being developed for the MSFC ESL facility by AZ Technology Inc. The instrument has been designed to provide emissivity measurements for samples during ESL experiments over the temperature range 700-3400K. A novel non-contact technique for the determination of high-temperature creep strength has been developed. Data from selected ESL-based characterization studies will be presented. The ESL technique could advance space and missile technologies by advancing the knowledge base and the technology readiness level for ultra-high temperature materials. Applications include non-eroding nozzle materials and lightweight, high-temperature alloys for turbines and structures.

Campaign for Levitation in LDX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garnier, D. T.; Hansen, A. K.; Mauel, M. E.; Ortiz, E. E.; Boxer, A. C.; Ellsworth, J. L.; Karim, I.; Kesner, J.; Michael, P. C.; Zhukovsky, A.

2006-10-01

In the past year, preparations have been made for the first flight of the Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX). LDX, which consists of a 560 kg superconducting coil floating within a 5 m diameter vacuum chamber, is designed to study fusion relevant plasmas confined in a dipole magnetic field. During the spring, a high temperature superconducting levitation coil was integrated into the LDX facility. Testing was undertaken to verify the thermal performance of the coil under expected levitation conditions. In addition, a real-time operating system digital control system was developed that will be used for the levitation control. In July, plasma experiments were conducted with all superconducting magnets in operation. While still supported, roughly 75% of the weight of the floating coil was magnetically lifted by the levitation coil above. A series of plasma experiments were conducted with the same magnetic geometry as will be the case during levitation. During August, the second generation launcher system will be installed. The launcher, which retracts beyond the plasma's last closed field lines during operation, is designed to safely catch the floating coil following an unexpected loss of control. After this installation, levitation experiments will commence.

Charged drop dynamics experiment using an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, W. K.; Chung, S. K.; Trinh, E. H.; Elleman, D. D.

1987-01-01

The design and the performance of an electrostatic-acoustic hybrid system and its application to a charge drop rotation experiment are presented. This system can levitate a charged drop electrostatically and induce drop rotation or oscillation by imposing an acoustic torque or an oscillating acoustic pressure. Using this system, the equilibrium shapes and stability of a rotating charged drop were experimentally investigated. A 3 mm size water drop was rotated as a rigid body and its gyrostatic equilibrium shapes were observed. Families of axisymmetric shapes, two-lobed shapes, and eventual fissioning have been observed. With the assumption of 'effective surface tension' in which the surface charge simply modified the surface tension of neutral liquid, the results agree exceptionally well with the Brown and Scriven's (1980) prediction for uncharged drops.

A smoothed particle hydrodynamics model for electrostatic transport of charged lunar dust on the moon surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Zirui; Liu, G. R.

2018-02-01

The behavior of lunar dust on the Moon surface is quite complicated compared to that on the Earth surface due to the small lunar gravity and the significant influence of the complicated electrostatic filed in the Universe. Understanding such behavior is critical for the exploration of the Moon. This work develops a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) model with the elastic-perfectly plastic constitutive equation and Drucker-Prager yield criterion to simulate the electrostatic transporting of multiple charged lunar dust particles. The initial electric field is generated based on the particle-in-cell method and then is superposed with the additional electric field from the charged dust particles to obtain the resultant electric field in the following process. Simulations of cohesive soil's natural failure and electrostatic transport of charged soil under the given electric force and gravity were carried out using the SPH model. Results obtained in this paper show that the negatively charged dust particles levitate and transport to the shadow area with a higher potential from the light area with a lower potential. The motion of soil particles finally comes to a stable state. The numerical result for final distribution of soil particles and potential profile above planar surface by the SPH method matches well with the experimental result, and the SPH solution looks sound in the maximum levitation height prediction of lunar dust under an uniform electric field compared to theoretical solution, which prove that SPH is a reliable method in describing the behavior of soil particles under a complicated electric field and small gravity field with the consideration of interactions among soil particles.

Surface oscillation of levitated liquid droplets under microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Masahito; Hibiya, Taketoshi; Ozawa, Shumpei; Mizuno, Akitoshi

2012-07-01

Microgravity conditions have advantages of measurement of surface tension and viscosity of metallic liquids by the oscillating drop method with an electromagnetic levitation (EML) device. Thus, we are now planning the thermophysical properties, the surface tension, viscosity, density and etc., measurements of liquid alloys using the electromagnetic levitator named MSL-EML (Materials Science Laboratory Electromagnetic Levitator), which ahs been developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), installed in the International Space Station (ISS). The surface tension and the viscosity of liquid samples by the oscillating drop method are obtained from the surface oscillation frequency and damping time of surface oscillation respectively. However, analysis of oscillating drop method in EML must be improved even in the microgravity conditions, because on the EML conditions the electromagnetic force (EMF) cannot generate the surface oscillation with discretely oscillation mode. Since under microgravity the levitated droplet shape is completely spherical, the surface oscillation frequency with different oscillation modes degenerates into the single frequency. Therefore, surface tension will be not affected the EML condition under microgravity, but viscosity will be affected on the different oscillation mode of surface oscillations. Because dumping time of surface oscillation of liquid droplets depends on the oscillation modes, the case of surface oscillation including multi oscillation modes the viscosity values obtained from dumping time will be modified from the correct viscosity. Therefore, we investigate the dumping time of surface oscillation of levitated droplets with different oscillation modes and also with including multi oscillation modes using the electrostatic levitation (ESL) on ground and EML under microgravity conditions by the parabolic flight of airplane. The ESL can discretely generate the surface oscillation with different oscillation modes by the change of generation frequency of surface oscillation, so we can obtain dumping time of surface oscillation with discrete oscillation mode. We repot the results of the damping time of the surface oscillation of levitated liquid droplet by ESL and EML experiment with numerical simulation of the damped oscillation model.

Electrostatic Accelerometer for the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On Mission (GRACE FO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrot, Eddy; Boulanger, Damien; Christophe, Bruno; Foulon, Bernard; Liorzou, Françoise; Lebat, Vincent

2014-05-01

The GRACE FO mission, led by the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), is an Earth-orbiting gravity mission, continuation of the GRACE mission, that will produce an accurate model of the Earth's gravity field variation providing global climatic data during five year at least. The mission involves two satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation, with a micro-wave link, and optionally a laser link, measuring the inter-satellites distance variation. Non-uniformities in the distribution of the Earth's mass cause the distance between the two satellites to vary. This variation is measured to recover gravity, after subtracting the non-gravitational contributors, as the residual drag. ONERA (the French Aerospace Lab) is developing, manufacturing and testing electrostatic accelerometers measuring this residual drag applied on the satellites. The accelerometer is composed of two main parts: the Sensor Unit (including the Sensor Unit Mechanics - SUM - and the Front-End Electronic Unit - FEEU) and the Interface Control Unit. In the Accelerometer Core, located in the Sensor Unit Mechanics, the proof mass is levitated and maintained in a center of an electrode cage by electrostatic forces. Thus, any drag acceleration applied on the satellite involves a variation on the servo-controlled electrostatic suspension of the mass. The voltage on the electrodes providing this electrostatic force is the measurement output of the accelerometer. The Preliminary Design Review was achieved successfully on November 2013. The FEEU Engineering Model is under test. Preliminary results on electronic unit will be compared with the expected performance. The integration of the SUM Engineering Model and the first ground levitation of the proof-mass will be presented. The impact of the accelerometer defaults (geometry, electronic and parasitic forces) leads to bias, misalignment and scale factor error, non-linearity and noise. Some of these accelerometer defaults are characterized by tests with micro-gravity pendulum bench and with drops in ZARM catapult. The post-processing needed to achieve the performance, in particular with regards to the temperature stability, will be explained.

Status of Electrostatic Accelerometer Development for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On Mission (GRACE FO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrot, Eddy; Boulanger, Damien; Christophe, Bruno; Foulon, Bernard; Liorzou, Françoise; Lebat, Vincent; Huynh, Phuong-Anh

2015-04-01

The GRACE FO mission, led by the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), is an Earth-orbiting gravity mission, continuation of the GRACE mission, which will produce an accurate model of the Earth's gravity field variation providing global climatic data during five years at least. The mission involves two satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation, with a micro-wave link measuring the inter-satellites distance variation. Earth's mass distribution non-uniformities cause variations of the inter-satellite distance. This variation is measured to recover gravity, after subtracting the non-gravitational contributors, as the residual drag. ONERA (the French Aerospace Lab) is developing, manufacturing and testing electrostatic accelerometers measuring this residual drag applied on the satellites. The accelerometer is composed of two main parts: the Sensor Unit (including the Sensor Unit Mechanics - SUM - and the Front-End Electronic Unit - FEEU) and the Interface Control Unit - ICU. In the Accelerometer Core, located in the Sensor Unit Mechanics, the proof mass is levitated and maintained at the center of an electrode cage by electrostatic forces. Thus, any drag acceleration applied on the satellite involves a variation on the servo-controlled electrostatic suspension of the mass. The voltage on the electrodes providing this electrostatic force is the measurement output of the accelerometer. The impact of the accelerometer defaults (geometry, electronic and parasitic forces) leads to bias, misalignment and scale factor error, non-linearity and noise. Some of these accelerometer defaults are characterized by tests with micro-gravity pendulum bench on ground and with drops in ZARM catapult. The Critical Design Review was achieved successfully on September 2014. The Engineering Model (EM) was integrated and tested successfully, with ground levitation, drops, Electromagnetic Compatibility and thermal vacuum. The integration of the first Flight Model has begun on December 2014 and will be achieved on January 2015. The results of the Engineering Model tests and the status of the Flight Models will be presented.

Tests Results of the Electrostatic Accelerometer Flight Models for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On Mission (GRACE FO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrot, E.; Boulanger, D.; Christophe, B.; Foulon, B.; Lebat, V.; Huynh, P. A.; Liorzou, F.

2015-12-01

The GRACE FO mission, led by the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), is an Earth-orbiting gravity mission, continuation of the GRACE mission, which will produce an accurate model of the Earth's gravity field variation providing global climatic data during five years at least. The mission involves two satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation, with a micro-wave link measuring the inter-satellites distance variation. Earth's mass distribution non-uniformities cause variations of the inter-satellite distance. This variation is measured to recover gravity, after subtracting the non-gravitational contributors, as the residual drag. ONERA (the French Aerospace Lab) is developing, manufacturing and testing electrostatic accelerometers measuring this residual drag applied on the satellites. The accelerometer is composed of two main parts: the Sensor Unit (including the Sensor Unit Mechanics - SUM - and the Front-End Electronic Unit - FEEU) and the Interface Control Unit - ICU. In the Accelerometer Core, located in the Sensor Unit Mechanics, the proof mass is levitated and maintained at the center of an electrode cage by electrostatic forces. Thus, any drag acceleration applied on the satellite involves a variation on the servo-controlled electrostatic suspension of the mass. The voltage on the electrodes providing this electrostatic force is the output measurement of the accelerometer. The impact of the accelerometer defaults (geometry, electronic and parasitic forces) leads to bias, misalignment and scale factor error, non-linearity and noise. Some of these accelerometer defaults are characterized by tests with micro-gravity pendulum bench on ground and with drops in ZARM catapult. The Critical Design Review was achieved successfully on September 2014. The Engineering Model (EM) was integrated and tested successfully, with ground levitation, drops, Electromagnetic Compatibility and thermal vacuum. The integration of the two Flight Models was done on July 2015. The tests will be achieved from July to November 2015. The results of the Engineering Model and Flight Models tests will be presented.

Viscosity measurements of metallic melts using the oscillating drop technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heintzmann, P.; Yang, F.; Schneider, S.; Lohöfer, G.; Meyer, A.

2016-06-01

By means of benchmarking reduced gravity experiments, we have verified the measured viscosity of binary Zr-Ni glass forming liquids utilizing the oscillating drop technique combined with ground-based electrostatic levitation (ESL). Reliable viscosity data can be obtained as long as internal viscous damping of a single oscillation mode of a levitated drop dominates external perturbations. This can be verified by the absence of a sample mass dependence of the results. Hence, ESL is an excellent tool for studying the viscosity of metallic glass forming melts in the range of about 10-250 mPa s, with sample masses below 100 mg. To this end, we show that, for binary Zr-Ni melts, the viscosity is qualitatively controlled by the packing density.

High temperature metal purification using a compact portable rf heating and levitation system on the wake shield

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahs, C. A.

1990-01-01

The Wake Shield Facility (WSF) can provide an ideal vacuum environment for the purification of high temperature metals in space. The Modular Electromagnetic Levitator (MEL), will provide the opportunity to study undercooling of metals in space and allow to determine material properties in space. The battery powered rf levitation and heating system developed for the MEL demonstrated efficiency of 36 percent. This system is being considered to purify metals at temperatures below 3000 C.

Molly Pleskus (undergraduate student from Tufts University) visi

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-08

3199: Molly Pleskus (undergraduate student from Tufts University) visited the MSFC electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory is support of Dr. Douglas Matson’s (Tufts University) grant, “Round Robin - Thermophysical Property Measurement” (NNX17AH41G). Ms. Pleskus is researching Inconel 718 in support of future experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).

Formation of fine dust on Saturn's rings as suggested by the presence of spokes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smoluchowski, R.

1983-01-01

The common interpretation of spokes on the B ring of Saturn is that they are the result of light scattered by electrostatically levitated micrometer- and submicrometer-size dust particles. The origin of this dust in terms of radiation-induced thermal fatigue and collisions between the particles of the ring as well as meteoritic bombardment is investigated.

Properties of liquid Ti alloys from electrostatic levitation experiments and simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novak, Brian; Raush, Jonathan; Zhang, Xiaoman; Moldovan, Dorel; Meng, Wenjin; Guo, Shengmin

Accurate thermophysical property data for liquid metals and alloys are important for the development of realistic simulations of laser-based 3D printing processes. We are using the container-less electrostatic levitation (ESL) method, molecular simulation, and CALPHAD calculations to obtain such data for Ti alloys. We performed vacuum ESL measurements of viscosity and surface tension with an oscillating drop technique at NASA MSFC on molten elemental Ti, Ti-xAl binaries (x = 0-10 wt%), Ti-6Al-4V, and Ti-6Al-4V-10Mo which showed improved mechanical properties compared with traditional β Ti alloys. We also used classical molecular simulations to obtain viscosities and surface tensions for Ti-xAl. Pair distribution functions, diffusivities, and vapor pressures were also obtained from simulations. The simulated viscosities and surface tensions for pure Ti agree well with the ESL data while the Ti-xAl viscosities have the same trends as the ESL data, but not quantitative agreement. Chemical activity and Gibbs free energy of Ti-10Al were generated using the CALPHAD technique and compared to experimental values. Supported by the National Science Foundation through cooperative agreement OIA-1541079 and the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Aerodynamic levitation, supercooled liquids and glass formation

DOE PAGES

Benmore, C. J.; Weber, J. K. R.

2017-05-04

Containerless processing or ‘levitation’ is a valuable tool for the synthesis and characterization of materials, particularly at extreme temperatures and under non-equilibrium conditions. The method enables formation of novel glasses, amorphous phases, and metastable crystalline forms that are not easily accessed when nucleation and growth can readily occur at a container interface. Removing the container enables the use of a wide variety of process atmospheres to modify a materials structure and properties. In the past decade levitation methods, including acoustic, aerodynamic, electromagnetic, and electrostatic, have become well established sample environments at X-ray synchrotron and neutron sources. This article briefly reviewsmore » the methods and then focuses on the application of aerodynamic levitation to synthesize and study new materials. This is presented in conjunction with non-contact probes used to investigate the atomic structure and to measure the properties of materials at extreme temperatures. The use of aerodynamic levitation in research using small and wide-angle X-ray diffraction, XANES, and neutron scattering are discussed in the context of technique development. The use of the containerless methods to investigate thermophysical properties is also considered. We argue that structural motifs and in the liquid state can potentially lead to the fabrication of materials, whose properties would differ substantially from their well known crystalline forms.« less

Faraday forcing of high-temperature levitated liquid metal drops for the measurement of surface tension.

PubMed

Brosius, Nevin; Ward, Kevin; Matsumoto, Satoshi; SanSoucie, Michael; Narayanan, Ranga

2018-01-01

In this work, a method for the measurement of surface tension using continuous periodic forcing is presented. To reduce gravitational effects, samples are electrostatically levitated prior to forcing. The method, called Faraday forcing, is particularly well suited for fluids that require high temperature measurements such as liquid metals where conventional surface tension measurement methods are not possible. It offers distinct advantages over the conventional pulse-decay analysis method when the sample viscosity is high or the levitation feedback control system is noisy. In the current method, levitated drops are continuously translated about a mean position at a small, constant forcing amplitude over a range of frequencies. At a particular frequency in this range, the drop suddenly enters a state of resonance, which is confirmed by large executions of prolate/oblate deformations about the mean spherical shape. The arrival at this resonant condition is a signature that the parametric forcing frequency is equal to the drop's natural frequency, the latter being a known function of surface tension. A description of the experimental procedure is presented. A proof of concept is given using pure Zr and a Ti 39.5 Zr 39.5 Ni 21 alloy as examples. The results compare favorably with accepted literature values obtained using the pulse-decay method.

Thermophysical Property Measurements of Molten Semiconductors in 1-g and Reduced-g Condition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu

1999-01-01

Understanding and controlling the formation kinetics of varieties of crystal imperfections such as point defects, non uniform distribution of doping atoms, and impurity atoms in growing crystals are very important. Theoretical (numerical) modeling of the crystal growth process is an essential step to achieving these objectives. In order to obtain reliable modeling results, input parameters, i.e. various thermophysical parameters, must be accurate. The importance of accurate thermophysical properties of semiconductors in crystal growth cannot be overly emphasized. The total hemispherical emissivity, for instance, has a dramatic impact on the thermal environment. It determines the radiative emission from the surface of the melt which determines to a large extent the profile of the solidified crystal. In order to understand the convection and the turbulence in a melt, viscosity becomes an important parameter. The liquid surface tension determines the shape of the liquid-atmosphere interface near the solid-liquid-atmosphere triple point. Currently used values for these parameters are rather inaccurate, and this program intends to provide more reliable measurements of these thermophysical properties. Thus, the objective of this program is in the accurate measurements of various thermophysical properties which can be reliably used in the modeling of various crystal growth processes. In this program, thermophysical properties of molten semiconductors, such as Si, Ge, Si-Ge, and InSb will be measured as a function of temperature using the High Temperature Electrostatic Levitator at JPL. Each material will be doped by different kinds of impurities at various doping levels. Thermophysical properties which will be measured include: density, thermal expansion coefficient, surface tension, viscosity, specific heat, hemispherical total emissivity, and perhaps electrical and thermal conductivities. Many molten semiconductors are chemically reactive with crucibles. As a result, these dispersed impurities in the melts tend to substantially modify the properties of pure semiconductors. Sample levitation done in a vacuum clearly helps maintain the sample purity. However, in the 1-g environment, all gravity caused effects such as convection, sedimentation and buoyancy are still present in the sample. In addition, large forces needed to levitate a sample in the presence of the gravity can cause additional flows in the melt. The use of the High Temperature Electrostatic Levitator (HTESL) for the present research is a recent development and little is known about the flows induced by the electrostatic forces. In this ground base program, we will define the limits of HTESL technology as various thermophysical properties of molten semiconductors are measured.

Multimode Acoustic Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M.

1985-01-01

There is a need for high temperature containerless processing facilities that can efficiently position and manipulate molten samples in the reduced gravity environment of space. The goal of the research is to develop sophisticated high temperature manipulation capabilities such as selection of arbitrary axes rotation and rapid sample cooling. This program will investigate new classes of acoustic levitation in rectangular, cylindrical and spherical geometries. The program tasks include calculating theoretical expressions of the acoustic forces in these geometries for the excitation of up to three acoustic modes (multimodes). These calculations are used to: (1) determine those acoustic modes that produce stable levitation, (2) isolate the levitation and rotation capabilities to produce more than one axis of rotation, and (3) develop methods to translate samples down long tube cylindrical chambers. Experimental levitators will then be constructed to verify the stable levitation and rotation predictions of the models.

Jannatun Nawer (graduate student from Tufts University) visited

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-02-08

Jannatun Nawer (graduate student from Tufts University) visited the MSFC electrostatic levitation (ESL) laboratory is support of Dr. Douglas Matson’s (Tufts University) grant, “Round Robin - Thermophysical Property Measurement” (NNX17AH41G). Ms. Nawer is researching CMSX-4 Plus, a nickel-based superalloy, in support of future experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).

MEMS for Practical Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esashi, Masayoshi

Silicon MEMS as electrostatically levitated rotational gyroscopes and 2D optical scanners, and wafer level packaged devices as integrated capacitive pressure sensors and MEMS switches are described. MEMS which use non-silicon materials as LTCC with electrical feedthrough, SiC and LiNbO3 for probe cards for wafer-level burn-in test, molds for glass press molding and SAW wireless passive sensors respectively are also described.

Preliminary design for a maglev development facility

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Coffey, H.T.; He, J.L.; Chang, S.L.

1992-04-01

A preliminary design was made of a national user facility for evaluating magnetic-levitation (maglev) technologies in sizes intermediate between laboratory experiments and full-scale systems. A technical advisory committee was established and a conference was held to obtain advice on the potential requirements of operational systems and how the facility might best be configured to test these requirements. The effort included studies of multiple concepts for levitating, guiding, and propelling maglev vehicles, as well as the controls, communications, and data-acquisition and -reduction equipment that would be required in operating the facility. Preliminary designs for versatile, dual 2-MVA power supplies capable ofmore » powering attractive or repulsive systems were developed. Facility site requirements were identified. Test vehicles would be about 7.4 m (25 ft) long, would weigh form 3 to 7 metric tons, and would operate at speeds up to 67 m/s (150 mph) on a 3.3-km (2.05-mi) elevated guideway. The facility would utilize modular vehicles and guideways, permitting the substitution of levitation, propulsion, and guideway components of different designs and materials for evaluation. The vehicle would provide a test cell in which individual suspension or propulsion components or subsystems could be tested under realistic conditions. The system would allow economical evaluation of integrated systems under varying weather conditions and in realistic geometries.« less

Non-contact measurements of creep properties of niobium at 1985 °C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J.; Wall, J. J.; Rogers, J. R.; Rathz, T. J.; Choo, H.; Liaw, P. K.; Hyers, R. W.

2015-01-01

The stress exponent in the power-law creep of niobium at 1985 °C was measured by a non-contact technique using an electrostatic levitation facility at NASA MSFC. This method employs a distribution of stress to allow the stress exponent to be determined from each test, rather than from the curve fit through measurements from multiple samples that is required by conventional methods. The sample is deformed by the centripetal acceleration from the rapid rotation, and the deformed shapes are analyzed to determine the strain. Based on a mathematical proof, which revealed that the stress exponent was determined uniquely by the ratio of the polar to equatorial strains, a series of finite-element analyses with the models of different stress exponents were also performed to determine the stress exponent corresponding to the measured strain ratio. The stress exponent from the ESL experiment showed a good agreement with those from the literature and the conventional creep test.

Studies of Nucleation, Growth, Specific Heat, and Viscosity of Undercooled Melts of Quasicrystals and Polytetrahedral-Phase-Forming Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelton, K. F.; Croat, T. K.; Gangopadhyay, A.; Holland-Moritz, D.; Hyers, Robert W.; Rathz, Thomas J.; Robinson, Michael B.; Rogers, Jan R.

2001-01-01

Undercooling experiments and thermal physical property measurements of metallic alloys on the International Space Station (ISS) are planned. This recently-funded research focuses on fundamental issues of the formation and structure of highly-ordered non-crystallographic phases (quasicrystals) and related crystal phases (crystal approximants), and the connections between the atomic structures of these phases and those of liquids and glasses. It extends studies made previously by us of the composition dependence of crystal nucleation processes in silicate and metallic glasses, to the case of nucleation from the liquid phase. Motivating results from rf-levitation and drop-tube measurements of the undercooling of Ti/Zr-based liquids that form quasicrystals and crystal approximants are discussed. Preliminary measurements by electrostatic levitation (ESL) are presented.

An Einzel lens apparatus for deposition of levitated graphene on a substrate in UHV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coppock, Joyce; Nagornykh, Pavel; McAdams, Ian; Kane, Bruce

The goal of our research is to levitate a charged micron-scale graphene flake in an electrical AC quadrupole trap in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) in order to study its properties and dynamics while decoupled from any substrate. As a complement to the optical measurements that can be performed on the levitated flake, we are developing a method of depositing the same flake on a substrate, which can be removed from the system for further study using such probes as atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). As the flake is released from the trap and propelled toward the substrate, its trajectory will be controlled by an Einzel (electrostatic) lens to achieve accurate positioning on the substrate. This talk will discuss the design of the lens as well as particle tracing simulations to determine the proper lens voltage to focus the particle's trajectory. In the future, deposited graphene may be used to passivate H-terminated silicon. The method is expected to be generalizable to achieve deposition of 2D materials on surfaces in a clean UHV environment.

Convection in containerless processing.

PubMed

Hyers, Robert W; Matson, Douglas M; Kelton, Kenneth F; Rogers, Jan R

2004-11-01

Different containerless processing techniques have different strengths and weaknesses. Applying more than one technique allows various parts of a problem to be solved separately. For two research projects, one on phase selection in steels and the other on nucleation and growth of quasicrystals, a combination of experiments using electrostatic levitation (ESL) and electromagnetic levitation (EML) is appropriate. In both experiments, convection is an important variable. The convective conditions achievable with each method are compared for two very different materials: a low-viscosity, high-temperature stainless steel, and a high-viscosity, low-temperature quasicrystal-forming alloy. It is clear that the techniques are complementary when convection is a parameter to be explored in the experiments. For a number of reasons, including the sample size, temperature, and reactivity, direct measurement of the convective velocity is not feasible. Therefore, we must rely on computation techniques to estimate convection in these experiments. These models are an essential part of almost any microgravity investigation. The methods employed and results obtained for the projects levitation observation of dendrite evolution in steel ternary alloy rapid solidification (LODESTARS) and quasicrystalline undercooled alloys for space investigation (QUASI) are explained.

Ultra-High Temperature Materials Characterization for Propulsion Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, Jan; Hyers, Robert

2007-01-01

Propulsion system efficiency increases as operating temperatures are increased. Some very high-temperature materials are being developed, including refractory metal alloys, carbides, borides, and silicides. System design requires data for materials properties at operating temperatures. Materials property data are not available for many materials of interest at the desired operating temperatures (up to approx. 3000 K). The objective of this work is to provide important physical property data at ultra-high temperatures. The MSFC Electrostatic levitation (ESL) facility can provide measurements of thermophysical properties which include: creep strength, density and thermal expansion for materials being developed for propulsion applications. The ESL facility uses electrostatic fields to position samples between electrodes during processing and characterization studies. Because the samples float between the electrodes during studies, they are free from any contact with a container or test apparatus. This provides a high purity environment for the study of high-temperature, reactive materials. ESL can be used to process a wide variety of materials including metals, alloys, ceramics, glasses and semiconductors. The MSFC ESL has provided non-contact measurements of properties of materials up to 3400 C. Density and thermal expansion are measured by analyzing digital images of the sample at different temperatures. Our novel, non-contact method for measuring creep uses rapid rotation to deform the sample. Digital images of the deformed samples are analyzed to obtain the creep properties, which match those obtained using ASTM Standard E-139 for Nb at 1985 C. Data from selected ESL-based characterization studies will be presented. The ESL technique could support numerous propulsion technologies by advancing the knowledge base and the technology readiness level for ultra-high temperature materials. Applications include non-eroding nozzle materials and lightweight, high-temperature alloys for turbines and structures.

Containerless solidification of oxide material using an electrostatic levitation furnace in microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jianding; Koshikawa, Naokiyo; Arai, Yasutomo; Yoda, Shinichi; Saitou, Hirofumi

2001-11-01

Containerless solidification of BiFeO 3 has been carried out in microgravity with an electrostatic levitation furnace (ELF) on board a sounding rocket (TR-IA). This was the first time the ELF was used in microgravity to study the solidification behavior of oxide insulator material. A spherical BiFeO 3 specimen with a diameter of 5 mm was laser heated and solidified in an oxygen and nitrogen mixture atmosphere. The microstructure resulting from solidification in the ELF was compared with that obtained from solidification in a 10 m drop tube and in crucibles. In the crucible experiments, the segregation of the primary Fe 2O 3 phase could not be suppressed, even if the cooling speed increased to 5000 K/s. However it did suppress in a 0.3 mm diameter droplet solidified in the drop tube experiment. This suggests that containerless processing effectively promoted the undercooling of the BiFeO 3 phase. In the microgravity experiment, although a homogeneous BiFeO 3 phase was not observed in the 5 mm spherical specimen, an anomalous fine cellular microstructure appeared due to high undercooling. In addition, the phase transitions of BiFeO 3 were measured by DTA from room temperature to 1523 K and its liquidus temperature was estimated to be 1423 K.

Dusty Plasmas on the Lunar Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horanyi, M.; Andersson, L.; Colwell, J.; Ergun, R.; Gruen, E.; McClintock, B.; Peterson, W. K.; Robertson, S.; Sternovsky, Z.; Wang, X.

2006-12-01

The electrostatic levitation and transport of lunar dust remains one of the most interesting and controversial science issues from the Apollo era. This issue is also of great engineering importance in designing human habitats and protecting optical and mechanical devices. As function of time and location, the lunar surface is exposed to solar wind plasma, UV radiation, and/or the plasma environment of our magnetosphere. Dust grains on the lunar surface collect an electrostatic charge; alter the large-scale surface charge density distribution, ?and subsequently develop an interface region to the background plasma and radiation. There are several in situ and remote sensing observations that indicate that dusty plasma processes are likely to be responsible for the mobilization and transport of lunar soil. These processes are relevant to: a) understanding the lunar surface environment; b) develop dust mitigation strategies; c) to understand the basic physical processes involved in the birth and collapse of dust loaded plasma sheaths. This talk will focus on the dusty plasma processes on the lunar surface. We will review the existing body of observations, and will also consider future opportunities for the combination of in situ and remote sensing observations. Our goals are to characterize: a) the temporal variation of the spatial and size distributions of the levitated/transported dust; and b) the surface plasma environment

Status of Electrostatic Accelerometer Development for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-on Mission (GRACE FO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebat, V.; Boulanger, D.; Christophe, B.; Foulon, B.; Liorzou, F.; Perrot, E.; Huynh, P. A.

2014-12-01

The GRACE FO mission, led by the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), is an Earth-orbiting gravity mission, continuation of the GRACE mission, which will produce an accurate model of the Earth's gravity field variation providing global climatic data during five years at least. The mission involves two satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation, with a micro-wave link measuring the inter-satellites distance variation. Earth's mass distribution non-uniformities cause variations of the inter-satellite distance. This variation is measured to recover gravity, after subtracting the non-gravitational contributors, as the residual drag. ONERA (the French Aerospace Lab) is developing, manufacturing and testing electrostatic accelerometers measuring this residual drag applied on the satellites. The accelerometer is composed of two main parts: the Sensor Unit (including the Sensor Unit Mechanics - SUM - and the Front-End Electronic Unit - FEEU) and the Interface Control Unit - ICU. In the Accelerometer Core, located in the Sensor Unit Mechanics, the proof mass is levitated and maintained at the center of an electrode cage by electrostatic forces. Thus, any drag acceleration applied on the satellite involves a variation on the servo-controlled electrostatic suspension of the mass. The voltage on the electrodes providing this electrostatic force is the measurement output of the accelerometer. The impact of the accelerometer defaults (geometry, electronic and parasitic forces) leads to bias, misalignment and scale factor error, non-linearity and noise. Some of these accelerometer defaults are characterized by tests with micro-gravity pendulum bench on ground and with drops in ZARM catapult. The Preliminary Design Review was achieved successfully on November 2013. The Engineering Model (EM) was integrated successfully and is under test, with ground levitation, drops, Electromagnetic Compatibility and thermal vacuum. The complete EM tests will be achieved on October 2014. The Critical Design Review is scheduled at the end of September 2014, and the integration of the first Flight Model will begin on October 2014. The results of the Engineering Model tests and the status of the Flight Models will be presented.

LETS: Lunar Environments Test System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaughn, Jason A.; Schneider, Todd; Craven, Paul; Norwood, Joey

2008-01-01

The Environmental Effects Branch (EM50) at the Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a unique capability within the agency, namely the Lunar Environment Test System (LETS). LETS is a cryo-pumped vacuum chamber facility capable of high vacuum (10-7 Torr). LETS is a cylindrical chamber, 30 in. (0.8 m) diameter by 48 in. (1.2 m) long thermally controlled vacuum system. The chamber is equipped with a full array of radiation sources including vacuum ultraviolet, electron, and proton radiation. The unique feature of LETS is that it contains a large lunar simulant bed (18 in. x 40 in. x 6 in.) holding 75 kg of JSC-1a simulant while operating at a vacuum of 10-7 Torr. This facility allows three applications: 1) to study the charging, levitation and migration of dust particles, 2) to simulate the radiation environment on the lunar surface, and 3) to electrically charge the lunar simulant enhancing the attraction and adhesion of dust particles to test articles more closely simulating the lunar surface dust environment. LETS has numerous diagnostic instruments including TREK electrostatic probes, residual gas analyzer (RGA), temperature controlled quartz crystal microbalance (TQCM), and particle imaging velocimeter (PIV). Finally, LETS uses continuous Labview data acquisition for computer monitoring and system control.

Evaluation of Simulated Microgravity Environments Induced by Diamagnetic Levitation of Plant Cell Suspension Cultures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamal, Khaled Y.; Herranz, Raúl; van Loon, Jack J. W. A.; Christianen, Peter C. M.; Medina, F. Javier

2016-06-01

Ground-Based Facilities (GBF) are essetial tools to understand the physical and biological effects of the absence of gravity and they are necessary to prepare and complement space experiments. It has been shown previously that a real microgravity environment induces the dissociation of cell proliferation from cell growth in seedling root meristems, which are limited populations of proliferating cells. Plant cell cultures are large and homogeneous populations of proliferating cells, so that they are a convenient model to study the effects of altered gravity on cellular mechanisms regulating cell proliferation and associated cell growth. Cell suspension cultures of the Arabidopsis thaliana cell line MM2d were exposed to four altered gravity and magnetic field environments in a magnetic levitation facility for 3 hours, including two simulated microgravity and Mars-like gravity levels obtained with different magnetic field intensities. Samples were processed either by quick freezing, to be used in flow cytometry for cell cycle studies, or by chemical fixation for microscopy techniques to measure parameters of the nucleolus. Although the trend of the results was the same as those obtained in real microgravity on meristems (increased cell proliferation and decreased cell growth), we provide a technical discussion in the context of validation of proper conditions to achieve true cell levitation inside a levitating droplet. We conclude that the use of magnetic levitation as a simulated microgravity GBF for cell suspension cultures is not recommended.

Measuring forces and dynamics for optically levitated 20μm PS particles in air using electrostatic modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Haesung; LeBrun, Thomas W.

2015-08-01

We demonstrate the simultaneous measurement of optical trap stiffness and quadrant-cell photodetector (QPD) calibration of optically trapped polystyrene particle in air. The analysis is based on the transient response of particles, confined to an optical trap, subject to a pulsed electrostatic field generated by parallel indium tin oxide (ITO) coated substrates. The resonant natural frequency and damping were directly estimated by fitting the analytical solution of the transient response of an underdamped harmonic oscillator to the measured particle displacement from its equilibrium position. Because, the particle size was estimated independently with video microscopy, this approach allowed us to measure the optical force without ignoring the effects of inertia and temperature changes from absorption.

EML - an electromagnetic levitator for the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seidel, A.; Soellner, W.; Stenzel, C.

2011-12-01

Based on a long and successful evolution of electromagnetic levitators for microgravity applications, including facilities for parabolic flights, sounding rocket missions and Spacelab missions, the Electromagnetic Levitator EML provides unique experiment opportunities onboard ISS. With the application of the electromagnetic levitation principle under microgravity conditions the undercooled regime of electrically conductive materials becomes accessible for an extended time which allows the performance of unique studies of nucleation phenomena or phase formation as well as the measurement of a range of thermophysical properties both above the melting temperature and in the undercooled regime. The EML payload is presently being developed by Astrium Space Transportation under contracts to ESA and DLR. The design of the payload allows flexible experiment scenarios individually targeted towards specific experimental needs and samples including live video control of the running experiments and automatic or interactive process control.

Sound Waves Levitate Substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, M. C.; Wang, T. G.

1982-01-01

System recently tested uses acoustic waves to levitate liquid drops, millimeter-sized glass microballoons, and other objects for coating by vapor deposition or capillary attraction. Cylindrical contactless coating/handling facility employs a cylindrical acoustic focusing radiator and a tapered reflector to generate a specially-shaped standing wave pattern. Article to be processed is captured by the acoustic force field under the reflector and moves as reflector is moved to different work stations.

Photophoretic levitation of engineered aerosols for geoengineering

PubMed Central

Keith, David W.

2010-01-01

Aerosols could be injected into the upper atmosphere to engineer the climate by scattering incident sunlight so as to produce a cooling tendency that may mitigate the risks posed by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Analysis of climate engineering has focused on sulfate aerosols. Here I examine the possibility that engineered nanoparticles could exploit photophoretic forces, enabling more control over particle distribution and lifetime than is possible with sulfates, perhaps allowing climate engineering to be accomplished with fewer side effects. The use of electrostatic or magnetic materials enables a class of photophoretic forces not found in nature. Photophoretic levitation could loft particles above the stratosphere, reducing their capacity to interfere with ozone chemistry; and, by increasing particle lifetimes, it would reduce the need for continual replenishment of the aerosol. Moreover, particles might be engineered to drift poleward enabling albedo modification to be tailored to counter polar warming while minimizing the impact on equatorial climates. PMID:20823254

Photophoretic levitation of engineered aerosols for geoengineering.

PubMed

Keith, David W

2010-09-21

Aerosols could be injected into the upper atmosphere to engineer the climate by scattering incident sunlight so as to produce a cooling tendency that may mitigate the risks posed by the accumulation of greenhouse gases. Analysis of climate engineering has focused on sulfate aerosols. Here I examine the possibility that engineered nanoparticles could exploit photophoretic forces, enabling more control over particle distribution and lifetime than is possible with sulfates, perhaps allowing climate engineering to be accomplished with fewer side effects. The use of electrostatic or magnetic materials enables a class of photophoretic forces not found in nature. Photophoretic levitation could loft particles above the stratosphere, reducing their capacity to interfere with ozone chemistry; and, by increasing particle lifetimes, it would reduce the need for continual replenishment of the aerosol. Moreover, particles might be engineered to drift poleward enabling albedo modification to be tailored to counter polar warming while minimizing the impact on equatorial climates.

Radiation Pressure Measurements on Micron Size Individual Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Craven, P.D.; Spann, J. F.; Tankosic, D.; Witherow, W. K.; LeClair, A.; West, E.; Sheldon, R.; Gallagher, D. L.; Adrian, M. L.

2003-01-01

Measurements of electromagnetic radiation pressure have been made on individual silica (SiO2) particles levitated in an electrodynamic balance. These measurements were made by inserting single charged particles of known diameter in the 0.2 micron to 6.82 micron range and irradiating them from above with laser radiation focused to beam-widths of approx. 175-400 micron, at ambient pressures approx. 10(exp -3) to 10(exp -4) torr. The downward displacement of the particle due to the radiation force is balanced by the electrostatic force indicated by the compensating dc potential applied to the balance electrodes, providing a direct measure of the radiation force on the levitated particle. Theoretical calculations of the radiation pressure with a least-squares fit to the measured data yield the radiation pressure efficiencies of the particles, and comparisons with Mie scattering theory calculations provide the imaginary part of the refractive index of silica and the corresponding extinction and scattering efficiencies.

Radiation Pressure Measurements on Micron-Size Individual Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; Witherow, W. K.; West, E. A.; Gallagher, D. L.; Adrian, M. L.; Fishman, G. J.; Tankosic, D.; LeClair, A.

2003-01-01

Measurements of electromagnetic radiation pressure have been made on individual silica (SiO2) particles levitated in an electrodynamic balance. These measurements were made by inserting single charged particles of known diameter in the 0.2- to 6.82-micron range and irradiating them from above with laser radiation focused to beam widths of approximately 175- 400 microns at ambient pressures particle due to the radiation force is balanced by the electrostatic force indicated by the compensating dc potential applied to the balance electrodes, providing a direct measure of the radiation force on the levitated particle. Theoretical calculations of the radiation pressure with a least-squares fit to the measured data yield the radiation pressure efficiencies of the particles, and comparisons with Mie scattering theory calculations provide the imaginary part of the refractive index of SiO2 and the corresponding extinction and scattering efficiencies.

Mass spectrometry of acoustically levitated droplets.

PubMed

Westphall, Michael S; Jorabchi, Kaveh; Smith, Lloyd M

2008-08-01

Containerless sample handling techniques such as acoustic levitation offer potential advantages for mass spectrometry, by eliminating surfaces where undesired adsorption/desorption processes can occur. In addition, they provide a unique opportunity to study fundamental aspects of the ionization process as well as phenomena occurring at the air-droplet interface. Realizing these advantages is contingent, however, upon being able to effectively interface levitated droplets with a mass spectrometer, a challenging task that is addressed in this report. We have employed a newly developed charge and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (CALDI) technique to obtain mass spectra from a 5-microL acoustically levitated droplet containing peptides and an ionic matrix. A four-ring electrostatic lens is used in conjunction with a corona needle to produce bursts of corona ions and to direct those ions toward the droplet, resulting in droplet charging. Analyte ions are produced from the droplet by a 337-nm laser pulse and detected by an atmospheric sampling mass spectrometer. The ion generation and extraction cycle is repeated at 20 Hz, the maximum operating frequency of the laser employed. It is shown in delayed ion extraction experiments that both positive and negative ions are produced, behavior similar to that observed for atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser absorption/ionization. No ion signal is observed in the absence of droplet charging. It is likely, although not yet proven, that the role of the droplet charging is to increase the strength of the electric field at the surface of the droplet, reducing charge recombination after ion desorption.

Mass Spectrometry of Acoustically Levitated Droplets

PubMed Central

Westphall, Michael S.; Jorabchi, Kaveh; Smith, Lloyd M.

2008-01-01

Containerless sample handling techniques such as acoustic levitation offer potential advantages for mass spectrometry, by eliminating surfaces where undesired adsorption/desorption processes can occur. In addition, they provide a unique opportunity to study fundamental aspects of the ionization process as well as phenomena occurring at the air–droplet interface. Realizing these advantages is contingent, however, upon being able to effectively interface levitated droplets with a mass spectrometer, a challenging task that is addressed in this report. We have employed a newly developed charge and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (CALDI) technique to obtain mass spectra from a 5-μL acoustically levitated droplet containing peptides and an ionic matrix. A four-ring electrostatic lens is used in conjunction with a corona needle to produce bursts of corona ions and to direct those ions toward the droplet, resulting in droplet charging. Analyte ions are produced from the droplet by a 337-nm laser pulse and detected by an atmospheric sampling mass spectrometer. The ion generation and extraction cycle is repeated at 20 Hz, the maximum operating frequency of the laser employed. It is shown in delayed ion extraction experiments that both positive and negative ions are produced, behavior similar to that observed for atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser absorption/ionization. No ion signal is observed in the absence of droplet charging. It is likely, although not yet proven, that the role of the droplet charging is to increase the strength of the electric field at the surface of the droplet, reducing chargere combination after ion desorption. PMID:18582090

The Effect of Twins on Critical Currents of High Tc Superconductors

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

particles to stick together due to electrostatic forces. To overcome this we have formed a slurry of the material in liquid nitrogen and flash...can use and the liquid convection tends to counteract the separation process. We have-now designed a magnetic track which particles will slide down with...Currents of High Tc Superconductors" - A.M. Campbell and M.F. Ashby The initial work on levitation forces and separation of superconducting powders has

Thermodynamic properties and solidification kinetics of intermetallic Ni{sub 7}Zr{sub 2} alloy investigated by electrostatic levitation technique and theoretical calculations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, L. H.; Hu, L.; Yang, S. J.

2016-01-21

The thermodynamic properties, including the density, volume expansion coefficient, ratio of specific heat to emissivity of intermetallic Ni{sub 7}Zr{sub 2} alloy, have been measured using the non-contact electrostatic levitation technique. These properties vary linearly with temperature at solid and liquid states, even down to the obtained maximum undercooling of 317 K. The enthalpy, glass transition, diffusion coefficient, shear viscosity, and surface tension were obtained by using molecular dynamics simulations. Ni{sub 7}Zr{sub 2} has a relatively poor glass forming ability, and the glass transition temperature is determined as 1026 K. The inter-diffusivity of Ni{sub 7}Zr{sub 2} alloy fitted by Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann law yields amore » fragility parameter of 8.49, which indicates the fragile nature of this alloy. Due to the competition of increased thermodynamic driving force and decreased atomic diffusion, the dendrite growth velocity of Ni{sub 7}Zr{sub 2} compound exhibits double-exponential relationship to the undercooling. The maximum growth velocity is predicted to be 0.45 m s{sup −1} at the undercooling of 335 K. Theoretical analysis reveals that the dendrite growth is a diffusion-controlled process and the atomic diffusion speed is only 2.0 m s{sup −1}.« less

The solidification of Al–Pd–Mn studied by high-energy X-ray diffraction from electrostatically levitated samples

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Quirinale, Dante G.

Here, we report on the results of a high-energy x-ray diffraction study of Al–Pd–Mn to investigate the solidification products obtained during free-cooling using an electrostatic levitation furnace. The primary solidification product from the melt is i-Al–Pd–Mn which coexists with a significant remaining liquid component. As the sample cools further, we find that the solidification pathway is consistent with the liquidus projection and pseudo-binary cut through the ternary phase diagram reported previously. At ambient temperature we have identified the major phase to be the ξ'-phase orthorhombic approximant, along with minor phases identified as Al and, most likely, the R-phase orthorhombic approximant.more » We have also observed a distinct prepeak in the liquid at high temperature, signifying the presence of extended atomic order. Interestingly, this prepeak was not observed in previous neutron diffraction measurements on the Al–Pd–Mn system. No undercooling was observed preceding the solidification of the i-Al–Pd–Mn phase from the melt which may signal the close similarity of the short-range order in the solid and liquid. However, this can not be clearly determined because of the potential for heterogenous nucleation associated with the presence of an Al2O3 impurity at the surface of the sample.« less

Lunar dust charging by photoelectric emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, E. A.

2007-05-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, as indicated by the transient dust clouds observed over the lunar horizon during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function (WF) of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric efficiencies and yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17 and Luna-24 missions as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The measurements were made on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of sub-micron to several micron size radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

Laboratory Measurements of Optical and Physical Properties of Individual Lunar Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Hoover, R. B.

2006-01-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, and transient dust clouds over the lunar horizon were observed by experiments during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar UV radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17, and Luna 24 missions, as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The experimental results were obtained on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of radii sub-micron size to several micron radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

Lunar Dust Charging by Photoelectric Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, E. A.

2007-01-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, as indicated by the transient dust clouds observed over the lunar horizon during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function (WF) of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric efficiencies and yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17 and Luna-24 missions as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The measurements were made on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of sub-micron to several micron size radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

Lunar Dust Charging by Photoelectric Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, E. A.

2007-01-01

The lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of sub-micron/micron size dust grains formed by meteoritic impact over billions of years. The fine dust grains are levitated and transported on the lunar surface, as indicated by the transient dust clouds observed over the lunar horizon during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar UV radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon s surface with its observed adhesive characteristics has the potential of severe impact on human habitat and operations and lifetime of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the charging properties and the lunar dust phenomena in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. Photoelectric emission induced by the solar UV radiation with photon energies higher than the work function of the grain materials is recognized to be the dominant process for charging of the lunar dust, and requires measurements of the photoelectric yields to determine the charging and equilibrium potentials of individual dust grains. In this paper, we present the first laboratory measurements of the photoelectric efficiencies and yields of individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains selected from sample returns of Apollo 17, and Luna 24 missions, as well as similar size dust grains from the JSC-1 simulants. The measurements were made on a laboratory facility based on an electrodynamic balance that permits a variety of experiments to be conducted on individual sub-micron/micron size dust grains in simulated space environments. The photoelectric emission measurements indicate grain size dependence with the yield increasing by an order of magnitude for grains of sub-micron to several micron size radii, at which it reaches asymptotic values. The yield for large size grains is found to be more than an order of magnitude higher than the bulk measurements on lunar fines reported in the literature.

The Electrostatic Environments of Mars and the Moon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calle, Carlos I.

2011-01-01

The electrical activity present in the environment near the surfaces of Mars and the moon has very different origins and presents a challenge to manned and robotic planetary exploration missions. Mars is covered with a layer of dust that has been redistributed throughout the entire planet by global dust storms. Dust, levitated by these storms as well as by the frequent dust devils, is expected to be electrostatically charged due to the multiple grain collisions in the dust-laden atmosphere. Dust covering the surface of the moon is expected to be electrostatically charged due to the solar wind, cosmic rays, and the solar radiation itself through the photoelectric effect. Electrostatically charged dust has a large tendency to adhere to surfaces. NASA's Mars exploration rovers have shown that atmospheric dust falling on solar panels can decrease their efficiency to the point of rendering the rover unusable. And as the Apollo missions to the moon showed, lunar dust adhesion can hinder manned and unmanned lunar exploration activities. Taking advantage of the electrical activity on both planetary system bodies, dust removal technologies are now being developed that use electrostatic and dielectrophoretic forces to produce controlled dust motion. This paper presents a short review of the theoretical and semiempirical models that have been developed for the lunar and Martian electrical environments.

Rethinking of the regolith transport on airless bodies in the Solar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, S.; Wang, X.; Seiss, M.; Schwan, J.; Sternovsky, Z.; Horanyi, M.

2016-12-01

Recent laboratory experiments provided important constraints on the characteristics of electrostatic dust transport on airless bodies. The proposed "patched charging model" illustrates how regolith particles acquire grain charges much higher than expected to drive the surface dust movements, including rotation and hopping of individual regolith particle as well as the overall smoothing of the regolith surface observed in the experiments. Here we apply the experimental results to re-examine the regolith transport on the airless bodies in the Solar systems, including both observation (e.g., dust ponds on Eros) and theoretical aspects (e.g., electrostatic dust levitation). We will also discuss the observational criteria and implications to be expected from current and future missions, such as Asteroid Redirect Mission, Cassini, Hayabusa 2, and OSIRIS-Rex.

Maglev Facility for Simulating Variable Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Yuanming; Strayer, Donald M.; Israelsson, Ulf E.

2010-01-01

An improved magnetic levitation apparatus ("Maglev Facility") has been built for use in experiments in which there are requirements to impose variable gravity (including zero gravity) in order to assess the effects of gravity or the absence thereof on physical and physiological processes. The apparatus is expected to be especially useful for experiments on the effects of gravity on convection, boiling, and heat transfer in fluids and for experiments on mice to gain understanding of bone loss induced in human astronauts by prolonged exposure to reduced gravity in space flight. The maglev principle employed by the apparatus is well established. Diamagnetic cryogenic fluids such as liquid helium have been magnetically levitated for studying their phase transitions and critical behaviors. Biological entities consist mostly of diamagnetic molecules (e.g., water molecules) and thus can be levitated by use of sufficiently strong magnetic fields having sufficiently strong vertical gradients. The heart of the present maglev apparatus is a vertically oriented superconducting solenoid electromagnet (see figure) that generates a static magnetic field of about 16 T with a vertical gradient sufficient for levitation of water in normal Earth gravity. The electromagnet is enclosed in a Dewar flask having a volume of 100 L that contains liquid helium to maintain superconductivity. The Dewar flask features a 66-mm-diameter warm bore, lying within the bore of the magnet, wherein experiments can be performed at room temperature. The warm bore is accessible from its top and bottom ends. The superconducting electromagnet is run in the persistent mode, in which the supercurrent and the magnetic field can be maintained for weeks with little decay, making this apparatus extremely cost and energy efficient to operate. In addition to water, this apparatus can levitate several common fluids: liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, methane, ammonia, sodium, and lithium, all of which are useful, variously, as rocket fuels or as working fluids for heat transfer devices. A drop of water 45 mm in diameter and a small laboratory mouse have been levitated in this apparatus.

Micro/nano electro mechanical systems for practical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esashi, Masayoshi

2009-09-01

Silicon MEMS as electrostatically levitated rotational gyroscope, 2D optical scanner and wafer level packaged devices as integrated capacitive pressure sensor and MEMS switch are described. MEMS which use non-silicon materials as diamond, PZT, conductive polymer, CNT (carbon nano tube), LTCC with electrical feedthrough, SiC (silicon carbide) and LiNbO3 for multi-probe data storage, multi-column electron beam lithography system, probe card for wafer-level burn-in test, mould for glass press moulding and SAW wireless passive sensor respectively are also described.

Novel Synthesis of Calcium Oxide-Aluminum Oxide Glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, J. K. Richard; Tangeman, Jean A.; Key, Thomas S.; Hiera, Kirsten J.; Paradis, Paul-Francois; Ishikawa, Takehiko; Yu, Jianding; Yoda, Shinichi

2002-05-01

Binary Al2O3:CaO glasses containing 36-50 mole% Al2O3 were synthesized by containerless processing of liquids in nitrogen using aerodynamic and a pressurized electrostatic-aerodynamic levitator. The critical cooling rate for glass formation RC under containerless conditions was ca. 70 K/s. The Vickers hardness of the glasses was 775-785; and the infrared transmission extended to approximately 5500 nm. The work function of the 36 mole% Al2O3 composition was 3.7 eV at 1100 K.

Electrostatic design and beam transport for a folded tandem electrostatic quadrupole accelerator facility for accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy.

PubMed

Vento, V Thatar; Bergueiro, J; Cartelli, D; Valda, A A; Kreiner, A J

2011-12-01

Within the frame of an ongoing project to develop a folded Tandem-Electrostatic-Quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator facility for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT), we discuss here the electrostatic design of the machine, including the accelerator tubes with electrostatic quadrupoles and the simulations for the transport and acceleration of a high intensity beam. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermophysical Properties Measurement of High-Temperature Liquids Under Microgravity Conditions in Controlled Atmospheric Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watanabe, Masahito; Ozawa, Shumpei; Mizuno, Akotoshi; Hibiya, Taketoshi; Kawauchi, Hiroya; Murai, Kentaro; Takahashi, Suguru

2012-01-01

Microgravity conditions have advantages of measurement of surface tension and viscosity of metallic liquids by the oscillating drop method with an electromagnetic levitation (EML) device. Thus, we are preparing the experiments of thermophysical properties measurements using the Materials-Science Laboratories ElectroMagnetic-Levitator (MSL-EML) facilities in the international Space station (ISS). Recently, it has been identified that dependence of surface tension on oxygen partial pressure (Po2) must be considered for industrial application of surface tension values. Effect of Po2 on surface tension would apparently change viscosity from the damping oscillation model. Therefore, surface tension and viscosity must be measured simultaneously in the same atmospheric conditions. Moreover, effect of the electromagnetic force (EMF) on the surface oscillations must be clarified to obtain the ideal surface oscillation because the EMF works as the external force on the oscillating liquid droplets, so extensive EMF makes apparently the viscosity values large. In our group, using the parabolic flight levitation experimental facilities (PFLEX) the effect of Po2 and external EMF on surface oscillation of levitated liquid droplets was systematically investigated for the precise measurements of surface tension and viscosity of high temperature liquids for future ISS experiments. We performed the observation of surface oscillations of levitated liquid alloys using PFLEX on board flight experiments by Gulfstream II (G-II) airplane operated by DAS. These observations were performed under the controlled Po2 and also under the suitable EMF conditions. In these experiments, we obtained the density, the viscosity and the surface tension values of liquid Cu. From these results, we discuss about as same as reported data, and also obtained the difference of surface oscillations with the change of the EMF conditions.

MagLev Cobra: Test Facilities and Operational Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sotelo, G. G.; Dias, D. H. J. N.; de Oliveira, R. A. H.; Ferreira, A. C.; De Andrade, R., Jr.; Stephan, R. M.

2014-05-01

The superconducting MagLev technology for transportation systems is becoming mature due to the research and developing effort of recent years. The Brazilian project, named MagLev-Cobra, started in 1998. It has the goal of developing a superconducting levitation vehicle for urban areas. The adopted levitation technology is based on the diamagnetic and the flux pinning properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) bulk blocks in the interaction with Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets. A laboratory test facility with permanent magnet guideway, linear induction motor and one vehicle module is been built to investigate its operation. The MagLev-Cobra project state of the art is presented in the present paper, describing some construction details of the new test line with 200 m.

Efficiency determination of an electrostatic lunar dust collector by discrete element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afshar-Mohajer, Nima; Wu, Chang-Yu; Sorloaica-Hickman, Nicoleta

2012-07-01

Lunar grains become charged by the sun's radiation in the tenuous atmosphere of the moon. This leads to lunar dust levitation and particle deposition which often create serious problems in the costly system deployed in lunar exploration. In this study, an electrostatic lunar dust collector (ELDC) is proposed to address the issue and the discrete element method (DEM) is used to investigate the effects of electrical particle-particle interactions, non-uniformity of the electrostatic field, and characteristics of the ELDC. The simulations on 20-μm-sized lunar particles reveal the electrical particle-particle interactions of the dust particles within the ELDC plates require 29% higher electrostatic field strength than that without the interactions for 100% collection efficiency. For the given ELDC geometry, consideration of non-uniformity of the electrostatic field along with electrical interactions between particles on the same ELDC geometry leads to a higher requirement of ˜3.5 kV/m to ensure 100% particle collection. Notably, such an electrostatic field is about 103 times less than required for electrodynamic self-cleaning methods. Finally, it is shown for a "half-size" system that the DEM model predicts greater collection efficiency than the Eulerian-based model at all voltages less than required for 100% efficiency. Halving the ELDC dimensions boosts the particle concentration inside the ELDC, as well as the resulting field strength for a given voltage. Though a lunar photovoltaic system was the subject, the results of this study are useful for evaluation of any system for collecting charged particles in other high vacuum environment using an electrostatic field.

Design and Development of an Acoustic Levitation System for Use in CVD Growth of Carbon Nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qasem, Amal ali

The most widely used methods for growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) arc discharge, laser ablation, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Some of these methods have difficulties, such as controlling the quality and straightness of the nanotube in the synthesis of CNTs from substrates. Also, the enhanced plasma chemical vapor deposition method with the catalyst on a substrate produces straighter, larger diameter nanotubes by the tip growth method, but they are short. The difficulty in the floating catalyst method is that the nanotubes stay in the growth furnace for short times limiting growth to about one mm length; this method also leaves many catalyst impurities. One factor that limits CNT growth in these methods is the difficulty of getting enough carbon atoms to the growth catalyst to grow long nanotubes. The motivation of this work is that longer, higher quality nanotubes could be grown by increasing growth time and by increasing carbon atom movement to catalyst. The goal of this project is to use acoustic levitation to assist chemical vapor deposition growth by trapping and vibrating the growing CNTs for better properties. Our levitation system consists of a piezoelectric transducer attached to an aluminum horn and quartz rod extending into the growth furnace. The most important elements of our methods to achieve the acoustic levitation are as follows. 1. Using COMSOL Multi-physic Simulation software to determine the length of quartz rod needed to excite standing waves for levitation in the tube furnace. 2. Determining the resonance frequency of different transducers and horns. 3. Using ultrasound measurement to determine the time of flight, velocity of sound and sound wavelength of different horns. 4. Making Aluminum horns with the appropriate lengths. 5. Using ultrasound measurement to determine the changing of quartz rod velocity of sound and length in the furnace. 6. Mounting the transducer to booster horn and aluminum cylindrical horn above a reflector to produce the standing waves. The levitation of small Styrofoam balls was successful by using this system and verified wavelengths of standing wave and position of levitation. We could not levitate powders, most likely due to electrostatic charging, air currents, but most importantly insufficient power to drive transducer. In addition, we built a CVD growth furnace with ultrasound transducer- horn- quartz rod and reflector. The reflector support also included a sense piezoelectric element for determining standing wave strength. This reflector support was mounted on a linear translation stage to control the quartz rod-reflector separation to produce standing waves. To remove the contaminated unwanted CNTs, we built a separate tube furnace tube filled with a molecular sieve to burn the CNT's in air. Finally, we made catalyst-coated, ceramic microparticles for levitation and used these to verify CNT growth. Future efforts research would be to levitate these micro particles at room temperature then in the high temperature furnace for growth of carbon nanotubes.

Electrostatic charging of lunar dust

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Walch, Bob; Horanyi, Mihaly; Robertson, Scott

1998-10-21

Transient dust clouds suspended above the lunar surface were indicated by the horizon glow observed by the Surveyor spacecrafts and the Lunar Ejecta and Meteorite Experiment (Apollo 17), for example. The theoretical models cannot fully explain these observations, but they all suggest that electrostatic charging of the lunar surface due to exposure to the solar wind plasma and UV radiation could result in levitation, transport and ejection of small grains. We report on our experimental studies of the electrostatic charging properties of an Apollo-17 soil sample and two lunar simulants MLS-1 and JSC-1. We have measured their charge after exposingmore » individual grains to a beam of fast electrons with energies in the range of 20{<=}E{<=}90 eV. Our measurements indicate that the secondary electron emission yield of the Apollo-17 sample is intermediate between MLS-1 and JSC-1, closer to that of MLS-1. We will also discuss our plans to develop a laboratory lunar surface model, where time dependent illumination and plasma bombardment will closely emulate the conditions on the surface of the Moon.« less

Investigation of dust transport on the lunar surface in laboratory plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X.; Horanyi, M.; Robertson, S. H.

2009-12-01

There has been much evidence indicating dust levitation and transport on or near the lunar surface. Dust mobilization is likely to be caused by electrostatic forces acting on small lunar dust particles that are charged by UV radiation and solar wind plasma. To learn about the basic physical process, we investigated the dynamics of dust grains on a conducting surface in laboratory plasmas. The first experiment was conducted with a dust pile (JSC-Mars-1) sitting on a negatively biased surface in plasma. The dust pile spread and formed a diffusing dust ring. Dust hopping was confirmed by noticing grains on protruding surfaces. The electrostatic potential distributions measured above the dust pile show an outward pointing electrostatic force and a non-monotonic sheath above the dust pile, indicating a localized upward electrostatic force responsible for lifting dust off the surface. The second experiment was conducted with a dust pile sitting on an electrically floating conducting surface in plasma with an electron beam. Potential measurements show a horizontal electric field at the dust/surface boundary and an enhanced vertical electric field in the sheath above the dust pile when the electron beam current is set to be comparable to the Bohm ion current. Secondary electrons emitted from the surfaces play an important role in this case.

Measurements of Photoelectric Yield and Physical Properties of Individual Lunar Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, F. A.; Taylor, L.; Hoover, R.

2005-01-01

Micron size dust grains levitated and transported on the lunar surface constitute a major problem for the robotic and human habitat missions for the Moon. It is well known since the Apollo missions that the lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of micron/sub-micron size dust grains. Transient dust clouds over the lunar horizon were observed by experiments during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar UV radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and the levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics is believed to have a severe impact on the human habitat and the lifetime and operations of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the phenomena and the charging properties of the lunar dust in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. We will present results of some recent laboratory experiments on individual micro/sub-micron size dust grains levitated in electrodynamic balance in simulated space environments. The experiments involve photoelectric emission measurements of individual micron size lunar dust grains illuminated with UV radiation in the 120-160 nm wavelength range. The photoelectric yields are required to determine the charging properties of lunar dust illuminated by solar UV radiation. We will present some recent results of laboratory measurement of the photoelectric yields and the physical properties of individual micron size dust grains from the Apollo and Luna-24 sample returns as well as the JSC-1 lunar simulants.

Study of the hygroscopic properties of selected pharmaceutical aerosols using single particle levitation.

PubMed

Peng, C; Chow, A H; Chan, C K

2000-09-01

To use a single particle levitation technique to investigate the equilibrium water sorption characteristics in both the evaporation and growth of four respiratory drugs at 37 degrees C: atropine sulfate (AS), isoproterenol hydrochloride (IPHC) and isoproterenol hemisulfate (IPHS) and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG). The equilibrium water content was measured as a function of relative humidity (RH) by a single particle levitation technique using an electrodynamic balance (EDB). The change of water content was determined by the voltage required to balance the weight of the levitated particle electrostatically. The water activities of bulk samples were also measured. Growth ratios were determined and compared with values in the literature. Crystallization or deliquescence was not observed for AS, IPHC and IPHS. The hysteresis in the water cycle was not observed for any of the drugs. At RH approximately 0%, AS particles still contain about 5% water but IPHC and IPHS particles do not contain any residual water. The aerodynamic growth ratio from RH 0% to 99.5% is 2.60, 2.86, 2.42 and 1.26 for AS, IPHC, IPHS and DSCG, respectively. Supersaturated droplets of IPHC and IPHS are expected to exist in the ambient conditions. DSCG is in a solid state in the RH range of 10-90%. It is expected that some aerosolized drugs of low solubility may experience supersaturation before they enter the human body and this could exert a significant influence both on particle loss before inhalation and on the deposition of the drugs in the lungs. The EDB is a convenient and reliable tool for studying the hygroscopic properties of pharmaceutical aerosols, especially for supersaturated solutions.

Dual levitated coils for antihydrogen production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wofford, J. D.; Ordonez, C. A.

2013-04-01

Two coaxial superconducting magnetic coils that carry currents in the same direction and that are simultaneously levitated may serve for antihydrogen plasma confinement. The configuration may be suitable for use by a collaboration at the CERN Antiproton Decelerator facility to test fundamental symmetries between the properties of hydrogen and antihydrogen. Nested Penning traps are currently used to confine recombining antihydrogen plasma. Symmetry studies require the production of sufficiently cold antihydrogen. However, plasma drifts within nested Penning traps can increase the kinetic energy of antiprotons that form antihydrogen atoms. Dual levitated coils may serve to confine relatively large, cold, dense non-drifting recombining antihydrogen plasmas. A minimum-B magnetic field that is produced by the coils could provide for atom trapping. A toroidal plasma is confined between the coils. High density plasmas may be possible, by allowing plasma pressure to balance mechanical pressure to keep the coils apart. Progress is reported on theoretical and experimental efforts. The theoretical effort includes the development of a classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulation of confinement. The experimental effort includes levitation of a NdFeB permanent ring magnet, which produces a magnetic field that is qualitatively similar to the field that would be produced by the two coaxial superconducting magnetic coils. Liquid-nitrogen-cooled Bi-2223 high-temperature-superconducting components, with a critical temperature of 108 K, were used to levitate the ring magnet. An issue concerning keeping the plane of the levitated ring horizontal is discussed.

Solidification of Undercooled Melts of Al-Based Alloys on Earth and in Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herlach, Dieter M.; Burggraf, Stefan; Galenko, Peter; Gandin, Charles-André; Garcia-Escorial, Asuncion; Henein, Hani; Karrasch, Christian; Mullis, Andrew; Rettenmayr, Markus; Valloton, Jonas

2017-08-01

Containerless processing of droplets and drops by atomization and electromagnetic levitation are applied to undercool metallic melts and alloys prior to solidification. Heterogeneous nucleation on crucible walls is completely avoided giving access to large undercoolings. Experiments are performed both under terrestrial (1 g) conditions and in reduced gravity ( µg) as well. Microgravity conditions are realized by the free fall of small droplets during atomization of a spray of droplets, individual drops in a drop tube and by electromagnetic levitation of drops during parabolic flights, sounding rocket missions, and using the electro-magnetic levitator multi-user facility on board the International Space Station. The comparison of both sets of experiments in 1 g and µg leads to an estimation of the influence of forced convection on dendrite growth kinetics and microstructure evolution.

Flux-canceling electrodynamic maglev suspension. Part 1: Test fixture design and modeling

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thompson, M.T.; Thornton, R.D.; Kondoleon, A.

1999-05-01

The design and analysis of a scale-model suspension test facility for magnetic levitation (maglev) is discussed. The authors describe techniques for the design, construction, and testing of a prototype electrodynamic suspension (EDS) levitation system. The viability of future high-temperature superconducting magnet designs for maglev has been investigated with regard to their application to active secondary suspensions. In order to test the viability of a new flux-canceling EDS suspension, a 1/5-scale suspension magnet and guideway was constructed. The suspension was tested by using a high-speed rotating test wheel facility with linear peripheral speed of up to 84 m/s (300 km/h). Amore » set of approximate design tools and scaling laws has been developed in order to evaluate forces and critical velocities in the suspension.« less

Science Using an Electrostatic Levitation Furnace in the MUCAT Sector at the APS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldman, A.; Kelton, K. F.; Rogers, J. R.

2004-01-01

The original motivation for the construction of the BESL prototype was to obtain the first proof of a 50-year-old hypothesis regarding the solidification of liquid metals. Since the 1950s it has been known that under proper conditions liquid metals can be cooled below their melting temperature (undercooled) without crystallizing to the stable solid phase. In 1952 Frank proposed that this was because the atoms in the metallic liquid were arranged with the symmetry of an icosahedron, a Platonic solid consisting of 20 tetrahedra (4-sided pyramid-shaped polyhedra) arranged around a common center. Since this local atomic order is incompatible with the long-range translational periodicity of crystal phases, a barrier is formed to the formation of small regions of the crystal phase, the nucleation barrier. A proof of Frank's hypothesis required a direct correlation between measured icosahedral order in the undercooled liquid and the nucleation barrier. The tendency of sample containers to catalyze nucleation obscured this relation, requiring containerless techniques. Combining containerless processing techniques for electrostatically levitated droplets (ESL) with x-ray synchrotron methods, a team from Washington University, St. Louis, MO, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and MUCAT at the APS demonstrated an increasing icosahedral order in TiZrNi liquids with decreasing temperature below the melting temperature. The increased icosahedral order caused the transformation of the liquid to a metastable icosahedral quasicrystal phase, instead of the stable tetrahedrally-coordinated crystal intermetallic, giving the first clear demonstration of the connection between the nucleation barrier and the local structure of the liquid, verifying Frank's hypothesis for this alloy.

NASA-sponsored containerless processing experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hofmeister, William H.

1990-01-01

An outline is presented of containerless processing and facilities at Intersonics which is sponsored by NASA. There are electromagnetic, acoustic, and aerodynamic levitation facilities. There are also laser beam and arc lamp heating systems along with state of the art noncontact temperature and optical property measurement facilities. Nonintrusive diagnostic techniques with Laser Induced Fluorescence and mass spectrometer are also available. Controlled atmosphere processing, gas quenching, and proven microgravity processing technology is part of the Intersonics capabilities.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-01-24

Typical metal sample that was processed by TEMPUS (Tiegelfreies Elektromagnetisches Prozessieren Unter Schwerelosigkeit), an electromagnetic levitation facility developed by German researchers and flown on the IML-2 and MSL-1 and 1R Spacelab missions. Electromagnetic levitation is used commonly in ground-based experiments to melt and then cool metallic melts below their freezing points without solidification occurring. Sample size is limited in ground-based experiments. Research with TEMPUS aboard Spacelab allowed scientists to study the viscosity, surface tension, and other properties of several metals and alloys while undercooled (i.e., cooled below their normal solidification points). The sample is about 1 cm (2/5 inch) in diameter.

Aerodynamics of magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) trains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schetz, Joseph A.; Marchman, James F., III

1996-01-01

High-speed (500 kph) trains using magnetic forces for levitation, propulsion and control offer many advantages for the nation and a good opportunity for the aerospace community to apply 'high tech' methods to the domestic sector. One area of many that will need advanced research is the aerodynamics of such MAGLEV (Magnetic Levitation) vehicles. There are important issues with regard to wind tunnel testing and the application of CFD to these devices. This talk will deal with the aerodynamic design of MAGLEV vehicles with emphasis on wind tunnel testing. The moving track facility designed and constructed in the 6 ft. Stability Wind Tunnel at Virginia Tech will be described. Test results for a variety of MAGLEV vehicle configurations will be presented. The last topic to be discussed is a Multi-disciplinary Design approach that is being applied to MAGLEV vehicle configuration design including aerodynamics, structures, manufacturability and life-cycle cost.

Testing of Prototype Magnetic Suspension Cryogenic Transfer Line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fesmire, J. E.; Augustynowicz, S. D.; Nagy, Z. F.; Sojourner, S. J.; Shu, Q. S.; Cheng, G.; Susta, J. T.

2006-04-01

A 6-meter prototype cryogenic transfer line with magnetic suspension was tested for its mechanical and thermal performance at the Cryogenics Test Laboratory of NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC). A test facility with two cryogenic end-boxes was designed and commissioned for the testing. Suspension mechanisms were verified through a series of tests with liquid nitrogen. The thermal performance of the prototype was determined using the new test apparatus. The tested prototype has incorporated temperature and vacuum pressure data acquisition ports, customized interfaces to cryogenic end-boxes, and instrumentation. All tests were conducted under simulated onsite transfer line working conditions. A static (boiloff rate measurement) testing method was employed to demonstrate the gross heat leak in the tested article. The real-time temperature distribution, vacuum level, levitation distance, and mass flow rate were measured. The main purpose of this paper is to summarize the testing facility design and preparation, test procedure, and primary test results. Special arrangements (such as turning on/off mechanical support units, observing levitation gap, and setting up the flowmeter) in testing of such a magnetically levitated transfer line are also discussed. Preliminary results show that the heat leak reduction of approximately one-third to one-half is achievable through such transfer lines with a magnetic suspension system.

High-Lift Flight Tunnel - Phase II Report. Phase 2 Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lofftus, David; Lund, Thomas; Rote, Donald; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The High-Lift Flight Tunnel (HiLiFT) concept is a revolutionary approach to aerodynamic ground testing. This concept utilizes magnetic levitation and linear motors to propel an aerodynamic model through a tube containing a quiescent test medium. This medium (nitrogen) is cryogenic and pressurized to achieve full flight Reynolds numbers higher than any existing ground test facility world-wide for the range of 0.05 to 0.50 Mach. The results of the Phase II study provide excellent assurance that the HiLiFT concept will provide a valuable low-speed, high Reynolds number ground test facility. The design studies concluded that the HiLiFT facility is feasible to build and operate and the analytical studies revealed no insurmountable difficulties to realizing a practical high Reynolds number ground test facility. It was determined that a national HiLiFT facility, including development, would cost approximately $400M and could be operational by 2013 if fully funded. Study participants included National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center as the Program Manager and MSE Technology Applications, Inc., (MSE) of Butte, Montana as the prime contractor and study integrator. MSE#s subcontractors included the University of Texas at Arlington for aerodynamic analyses and the Argonne National Laboratory for magnetic levitation and linear motor technology support.

Nucleation of Quantized Vortices from Rotating Superfluid Drops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donnelly, Russell J.

2001-01-01

The long-term goal of this project is to study the nucleation of quantized vortices in helium II by investigating the behavior of rotating droplets of helium II in a reduced gravity environment. The objective of this ground-based research grant was to develop new experimental techniques to aid in accomplishing that goal. The development of an electrostatic levitator for superfluid helium, described below, and the successful suspension of charged superfluid drops in modest electric fields was the primary focus of this work. Other key technologies of general low temperature use were developed and are also discussed.

Metastable phase selection from undercooled Zr 77 Rh 23 liquid alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, M. L.; Gibbons, P. C.; Vogt, A. J.

2017-11-01

From measurements of X-ray and neutron scattering of electrostatically levitated Zr77Rh23 liquids, a variety of metastable crystallization behavior was observed. The metastable phase selection in deeply undercooled liquid droplets is characterized and their crystallization pathways discussed. A metastable phase previously identified as a primary devitrification product from the metallic glass formed when undercooling was maximized to near the hypercooling limit. The direct formation of α–Zr and the equilibrium C16 phase as well as a newly discovered Zr5Rh3 (Mg5Si3-type) phase are also reported.

Partial structure factors reveal atomic dynamics in metallic alloy melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nowak, B.; Holland-Moritz, D.; Yang, F.; Voigtmann, Th.; Kordel, T.; Hansen, T. C.; Meyer, A.

2017-07-01

We investigate the dynamical decoupling of the diffusion coefficients of the different components in a metallic alloy melt, using a combination of neutron diffraction, isotopic substitution, and electrostatic levitation in Zr-Ni melts. We show that excess Ni atoms can diffuse more freely in a background of saturated chemical interaction, causing their dynamics to become much faster and thus decoupled than anticipated from the interparticle interactions. Based on the mode-coupling theory of the glass transition, the averaged structure as given by the partial static structure factors is able to explain the observed dynamical behavior.

The use of containerless processing in researching reactive materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weber, J. K. R.; Krishnan, Shankar; Nordine, Paul C.

1991-01-01

It has recently become possible to perform containerless, high-temperature liquid-phase processing of many nonvolatile materials without resort to orbital microgravity, thereby facilitating the conduct of materials research in conjunction with noncontact diagnostic instruments. The melt-levitation techniques are electromagnetic, aerodynamic, acoustic, aeroacoustic, and electrostatic; nonorbital microgravity conditions are obtainable aboard NASA's KC-135 aircraft on parabolic flight paths, as well as in drop tubes and towers. Applications encompass the purification of metals and the creation of nonequilibrium and metastable structures. Process control and property measurements include optical pyrometry and emissivity, laser polarimetry, and drop calorimetry.

Containerless Processing on ISS: Ground Support Program for EML

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Diefenbach, Angelika; Schneider, Stephan; Willnecker, Rainer

2012-01-01

EML is an electromagnetic levitation facility planned for the ISS aiming at processing and investigating liquid metals or semiconductors by using electromagnetic levitation technique under microgravity with reduced electromagnetic fields and convection conditions. Its diagnostics and processing methods allow to measure thermophysical properties in the liquid state over an extended temperature range and to investigate solidification phenomena in undercooled melts. The EML project is a common effort of The European Space Agency (ESA) and the German Space Agency DLR. The Microgravity User Support Centre MUSC at Cologne, Germany, has been assigned the responsibility for EML operations. For the EML experiment preparation an extensive scientific ground support program is established at MUSC, providing scientific and technical services in the preparation, performance and evaluation of the experiments. Its final output is the transcription of the scientific goals and requirements into validated facility control parameters for the experiment execution onboard the ISS.

Photoelectric dust levitation around airless bodies revised using realistic photoelectron velocity distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senshu, H.; Kimura, H.; Yamamoto, T.; Wada, K.; Kobayashi, M.; Namiki, N.; Matsui, T.

2015-10-01

The velocity distribution function of photoelectrons from a surface exposed to solar UV radiation is fundamental to the electrostatic status of the surface. There is one and only one laboratory measurement of photoelectron emission from astronomically relevant material, but the energy distribution function was measured only in the emission angle from the normal to the surface of 0 to about π / 4. Therefore, the measured distribution is not directly usable to estimate the vertical structure of a photoelectric sheath above the surface. In this study, we develop a new analytical method to calculate an angle-resolved velocity distribution function of photoelectrons from the laboratory measurement data. We find that the photoelectric current and yield for lunar surface fines measured in a laboratory have been underestimated by a factor of two. We apply our new energy distribution function of photoelectrons to model the formation of photoelectric sheath above the surface of asteroid 433 Eros. Our model shows that a 0.1 μm-radius dust grain can librate above the surface of asteroid 433 Eros regardless of its launching velocity. In addition, a 0.5 μm grain can hover over the surface if the grain was launched at a velocity slower than 0.4 m/s, which is a more stringent condition for levitation than previous studies. However, a lack of high-energy data on the photoelectron energy distribution above 6 eV prevents us from firmly placing a constraint on the levitation condition.

Droplet Image Super Resolution Based on Sparse Representation and Kernel Regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Zhenzhen; Luo, Xinghong; Yu, Qiang

2018-02-01

Microgravity and containerless conditions, which are produced via electrostatic levitation combined with a drop tube, are important when studying the intrinsic properties of new metastable materials. Generally, temperature and image sensors can be used to measure the changes of sample temperature, morphology and volume. Then, the specific heat, surface tension, viscosity changes and sample density can be obtained. Considering that the falling speed of the material sample droplet is approximately 31.3 m/s when it reaches the bottom of a 50-meter-high drop tube, a high-speed camera with a collection rate of up to 106 frames/s is required to image the falling droplet. However, at the high-speed mode, very few pixels, approximately 48-120, will be obtained in each exposure time, which results in low image quality. Super-resolution image reconstruction is an algorithm that provides finer details than the sampling grid of a given imaging device by increasing the number of pixels per unit area in the image. In this work, we demonstrate the application of single image-resolution reconstruction in the microgravity and electrostatic levitation for the first time. Here, using the image super-resolution method based on sparse representation, a low-resolution droplet image can be reconstructed. Employed Yang's related dictionary model, high- and low-resolution image patches were combined with dictionary training, and high- and low-resolution-related dictionaries were obtained. The online double-sparse dictionary training algorithm was used in the study of related dictionaries and overcome the shortcomings of the traditional training algorithm with small image patch. During the stage of image reconstruction, the algorithm of kernel regression is added, which effectively overcomes the shortcomings of the Yang image's edge blurs.

Droplet Image Super Resolution Based on Sparse Representation and Kernel Regression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Zhenzhen; Luo, Xinghong; Yu, Qiang

2018-05-01

Microgravity and containerless conditions, which are produced via electrostatic levitation combined with a drop tube, are important when studying the intrinsic properties of new metastable materials. Generally, temperature and image sensors can be used to measure the changes of sample temperature, morphology and volume. Then, the specific heat, surface tension, viscosity changes and sample density can be obtained. Considering that the falling speed of the material sample droplet is approximately 31.3 m/s when it reaches the bottom of a 50-meter-high drop tube, a high-speed camera with a collection rate of up to 106 frames/s is required to image the falling droplet. However, at the high-speed mode, very few pixels, approximately 48-120, will be obtained in each exposure time, which results in low image quality. Super-resolution image reconstruction is an algorithm that provides finer details than the sampling grid of a given imaging device by increasing the number of pixels per unit area in the image. In this work, we demonstrate the application of single image-resolution reconstruction in the microgravity and electrostatic levitation for the first time. Here, using the image super-resolution method based on sparse representation, a low-resolution droplet image can be reconstructed. Employed Yang's related dictionary model, high- and low-resolution image patches were combined with dictionary training, and high- and low-resolution-related dictionaries were obtained. The online double-sparse dictionary training algorithm was used in the study of related dictionaries and overcome the shortcomings of the traditional training algorithm with small image patch. During the stage of image reconstruction, the algorithm of kernel regression is added, which effectively overcomes the shortcomings of the Yang image's edge blurs.

Optical position measurement for a Large Gap Magnetic Suspension System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welch, Sharon S.; Shelton, Kevin J.; Clemmons, James I.

1991-01-01

This paper describes the design of an optical position measurement system which is being built as part of the NASA Langley Large Gap Magnetic Suspension System (LGMSS). The LGMSS is a five degree-of-freedom, large-gap magnetic suspension system which is being built for Langley Research Center as part of the Advanced Controls Test Facility (ACTF). The LGMSS consists of a planar array of electromagnets which levitate and position a cylindrically shaped model containing a permanent magnet core. The optical position measurement system provides information on the location and orientation of the model to the LGMSS control system to stabilize levitation of the model.

Non-contact Creep Resistance Measurement for Ultra-high temperature Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, Robert W.; Lee, Jonghuyn; Bradshaw, Richard C.; Rogers, Jan; Rathz, Thomas J.; Wall, James J.; Choo, Hahn; Liaw, Peter K.

2005-01-01

Continuing pressures for higher performance and efficiency in propulsion are driving ever more demanding needs for high-temperature materials. Some immediate applications in spaceflight include combustion chambers for advanced chemical rockets and turbomachinery for jet engines and power conversion in nuclear-electric propulsion. In the case of rockets, the combination of high stresses and high temperatures make the characterization of creep properties very important. Creep is even more important in the turbomachinery, where a long service life is an additional constraint. Some very high-temperature materials are being developed, including platinum group metals, carbides, borides, and silicides. But the measurement of creep properties at very high temperatures is itself problematic, because the testing instrument must operate at such high temperatures. Conventional techniques are limited to about 1700 C. A new, containerless technique for measuring creep deformation has been developed. This technique is based on electrostatic levitation (ESL) of a spherical sample, which is heated to the measurement temperature and rotated at a rate such that the centrifugal acceleration causes creep deformation. Creep of samples has been demonstrated at up to 2300 C in the ESL facility at NASA MSFC, while ESL itself has been applied at over 3000 C, and has no theoretical maximum temperature. The preliminary results and future directions of this NASA-funded research collaboration will be presented.

Development of a Large Scale, High Speed Wheel Test Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kondoleon, Anthony; Seltzer, Donald; Thornton, Richard; Thompson, Marc

1996-01-01

Draper Laboratory, with its internal research and development budget, has for the past two years been funding a joint effort with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the development of a large scale, high speed wheel test facility. This facility was developed to perform experiments and carry out evaluations on levitation and propulsion designs for MagLev systems currently under consideration. The facility was developed to rotate a large (2 meter) wheel which could operate with peripheral speeds of greater than 100 meters/second. The rim of the wheel was constructed of a non-magnetic, non-conductive composite material to avoid the generation of errors from spurious forces. A sensor package containing a multi-axis force and torque sensor mounted to the base of the station, provides a signal of the lift and drag forces on the package being tested. Position tables mounted on the station allow for the introduction of errors in real time. A computer controlled data acquisition system was developed around a Macintosh IIfx to record the test data and control the speed of the wheel. This paper describes the development of this test facility. A detailed description of the major components is presented. Recently completed tests carried out on a novel Electrodynamic (EDS) suspension system, developed by MIT as part of this joint effort are described and presented. Adaptation of this facility for linear motor and other propulsion and levitation testing is described.

Liquid Structures and Physical Properties -- Ground Based Studies for ISS Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelton, K. F.; Bendert, J. C.; Mauro, N. A.

2012-01-01

Studies of electrostatically-levitated supercooled liquids have demonstrated strong short- and medium-range ordering in transition metal and alloy liquids, which can influence phase transitions like crystal nucleation and the glass transition. The structure is also related to the liquid properties. Planned ISS experiments will allow a deeper investigation of these results as well as the first investigations of a new type of coupling in crystal nucleation in primary crystallizing liquids, resulting from a linking of the stochastic processes of diffusion with interfacial-attachment. A brief description of the techniques used for ground-based studies and some results relevant to planned ISS investigations are discussed.

Retrofit of waste-to-energy facilities equipped with electrostatic precipitators. Volume II: Field and laboratory reports, Part 2 of 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rigo, H.G.; Chandler, A.J.

Volume II (part 2 of 2) of ''Retrofit of Waste-to-energy Facilities Equipped with Electrostatic Precipitators'' contains the field and laboratory reports, including: (1) field reports, (2) analytic laboratory reports, (3) chain of custody forms, and (4) TCLP laboratory reports.

Retrofit of waste-to-energy facilities equipped with electrostatic precipitators. Volume II: Field and Laboratory Reports, Part 1 of 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rigo, H.G.; Chandler, A.J.

1996-04-01

Volume II (part 1 of 2) of ''Retrofit of Waste-to-energy Facilities Equipped with Electrostatic Precipitators'' contains the documentation and raw data, including: (1) field reports, (2) analytic laboratory reports, (3) chain of custody forms, and (4) TCLP laboratory reports.

40 CFR 60.453 - Performance test and compliance provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....45 Manual electrostatic spray 0.60 Flow coat 0.85 Dip coat 0.85 Nonrotational automatic electrostatic... applied (G) during the calendar month for each affected facility by the following equation: EC16NO91.038... affected facility that uses a capture system and a control device that destroys VOC's (e.g., incinerator...

Laboratory Measurements on Charging of Individual Micron-Size Apollo-11 Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2012-01-01

Observations made during Apollo missions, as well as theoretical models indicate that the lunar surface and dust grains are electrostatically charged, levitated and transported. Lunar dust grains are charged by UV photoelectric emissions on the lunar dayside and by the impact of the solar wind electrons on the nightside. The knowledge of charging properties of individual lunar dust grains is important for developing appropriate theoretical models and mitigating strategies. Currently, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size size lunar dust grains in particular by low energy electron impact. However, experimental results based on extensive laboratory measurements on the charging of individual 0.2-13 micron size lunar dust grains by the secondary electron emissions (SEE) have been presented in a recent publication. The SEE process of charging of micron-size dust grains, however, is found to be very complex phenomena with strong particle size dependence. In this paper we present some examples of the complex nature of the SEE properties of positively charged individual lunar dust grains levitated in an electrodynamic balance (EDB), and show that they remain unaffected by the variation of the AC field employed in the above mentioned measurements.

Containerless Processing in Reduced Gravity Using the TEMPUS Facility during MSL-1 and MSL-1R

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, Jan R.

1998-01-01

Containerless processing provides a high purity environment for the study of high-temperature, very reactive materials. It is an important method which provides access to the metastable state of an undercooled melt. In the absence of container walls, the nucleation rate is greatly reduced and undercooling up to (Tm-Tn)/Tm approx. equal to 0.2 can be obtained, where Tm and Tn are the melting and nucleation temperatures, respectively. Electromagnetic levitation represents a method particularly well-suited for the study of metallic melts. The TEMPUS (Tiegelfreies ElektroMagnetisches Prozessieren Unter Schwerelosgkeit) facility is a research instrument designed to perform electromagnetic levitation studies in reduced gravity. TEMPUS is a joint undertaking between DARA, the German Space Agency, and the Microgravity Science and Applications Division of NASA. The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center provides the leadership for scientific and management efforts which support the four US PI teams which performed experiments in the TEMPUS facility. The facility is sensitive to accelerations in the 1-10 Hz range. This became evident during the MSL-1 mission. Analysis of accelerometer and video data indicated that loss of sample control occurred during crew exercise periods which created disturbances in this frequency range. Prior to the MSL-1R flight the TEMPUS team, the accelerometer support groups and the mission operations team developed a strategy to provide for the operation of the facility without such disturbances. The successful implementation of this plan led to the highly successful operation of this facility during MSL-1R.

Electrostatically Accelerated Encounter and Folding for Facile Recognition of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

PubMed Central

Ganguly, Debabani; Zhang, Weihong; Chen, Jianhan

2013-01-01

Achieving facile specific recognition is essential for intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that are involved in cellular signaling and regulation. Consideration of the physical time scales of protein folding and diffusion-limited protein-protein encounter has suggested that the frequent requirement of protein folding for specific IDP recognition could lead to kinetic bottlenecks. How IDPs overcome such potential kinetic bottlenecks to viably function in signaling and regulation in general is poorly understood. Our recent computational and experimental study of cell-cycle regulator p27 (Ganguly et al., J. Mol. Biol. (2012)) demonstrated that long-range electrostatic forces exerted on enriched charges of IDPs could accelerate protein-protein encounter via “electrostatic steering” and at the same time promote “folding-competent” encounter topologies to enhance the efficiency of IDP folding upon encounter. Here, we further investigated the coupled binding and folding mechanisms and the roles of electrostatic forces in the formation of three IDP complexes with more complex folded topologies. The surface electrostatic potentials of these complexes lack prominent features like those observed for the p27/Cdk2/cyclin A complex to directly suggest the ability of electrostatic forces to facilitate folding upon encounter. Nonetheless, similar electrostatically accelerated encounter and folding mechanisms were consistently predicted for all three complexes using topology-based coarse-grained simulations. Together with our previous analysis of charge distributions in known IDP complexes, our results support a prevalent role of electrostatic interactions in promoting efficient coupled binding and folding for facile specific recognition. These results also suggest that there is likely a co-evolution of IDP folded topology, charge characteristics, and coupled binding and folding mechanisms, driven at least partially by the need to achieve fast association kinetics for cellular signaling and regulation. PMID:24278008

Thermophysical Property Measurements of Silicon-Transition Metal Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banish, R. Michael; Erwin, William R.; Sansoucie, Michael P.; Lee, Jonghyun; Gave, Matthew A.

2014-01-01

Metals and metallic alloys often have high melting temperatures and highly reactive liquids. Processing reactive liquids in containers can result in significant contamination and limited undercooling. This is particularly true for molten silicon and it alloys. Silicon is commonly termed "the universal solvent". The viscosity, surface tension, and density of several silicon-transition metal alloys were determined using the Electrostatic Levitator system at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The temperature dependence of the viscosity followed an Arrhenius dependence, and the surface tension followed a linear temperature dependence. The density of the melts, including the undercooled region, showed a linear behavior as well. Viscosity and surface tension values were obtain for several of the alloys in the undercooled region.

Non-contact Thermophysical Property Measurements of Liquid and Supercooled Platinum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishikawa, Takehiko; Paradis, Paul‑François; Koike, Noriyuki

2006-03-01

Thermophysical properties of equilibrium and supercooled liquid platinum were measured using non-contact diagnostic techniques with an electrostatic levitator. Over the 1691 to 2216 K temperature range, the density can be expressed as ρ(T)=19.2 × 103-0.96(T-Tm) (kg \\cdot m-3) with Tm=2041 K, yielding a volume expansion coefficient of 5.0 × 10-5 K-1. In addition, the surface tension can be expressed as γ(T)=1.80 × 103-0.14(T-Tm) (10-3 N \\cdot m-1) and the viscosity as η(T)=0.25 \\exp[4.99 × 104/(RT)] (10-3 Pa \\cdot s) over the 1743 to 2313 K temperature range.

Surface Tension and Viscosity Measurements of Liquid and Undercooled Alumina by Containerless Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paradis, Paul-François; Ishikawa, Takehiko

2005-07-01

Electrostatic levitation and multi-beam radiative heating overcame contamination and sample position instability problems associated with handling of liquid alumina. This allowed the measurements of the surface tension and viscosity in the superheated and undercooled states using the oscillation drop method. Over the 2190-2500 K interval, the surface tension of alumina was measured as σ(T)=0.64--8.2× 10-5 (T-Tm) (N/m), where Tm, the melting temperature, is 2327 K. Similarly, on the same temperature range, the viscosity was determined as η(T)=3.2\\exp[43.2× 103/(RT)] (mPa\\cdots). Both sets of data agree well with the literature values.

Constraints on stable equilibria with fluctuation-induced (Casimir) forces.

PubMed

Rahi, Sahand Jamal; Kardar, Mehran; Emig, Thorsten

2010-08-13

We examine whether fluctuation-induced forces can lead to stable levitation. First, we analyze a collection of classical objects at finite temperature that contain fixed and mobile charges and show that any arrangement in space is unstable to small perturbations in position. This extends Earnshaw's theorem for electrostatics by including thermal fluctuations of internal charges. Quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field are responsible for Casimir or van der Waals interactions. Neglecting permeabilities, we find that any equilibrium position of items subject to such forces is also unstable if the permittivities of all objects are higher or lower than that of the enveloping medium, the former being the generic case for ordinary materials in vacuum.

Thermal Evaporation Loss Measurements on Quasicrystal (Ti-Zr-Ni) and Glass Forming (Vit 106 and Vit 106a) Liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blodgett, M. E.; Gangopadhyay, A. K.; Kelton, K. F.

2015-04-01

Thermal evaporation loss measurements made using the electrostatic levitation (ESL) technique for one binary Ti-Zr, two ternary Ti-Zr-Ni, and two glass-forming (Vit 106 and Vit 106a) alloy liquids are reported. The containerless environment enables measurements not only for the equilibrium liquids but also for the metastable supercooled liquids. The data follow the Langmuir equation when the activity coefficient of the solute atoms, a measure for the deviation from the ideal solution behavior, is taken into account. An estimate for the activity coefficient of Ni in the Ti-Zr liquid is made from these data, demonstrating the effectiveness of ESL for such measurements.

Heterogeneous nucleation in a glass-forming alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wall, J. J.; Liu, C. T.; Rhim, W.-K.; Li, J. J. Z.; Liaw, P. K.; Choo, H.; Johnson, W. L.

2008-06-01

Nucleation in the undercooled liquid state in the bulk metallic glass-forming composition Zr52.5Cu17.9Ni14.6Al10Ti5 (VIT-105), produced using high purity (PA) and commercial purity (CA) raw materials was investigated using electrostatic levitation and ex situ neutron diffraction. The CA material was observed to have a lower density than the PA sample and crystallized at relatively shallow undercooling. The densities of the samples at temperatures above the solidus showed an oxygen-dependent hysteresis associated with the state change, indicating the presence of oxygen-stabilized intermetallics. The PA alloy exhibited three distinct crystallization modes dependent on the thermal history of the melt, one of which showed a net volume expansion.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-07-10

TEMPUS, an electromagnetic levitation facility that allows containerless processing of metallic samples in microgravity, first flew on the IML-2 Spacelab mission. The principle of electromagnetic levitation is used commonly in ground-based experiments to melt and then cool metallic melts below their freezing points without solidification occurring. The TEMPUS operation is controlled by its own microprocessor system; although commands may be sent remotely from the ground and real time adjustments may be made by the crew. Two video cameras, a two-color pyrometer for measuring sample temperatures, and a fast infrared detector for monitoring solidification spikes, will be mounted to the process chamber to facilitate observation and analysis. In addition, a dedicated high-resolution video camera can be attached to the TEMPUS to measure the sample volume precisely.

Measurement of Creep Properties of Ultra-High-Temperature Materials by a Novel Non-Contact Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, Robert W.; Lee, Jonghyun; Rogers, Jan R.; Liaw, Peter K.

2007-01-01

A non-contact technique for measuring the creep properties of materials has been developed and validated as part of a collaboration among the University of Massachusetts, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Electrostatic Levitation Facility (ESL), and the University of Tennessee. This novel method has several advantages over conventional creep testing. The sample is deformed by the centripetal acceleration from the rapid rotation, and the deformed shapes are analyzed to determine the strain. Since there is no contact with grips, there is no theoretical maximum temperature and no concern about chemical compatibility. Materials may be tested at the service temperature even for extreme environments such as rocket nozzles, or above the service temperature for accelerated testing of materials for applications such as jet engines or turbopumps for liquid-fueled engines. The creep measurements have been demonstrated to 2400 C with niobium, while the test facility, the NASA MSFC ESL, has processed materials up to 3400 C. Furthermore, the ESL creep method employs a distribution of stress to determine the stress exponent from a single test, versus the many tests required by conventional methods. Determination of the stress exponent from the ESL creep tests requires very precise measurement of the surface shape of the deformed sample for comparison to deformations predicted by finite element models for different stress exponents. An error analysis shows that the stress exponent can be determined to about 1% accuracy with the current methods and apparatus. The creep properties of single-crystal niobium at 1985 C showed excellent agreement with conventional tests performed according to ASTM Standard E-139. Tests on other metals, ceramics, and composites relevant to rocket propulsion and turbine engines are underway.

Lightning and surge protection, grounding, bonding and shielding requirements for facilities and electronic equipment

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-08-09

This document mandates standard lightning protection, transient protection, electrostatic discharge (ESD), grounding, bonding and shielding configurations and procedures for new facilities, facility modifications, facility up grades, new equipment in...

Augmentation Award for Surface Science Research Training.

DTIC Science & Technology

1996-11-01

atomic force microscopy facility. In particular, he designed an anechoic chamber for minimizing acoustical noise in our air and electrochemistry imaging...well as our new air/electochemical STM/AFM. In addition to the UHV-STM, the 11/20/96 10:43 e773 702 5863 J.F.I. I•On7 new air- levitated vactium rhnrher

Collisional charging of individual submillimeter particles: Using ultrasonic levitation to initiate and track charge transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Victor; James, Nicole M.; Waitukaitis, Scott R.; Jaeger, Heinrich M.

2018-03-01

Electrostatic charging of insulating fine particles can be responsible for numerous phenomena ranging from lightning in volcanic plumes to dust explosions. However, even basic aspects of how fine particles become charged are still unclear. Studying particle charging is challenging because it usually involves the complexities associated with many-particle collisions. To address these issues, we introduce a method based on acoustic levitation, which makes it possible to initiate sequences of repeated collisions of a single submillimeter particle with a flat plate, and to precisely measure the particle charge in situ after each collision. We show that collisional charge transfer between insulators is dependent on the hydrophobicity of the contacting surfaces. We use glass, which we modify by attaching nonpolar molecules to the particle, the plate, or both. We find that hydrophilic surfaces develop significant positive charges after contacting hydrophobic surfaces. Moreover, we demonstrate that charging between a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic surface is suppressed in an acidic environment and enhanced in a basic one. Application of an electric field during each collision is found to modify the charge transfer, again depending on surface hydrophobicity. We discuss these results within the context of contact charging due to ion transfer, and we show that they lend strong support to O H- ions as the charge carriers.

Measurements of Thermophysical Properties of Molten Silicon and Geranium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu

2001-01-01

The objective of this ground base program is to measure thermophysical properties of molten/ undercooled silicon, germanium, and Si-Ge alloys using a high temperature electrostatic levitator and in clearly assessing the need of the microgravity environment to achieve the objective with higher degrees of accuracy. Silicon and germanium are two of the most important semiconductors for industrial applications: silicon is unsurpassed as a microelectronics material, occupying more than 95% of the electronics market. Si-Ge alloy is attracting keen interest for advanced electronic and optoelectronic applications in view of its variable band gap and lattice parameter depending upon its composition. Accurate thermophysical properties of these materials are very much needed in the semiconductor industry for the growth of large high quality crystals.

Thermophysical Property Measurements of Liquid Gadolinium by Containerless Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishikawa, T.; Okada, J. T.; Paradis, P.-F.; Watanabe, Y.

2010-02-01

Thermophysical properties of liquid gadolinium were measured using non-contact diagnostic techniques with an electrostatic levitator. Over the 1585 K to 1920 K temperature range, the density can be expressed as ρ( T) = 7.41 × 103 - 0.46 ( T - T m) (kg · m-3) where T m = 1585 K, yielding a volume expansion coefficient of 6.2 × 10-5 K-1. In addition, the surface tension data can be fitted as γ( T) = 8.22 × 102 - 0.097( T - T m)(10-3 N · m-1) over the 1613 K to 1803 K span and the viscosity as η( T) = 1.7exp[1.4 × 104/( RT)](10-3 Pa · s) over the same temperature range.

Surface-Plasma Interaction on the Moon

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Horanyi, M.; Wang, X.; Robertson, S.

2008-09-07

The electrostatic levitation and transport of lunar dust remains a controversial science issue since the Apollo era. As a function of time and location, the lunar surface is exposed to solar wind plasma, UV radiation, and/or the plasma environment of our magnetosphere. Dust grains on the lunar surface emit and absorb plasma particles and are exposed to solar UV photons. There are several in situ and remote sensing observations that indicate that dusty plasma processes are responsible for the mobilization and transport of lunar soil. We briefly discuss the existing observations, and report on a series of experiments that addressmore » some of the most relevant processes acting on dusty surfaces exposed to plasmas and UV radiation.« less

Experiments on Nucleation in Different Flow Regimes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bayuzick, R. J.; Hofmeister, W. H.; Morton, C. M.; Robinson, M. B.

1998-01-01

The vast majority of metallic engineering materials are solidified from the liquid phase. Understanding the solidification process is essential to control microstructure, which in turn, determines the properties of materials. The genesis of solidification is nucleation, where the first stable solid forms from the liquid phase. Nucleation kinetics determine the degree of undercooling and phase selection. As such, it is important to understand nucleation phenomena in order to control solidification or glass formation in metals and alloys. Early experiments in nucleation kinetics were accomplished by droplet dispersion methods. Dilitometry was used by Turnbull and others, and more recently differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry have been used for kinetic studies. These techniques have enjoyed success; however, there are difficulties with these experiments. Since materials are dispersed in a medium, the character of the emulsion/metal interface affects the nucleation behavior. Statistics are derived from the large number of particles observed in a single experiment, but dispersions have a finite size distribution which adds to the uncertainty of the kinetic determinations. Even though temperature can be controlled quite well before the onset of nucleation, the release of the latent heat of fusion during nucleation of particles complicates the assumption of isothermality during these experiments. Containerless processing has enabled another approach to the study of nucleation kinetics. With levitation techniques it is possible to undercool one sample to nucleation repeatedly in a controlled manner, such that the statistics of the nucleation process can be derived from multiple experiments on a single sample. The authors have fully developed the analysis of nucleation experiments on single samples following the suggestions of Skripov. The advantage of these experiments is that the samples are directly observable. The nucleation temperature can be measured by noncontact optical pyrometry, the mass of the sample is known, and post-processing analysis can be conducted on the sample. The disadvantages are that temperature measurement must have exceptionally high precision, and it is not possible to isolate specific heterogeneous sites as in droplet dispersions. Levitation processing of refractory materials in ultra high vacuum provides an avenue to conduct these kinetic studies on single samples. Two experimental methods have been identified where ultra high vacuum experiments are possible; electrostatic levitation in ground-based experiments and electromagnetic processing in low earth orbit on TEMPUS. Such experiments, reported here, were conducted on zirconium. Liquid zirconium is an excellent solvent and has a high solubility for contaminants contained in the bulk material as well as those contaminants found in the vacuum environment. Oxides, nitrides, and carbides do not exist in the melt, and do not form on the surface of molten zirconium, for the materials and vacuum levels used in this study. Ground-based experiments with electrostatic levitation have shown that the statistical nucleation kinetic experiments are viable and yield results which are consistent with classical nucleation theory. The advantage of low earth orbit experiments is the ability to vary the flow conditions in the liquid prior to nucleation. The put-pose of nucleation experiments in TEMPUS was to examine.

Contribution to "AIAA Aerospace Year in Review" article

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grugel, Richard N.; Downey, J. Patton

2012-01-01

The NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Microgravity Science Program is dedicated to promoting our understanding of materials processing by conducting relevant experiments in the microgravity environment and supporting related modeling efforts with the intent of improving ground-based practices. Currently funded investigations include research on dopant distribution and defect formation in semiconductors, microstructural development and transitions in dendritic casting alloys, coarsening phenomena, competition between thermal and kinetic phase formation, and the formation of glassy vs. crystalline material. NASA Microgravity Materials Science Principle Investigators are selected for funding either through a proposal in response to a NASA Research Announcement or by collaborating on a team that has successfully proposed to a foreign space agency research announcement. In the latter case, a US investigator can then apply to NASA for funding through an unsolicited proposal. The International Space Station (ISS) facilities used for the experimental investigations are provided primarily by partnering with foreign agencies and often US investigators are working as a part of a larger team studying a specific area of materials science. Facilities for conducting experiments aboard the ISS include the European Space Agency (ESA) Low Gradient Facility (LGF) and the Solidification and Quench (SQF) modular inserts to the Materials Research Rack/Materials Science Laboratory and are primarily used for controlled solidification studies. The French Space Agency (CNES) provided DECLIC facility allows direct observation of morphological development in transparent materials that solidify analogously to metals. The ESA provided Electro ]Magnetic Levitator (EML) is designed to levitate, melt and then cool samples in order to determine material properties, study nucleation behavior, and document phase transitions. Finally, the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) serves as a onboard facility for supporting the hardware required to conduct a number of smaller, short-term investigations.

The MICROSCOPE experiment, ready for the in-orbit test of the equivalence principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Touboul, P.; Métris, G.; Lebat, V.; Robert, A.

2012-09-01

Deviations from standard general relativity are being intensively tested in various aspects. The MICROSCOPE space mission, which has recently been approved to be launched in 2016, aims at testing the universality of free fall with an accuracy better than 10-15. The instrument has been developed and most of the sub-systems have been tested to the level required for the detection of accelerations lower than one tenth of a femto-g. Two concentric test masses are electrostatically levitated inside the same silica structure and controlled on the same trajectory at better than 0.1 Å. Any dissymmetry in the measured electrostatic pressures shall be analysed with respect to the Earth's gravity field. The nearly 300 kg heavy dedicated satellite is defined to provide a very steady environment to the experiment and a fine control of its attitude and of its drag-free motion along the orbit. Both the evaluations of the performance of the instrument and the satellite demonstrate the expected test accuracy. The detailed description of the experiment and the major driving parameters of the instrument, the satellite and the data processing are provided in this paper.

Battery cars on superconducting magnetically levitated carriers: One commuting solution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Briggs, B. Mike; Oman, Henry

1992-01-01

Commuting to work in an urban-suburban metropolitan environment is becoming an unpleasant time-wasting process. We applied the technology of communication management to this commuting problem. Communication management is a system-engineering tool that produced today's efficient telephone network. The resulting best commuting option is magnetically levitated carriers of two-passenger, battery-powered, personally-owned local-travel cars. A commuter drives a car to a nearby station, selects a destination, drives on a waiting carrier, and enters an accelerating ramp. A central computer selects an optimum 100 miles-per-hour trunk route, considering existing and forecast traffic; assigns the commuter a travel slot, and subsequently orders switching-station actions. The commuter uses the expensive facilities for only a few minutes during each trip. The cost of travel could be less than 6 cents per mile.

Review of Progress in Acoustic Levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrade, Marco A. B.; Pérez, Nicolás; Adamowski, Julio C.

2018-04-01

Acoustic levitation uses acoustic radiation forces to counteract gravity and suspend objects in mid-air. Although acoustic levitation was first demonstrated almost a century ago, for a long time, it was limited to objects much smaller than the acoustic wavelength levitating at fixed positions in space. Recent advances in acoustic levitation now allow not only suspending but also rotating and translating objects in three dimensions. Acoustic levitation is also no longer restricted to small objects and can now be employed to levitate objects larger than the acoustic wavelength. This article reviews the progress of acoustic levitation, focusing on the working mechanism of different types of acoustic levitation devices developed to date. We start with a brief review of the theory. Then, we review the acoustic levitation methods to suspend objects at fixed positions, followed by the techniques that allow the manipulation of objects. Finally, we present a brief summary and offer some future perspectives for acoustic levitation.

Investigation of Electrostatic Accelerometer in HUST for Space Science Missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bai, Yanzheng; Hu, Ming; Li, Gui; Liu, Li; Qu, Shaobo; Wu, Shuchao; Zhou, Zebing

2014-05-01

High-precision electrostatic accelerometers are significant payload in CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE gravity missions to measure the non-gravitational forces. In our group, space electrostatic accelerometer and inertial sensor based on the capacitive sensors and electrostatic control technique has been investigated for space science research in China such as testing of equivalence principle (TEPO), searching non-Newtonian force in micrometer range, satellite Earth's field recovery and so on. In our group, a capacitive position sensor with a resolution of 10-7pF/Hz1/2 and the μV/Hz1/2 level electrostatic actuator are developed. The fiber torsion pendulum facility is adopt to measure the parameters of the electrostatic controlled inertial sensor such as the resolution, and the electrostatic stiffness, the cross couple between different DOFs. Meanwhile, high voltage suspension and free fall methods are applied to verify the function of electrostatic accelerometer. Last, the engineering model of electrostatic accelerometer has been developed and tested successfully in space and preliminary results are present.

Containerless Processing of a Lithium Disilicate Glass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ranasinghe, K. S.; Ray, C. S.; Day, D. E.; Rogers, J. R.; Hyers, R W.; Rathz, T.

2006-01-01

Glasses of Li2O.2SiO2 (LS2) and LS2 doped with 0.001 wt% platinum (LS2 + 0.001 wt% Pt) compositions were melted, cooled and re-heated at controlled rates while levitated (containerless) inside an Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) furnace at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The experiments were conducted in vacuum using spherical 2.5 - 3.0 mm diameter glass samples. The measured critical cooling rate for glass formation, Rc, for the LS2 and LS2 + 0.001 wt% Pt glasses processed at ESL were 14 plus or minus 2 C/min and 130 plus or minus 5 C/min, respectively. The values of Rc for the same LS2 and LS2 + 0.001 wt% Pt glasses processed in a container were 62 plus or minus 3 C/min and 162 plus or minus 5 C/min, respectively. The effective activation energy for crystallization, E, for the LS2 glass processed without a container at ESL was higher than that for an identical glass processed in a container. These results suggest that the glass formation tendency for a containerless LS2 melt is significantly increased compared to an identical melt in contact with a container. The absence of heterogeneous nucleation sites that are inherently present in all melts held in containers is believed to be the reason for the increased glass forming tendency of this containerless melt.

Torsion balances with fibres of zero length

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Speake, Clive C.; Collins, Christopher J.

2018-04-01

Torsion balances have good immunity to tilt and low rotational stiffness. However precise control of the position of the suspended torsion 'bob' is difficult in the presence of ground vibrations and tilt and this is a limiting factor in applications where Casimir forces or putative non-Newtonian short-range forces are being measured. We describe how the desirable characteristics of torsion balances can be reproduced in a rigid body that is suspended using applied forces rather than a torsion fibre. The suspension system can then provide a more precise control of the degrees of freedom of the suspended body. We apply these ideas to a superconducting levitated torsion balance, developed by the authors, and a generic electrostatic suspension. We present results of preliminary experiments that provide support for our analyses.

Measuring three-dimensional interaction potentials using optical interference.

PubMed

Mojarad, Nassir; Sandoghdar, Vahid; Krishnan, Madhavi

2013-04-22

We describe the application of three-dimensional (3D) scattering interferometric (iSCAT) imaging to the measurement of spatial interaction potentials for nano-objects in solution. We study electrostatically trapped gold particles in a nanofluidic device and present details on axial particle localization in the presence of a strongly reflecting interface. Our results demonstrate high-speed (~kHz) particle tracking with subnanometer localization precision in the axial and average 2.5 nm in the lateral dimension. A comparison of the measured levitation heights of trapped particles with the calculated values for traps of various geometries reveals good agreement. Our work demonstrates that iSCAT imaging delivers label-free, high-speed and accurate 3D tracking of nano-objects conducive to probing weak and long-range interaction potentials in solution.

Containerless Measurements of Density and Viscosity of Fe-Co Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Jonghyun; Choufani, Paul; Bradshaw, Richard C.; Hyers, Robert W.; Matson, Douglas M.

2012-01-01

During the past years, extensive collaborative research has been done to understand phase selection in undercooled metals using novel containerless processing techniques such as electrostatic and electromagnetic levitation. Of major interest is controlling a two-step solidification process, double recalescence, in which the metastable phase forms first and then transforms to the stable phase after a certain delay time. The previous research has shown that the delay time is greatly influenced by the internal convection velocity. In the prediction of internal flow, the fidelity of the results depends on the accuracy of the material properties. This research focuses on the measurements of density and viscosity of Fe-Co alloys which will be used for the fluid simulations whose results will support upcoming International Space Station flight experiments.

Containerless Measurement of Thermophysical Properties of Ti-Zr-Ni Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, Robert; Bradshaw, Richard C.; Rogers, Jan C.; Rathz, Thomas J.; Lee, Geun W.; Gangopadhyay, Anup K.; Kelton, Kenneth F.

2004-01-01

The surface tension, viscosity, density, and thermal expansion of Ti-Zr-Ni alloys were measured for a number of compositions by electrostatic levitation methods. Containerless methods greatly reduce heterogeneous nucleation, increasing access to the undercooled liquid regime at finite cooling rates. The density and thermal expansion are measured optically, while the surface tension and viscosity are measured by the oscillating drop method. The measured alloys include compositions which form a metastable quasicrystal phase from the undercooled liquid, and alloys close to the composition of several multi-component bulk metallic glass-forming alloys. Measurements of surface tension show behavior typical of transition metals at high temperature, but a sudden decrease in the deeply undercooled liquid for alloys near the quasicrystal-forming composition range, but not for compositions which form the solid-solution phase first.

Advances in Non-Contact Measurement of Creep Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, Robert; Canepari, Stacy; White, Erica Bischoff; Cretegny, Laurent; Rogers, jan

2009-01-01

As the required service temperatures for superalloys increases, so do the demands on testing for development of these alloys. Non-contact measurement of creep of refractory metals using electrostatic levitation has been demonstrated at temperatures up to 2300 C using samples of only 20-40 mg. These measurements load the spherical specimen by inertial forces due to rapid rotation. However, the first measurements relied on photon pressure to accelerate the samples to the high rotational rates of thousands of rotations per second, limiting the applicability to low stresses and high temperatures. Recent advances in this area extend this measurement to higher stresses and lower-temperatures through the use of an induction motor to drive the sample to such high rotational speeds. Preliminary results on new measurements on new materials will be presented.

Around Marshall

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-01-01

This is a close-up of a sample of titanium-zirconium-nickel alloy inside the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) vacuum chamber at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an object (about 3-4 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber allowing scientists to record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contracting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. Once inside the chamber, a laser heats the sample until it melts. The laser is then turned off and the sample cools, changing from a liquid drop to a solid sphere. Since 1977, the ESL has been used at MSFC to study the characteristics of new metals, ceramics, and glass compounds. Materials created as a result of these tests include new optical materials, special metallic glasses, and spacecraft components.

Heterogeneous nucleation in a glass-forming alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wall, J. J.; Liu, Chain T; Rhim, W. K.

Nucleation in the undercooled liquid state in the bulk metallic glass-forming composition Zr{sub 52.5}Cu{sub 17.9}Ni{sub 14.6}Al{sub 10}Ti{sub 5} (VIT-105), produced using high purity (PA) and commercial purity (CA) raw materials was investigated using electrostatic levitation and ex situ neutron diffraction. The CA material was observed to have a lower density than the PA sample and crystallized at relatively shallow undercooling. The densities of the samples at temperatures above the solidus showed an oxygen-dependent hysteresis associated with the state change, indicating the presence of oxygen-stabilized intermetallics. The PA alloy exhibited three distinct crystallization modes dependent on the thermal history of themore » melt, one of which showed a net volume expansion.« less

Analysis of the particle stability in a new designed ultrasonic levitation device.

PubMed

Baer, Sebastian; Andrade, Marco A B; Esen, Cemal; Adamowski, Julio Cezar; Schweiger, Gustav; Ostendorf, Andreas

2011-10-01

The use of acoustic levitation in the fields of analytical chemistry and in the containerless processing of materials requires a good stability of the levitated particle. However, spontaneous oscillations and rotation of the levitated particle have been reported in literature, which can reduce the applicability of the acoustic levitation technique. Aiming to reduce the particle oscillations, this paper presents the analysis of the particle stability in a new acoustic levitator device. The new acoustic levitator consists of a piezoelectric transducer with a concave radiating surface and a concave reflector. The analysis is conducted by determining numerically the axial and lateral forces that act on the levitated object and by measuring the oscillations of a sphere particle by a laser Doppler vibrometer. It is shown that the new levitator design allows to increase the lateral forces and reduce significantly the lateral oscillations of the levitated object.

On the horizontal wobbling of an object levitated by near-field acoustic levitation.

PubMed

Kim, Cheol-Ho; Ih, Jeong-Guon

2007-11-01

A circular planar object can be levitated with several hundreds of microns by ultrasonic near-field acoustic levitation (NFAL). However, when both the sound source and the levitated object are circularly shaped and the center of the levitated object does not coincide with the source center, instability problem often occurs. When this happens, it becomes difficult to pick up or transport the object for the next process. In this study, when the center of the levitated object was offset from the source center, the moving direction of the levitated object was predicted by using the time averaged potential around the levitated object. The wobbling frequency of the levitated object was calculated by analyzing the nonlinear wobbling motion of the object. It was shown that the predicted wobbling frequencies agreed with measured ones well. Finally, a safe zone was suggested to avoid the unstable movement of an object.

Magnetic Levitation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rossing, Thomas D.; Hull, John R.

1991-01-01

Discusses the principles of magnetic levitation presented in the physics classroom and applied to transportation systems. Topics discussed include three classroom demonstrations to illustrate magnetic levitation, the concept of eddy currents, lift and drag forces on a moving magnet, magnetic levitation vehicles, levitation with permanent magnets…

Levitation of iridium and liquid mercury by ultrasound.

PubMed

Xie, W J; Cao, C D; Lü, Y J; Wei, B

2002-09-02

Single-axis acoustic levitation of the heaviest solid (iridium, rho=22.6 g cm(-3)) and liquid (mercury, rho=13.6 g cm(-3) on the Earth is achieved by greatly enhancing both the levitation force and stability through optimizing the geometric parameters of the levitator. The acoustically levitated Pb-Sn eutectic alloy melt (rho=8.5 g cm(-3)) is highly undercooled by up to 38 K, which results in a microstructural transition of "lamellae-broken lamellae-dendrites." The drastic enhancement of levitation capability indicates a broader application range of single-axis acoustic levitation.

Levitation of Iridium and Liquid Mercury by Ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, W. J.; Cao, C. D.; Lü, Y. J.; Wei, B.

2002-08-01

Single-axis acoustic levitation of the heaviest solid (iridium, ρ=22.6 g cm-3) and liquid (mercury, ρ=13.6 g cm-3 on the Earth is achieved by greatly enhancing both the levitation force and stability through optimizing the geometric parameters of the levitator. The acoustically levitated Pb-Sn eutectic alloy melt (ρ=8.5 g cm-3) is highly undercooled by up to 38K, which results in a microstructural transition of ``lamellae-broken lamellae-dendrites.'' The drastic enhancement of levitation capability indicates a broader application range of single-axis acoustic levitation.

Analysis and experimental study on the effect of a resonant tube on the performance of acoustic levitation devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Hai; Liu, Jianfang; Lv, Qingqing; Gu, Shoudong; Jiao, Xiaoyang; Li, Minjiao; Zhang, Shasha

2016-09-01

The influence of a resonant tube on the performance of acoustic standing wave-based levitation device (acoustic levitation device hereinafter) is studied by analyzing the acoustic pressure and levitation force of four types of acoustic levitation devices without a resonance tube and with resonance tubes of different radii R using ANSYS and MATLAB. Introducing a resonance tube either enhances or weakens the levitation strength of acoustic levitation device, depending on the resonance tube radii. Specifically, the levitation force is improved to a maximum degree when the resonance tube radius is slightly larger than the size of the reflector end face. Furthermore, the stability of acoustic levitation device is improved to a maximum degree by introducing a resonance tube of R=1.023λ. The experimental platform and levitation force measurement system of the acoustic levitation device with concave-end-face-type emitter and reflector are developed, and the test of suspended matters and liquid drops is conducted. Results show that the Φ6.5-mm steel ball is suspended easily when the resonance tube radius is 1.023λ, and the Φ5.5-mm steel ball cannot be suspended when the resonance tube radius is 1.251λ. The levitation capability of the original acoustic levitation device without a resonance tube is weakened when a resonance tube of R=1.251λ is applied. These results are consistent with the ANSYS simulation results. The levitation time of the liquid droplet with a resonance tube of R=1.023λ is longer than without a resonance tube. This result is also supported by the MATLAB simulation results. Therefore, the performance of acoustic levitation device can be improved by introducing a resonant tube with an appropriate radius.

Controlled sample orientation and rotation in an acoustic levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, Martin B. (Inventor); Gaspar, Mark S. (Inventor); Trinh, Eugene H. (Inventor)

1988-01-01

A system is described for use with acoustic levitators, which can prevent rotation of a levitated object or control its orientation and/or rotation. The acoustic field is made nonsymmetrical about the axis of the levitator, to produce an orienting torque that resists sample rotation. In one system, a perturbating reflector is located on one side of the axis of the levitator, at a location near the levitated object. In another system, the main reflector surface towards which incoming acoustic waves are directed is nonsymmetrically curved about the axis of the levitator. The levitated object can be reoriented or rotated in a controlled manner by repositioning the reflector producing the nonsymmetry.

Maglev Launch: Ultra-low Cost, Ultra-high Volume Access to Space for Cargo and Humans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, James; Maise, George; Rather, John

2010-01-01

Despite decades of efforts to reduce rocket launch costs, improvements are marginal. Launch cost to LEO for cargo is ~$10,000 per kg of payload, and to higher orbit and beyond much greater. Human access to the ISS costs $20 million for a single passenger. Unless launch costs are greatly reduced, large scale commercial use and human exploration of the solar system will not occur. A new approach for ultra low cost access to space-Maglev Launch-magnetically accelerates levitated spacecraft to orbital speeds, 8 km/sec or more, in evacuated tunnels on the surface, using Maglev technology like that operating in Japan for high speed passenger transport. The cost of electric energy to reach orbital speed is less than $1 per kilogram of payload. Two Maglev launch systems are described, the Gen-1System for unmanned cargo craft to orbit and Gen-2, for large-scale access of human to space. Magnetically levitated and propelled Gen-1 cargo craft accelerate in a 100 kilometer long evacuated tunnel, entering the atmosphere at the tunnel exit, which is located in high altitude terrain (~5000 meters) through an electrically powered ``MHD Window'' that prevents outside air from flowing into the tunnel. The Gen-1 cargo craft then coasts upwards to space where a small rocket burn, ~0.5 km/sec establishes, the final orbit. The Gen-1 reference design launches a 40 ton, 2 meter diameter spacecraft with 35 tons of payload. At 12 launches per day, a single Gen-1 facility could launch 150,000 tons annually. Using present costs for tunneling, superconductors, cryogenic equipment, materials, etc., the projected construction cost for the Gen-1 facility is 20 billion dollars. Amortization cost, plus Spacecraft and O&M costs, total $43 per kg of payload. For polar orbit launches, sites exist in Alaska, Russia, and China. For equatorial orbit launches, sites exist in the Andes and Africa. With funding, the Gen-1 system could operate by 2020 AD. The Gen-2 system requires more advanced technology. Passenger spacecraft enter the atmosphere at 70,000 feet, where deceleration is acceptable. A levitated evacuated launch tube is used, with the levitation force generated by magnetic interaction between superconducting cables on the levitated launch tube and superconducting cables on the ground beneath. The Gen-2 system could launch 100's of thousands of passengers per year, and operate by 2030 AD. Maglev launch will enable large human scale exploration of space, thousands of gigawatts of space solar power satellites for beamed power to Earth, a robust defense against asteroids and comets, and many other applications not possible now.

Airborne chemistry: acoustic levitation in chemical analysis.

PubMed

Santesson, Sabina; Nilsson, Staffan

2004-04-01

This review with 60 references describes a unique path to miniaturisation, that is, the use of acoustic levitation in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry applications. Levitation of small volumes of sample by means of a levitation technique can be used as a way to avoid solid walls around the sample, thus circumventing the main problem of miniaturisation, the unfavourable surface-to-volume ratio. Different techniques for sample levitation have been developed and improved. Of the levitation techniques described, acoustic or ultrasonic levitation fulfils all requirements for analytical chemistry applications. This technique has previously been used to study properties of molten materials and the equilibrium shape()and stability of liquid drops. Temperature and mass transfer in levitated drops have also been described, as have crystallisation and microgravity applications. The airborne analytical system described here is equipped with different and exchangeable remote detection systems. The levitated drops are normally in the 100 nL-2 microL volume range and additions to the levitated drop can be made in the pL-volume range. The use of levitated drops in analytical and bioanalytical chemistry offers several benefits. Several remote detection systems are compatible with acoustic levitation, including fluorescence imaging detection, right angle light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Applications include liquid/liquid extractions, solvent exchange, analyte enrichment, single-cell analysis, cell-cell communication studies, precipitation screening of proteins to establish nucleation conditions, and crystallisation of proteins and pharmaceuticals.

Acoustic Levitation With One Transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, Martin B.

1987-01-01

Higher resonator modes enables simplification of equipment. Experimental acoustic levitator for high-temperature containerless processing has round cylindrical levitation chamber and only one acoustic transducer. Stable levitation of solid particle or liquid drop achieved by exciting sound in chamber to higher-order resonant mode that makes potential well for levitated particle or drop at some point within chamber.

Laboratory evaluation of electrostatic spray wet scrubber to control particulate matter emissions from poultry facilities

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant emitted from animal production and has significant impacts on health and the environment. Abatement of PM emissions is imperative and effective PM control technologies are strongly needed. In this work, an electrostatic spray wet scrubber (ESWS) techn...

Electrostatic Charging and Particle Interactions in Microscopic Insulating Grains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Victor

In this thesis, we experimentally investigate the electrostatic charging as well as the particle interactions in microscopic insulating grains. First, by tracking individual grains accelerated in an electric field, we quantitatively demonstrate that tribocharging of same-material grains depends on particle size. Large grains tend to charge positively, and small ones tend to charge negatively. Theories based on the transfer of trapped electrons can explain this tendency but have not been validated. Here we show that the number of trapped electrons, measured independently by a thermoluminescence technique, is orders of magnitude too small to be responsible for the amount of charge transferred. This result reveals that trapped electrons are not responsible for same-material tribocharging of dielectric particles. Second, same-material tribocharging in grains can result in important long-range electrostatic interactions. However, how these electrostatic interactions contribute to particle clustering remains elusive, primarily due to the lack of direct, detailed observations. Using a high-speed camera that falls with a stream charged grains, we observe for the first time how charged grains can undergo attractive as well as repulsive Kepler-like orbits. Charged particles can be captured in their mutual electrostatic potential and form clusters via multiple bounces. Dielectric polarization effects are directly observed, which lead to additional attractive forces and stabilize "molecule-like" arrangements of charged particles. Third, we have developed a new method to study the charge transfer of microscopic particles based on acoustic levitation techniques. This method allows us to narrow the complex problem of many-particle charging down to precise charge measurements of a single sub-millimeter particle colliding with a target plate. By simply attaching nonpolar groups onto glass surfaces, we show that the contact charging of a particle is highly dependent on hydrophobicity. Charging between a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic surface is enhanced in a basic atmosphere and suppressed in an acidic one. Moreover, hydrophobicity is also found to play a key role in particle charging driven by an external electric field. These results strongly support the idea that aqueous-ion transfer is responsible for the particle contact charging phenomenon.

Containerless solidification of BiFeO3 oxide under microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jianding; Arai, Yasutomo; Koshikawa, Naokiyo; Ishikawa, Takehito; Yoda, Shinichi

1999-07-01

Containerless solidification of BiFeO3 oxide has been carried out under microgravity with Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) aboard on the sounding rocket (TR-IA). It is a first containerless experiment using ELF under microgravity for studying the solidification of oxide insulator material. Spherical BiFeO3 sample with diameter of 5mm was heated by two lasers in oxygen and nitrogen mixing atmosphere, and the sample position by electrostatic force under pinpoint model and free drift model. In order to compare the solidification behavior in microgravity with on ground, solidification experiments of BiFeO3 in crucible and drop tube were carried out. In crucible experiment, it was very difficult to get single BiFeO3 phase, because segregation of Fe2O3 occured very fast and easily. In drop tube experiment, fine homogeneous BiFeO3 microstructure was obtained in a droplet about 300 μm. It implies that containerless processing can promote the phase selection in solidification. In microgravity experiment, because the heating temperature was lower than that of estimated, the sample was heated into Fe2O3+liquid phase region. Fe2O3 single crystal grew on the surface of the spherical sample, whose sample was clearly different from that observed in ground experiments.

The Vitrification and Determination of the Crystallization Time Scales of a Zr58.5Nb2.8Cu15.6Ni12.8Al10.3 Bulk Metallic Glass Forming Liquid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hays, C. C.; Schroers, J.; Johnson, W. L.; Rathz, T. J.; Hyers, R. W.; Rogers, J. R.; Robinson, M. B.; Whitaker, Ann F. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Zr58.5Nb2.8Cul5.6Nil2.8All0.3 is the first bulk glass forming liquid that does not contain beryllium to be vitrified by purely radiative cooling in the containerless electrostatic levitation process. The measured critical cooling rate is 1.75 K/s. The sluggish crystallization kinetics enable the determination of the time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram between the liquidus and the glass transition temperatures. At the nose of the TTT diagram, the shortest time to reach crystallization in an isothermal experiment is 32 seconds. In contrast to other bulk metallic glasses the scatter in the crystallization onset times are small at both high and low temperatures.

Synergistic stabilization of metastable Fe{sub 23}B{sub 6} and γ-Fe in undercooled Fe{sub 83}B{sub 17}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Quirinale, D. G.; Rustan, G. E.; Kreyssig, A.

2015-06-15

Previous investigations of undercooled liquid Fe{sub 83}B{sub 17} near the eutectic composition have found that metastable crystalline phases, such as Fe{sub 23}B{sub 6}, can be formed and persist down to ambient temperature even for rather modest cooling rates. Using time-resolved high-energy x-ray diffraction on electrostatically levitated samples of Fe{sub 83}B{sub 17}, we demonstrate that the Fe{sub 23}B{sub 6} metastable phase and fcc γ-Fe grow coherently from the undercooled Fe{sub 83}B{sub 17} liquid and effectively suppress the formation of the equilibrium Fe{sub 2}B + bcc α-Fe phases. The stabilization of γ-Fe offers another opportunity for experimental investigations of magnetism in metastable fcc iron.

Containerless glass fiber processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ethridge, E. C.; Naumann, R. J.

1986-01-01

An acoustic levitation furnace system is described that was developed for testing the feasibility of containerless fiber pulling experiments. It is possible to levitate very dense materials such as platinum at room temperature. Levitation at elevated temperatures is much more difficult. Samples of dense heavy metal fluoride glass were levitated at 300 C. It is therefore possible that containerless fiber pulling experiments could be performed. Fiber pulling from the melt at 650 C is not possible at unit gravity but could be possible at reduced gravities. The Acoustic Levitation Furnace is described, including engineering parameters and processing information. It is illustrated that a shaped reflector greatly increases the levitation force aiding the levitation of more dense materials.

Apparatus and method for reducing inductive coupling between levitation and drive coils within a magnetic propulsion system

DOEpatents

Post, Richard F.

2001-01-01

An apparatus and method is disclosed for reducing inductive coupling between levitation and drive coils within a magnetic levitation system. A pole array has a magnetic field. A levitation coil is positioned so that in response to motion of the magnetic field of the pole array a current is induced in the levitation coil. A first drive coil having a magnetic field coupled to drive the pole array also has a magnetic flux which induces a parasitic current in the levitation coil. A second drive coil having a magnetic field is positioned to attenuate the parasitic current in the levitation coil by canceling the magnetic flux of the first drive coil which induces the parasitic current. Steps in the method include generating a magnetic field with a pole array for levitating an object; inducing current in a levitation coil in response to motion of the magnetic field of the pole array; generating a magnetic field with a first drive coil for propelling the object; and generating a magnetic field with a second drive coil for attenuating effects of the magnetic field of the first drive coil on the current in the levitation coil.

A novel HTS magnetic levitation dining table

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yiyun; Huang, Huiying

2018-05-01

High temperature superconducting (HTS) bulk can levitate above or suspend below a permanent magnet stably. Many magnificent potential applications of HTS bulk are proposed by researchers. Until now, few reports have been found for real applications of HTS bulk. A complete set of small-scale HTS magnetic levitation table is proposed in the paper. The HTS magnetic levitation table includes an annular HTS magnetic levitation system which is composed of an annular HTS bulk array and an annular permanent magnet guideway (PMG). The annular PMG and the annular cryogenics vessel which used to maintain low temperature environment of the HTS bulk array are designed. 62 YBCO bulks are used to locate at the bottom of the annular vessel. A 3D-model finite element numerical method is used to design the HTS bulk magnetic levitation system. Equivalent magnetic levitation and guidance forces calculation rules are proposed aimed at the annular HTS magnetic levitation system stability. Based on the proposed method, levitation and guidance forces curves of the one YBCO bulk magnetic above PMG could be obtained. This method also can use to assist PMG design to check whether the designed PMG could reach the basic demand of the HTS magnetic levitation table.

Dimensionless Analysis and Mathematical Modeling of Electromagnetic Levitation (EML) of Metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Lei; Shi, Zhe; Li, Donghui; Yang, Yindong; Zhang, Guifang; McLean, Alexander; Chattopadhyay, Kinnor

2016-02-01

Electromagnetic levitation (EML), a contactless metal melting method, can be used to produce ultra-pure metals and alloys. In the EML process, the levitation force exerted on the droplet is of paramount importance and is affected by many parameters. In this paper, the relationship between levitation force and parameters affecting the levitation process were investigated by dimensionless analysis. The general formula developed by dimensionless analysis was tested and evaluated by numerical modeling. This technique can be employed to design levitation systems for a variety of materials.

Gas levitator having fixed levitation node for containerless processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berge, L. H.; Oran, W. A.; Theiss, M. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

A method and apparatus is disclosed for levitating a specimen of material in a containerless environment at a stable nodal position independent of gravity. An elongated levitation tube has a contoured interior in the form of convergent section, constriction, and a divergent section in which the levitation node is created. A gas flow control means prevents separation of flow from the interior walls in the region of a specimen. The apparatus provides for levitating and heating the specimen simultaneously by combustion of a suitable gas mixture combined with an inert gas.

Levitation of YBa2Cu3O(7-x) superconductor in a variable magnetic field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Terentiev, Alexander N.; Kuznetsov, Anatoliy A.

1992-01-01

The influence of both a linear alternating and rotational magnetic field component on the levitation behavior of a YBa2Cu3O(7-x) superconductor was examined. The transition from a plastic regime of levitation to an elastic one, induced by an alternating field component, was observed. An elastic regime in contrast to a plastic one is characterized by the unique position of stable levitation and field frequency dependence of relaxation time to this position. It was concluded that the vibrations of a magnet levitated above the superconductor can induce a transition from a plastic regime of levitation to an elastic one. It was found that a rotational magnetic field component induced rotations of a levitated superconductor. Rotational frictional motion of flux lines is likely to be an origin of torque developed. A prototype of a motor based on a levitated superconductor rotor is proposed.

Comprehensive comparison of the levitation performance of bulk YBaCuO arrays above two different types of magnetic guideways

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Zigang; Qian, Nan; Che, Tong; Jin, Liwei; Si, Shuaishuai; Zhang, Ya; Zheng, Jun

2016-12-01

The permanent magnet guideway (PMG) is an important part of high temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev systems. So far, two types of PMG, the normal PMG and Halbach-type PMG, are widely applied in present maglev transportation systems. In this paper, the levitation performance of high temperature superconductor bulks above the two PMGs was synthetically compared. Both static levitation performance and dynamic response characteristics were investigated. Benefiting from the reasonable magnetic field distribution, the Halbach-type PMG is able to gain larger levitation force, greater levitation force decay during the same relaxation time, bigger resonance frequency and dynamic stiffness for the bulk superconductor levitation unit compared with the normal PMG. Another finding is that the Halbach-type PMG is not sensitive to the levitation performance of the bulk levitation unit with different arrays. These results are helpful for the practical application of HTS maglev systems.

Stable And Oscillating Acoustic Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, Martin B.; Garrett, Steven L.

1988-01-01

Sample stability or instability determined by levitating frequency. Degree of oscillation of acoustically levitated object along axis of levitation chamber controlled by varying frequency of acoustic driver for axis above or below frequency of corresponding chamber resonance. Stabilization/oscillation technique applied in normal Earth gravity, or in absence of gravity to bring object quickly to rest at nominal levitation position or make object oscillate in desired range about that position.

The Lunar dusty plasmas -levitation and transport.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atamaniuk, Barbara; Rothkaehl, Hanna

Lunar dust can exhibit unusual behavior -due to electron photoemission via solar-UV radiation the lunar surface represents a complex plasma -"dusty plasma". The dust grains and lunar surface are electrostatically charged by the Moon's interaction with the local plasma environ-ment and the photoemission of electrons due to solar UV and X-rays. This effect causes the like-charged surface and dust particles to repel each other, and creates a near-surface electric field. Lunar dust must be treated as a dusty plasma. Using analytic (kinetic (Vlasov) and magnetohydrodynamic theory ) and numerical modeling we show physical processes related to levitation and transport dusty plasma on the Moon. These dust grains could affect the lunar environment for radio wave and plasma diagnostics and interfere with exploration activities. References: 1. Wilson T.L. (1992), in Analysis of Interplanetary Dust, M. Zolensky et al. AIP Conf.Proc. 310, 33-44 (AIP, NY), 2.Wilson T.L."LUNAR DUST AND DUSTY PLASMA PHYSICS".40th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2009), 3. Grün E., et al.(1993),Nature 363, 144. 4. Morfill G. and Grün E.(1979), Planet. Space Sci.. 27, 1269, 1283, 5. Manka R. and Michel F. (1971), Proc. 2nd Lun. Sci. Conf. 2, 1717 (MIT Press, Cambridge). 6. Manka R. et al.(1973), Lun. Sci.-III, 504. 7. Barbara Atamaniuk "Kinetic Description of Localized Plasma Structure in Dusty Plasmas". Czechoslovak Journal of Physics Vol.54 C 2004

The Wonders of Levitation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

French, M. M. J.

2010-01-01

I discuss some interesting classroom demonstrations of diamagnetism and how this effect can produce levitation. The possibilities for hands-on demonstrations of diamagnetic and superconducting levitation are discussed. To conclude I discuss some practical uses for levitation in daily life. (Contains 6 figures.)

Overview of Particle Production Facilities Available in the Czech Republic

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kugler, Andrej

2007-11-26

A brief overview of particle production facilities available in Czech Republic is given. In particular are described the facilities at the Nuclear Physics Institute in Rez near Prague, namely: an isochronous cyclotron, an electrostatic accelerator tandetron and a microtron. An outline of the main research projects carried out is included.

Characteristics on electodynamic suspension simulator with HTS levitation magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, J.; Bae, D. K.; Sim, K.; Chung, Y. D.; Lee, Y.-S.

2009-10-01

High- Tc superconducting (HTSC) electrodynamic suspension (EDS) system basically consists of the HTSC levitation magnet and the ground conductor. The levitation force of EDS system is forms by the interaction between the moving magnetic field produced by the onboard levitation magnet and the induced magnetic field produced by eddy current in the ground conductor. This paper deals with the characteristics of the EDS simulators with high- Tc superconducting (HTS) levitation magnet. Two EDS simulator systems, rotating type EDS simulator and static type EDS simulator, were studied in this paper. The rotating type EDS simulator consists of a HTS levitation magnet and a 1.5 m diameter rotating ground conductor, a motor, the supporting structure and force measuring devices. In the static type EDS simulator, instead of moving magnetic field, AC current was applied to the fixed HTS levitation magnet to induce the eddy current. The static type EDS simulator consists of a HTS levitation magnet, a ground conductor, force measuring devices and supporting structure. The double-pancake type HTSC levitation magnet was designed, manufactured and tested in the EDS simulator.

Measurements of Charging of Apollo 17 Lunar Dust Grains by Electron Impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, Mian M.; Tankosic, Dragana; Spann, James F.; Dube, Michael J.

2008-01-01

It is well known since the Apollo missions that the lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of micron size dust grains with unusually high adhesive characteristics. The dust grains observed to be levitated and transported on the lunar surface are believed to have a hazardous impact on the robotic and human missions to the Moon. The observed dust phenomena are attributed to the lunar dust being charged positively during the day by UV photoelectric emissions, and negatively during the night by the solar wind electrons. The current dust charging and the levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena, with the uncertainty of dust charging processes and the equilibrium potentials of the individual dust grains. It is well recognized that the charging properties of individual dust grains are substantially different from those determined from measurements made on bulk materials that are currently available. An experimental facility has been developed in the Dusty Plasma Laboratory at MSFC for investigating the charging and optical properties of individual micron/sub-micron size positively or negatively charged dust grains by levitating them in an electrodynamic balance in simulated space environments. In this paper, we present the laboratory measurements on charging of Apollo 17 individual lunar dust grains by a low energy electron beam. The charging rates and the equilibrium potentials produced by direct electron impact and by secondary electron emission process are discussed.

Internal Flows in Free Drops (IFFD)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.; Sadhal, Satwindar S.; Thomas, D. A.; Crouch, R. K.

1998-01-01

Within the framework of an Earth-based research task investigating the internal flows within freely levitated drops, a low-gravity technology development experiment has been designed and carried out within the NASA Glovebox facility during the STS-83 and STS-94 Shuttle flights (MSL-1 mission). The goal was narrowly defined as the assessment of the capabilities of a resonant single-axis ultrasonic levitator to stably position free drops in the Shuttle environment with a precision required for the detailed measurement of internal flows. The results of this entirely crew-operated investigation indicate that the approach is fundamentally sound, but also that the ultimate stability of the positioning is highly dependent on the residual acceleration characteristic of the Spacecraft, and to a certain extent, on the initial drop deployment of the drop. The principal results are: the measured dependence of the residual drop rotation and equilibrium drop shape on the ultrasonic power level, the experimental evaluation of the typical drop translational stability in a realistic low-gravity environment, and the semi-quantitative evaluation of background internal flows within quasi-isothermal drops. Based on these results, we conclude that the successful design of a full-scale Microgravity experiment is possible, and would allow accurate the measurement of thermocapillary flows within transparent drops. The need has been demonstrated, however, for the capability for accurately deploying the drop, for a quiescent environment, and for precise mechanical adjustments of the levitator.

Automated space processing payloads study. Volume 2, book 2: Technical report, appendices A through E. [instrument packages and space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Experiment hardware and operational requirements for space shuttle experiments are discussed along with payload and system concepts. Appendixes are included in which experiment data sheets, chamber environmental control and monitoring, method for collection and storage of electrophoretically-separated samples, preliminary thermal evaluation of electromagnetic levitation facilities L1, L2, and L3, and applicable industrial automation equipment are discussed.

Acoustic Translation of an Acoustically Levitated Sample

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Allen, J. L.

1986-01-01

Acoustic-levitation apparatus uses only one acoustic mode to move sample from one region of chamber to another. Sample heated and cooled quickly by translation between hot and cold regions of levitation chamber. Levitated sample is raised into furnace region by raising plunger. Frequency of sound produced by transducers adjusted by feedback system to maintain (102) resonant mode, which levitates sample midway between transducers and plunger regardless of plunger position.

Holding characteristics of planar objects suspended by near-field acoustic levitation

PubMed

Matsuo; Koike; Nakamura; Ueha; Hashimoto

2000-03-01

The authors have found the acoustic levitation phenomenon where planar objects of 10 kg weight can be levitated near a vibration surface. This phenomenon has been studied for non-contact transportation. A circular planar object can be suspended without contacting a circular vibration plate. We have studied the holding force which acts horizontally on the levitated objects. The horizontal position of the object is stabilized by this force. In this paper, we discuss the effect of the radius of a levitated object, levitation distance, displacement amplitude of the vibration plate and the vibration mode on the suspending force.

Levitation properties of maglev systems using soft ferromagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Chen-Guang; Zhou, You-He

2015-03-01

Soft ferromagnets are widely used as flux-concentration materials in the design of guideways for superconducting magnetic levitation transport systems. In order to fully understand the influence of soft ferromagnets on the levitation performance, in this work we apply a numerical model based on the functional minimization method and the Bean’s critical state model to study the levitation properties of an infinitely long superconductor immersed in the magnetic field created by a guideway of different sets of infinitely long parallel permanent magnets with soft ferromagnets between them. The levitation force, guidance force, magnetic stiffness and magnetic pole density are calculated considering the coupling between the superconductor and soft ferromagnets. The results show that the levitation performance is closely associated with the permanent magnet configuration and with the location and dimension of the soft ferromagnets. Introducing the soft ferromagnet with a certain width in a few configurations always decreases the levitation force. However, for most configurations, the soft ferromagnets contribute to improve the levitation performance only when they have particular locations and dimensions in which the optimized location and thickness exist to increase the levitation force the most. Moreover, if the superconductor is laterally disturbed, the presence of soft ferromagnets can effectively improve the lateral stability for small lateral displacement and reduce the degradation of levitation force.

Charging of Individual Micron-Size Interstellar/Planetary Dust Grains by Secondary Electron Emissions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tankosic, D.; Abbas, M. M.

2012-01-01

Dust grains in various astrophysical environments are generally charged electrostatically by photoelectric emissions with UV/X-ray radiation, as well as by electron/ion impact. Knowledge of physical and optical properties of individual dust grains is required for understanding of the physical and dynamical processes in space environments and the role of dust in formation of stellar and planetary systems. In this paper, we discuss experimental results on dust charging by electron impact, where low energy electrons are scattered or stick to the dust grains, thereby charging the dust grains negatively, and at sufficiently high energies the incident electrons penetrate the grain leading to excitation and emission of electrons referred to as secondary electron emission (SEE). Currently, very limited experimental data are available for charging of individual micron-size dust grains, particularly by low energy electron impact. Available theoretical models based on the Sternglass equation (Sternglass, 1954) are applicable for neutral, planar, and bulk surfaces only. However, charging properties of individual micron-size dust grains are expected to be different from the values measured on bulk materials. Our recent experimental results on individual, positively charged, micron-size lunar dust grains levitated in an electrodynamic balance facility (at NASA-MSFC) indicate that the SEE by electron impact is a complex process. The electron impact may lead to charging or discharging of dust grains depending upon the grain size, surface potential, electron energy, electron flux, grain composition, and configuration (e.g. Abbas et al, 2010). Here we discuss the complex nature of SEE charging properties of individual micron-size lunar dust grains and silica microspheres.

Internal resonance of an elastic body levitated above high-Tc superconducting bulks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kokuzawa, T.; Toshihiko, S.; Yoshizawa, M.

2010-06-01

In high-Tc superconducting magnetic levitation systems, levitated bodies can keep stable levitation with no contact and no control and thus their damping is very small. Thanks to these features, their applications to various apparatus are expected. However, on account of their small damping, the nonlinearity of electromagnetic levitation force can give notable effects upon motion of the levitated bodies. Therefore this nonlinearity must be taken into account to accurately analyze the dynamical behavior of the levitated bodies. Structures of such a levitated body can show elastic deformation if the large electromagnetic force acts on it. Therefore, we need to deal with the model as an elastic body. As mentioned above, nonlinear characteristics easily appear in this elastic vibration on account of the small damping. Especially when the ratio of the natural frequencies of the eigenmodes is integer, internal resonance can occur. This nonlinear resonance is derived from nonlinear interactions among the eigenmodes of the elastic levitated body. This kind of internal resonance of an elastic body appearing in high-Tc superconducting levitation systems has not been studied so far. This research especially deals with internal resonance of a beam supported at both its ends by electromagnetic forces acting on permanent magnets. The governing equation with the nonlinear boundary conditions for the dynamics of a levitated beam has been derived. Numerical results show internal resonance of the 1st mode and the 3rd mode. Experimental results are qualitatively in good agreement with numerical ones.

Large gap magnetic suspension system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abdelsalam, Moustafa K.; Eyssa, Y. M.

1991-01-01

The design of a large gap magnetic suspension system is discussed. Some of the topics covered include: the system configuration, permanent magnet material, levitation magnet system, superconducting magnets, resistive magnets, superconducting levitation coils, resistive levitation coils, levitation magnet system, and the nitrogen cooled magnet system.

Levitation and collection of diamond fine particles in the rf plasma chamber equipped with a hot filament

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shimizu, S.; Shimizu, T.; Thomas, H. M.

2011-11-15

We demonstrate the levitation of diamond fine particles in a H{sub 2} rf plasma chamber equipped with a hot filament and heated electrodes. The levitation conditions should be carefully chosen to compensate the strong thermophoretic forces caused by the filament and the electrodes. This levitation technique with the existence of a hot filament can be applied, e.g., for the efficient growth of diamond layers on seed particles injected and levitated in an rf plasma with reactive gases, e.g., CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}. Additionally, the method for direct capture of levitated particles on a planar substrate was established, which is useful ifmore » it is necessary to analyze the particles after the levitation.« less

Theoretical and experimental examination of near-field acoustic levitation.

PubMed

Nomura, Hideyuki; Kamakura, Tomoo; Matsuda, Kazuhisa

2002-04-01

A planar object can be levitated stably close to a piston sound source by making use of acoustic radiation pressure. This phenomenon is called near-field acoustic levitation [Y. Hashimoto et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 100, 2057-2061 (1996)]. In the present article, the levitation distance is predicted theoretically by numerically solving basic equations in a compressible viscous fluid subject to the appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Additionally, experiments are carried out using a 19.5-kHz piston source with a 40-mm aperture and various aluminum disks of different sizes. The measured levitation distance agrees well with the theory, which is different from a conventional theory, and the levitation distance is not inversely proportional to the square root of the surface density of the levitated disk in a strict sense.

Analysis of a Non-resonant Ultrasonic Levitation Device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrade, Marco A. B.; Pérez, Nicolás; Adamowski, Julio C.

In this study, a non-resonant configuration of ultrasonic levitation device is presented, which is formed by a small diameter ultrasonic transducer and a concave reflector. The influence of different levitator parameters on the levitation performance is investigated by using a numerical model that combines the Gor'kov theory with a matrix method based on the Rayleigh integral. In contrast with traditional acoustic levitators, the non-resonant ultrasonic levitation device allows the separation distance between the transducer and the reflector to be adjusted continually, without requiring the separation distance to be set to a multiple of half-wavelength. It is also demonstrated, both numerically and experimentally, that the levitating particle can be manipulated by maintaining the transducer in a fixed position in space and moving the reflector in respect to the transducer.

Theoretical and experimental examination of near-field acoustic levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nomura, Hideyuki; Kamakura, Tomoo; Matsuda, Kazuhisa

2002-04-01

A planar object can be levitated stably close to a piston sound source by making use of acoustic radiation pressure. This phenomenon is called near-field acoustic levitation [Y. Hashimoto et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 100, 2057-2061 (1996)]. In the present article, the levitation distance is predicted theoretically by numerically solving basic equations in a compressible viscous fluid subject to the appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Additionally, experiments are carried out using a 19.5-kHz piston source with a 40-mm aperture and various aluminum disks of different sizes. The measured levitation distance agrees well with the theory, which is different from a conventional theory, and the levitation distance is not inversely proportional to the square root of the surface density of the levitated disk in a strict sense.

Study on interfacial stability and internal flow of a droplet levitated by ultrasonic wave.

PubMed

Abe, Yutaka; Yamamoto, Yuji; Hyuga, Daisuke; Awazu, Shigeru; Aoki, Kazuyoshi

2009-04-01

For a microgravity environment, new and high-quality material is expected to be manufactured. However, the effect of surface instability and the internal flow become significant when the droplet becomes large. Elucidation of internal flow and surface instability on a levitated droplet is required for the quality improvement of new material manufacturing in a microgravity environment. The objectives of this study are to clarify the interfacial stability and internal flow of a levitated droplet. Surface instability and internal flow are investigated with a large droplet levitated by the ultrasonic acoustic standing wave. The experiment with a large droplet is conducted both under normal gravity and microgravity environments. In the experiment, at first, the characteristics of the levitated droplet are investigated; that is, the relationships among the levitated droplet diameter, the droplet aspect ratio, the displacement of the antinode of the standing wave, and the sound pressure are experimentally measured. As a result, it is clarified that the levitated droplet tends to be located at an optimal position with an optimal shape and diameter. Second, the border condition between the stable and the unstable levitation of the droplet is evaluated by using the existing stability theory. The experimental results qualitatively agree with the theory. It is suggested that the stability of the droplet can be evaluated with the stability theory. Finally, multidimensional visual measurement is conducted to investigate the internal flow structure in a levitated droplet. It is suggested that complex flow with the vortex is generated in the levitated droplet. Moreover, the effect of physical properties of the test fluid on the internal flow structure of the levitated droplet is investigated. As a result, the internal flow structure of the levitated droplet is affected by the surface tension and viscosity.

Development of high intensity ion sources for a Tandem-Electrostatic-Quadrupole facility for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

PubMed

Bergueiro, J; Igarzabal, M; Sandin, J C Suarez; Somacal, H R; Vento, V Thatar; Huck, H; Valda, A A; Repetto, M; Kreiner, A J

2011-12-01

Several ion sources have been developed and an ion source test stand has been mounted for the first stage of a Tandem-Electrostatic-Quadrupole facility For Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy. A first source, designed, fabricated and tested is a dual chamber, filament driven and magnetically compressed volume plasma proton ion source. A 4 mA beam has been accelerated and transported into the suppressed Faraday cup. Extensive simulations of the sources have been performed using both 2D and 3D self-consistent codes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear dynamics of drops and bubbles and chaotic phenomena

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, Eugene H.; Leal, L. G.; Feng, Z. C.; Holt, R. G.

1994-01-01

Nonlinear phenomena associated with the dynamics of free drops and bubbles are investigated analytically, numerically and experimentally. Although newly developed levitation and measurement techniques have been implemented, the full experimental validation of theoretical predictions has been hindered by interfering artifacts associated with levitation in the Earth gravitational field. The low gravity environment of orbital space flight has been shown to provide a more quiescent environment which can be utilized to better match the idealized theoretical conditions. The research effort described in this paper is a closely coupled collaboration between predictive and guiding theoretical activities and a unique experimental program involving the ultrasonic and electrostatic levitation of single droplets and bubbles. The goal is to develop and to validate methods based on nonlinear dynamics for the understanding of the large amplitude oscillatory response of single drops and bubbles to both isotropic and asymmetric pressure stimuli. The first specific area on interest has been the resonant coupling between volume and shape oscillatory modes isolated gas or vapor bubbles in a liquid host. The result of multiple time-scale asymptotic treatment, combined with domain perturbation and bifurcation methods, has been the prediction of resonant and near-resonant coupling between volume and shape modes leading to stable as well as chaotic oscillations. Experimental investigations of the large amplitude shape oscillation modes of centimeter-size single bubbles trapped in water at 1 G and under reduced hydrostatic pressure, have suggested the possibility of a low gravity experiment to study the direct coupling between these low frequency shape modes and the volume pulsation, sound-radiating mode. The second subject of interest has involved numerical modeling, using the boundary integral method, of the large amplitude shape oscillations of charged and uncharged drops in the presence of a static or time-varying electric field. Theoretically predicted non linearity in the resonant frequency of the fundamental quadrupole mode has been verified by the accompanying experimental studies. Additional phenomena such as hysteresis in the frequency response of ultrasoncially levitated droplets in the presence of a time varying electric field, and mode coupling in the oscillations of ultrasonically modulated droplets, have also been uncovered. One of the results of this ground-based research has been the identification and characterization of phenomena strictly associated with the influence of the gravitational field. This has also allowed us to identify the specific requirements for potential microgravity investigations yielding new information not obtainable on Earth.

Nonlinear dynamics of drops and bubbles and chaotic phenomena

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trinh, Eugene H.; Leal, L. G.; Feng, Z. C.; Holt, R. G.

1994-08-01

Nonlinear phenomena associated with the dynamics of free drops and bubbles are investigated analytically, numerically and experimentally. Although newly developed levitation and measurement techniques have been implemented, the full experimental validation of theoretical predictions has been hindered by interfering artifacts associated with levitation in the Earth gravitational field. The low gravity environment of orbital space flight has been shown to provide a more quiescent environment which can be utilized to better match the idealized theoretical conditions. The research effort described in this paper is a closely coupled collaboration between predictive and guiding theoretical activities and a unique experimental program involving the ultrasonic and electrostatic levitation of single droplets and bubbles. The goal is to develop and to validate methods based on nonlinear dynamics for the understanding of the large amplitude oscillatory response of single drops and bubbles to both isotropic and asymmetric pressure stimuli. The first specific area on interest has been the resonant coupling between volume and shape oscillatory modes isolated gas or vapor bubbles in a liquid host. The result of multiple time-scale asymptotic treatment, combined with domain perturbation and bifurcation methods, has been the prediction of resonant and near-resonant coupling between volume and shape modes leading to stable as well as chaotic oscillations. Experimental investigations of the large amplitude shape oscillation modes of centimeter-size single bubbles trapped in water at 1 G and under reduced hydrostatic pressure, have suggested the possibility of a low gravity experiment to study the direct coupling between these low frequency shape modes and the volume pulsation, sound-radiating mode. The second subject of interest has involved numerical modeling, using the boundary integral method, of the large amplitude shape oscillations of charged and uncharged drops in the presence of a static or time-varying electric field. Theoretically predicted non linearity in the resonant frequency of the fundamental quadrupole mode has been verified by the accompanying experimental studies. Additional phenomena such as hysteresis in the frequency response of ultrasoncially levitated droplets in the presence of a time varying electric field, and mode coupling in the oscillations of ultrasonically modulated droplets, have also been uncovered. One of the results of this ground-based research has been the identification and characterization of phenomena strictly associated with the influence of the gravitational field. This has also allowed us to identify the specific requirements for potential microgravity investigations yielding new information not obtainable on Earth.

A containerless levitation setup for liquid processing in a superconducting magnet.

PubMed

Lu, Hui-Meng; Yin, Da-Chuan; Li, Hai-Sheng; Geng, Li-Qiang; Zhang, Chen-Yan; Lu, Qin-Qin; Guo, Yun-Zhu; Guo, Wei-Hong; Shang, Peng; Wakayama, Nobuko I

2008-09-01

Containerless processing of materials is considered beneficial for obtaining high quality products due to the elimination of the detrimental effects coming from the contact with container walls. Many containerless processing methods are realized by levitation techniques. This paper describes a containerless levitation setup that utilized the magnetization force generated in a gradient magnetic field. It comprises a levitation unit, a temperature control unit, and a real-time observation unit. Known volume of liquid diamagnetic samples can be levitated in the levitation chamber, the temperature of which is controlled using the temperature control unit. The evolution of the levitated sample is observed in real time using the observation unit. With this setup, containerless processing of liquid such as crystal growth from solution can be realized in a well-controlled manner. Since the levitation is achieved using a superconducting magnet, experiments requiring long duration time such as protein crystallization and simulation of space environment for living system can be easily succeeded.

Study on internal flow and surface deformation of large droplet levitated by ultrasonic wave.

PubMed

Abe, Yutaka; Hyuga, Daisuke; Yamada, Shogo; Aoki, Kazuyoshi

2006-09-01

It is expected that new materials will be manufactured with containerless processing under the microgravity environment in space. Under the microgravity environment, handling technology of molten metal is important for such processes. There are a lot of previous studies about droplet levitation technologies, including the use of acoustic waves, as the holding technology. However, experimental and analytical information about the relationship between surface deformation and internal flow of a large levitated droplet is still unknown. The purpose of this study is to experimentally investigate the large droplet behavior levitated by the acoustic wave field and its internal flow. To achieve this, first, numerical simulation is conducted to clarify the characteristics of acoustic wave field. Second, the levitation characteristic and the internal flow of the levitated droplet are investigated by the ultrasonic standing wave under normal gravity environment. Finally, the levitation characteristic and internal flow of levitated droplet are observed under microgravity in an aircraft to compare results with the experiment performed under the normal gravity environment.

Particle manipulation by a non-resonant acoustic levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrade, Marco A. B.; Pérez, Nicolás; Adamowski, Julio C.

2015-01-01

We present the analysis of a non-resonant acoustic levitator, formed by an ultrasonic transducer and a concave reflector. In contrast to traditional levitators, the geometry presented herein does not require the separation distance between the transducer and the reflector to be a multiple of half wavelength. The levitator behavior is numerically predicted by applying a numerical model to calculate the acoustic pressure distribution and the Gor'kov theory to obtain the potential of the acoustic radiation force that acts on a levitated particle. We also demonstrate that levitating particles can be manipulated by controlling the reflector position while maintaining the transducer in a fixed position.

Development of a single-axis ultrasonic levitator and the study of the radial particle oscillations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baer, Sebastian; Andrade, Marco A. B.; Esen, Cemal; Adamowski, Julio Cezar; Ostendorf, Andreas

2012-05-01

This work describes the development and analysis of a new single-axis acoustic levitator, which consists of a 38 kHz Langevin-type piezoelectric transducer with a concave radiating surface and a concave reflector. The new levitator design allows to significantly reducing the electric power necessary to levitate particles and to stabilize the levitated sample in both radial and axial directions. In this investigation the lateral oscillations of a levitated particle were measured with a single point Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) and an image evaluation technique. The lateral oscillations were measured for different values of particle diameter, particle density and applied electrical power.

A new magnetic bearing using Halbach magnet arrays for a magnetic levitation stage.

PubMed

Choi, Young-Man; Lee, Moon G; Gweon, Dae-Gab; Jeong, Jaehwa

2009-04-01

Next-generation lithography requires a high precision stage, which is compatible with a high vacuum condition. A magnetic levitation stage with six degrees-of-freedom is considered state-of-the-art technology for a high vacuum condition. The noncontact characteristic of magnetic levitation enables high precision positioning as well as no particle generation. To position the stage against gravity, z-directional electromagnetic levitation mechanisms are widely used. However, if electromagnetic actuators for levitation are used, heat is inevitably generated, which deforms the structures and degrades accuracy of the stage. Thus, a gravity compensator is required. In this paper, we propose a new magnetic bearing using Halbach magnet arrays for a magnetic levitation stage. The novel Halbach magnetic bearing exerts a force four times larger than a conventional magnetic bearing with the same volume. We also discuss the complementary characteristics of the two magnetic bearings. By modifying the height of the center magnet in a Halbach magnetic bearing, a performance compromise between levitating force density and force uniformity is obtained. The Halbach linear active magnetic bearing can be a good solution for magnetic levitation stages because of its large and uniform levitation force.

Observation of the Field, Current and Force Distributions in an Optimized Superconducting Levitation with Translational Symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Chang-Qing; Ma, Guang-Tong; Liu, Kun; Wang, Jia-Su

2017-01-01

The superconducting levitation realized by immersing the high-temperature superconductors (HTSs) into nonuniform magnetic field is deemed promising in a wide range of industrial applications such as maglev transportation and kinetic energy storage. Using a well-established electromagnetic model to mathematically describe the HTS, we have developed an efficient scheme that is capable of intelligently and globally optimizing the permanent magnet guideway (PMG) with single or multiple HTSs levitated above for the maglev transportation applications. With maximizing the levitation force as the principal objective, we optimized the dimensions of a Halbach-derived PMG to observe how the field, current and force distribute inside the HTSs when the optimized situation is achieved. Using a pristine PMG as a reference, we have analyzed the critical issues for enhancing the levitation force through comparing the field, current and force distributions between the optimized and pristine PMGs. It was also found that the optimized dimensions of the PMG are highly dependent upon the levitated HTS. Moreover, the guidance force is not always contradictory to the levitation force and may also be enhanced when the levitation force is prescribed to be the principle objective, depending on the configuration of levitation system and lateral displacement.

Sol-Gel Glasses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mukherjee, S. P.

1985-01-01

Multicomponent homogeneous, ultrapure noncrystalline gels/gel derived glasses are promising batch materials for the containerless glass melting experiments in microgravity. Hence, ultrapure, homogeneous gel precursors could be used to: (1) investigate the effect of the container induced nucleation on the glass forming ability of marginally glass forming compositions; and (2) investigate the influence of gravity on the phase separation and coarsening behavior of gel derived glasses in the liquid-liquid immiscibility zone of the nonsilicate systems having a high density phase. The structure and crystallization behavior of gels in the SiO2-GeO2 as a function of gel chemistry and thermal treatment were investigated. As are the chemical principles involved in the distribution of a second network former in silica gel matrix being investigated. The procedures for synthesizing noncrystalline gels/gel-monoliths in the SiO2-GeO2, GeO2-PbO systems were developed. Preliminary investigations on the levitation and thermal treatment of germania silicate gel-monoliths in the Pressure Facility Acoustic Levitator were done.

Differential force balances during levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Todd, Paul

The simplest arithmetic of inertial, buoyant, magnetic and electrokinetic levitation is explored in the context of a model living system with “acceleration-sensitive structures” in which motion, if allowed, produces a biological effect. The simple model is a finite-sized object enclosed within another finite-sized object suspended in an outer fluid (liquid or vapor) medium. The inner object has density and electrical and magnetic properties quantitatively different from those of the outer object and the medium. In inertial levitation (“weightlessness”) inertial accelerations are balanced, and the forces due to them are canceled in accordance with Newton’s third law. In the presence of inertial acceleration (gravity, centrifugal) motionlessness depends on a balance between the levitating force and the inertial force. If the inner and outer objects differ in density one or the other will be subjected to an unbalanced force when one object is levitated by any other force (buoyant, magnetic, electrokinetic). The requirements for motionlessness of the internal object in the presence of a levitating force are equality of density in the case of buoyant levitation, equality of magnetic susceptibility in the case of magnetic levitation, and equality of zeta potential and dielectric constant in the case of electrokinetic levitation. Examples of internal “acceleration-sensitive structures” are cellular organelles and the organs of advanced plants and animals. For these structures fundamental physical data are important in the interpretation of the effects of forces used for levitation.

An adaptive vibration control method to suppress the vibration of the maglev train caused by track irregularities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Danfeng; Yu, Peichang; Wang, Lianchun; Li, Jie

2017-11-01

The levitation gap of the urban maglev train is around 8 mm, which puts a rather high requirement on the smoothness of the track. In practice, it is found that the track irregularity may cause stability problems when the maglev train is traveling. In this paper, the dynamic response of the levitation module, which is the basic levitation structure of the urban maglev train, is investigated in the presence of track irregularities. Analyses show that due to the structural configuration of the levitation module, the vibration of the levitation gap may be amplified and "resonances" may be observed under some specified track wavelengths and train speeds; besides, it is found that the gap vibration of the rear levitation unit in a levitation module is more significant than that of the front levitation unit, which agrees well with practice. To suppress the vibration of the rear levitation gap, an adaptive vibration control method is proposed, which utilizes the information of the front levitation unit as a reference. A pair of mirror FIR (finite impulse response) filters are designed and tuned by an adaptive mechanism, and they produce a compensation signal for the rear levitation controller to cancel the disturbance brought by the track irregularity. Simulations under some typical track conditions, including the sinusoidal track profile, random track irregularity, as well as track steps, indicate that the adaptive vibration control scheme can significantly reduce the amplitude of the rear gap vibration, which provides a method to improve the stability and ride comfort of the maglev train.

Acoustic Levitator With Furnace And Laser Heating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, Martin B.; Stoneburner, James D.

1991-01-01

Acoustic-levitation apparatus incorporates electrical-resistance furnace for uniform heating up to temperature of about 1,000 degrees C. Additional local heating by pair of laser beams raise temperature of sample to more than 1,500 degrees C. High temperature single-mode acoustic levitator generates cylindrical-mode accoustic resonance levitating sample. Levitation chamber enclosed in electrical-resistance furnace. Infrared beams from Nd:YAG laser provide additional local heating of sample. Designed for use in containerless processing of materials in microgravity or in normal Earth gravity.

Radiation-thermometric study of isolated hot molten metal spheres by containerless and contactless measurement techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, G. W.; Jeon, S.; Park, C.; Kang, D. H.; Choi, B. I.; Park, S. N.

2013-09-01

An electrostatic levitation (ESL) device is developed to study the radiation-properties of liquid metals at high temperature. The technique provides good advantage, such as fast response of temperature change on a sample, clear features of recalescence and plateau during freezing, no contamination or no reaction with environment, easy control of supercooling deducing hypercooling limit, and relatively simple analysis of thermodynamic quantities because of only radiative cooling process under vacuum. In this study, we could obtain a hypercooling limit (i.e., maximum supercooling) of liquid Ti, 341 K using the ESL. An accurate ratio of the specific heat to total hemispherical emissivity of liquid Ti was obtained by Stefan-Boltzmann law. Then, the specific heat and total hemispherical emissivity of Ti liquid metal can be estimated with the hypercooling limit and known fusion enthalpy values of Ti, which has been rarely reported.

Industrial grade versus scientific pure: Influence on melt properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jonas, I.; Hembree, W.; Yang, F.; Busch, R.; Meyer, A.

2018-04-01

Viscosity, density, and the undercooling ability of the Zr-based bulk glass forming melt, which was manufactured in two different degrees of purity, have been studied. Investigations have been carried out by means of Couette rheometry and electrostatic and electromagnetic levitation with the latter under microgravity conditions. We found that oxygen and impurities present in industrial grade metals do not significantly alter the melt viscosity and density, while they clearly affect the undercooling ability. Comparing container based and containerless results showed that Couette rheometry can be applied in the temperature range between 1150 K and 1375 K, where it provides reliable data, but only at a rather low oxygen content. Higher oxygen contents, as in the case of the industrial grade alloy, cause measurement artefacts. In the case of Zr59.3Cu28.8Al10.4Nb1.5 alloys, these findings allow a better localization of the key factors dominating the glass forming ability.

The Lunar Dust Pendulum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuntz, Kip; Collier, Michael R.; Stubbs, Timothy J.; Farrell, William M.

2011-01-01

Shadowed regions on the lunar surface acquire a negative potential. In particular, shadowed craters can have a negative potential with respect to the surrounding lunar regolith in sunlight, especially near the terminator regions. Here we analyze the motion of a positively charged lnnar dust grain in the presence of a shadowed crater at a negative potential in vacuum. Previous models describing the transport of charged lunar dust close to the surface have typically been limited to one-dimensional motion in the vertical direction, e.g. electrostatic levitation; however. the electric fields in the vicinity of shadowed craters will also have significant components in the horizontal directions. We propose a model that includes both the horizontal and vertical motion of charged dust grains near shadowed craters. We show that the dust grains execute oscillatory trajectories and present an expression for the period of oscillation drawing an analogy to the motion of a pendulum.

The Lunar Dust Pendulum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collier, Michael R.; Stubbs, Timothy J.; Farrell, William M.

2011-01-01

Shadowed regions on the lunar surface acquire a negative potential. In particular, shadowed craters can have a negative potential with respect to the surrounding lunar regolith in sunlight, especially near the terminator regions. Here we analyze the motion of a positively charged lunar dust grain in the presence of a shadowed crater at a negative potential in vacuum. Previous models describing the transport of charged lunar dust close to the surface have typically been limited to one-dimensional motion in the vertical direction, e.g. electrostatic levitation; however, the electric fields in the vicinity of shadowed craters will also have significant components in the horizontal directions. We propose a model that includes both the horizontal and vertical motion of charged dust grains near shadowed craters. We show that the dust grains execute oscillatory trajectories and present an expression for the period of oscillation drawing an analogy to the motion of a pendulum.

In-situ High-energy X-ray Diffraction Study of the Local Structure of Supercooled Liquid Si

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, G. W.; Kim, T. H.; Sieve, B.; Gangopadhyay, A. K.; Hyers, R. W.; Rathz, T. J.; Rogers, J. R.; Robinson, D. S.; Kelton, K. F.; Goldman, A. I.

2005-01-01

While changes in the coordination number for liquid silicon upon supercooling, signaling an underlying liquid-liquid phase transition, have been predicted, x-ray and neutron measurements have produced conflicting reports. In particular some studies have found an increase in the first shell coordination as temperature decreases in the supercooled regime, while others have reported increases in the coordination number with decreasing temperature. Employing the technique of electrostatic levitation coupled with high energy x-ray diffraction (125 keV), and rapid data acquisition (100ms collection times) using an area detector, we have obtained high quality structural data more deeply into the supercooled regime than has been possible before. No change in coordination number is observed in this temperature region, calling into question previous experimental claims of structural evidence for the existence of a liquid-liquid phase transition.

Evolution from MEMS-based Linear Drives to Bio-based Nano Drives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujita, Hiroyuki

The successful extension of semiconductor technology to fabricate mechanical parts of the sizes from 10 to 100 micrometers opened wide ranges of possibilities for micromechanical devices and systems. The fabrication technique is called micromachining. Micromachining processes are based on silicon integrated circuits (IC) technology and used to build three-dimensional structures and movable parts by the combination of lithography, etching, film deposition, and wafer bonding. Microactuators are the key devices allowing MEMS to perform physical functions. Some of them are driven by electric, magnetic, and fluidic forces. Some others utilize actuator materials including piezoelectric (PZT, ZnO, quartz) and magnetostrictive materials (TbFe), shape memory alloy (TiNi) and bio molecular motors. This paper deals with the development of MEMS based microactuators, especially linear drives, following my own research experience. They include an electrostatic actuator, a superconductive levitated actuator, arrayed actuators, and a bio-motor-driven actuator.

Search for Screened Interactions Associated with Dark Energy below the 100 μm Length Scale.

PubMed

Rider, Alexander D; Moore, David C; Blakemore, Charles P; Louis, Maxime; Lu, Marie; Gratta, Giorgio

2016-09-02

We present the results of a search for unknown interactions that couple to mass between an optically levitated microsphere and a gold-coated silicon cantilever. The scale and geometry of the apparatus enable a search for new forces that appear at distances below 100  μm and which would have evaded previous searches due to screening mechanisms. The data are consistent with electrostatic backgrounds and place upper limits on the strength of new interactions at <0.1  fN in the geometry tested. For the specific example of a chameleon interaction with an inverse power law potential, these results exclude matter couplings β>5.6×10^{4} in the region of parameter space where the self-coupling Λ≳5  meV and the microspheres are not fully screened.

Thermophysical Property Measurements in the MSFC ESL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hyers, R. W.; Rogers, J. R.; Robinson, M. B.; Rathz, T. J.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Electrostatic Levitation (ESL) is an advanced technique for containerless processing of metals, ceramics, and semiconductors. Because no container is required, there is no contamination from reaction with a crucible, allowing processing of high temperature, highly reactive melts. The high vacuum processing environment further reduces possible contamination of the samples. Finally, there is no container to provide heterogeneous nucleation sites, so the undercooled range is also accessible for many materials. For these reasons, ESL provides a unique environment for measuring thermophysical properties of liquid materials. The properties that can be measured in ESL include density, surface tension, viscosity, electrical and thermal conductivity, specific heat, phase diagram, TTT- and CCT- curves, and other thermodynamic properties. In this paper, we present data on surface tension and viscosity, measured by the oscillating drop technique, and density, measured by an automated photographic technique, measured in the ESL at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

Around Marshall

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-01-01

This Photo, which appeared on the July cover of `Physics Today', is of the Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). The ESL uses static electricity to suspend an object (about 3-4 mm in diameter) inside a vacuum chamber allowing scientists to record a wide range of physical properties without the sample contracting the container or any instruments, conditions that would alter the readings. Once inside the chamber, a laser heats the sample until it melts. The laser is then turned off and the sample cools, changing from a liquid drop to a solid sphere. In this particular shot, the ESL contains a solid metal sample of titanium-zirconium-nickel alloy. Since 1977, the ESL has been used at MSFC to study the characteristics of new metals, ceramics, and glass compounds. Materials created as a result of these tests include new optical materials, special metallic glasses, and spacecraft components.

Structural changes during a liquid-liquid transition in the deeply undercooled Z r58.5C u15.6N i12.8A l10.3N b2.8 bulk metallic glass forming melt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stolpe, Moritz; Jonas, Isabell; Wei, Shuai; Evenson, Zach; Hembree, William; Yang, Fan; Meyer, Andreas; Busch, Ralf

2016-01-01

Using high energy synchrotron x-ray radiation combined with electrostatic levitation, in situ structural analysis of a bulk metallic glass forming liquid is performed from above the liquidus temperature down to the glass transition. The data indicate a liquid-liquid transition (LLT) in the deeply undercooled state at T /Tg˜1.2 which manifests as a maximum in the heat capacity and an abrupt shift in the first peak position of the total structure factor in the absence of a pronounced density change. Analysis of the corresponding real-space data shows that the LLT involves changes in short- and medium-range order. The structural changes on the length scale of medium-range order imply a fragile-strong transition in agreement with experimental viscosity data.

Nucleation study for an undercooled melt of intermetallic NiZr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobold, R.; Kolbe, M.; Hornfeck, W.; Herlach, D. M.

2018-03-01

Electrostatic levitation is applied in order to undercool liquid glass forming NiZr significantly below its melting temperature. For NiZr large undercoolings are found to be highly reproducible with this experimental method. One single NiZr sample of high purity is undercooled 200 consecutive times which leads to a distribution function of undercooling temperatures. Within a statistical approach of classical nucleation theory, the undercooling distribution is analyzed yielding parameters, e.g., a pre-exponential factor of KV ≈ 1035 m-3 s-1, which indicates homogeneous nucleation. This result is consistent with the crystallization behavior of NiZr at high undercooling and with the corresponding microstructural analysis. Since NiZr is a representative of the very common CrB structure type, with 132 isostructural phases existing, understanding its nucleation behavior adds important knowledge to the nucleation of binary alloys in general.

Repulsive force support system feasibility study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boom, R. W.; Abdelsalam, M. K.; Eyssa, Y. M.; Mcintosh, G. E.

1987-01-01

A new concept in magnetic levitation and control is introduced for levitation above a plane. A set of five vertical solenoid magnets mounted flush below the plane supports and controls the model in five degrees of freedom. The compact system of levitation coils is contained in a space 2.4 m (96 in) diameter by 1 m (40 in) deep with the top of the levitation system 0.9 m (36 in) below the center line of the suspended model. The levitated model has a permanent magnet core held in position by the five parallel superconductive solenoids symmetrically located in a circle. The control and positioning system continuously corrects for model position in five dimensions using computer current pulses superimposed on the levitation coil base currents. The conceptual designs include: superconductive and Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet model cores and levitation solenoids of either superconductive, cryoresistive, or room temperature windings.

Dynamics of levitated objects in acoustic vortex fields.

PubMed

Hong, Z Y; Yin, J F; Zhai, W; Yan, N; Wang, W L; Zhang, J; Drinkwater, Bruce W

2017-08-02

Acoustic levitation in gaseous media provides a tool to process solid and liquid materials without the presence of surfaces such as container walls and hence has been used widely in chemical analysis, high-temperature processing, drop dynamics and bioreactors. To date high-density objects can only be acoustically levitated in simple standing-wave fields. Here we demonstrate the ability of a small number of peripherally placed sources to generate acoustic vortex fields and stably levitate a wide range of liquid and solid objects. The forces exerted by these acoustic vortex fields on a levitated water droplet are observed to cause a controllable deformation of the droplet and/or oscillation along the vortex axis. Orbital angular momentum transfer is also shown to rotate a levitated object rapidly and the rate of rotation can be controlled by the source amplitude. We expect this research can increase the diversity of acoustic levitation and expand the application of acoustic vortices.

Relationship of the Levitation Force Between Single and Multiple YBCO Bulks Above a Permanent Magnet Guideway Operating Dive-Lift Movement with Different Angles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeng, R.; Wang, S. Y.; Liao, X. L.; Deng, Z. G.; Wang, J. S.

2013-04-01

In practical applications, the acceleration and deceleration motions inevitably happen in the operation of high temperature superconducting (HTS) maglev trains. For further research of the maglev properties of YBaCuO bulk above a permanent magnet guideway (PMG), by moving a fixed vertical distance, this paper studies the relationship of the levitation force between single and multiple YBCO bulks above a PMG operating dive-lift movement with different angles. Experimental results show that the maximal levitation force increment of two bulks than one bulk is smaller than the maximal levitation force increment of three bulks than two bulks. With the degree decreasing, the maximal levitation force increment of three bulks is bigger than the maximal levitation force increment of two bulks and one bulk, and the hysteresis loop of the levitation force of the three-bulk arrangement is getting smaller.

Acoustic levitation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2012-09-12

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered a way to use sound waves to levitate individual droplets of solutions containing different pharmaceuticals. While the connection between levitation and drug development may not be immediately apparent, a special relationship emerges at the molecular level. Read more: http://www.anl.gov/articles/no-magic-show-real-world-levitation-inspire-better-pharmaceuticals

Levitation With a Single Acoustic Driver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Gaspar, M. S.; Allen, J. L.

1986-01-01

Pair of reports describes acoustic-levitation systems in which only one acoustic resonance mode excited, and only one driver needed. Systems employ levitation chambers of rectangular and cylindrical geometries. Reports first describe single mode concept and indicate which modes used to levitate sample without rotation. Reports then describe systems in which controlled rotation of sample introduced.

Variable-Position Acoustic Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Stoneburner, J. D.; Jacobi, N.; Wang, T. G.

1983-01-01

Method of acoustic levitation supports objects at positions other than acoustic nodes. Acoustic force is varied so it balances gravitational (or other) force, thereby maintaining object at any position within equilibrium range. Levitation method applicable to containerless processing. Such objects as table-tennis balls, hollow plastic spheres, and balsa-wood spheres levitated in laboratory by new method.

Acoustic Measurement Of Periodic Motion Of Levitated Object

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Watkins, John L.; Barmatz, Martin B.

1992-01-01

Some internal vibrations, oscillations in position, and rotations of acoustically levitated object measured by use of microphone already installed in typical levitation chamber for tuning chamber to resonance and monitoring operation. Levitating acoustic signal modulated by object motion of lower frequency. Amplitude modulation detected and analyzed spectrally to determine amplitudes and frequencies of motions.

Chemical elemental analysis of single acoustic-levitated water droplets by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

PubMed

Contreras, Victor; Valencia, Ricardo; Peralta, Jairo; Sobral, H; Meneses-Nava, M A; Martinez, Horacio

2018-05-15

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is presented for trace element detection of liquid samples by analyzing a single droplet levitated by ultrasonic waves. A single liquid droplet is placed in the node of a standing acoustic wave produced by a uniaxial levitator for further chemical analysis. The acoustic levitator consists of a commercial Langevin-type transducer, attached to a concave mechanical amplifier, and a concave reflector. A micro-syringe was used to manually place individual liquid droplet samples in the acoustic levitation system. For chemical analysis, a laser-induced plasma is produced by focusing a single laser pulse on the levitated water droplet after it partially dries. The performance of the acoustic levitator on micron-sized droplets is discussed, and the detection of Ba, Cd, Hg, and Pb at parts per million (milligrams/liter) and sub-parts per million levels is reported. The process, starting from placing the sample in the acoustic levitator and ending on the chemical identification of the traces, takes a few minutes. The approach is particularly interesting in applications demanding limited volumes of liquid samples and relative simple and inexpensive techniques.

Ballistic Jumping Drops on Superhydrophobic Surfaces via Electrostatic Manipulation.

PubMed

Li, Ning; Wu, Lei; Yu, Cunlong; Dai, Haoyu; Wang, Ting; Dong, Zhichao; Jiang, Lei

2018-02-01

The ballistic ejection of liquid drops by electrostatic manipulating has both fundamental and practical implications, from raindrops in thunderclouds to self-cleaning, anti-icing, condensation, and heat transfer enhancements. In this paper, the ballistic jumping behavior of liquid drops from a superhydrophobic surface is investigated. Powered by the repulsion of the same kind of charges, water drops can jump from the surface. The electrostatic acting time for the jumping of a microliter supercooled drop only takes several milliseconds, even shorter than the time for icing. In addition, one can control the ballistic jumping direction precisely by the relative position above the electrostatic field. The approach offers a facile method that can be used to manipulate the ballistic drop jumping via an electrostatic field, opening the possibility of energy efficient drop detaching techniques in various applications. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Design, manufacture and performance evaluation of HTS electromagnets for the hybrid magnetic levitation system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, S. Y.; Hwang, Y. J.; Choi, S.; Na, J. B.; Kim, Y. J.; Chang, K. S.; Bae, D. K.; Lee, C. Y.; Ko, T. K.

2011-11-01

A high speed electromagnetic suspension (EMS) maglev has emerged as the solution to speed limit problem that conventional high-speed railroad has. In the EMS maglev, small levitation gap needs uniform guide-way which leads to increase the construction cost. The large levitation gap can reduce the construction cost. However it is hard for normal conducting electromagnet to produce larger magneto-motive force (MMF) for generating levitation force as increased levitation gap. This is because normal conductors have limited rating current to their specific volume. Therefore, the superconducting electromagnet can be one of the solutions for producing both large levitation gap and sufficient MMF. The superconducting electromagnets have incomparably high allowable current density than what normal conductors have. In this paper, the prototype of high temperature superconducting (HTS) electromagnets were designed and manufactured applicable to hybrid electromagnetic suspension system (H-EMS). The H-EMS consists of control coils for levitation control and superconducting coils for producing MMF for levitation. The required MMF for generating given levitation force was calculated by both equations of ideal U-core magnet and magnetic field analysis using the finite element method (FEM). The HTS electromagnets were designed as double pancakes with Bi-2223/Ag tapes. Experiments to confirm its operating performance were performed in liquid nitrogen (LN2).

Dependence of acoustic levitation capabilities on geometric parameters.

PubMed

Xie, W J; Wei, B

2002-08-01

A two-cylinder model incorporating boundary element method simulations is developed, which builds up the relationship between the levitation capabilities and the geometric parameters of a single-axis acoustic levitator with reference to wavelength. This model proves to be successful in predicting resonant modes of the acoustic field and explaining axial symmetry deviation of the levitated samples near the reflector and emitter. Concave reflecting surfaces of a spherical cap, a paraboloid, and a hyperboloid of revolution are investigated systematically with regard to the dependence of the levitation force on the section radius R(b) and curvature radius R (or depth D) of the reflector. It is found that the levitation force can be remarkably enhanced by choosing an optimum value of R or D, and the possible degree of this enhancement for spherically curved reflectors is the largest. The degree of levitation force enhancement by this means can also be facilitated by enlarging R(b) and employing a lower resonant mode. The deviation of the sample near the reflector is found likely to occur in case of smaller R(b), larger D, and a higher resonant mode. The calculated dependence of levitation force on R, R(b), and the resonant mode is also verified by experiment and finally demonstrated to be in good agreement with experimental results, in which considerably a strong levitation force is achieved to levitate an iridium sphere which has the largest density of 22.6 g/cm(3).

A hybrid electromagnetic-acoustic levitator for the containerless processing of undercooled melts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hmelo, Anthony B.; Banerjee, Sharbari; Wang, Taylor G.

1992-01-01

The hybrid, acoustic-EM levitator discussed provides a small lifting force independently of its EM component by exciting an acoustic resonance that serves as a pressure node at the position of the EM-levitated specimen. The system also stabilizes and damps chaotic oscillations during specimen positioning, and can excite forced oscillations of levitated molten metals for drop-physics and thermophysical property measurements. Attention is given to the character and function of the atmosphere in the levitator. Noncontact temperature measurement is via single-color optical pyrometer.

Gravity enhanced acoustic levitation method and apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Allen, J. L.; Granett, D. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

An acoustic levitation system is provided for acoustically levitating an object by applying a single frequency from a transducer into a resonant chamber surrounding the object. The chamber includes a stabilizer location along its height, where the side walls of the chamber are angled so they converge in an upward direction. When an acoustic standing wave pattern is applied between the top and bottom of the chamber, a levitation surface within the stabilizer does not lie on a horizontal plane, but instead is curved with a lowermost portion near the vertical axis of the chamber. As a result, an acoustically levitated object is urged by gravity towards the lowermost location on the levitation surface, so the object is kept away from the side walls of the chamber.

Fabrication of Large Domain YBa2Cu3O(x) for Magnetic Suspension Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sengupta, S.; Corpus, J.; Gaines, J. R., Jr.; Todt, V. R.; Zhang, X.; Miller, D. J.

1996-01-01

Large domain YBa2Cu3O(x) levitators have been fabricated using a seeded melt processing technique. Depending upon the seed, either a single or five domained sample can be obtained. The grain boundaries separating each domains in the five domain levitator are found to be 90 degrees. Similar levitation forces can be observed for single and five domained samples. After thermal cycling, however, a small decrease in the levitation force of the five domain levitator was observed as a function of thermal cycles while nearly no change in force was observed in the single domain levitator. Finally, it is shown that both, single and five domain YBCO, behave similarly as a function of sample thickness.

Materials Science

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

The Materials Science Program is structured so that NASA s headquarters is responsible for the program content and selection, through the Enterprise Scientist, and MSFC provides for implementation of ground and flight programs with a Discipline Scientist and Discipline Manager. The Discipline Working Group of eminent scientists from outside of NASA acts in an advisory capacity and writes the Discipline Document from which the NRA content is derived. The program is reviewed approximately every three years by groups such as the Committee on Microgravity Research, the National Materials Advisory Board, and the OBPR Maximization and Prioritization (ReMaP) Task Force. The flight program has had as many as twenty-six principal investigators (PIs) in flight or flight definition stage, with the numbers of PIs in the future dependent on the results of the ReMaP Task Force and internal reviews. Each project has a NASA-appointed Project Scientist, considered a half-time job, who assists the PI in understanding and preparing for internal reviews such as the Science Concept Review and Requirements Definition Review. The Project Scientist also insures that the PI gets the maximum science support from MSFC, represents the PI to the MSFC community, and collaborates with the Project Manager to insure the project is well-supported and remains vital. Currently available flight equipment includes the Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR-1) and Microgravity Science Glovebox. Ground based projects fall into one or more of several categories. Intellectual Underpinning of Flight Program projects include theoretical studies backed by modeling and computer simulations; bring to maturity new research, often by young researchers, and may include preliminary short duration low gravity experiments in the KC-135 aircraft or drop tube; enable characterization of data sets from previous flights; and provide thermophysical property determinations to aid PIs. Radiation Shielding and preliminary In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) studies work towards future long duration missions. Biomaterials support materials issues affecting crew health. Nanostructured Materials are currently considered to be maturing new research, and Advanced Materials for Space Transportation has as yet no PIs. PIs are assigned a NASA Technical Monitor to maintain contact, a position considered to be a 5 percent per PI effort. Currently 33 PIs are supported on the 1996 NRA, which is about to expire, and 59 on the 1998 NRA. Two new NRAs, one for Radiation Shielding and one for Materials Science for Advanced Space Propulsion are due to be announced by the 2003 fiscal year. MSFC has a number of facilities supporting materials science. These include the Microgravity Development Laboratory/SD43; Electrostatic Levitator Facility; SCN Purification Facility; Electron Microscope/Microprobe Facility; Static and Rotating Magnetic Field Facility; X-Ray Diffraction Facility; and the Furnace Development Laboratory.

A Rotational Gyroscope with a Water-Film Bearing Based on Magnetic Self-Restoring Effect.

PubMed

Chen, Dianzhong; Liu, Xiaowei; Zhang, Haifeng; Li, Hai; Weng, Rui; Li, Ling; Rong, Wanting; Zhang, Zhongzhao

2018-01-31

Stable rotor levitation is a challenge for rotational gyroscopes (magnetically suspended gyroscopes (MSG) and electrostatically suspended gyroscopes (ESG)) with a ring- or disk-shaped rotor, which restricts further improvement of gyroscope performance. In addition, complicated pick-up circuits and feedback control electronics propose high requirement on fabrication technology. In the proposed gyroscope, a ball-disk shaped rotor is supported by a water-film bearing, formed by centrifugal force to deionized water at the cavity of the lower supporting pillar. Water-film bearing provides stable mechanical support, without the need for complicated electronics and control system for rotor suspension. To decrease sliding friction between the rotor ball and the water-film bearing, a supherhydrophobic surface (SHS) with nano-structures is fabricated on the rotor ball, resulting in a rated spinning speed increase of 12.4% (under the same driving current). Rotor is actuated by the driving scheme of brushless direct current motor (BLDCM). Interaction between the magnetized rotor and the magnetic-conducted stator produces a sinusoidal rotor restoring torque, amplitude of which is proportional to the rotor deflection angle inherently. Utilization of this magnetic restoring effect avoids adding of a high amplitude voltage for electrostatic feedback, which may cause air breakdown. Two differential capacitance pairs are utilized to measure input angular speeds at perpendicular directions of the rotor plane. The bias stability of the fabricated gyroscope is as low as 0.5°/h.

Development of a tandem-electrostatic-quadrupole accelerator facility for BNCT.

PubMed

Kreiner, A J; Thatar Vento, V; Levinas, P; Bergueiro, J; Di Paolo, H; Burlon, A A; Kesque, J M; Valda, A A; Debray, M E; Somacal, H R; Minsky, D M; Estrada, L; Hazarabedian, A; Johann, F; Suarez Sandin, J C; Castell, W; Davidson, J; Davidson, M; Giboudot, Y; Repetto, M; Obligado, M; Nery, J P; Huck, H; Igarzabal, M; Fernandez Salares, A

2009-07-01

In this work we describe the present status of an ongoing project to develop a tandem-electrostatic-quadrupole (TESQ) accelerator facility for accelerator-based (AB) BNCT at the Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina in Buenos Aires. The project final goal is a machine capable of delivering 30 mA of 2.4 MeV protons to be used in conjunction with a neutron production target based on the (7)Li(p,n)(7)Be reaction slightly beyond its resonance at 2.25 MeV. These are the specifications needed to produce sufficiently intense and clean epithermal neutron beams, based on the (7)Li(p,n)(7)Be reaction, to perform BNCT treatment for deep-seated tumors in less than an hour. An electrostatic machine is the technologically simplest and cheapest solution for optimized AB-BNCT. The machine being designed and constructed is a folded TESQ with a high-voltage terminal at 1.2 MV intended to work in air. Such a machine is conceptually shown to be capable of transporting and accelerating a 30 mA proton beam to 2.4 MeV. The general geometric layout, its associated electrostatic fields, and the acceleration tube are simulated using a 3D finite element procedure. The design and construction of the ESQ modules is discussed and their electrostatic fields are investigated. Beam transport calculations through the accelerator are briefly mentioned. Likewise, work related to neutron production targets, strippers, beam shaping assembly and patient treatment room is briefly described.

Electrostatic Accelerometer for the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On Mission (GRACE FO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perrot, Eddy; Christophe, Bruno; Foulon, Bernard; Boulanger, Damien; Liorzou, Françoise; Lebat, Vincent

2013-04-01

The GRACE FO mission, led by the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), is an Earth-orbiting gravity mission, continuation of the GRACE mission, that will produce an accurate model of the Earth's gravity field variation providing global climatic data during five year at least. The mission involves two satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation, with a micro-wave link measuring the inter-satellites distance variation. Non-uniformities in the distribution of the Earth's mass cause the distance between the two satellites to vary. This variation is measured to recover gravity, after substracting the non-gravitational contributors, as the residual drag. ONERA (the French Aerospace Lab) is developing and manufacturing electrostatic accelerometers measuring this residual drag applied on the satellites. The accelerometer is composed of two main parts: the Sensor Unit (including the Sensor Unit Mechanics and the Front-End Electronic Unit) and the Interface Control Unit. In the Accelerometer Core, located in the Sensor Unit Mechanics, the proof mass is levitated and maintained in a center of an electrode cage by electrostatic forces. Thus, any drag acceleration applied on the satellite involves a variation on the servo-controlled electrostatic suspension of the mass. The voltage on the electrodes providing this electrostatic force is the measurement output of the accelerometer. The impact of the accelerometer defaults (geometry, electronic and parasitic forces) leads to bias, misalignment and scale factor error, non-linearity and noise. Some of these accelerometer defaults are characterized by tests with micro-gravity pendulum bench and with drops in ZARM catapult. Besides, a thermal stability is needed for the accelerometer core and front-end electronics to avoid bias and scale factor variation. To reach this stability, the sensor unit is enclosed in a thermal box designed by Astrium, spacecraft manufacturer. The accelerometers are designed to endure mechanical excitation especially due to launching vibrations. As the measure must be accurate, no displacements or sliding must appear during excitations. The electrode cage is made of glass material (ULE), which is very critical, in particular due to the free motion of the proof-mass during the launch. Specific analysis on this part is realized to ensure mechanical behavior. The design of electrostatic accelerometer of the GRACE Follow-On mission benefits of the GRACE heritage, GOCE launched in 2009 and MICROSCOPE which will be launched in 2016, including some improvement to win in performance, in particular the thermal sensitivity of the measurements.

Dynamic levitation performance of Gd-Ba-Cu-O and Y-Ba-Cu-O bulk superconductors under a varying external magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Hengpei; Zheng, Jun; Jin, Liwei; Huang, Huan; Deng, Zigang; Shi, Yunhua; Zhou, Difan; Cardwell, David A.

2018-07-01

We report that the dynamic levitation force of bulk high temperature superconductors (HTS) in motion attenuates when exposed to an inhomogeneous magnetic field. This phenomenon has significant potential implications for the long-term stability and running performance of HTS in maglev applications. In order to suppress the attenuation of the levitation force associated with fluctuations in magnetic field, we compare the dynamic levitation performance of single grain Y-Ba-Cu-O (YBCO) and Gd-Ba-Cu-O (GdBCO) bulk superconductors with relatively high critical current densities. A bespoke HTS maglev dynamic measurement system (SCML-03) incorporating a rotating circular permanent magnet guideway was employed to simulate the movement of HTS in a varying magnetic field at different frequencies (i.e. speed of rotation). The attenuation of the levitation force during dynamic operation, which is key parameter for effective maglev operation, has been evaluated experimentally. It is found that GdBCO bulk superconductors that exhibit superior levitation force properties are more able to resist the attenuation of levitation force compared with YBCO bulk materials under the same operating conditions. This investigation indicates clearly that GdBCO bulk superconductors can play an important role in suppressing attenuation of the levitation force, therefore improving the long-term levitation performance under dynamic operating conditions. This result is potentially significant in the design and application of HTS in maglev systems.

Effects of acoustic levitation on the development of zebrafish, Danio rerio, embryos

PubMed Central

Sundvik, Maria; Nieminen, Heikki J.; Salmi, Ari; Panula, Pertti; Hæggström, Edward

2015-01-01

Acoustic levitation provides potential to characterize and manipulate material such as solid particles and fluid in a wall-less environment. While attempts to levitate small animals have been made, the biological effects of such levitation have been scarcely documented. Here, our goal was to explore if zebrafish embryos can be levitated (peak pressures at the pressure node and anti-node: 135 dB and 144 dB, respectively) with no effects on early development. We levitated the embryos (n = 94) at 2–14 hours post fertilization (hpf) for 1000 (n = 47) or 2000 seconds (n = 47). We compared the size and number of trunk neuromasts and otoliths in sonicated samples to controls (n = 94), and found no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). While mortality rate was lower in the control group (22.3%) compared to that in the 1000 s (34.0%) and 2000 s (42.6%) levitation groups, the differences were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The results suggest that acoustic levitation for less than 2000 sec does not interfere with the development of zebrafish embryos, but may affect mortality rate. Acoustic levitation could potentially be used as a non-contacting wall-less platform for characterizing and manipulating vertebrae embryos without causing major adverse effects to their development. PMID:26337364

Effects of acoustic levitation on the development of zebrafish, Danio rerio, embryos.

PubMed

Sundvik, Maria; Nieminen, Heikki J; Salmi, Ari; Panula, Pertti; Hæggström, Edward

2015-09-04

Acoustic levitation provides potential to characterize and manipulate material such as solid particles and fluid in a wall-less environment. While attempts to levitate small animals have been made, the biological effects of such levitation have been scarcely documented. Here, our goal was to explore if zebrafish embryos can be levitated (peak pressures at the pressure node and anti-node: 135 dB and 144 dB, respectively) with no effects on early development. We levitated the embryos (n = 94) at 2-14 hours post fertilization (hpf) for 1000 (n = 47) or 2000 seconds (n = 47). We compared the size and number of trunk neuromasts and otoliths in sonicated samples to controls (n = 94), and found no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). While mortality rate was lower in the control group (22.3%) compared to that in the 1000 s (34.0%) and 2000 s (42.6%) levitation groups, the differences were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The results suggest that acoustic levitation for less than 2000 sec does not interfere with the development of zebrafish embryos, but may affect mortality rate. Acoustic levitation could potentially be used as a non-contacting wall-less platform for characterizing and manipulating vertebrae embryos without causing major adverse effects to their development.

Measurements and analyses of the distribution of the radioactivity induced by the secondary neutrons produced by 17-MeV protons in compact cyclotron facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuda, Norihiro; Izumi, Yuichi; Yamanaka, Yoshiyuki; Gandou, Toshiyuki; Yamada, Masaaki; Oishi, Koji

2017-09-01

Measurements of reaction rates by secondary neutrons produced from beam losses by 17-MeV protons are conducted at a compact cyclotron facility with the foil activation method. The experimentally obtained distribution of the reaction rates of 197Au (n, γ) 198Au on the concrete walls suggests that a target and an electrostatic deflector as machine components for beam extraction of the compact cyclotron are principal beam loss points. The measurements are compared with calculations by the Monte Carlo code: PHITS. The calculated results based on the beam losses are good agreements with the measured ones within 21%. In this compact cyclotron facility, exponential attenuations with the distance from the electrostatic deflector in the distributions of the measured reaction rates were observed, which was looser than that by the inverse square of distance.

Acoustic levitation of an object larger than the acoustic wavelength.

PubMed

Andrade, Marco A B; Okina, Fábio T A; Bernassau, Anne L; Adamowski, Julio C

2017-06-01

Levitation and manipulation of objects by sound waves have a wide range of applications in chemistry, biology, material sciences, and engineering. However, the current acoustic levitation techniques are mainly restricted to particles that are much smaller than the acoustic wavelength. In this work, it is shown that acoustic standing waves can be employed to stably levitate an object much larger than the acoustic wavelength in air. The levitation of a large slightly curved object weighting 2.3 g is demonstrated by using a device formed by two 25 kHz ultrasonic Langevin transducers connected to an aluminum plate. The sound wave emitted by the device provides a vertical acoustic radiation force to counteract gravity and a lateral restoring force that ensure horizontal stability to the levitated object. In order to understand the levitation stability, a numerical model based on the finite element method is used to determine the acoustic radiation force that acts on the object.

Magnetic levitation on a type-I superconductor as a practical demonstration experiment for students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osorio, M. R.; Lahera, D. E.; Suderow, H.

2012-09-01

We describe and discuss an experimental set-up which allows undergraduate and graduate students to view and study magnetic levitation on a type-I superconductor. The demonstration can be repeated many times using one readily available 25 l liquid helium dewar. We study the equilibrium position of a magnet that levitates over a lead bowl immersed in a liquid hand-held helium cryostat. We combine the measurement of the position of the magnet with simple analytical calculations. This provides a vivid visualization of magnetic levitation from the balance between pure flux expulsion and gravitation. The experiment contrasts and illustrates the case of magnetic levitation with high temperature type-II superconductors using liquid nitrogen, where levitation results from partial flux expulsion and vortex physics.

Development of the sonic pump levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunn, S. A.

1985-01-01

The process and mechanism involved in producing glass microballoons (GMBs) of acceptable quality for laser triggered inertial fusion through use of glass jet levitation and manipulation are considered. The gas jet levitation device, called sonic pumps, provides positioning by timely and appropriate application of gas mementum from one or more of six sonic pumps which are arranged orthogonally in opposed pairs about the levitation region and are activated by an electrooptical, computer controlled, feedback system. The levitation device was fabricated and its associated control systems were assembled into a package and tested in reduced gravity flight regime of the NASA KC-135 aircraft.

Single-Axis Acoustic Levitator With Rotation Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.; Olli, E. E.

1987-01-01

Rotation-control equipment simplified. Acoustic levitator with rotation control handles liquid and solid specimens as dense as steel in both low gravity and normal Earth gravity. Levitator is single-axis type.

Simplified Rotation In Acoustic Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Gaspar, M. S.; Trinh, E. H.

1989-01-01

New technique based on old discovery used to control orientation of object levitated acoustically in axisymmetric chamber. Method does not require expensive equipment like additional acoustic drivers of precisely adjustable amplitude, phase, and frequency. Reflecting object acts as second source of sound. If reflecting object large enough, close enough to levitated object, or focuses reflected sound sufficiently, Rayleigh torque exerted on levitated object by reflected sound controls orientation of object.

Velocity damper for electromagnetically levitated materials

DOEpatents

Fox, Richard J.

1994-01-01

A system for damping oscillatory and spinning motions induced in an electromagnetically levitated material. Two opposed field magnets are located orthogonally to the existing levitation coils for providing a DC quadrupole field (cusp field) around the material. The material used for generating the DC quadrupole field must be nonconducting to avoid eddy-current heating and of low magnetic permeability to avoid distorting the induction fields providing the levitation.

A cost-benefit analysis of a pellet boiler with electrostatic precipitator versus conventional biomass technology: A case study of an institutional boiler in Syracuse, New York.

PubMed

Levy, Jonathan I; Biton, Leiran; Hopke, Philip K; Zhang, K Max; Rector, Lisa

2017-07-01

Biomass facilities have received increasing attention as a strategy to increase the use of renewable fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions from the electric generation and heating sectors, but these facilities can potentially increase local air pollution and associated health effects. Comparing the economic costs and public health benefits of alternative biomass fuel, heating technology, and pollution control technology options provides decision-makers with the necessary information to make optimal choices in a given location. For a case study of a combined heat and power biomass facility in Syracuse, New York, we used stack testing to estimate emissions of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) for both the deployed technology (staged combustion pellet boiler with an electrostatic precipitator) and a conventional alternative (wood chip stoker boiler with a multicyclone). We used the atmospheric dispersion model AERMOD to calculate the contribution of either fuel-technology configuration to ambient primary PM 2.5 in a 10km×10km region surrounding the facility, and we quantified the incremental contribution to population mortality and morbidity. We assigned economic values to health outcomes and compared the health benefits of the lower-emitting technology with the incremental costs. In total, the incremental annualized cost of the lower-emitting pellet boiler was $190,000 greater, driven by a greater cost of the pellet fuel and pollution control technology, offset in part by reduced fuel storage costs. PM 2.5 emissions were a factor of 23 lower with the pellet boiler with electrostatic precipitator, with corresponding differences in contributions to ambient primary PM 2.5 concentrations. The monetary value of the public health benefits of selecting the pellet-fired boiler technology with electrostatic precipitator was $1.7 million annually, greatly exceeding the differential costs even when accounting for uncertainties. Our analyses also showed complex spatial patterns of health benefits given non-uniform age distributions and air pollution levels. The incremental investment in a lower-emitting staged combustion pellet boiler with an electrostatic precipitator was well justified by the population health improvements over the conventional wood chip technology with a multicyclone, even given the focus on only primary PM 2.5 within a small spatial domain. Our analytical framework could be generalized to other settings to inform optimal strategies for proposed new facilities or populations. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effective method to control the levitation force and levitation height in a superconducting maglev system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Peng-Tao; Yang, Wan-Min; Wang, Miao; Li, Jia-Wei; Guo, Yu-Xia

2015-11-01

The influence of the width of the middle magnet in the permanent magnet guideways (PMGs) on the levitation force and the levitation height of single-domain yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) bulks has been investigated at 77 K under the zero field cooled (ZFC) state. It is found that the largest levitation force can be obtained in the system with the width of the middle magnet of the PMG equal to the size of the YBCO bulk when the gap between the YBCO bulk and PMG is small. Both larger levitation force and higher levitation height can be obtained in the system with the width of the middle magnet of the PMG larger than the size of the YBCO bulk. The stiffness of the levitation force between the PMG and the YBCO bulk is higher in the system with a smaller width of the middle magnet in the PMG. These results provide an effective way to control the levitation force and the levitation height for the superconducting maglev design and applications. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51342001 and 50872079), the Key-grant Project of Chinese Ministry of Education (Grant No. 311033), the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (Grant No. 20120202110003), the Innovation Team in Shaanxi Province, China (Grant No. 2014KTC-18), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China (Grant Nos. GK201101001 and GK201305014), and the Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Foundation Project of Shaanxi Normal University, China (Grant Nos. X2011YB08 and X2012YB05).

System and Method for Obtaining Simultaneous Levitation and Rotation of a Ferromagnetic Object

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Subrata; Sarkar, Mrinal Kanti; Ghosh, Arnab

2017-02-01

In this work a practical demonstration for simultaneous levitation and rotation for a ferromagnetic cylindrical object is presented. A hollow steel cylinder has been arranged to remain suspended stably under I-core electromagnet utilizing dc attraction type levitation principle and then arranged to rotate the levitated object around 1000 rpm speed based on eddy current based energy meter principle. Since the object is to be rotating during levitated condition the device will be frictionless, energy-efficient and robust. This technology may be applied to frictionless energy meter, wind turbine, machine tool applications, precision instruments and many other devices where easy energy-efficient stable rotation will be required. The cascade lead compensation control scheme has been applied for stabilization of unstable levitation system. The proposed device is successfully tested in the laboratory and experimental results have been produced.

Modeling and experimental study on near-field acoustic levitation by flexural mode.

PubMed

Liu, Pinkuan; Li, Jin; Ding, Han; Cao, Wenwu

2009-12-01

Near-field acoustic levitation (NFAL) has been used in noncontact handling and transportation of small objects to avoid contamination. We have performed a theoretical analysis based on nonuniform vibrating surface to quantify the levitation force produced by the air film and also conducted experimental tests to verify our model. Modal analysis was performed using ANSYS on the flexural plate radiator to obtain its natural frequency of desired mode, which is used to design the measurement system. Then, the levitation force was calculated as a function of levitation distance based on squeeze gas film theory using measured amplitude and phase distributions on the vibrator surface. Compared with previous fluid-structural analyses using a uniform piston motion, our model based on the nonuniform radiating surface of the vibrator is more realistic and fits better with experimentally measured levitation force.

Acoustic levitation of soap bubbles in air: Beyond the half-wavelength limit of sound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zang, Duyang; Lin, Kejun; Li, Lin; Chen, Zhen; Li, Xiaoguang; Geng, Xingguo

2017-03-01

We report on the behavior of levitated soap bubbles in a single-axis acoustic field. For a single bubble, its surface in the polar regions is under compression, but in the equatorial region, it is under suction. Levitation becomes unstable when the height of the bubble approaches half the wavelength of the sound wave because horizontal fluctuations lead to a negative recovery force and a negative levitation force. Vertically stacked double bubbles notably can be stable under levitation if their total vertical length is ˜5λ/6, significantly beyond λ/2 in consequence of the formation of a toroidal high-pressure region around the waist of the two bubbles. Our results provide a deeper insight into the stability of acoustic levitation and the coupling between bubbles and sound field.

Acoustic levitation methods for density measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.; Hsu, C. J.

1986-01-01

The capability of ultrasonic levitators operating in air to perform density measurements has been demonstrated. The remote determination of the density of ordinary liquids as well as low density solid metals can be carried out using levitated samples with size on the order of a few millimeters and at a frequency of 20 kHz. Two basic methods may be used. The first one is derived from a previously known technique developed for acoustic levitation in liquid media, and is based on the static equilibrium position of levitated samples in the earth's gravitational field. The second approach relies on the dynamic interaction between a levitated sample and the acoustic field. The first technique appears more accurate (1 percent uncertainty), but the latter method is directly applicable to a near gravity-free environment such as that found in space.

Translation of an Object Using Phase-Controlled Sound Sources in Acoustic Levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsui, Takayasu; Ohdaira, Etsuzo; Masuzawa, Nobuyoshi; Ide, Masao

1995-05-01

Acoustic levitation is used for positioning materials in the development of new materials in space where there is no gravity. This technique is applicable to materials for which electromagnetic force cannot be used. If the levitation point of the materials can be controlled freely in this application, possibilities of new applications will be extended. In this paper we report on an experimental study on controlling the levitation point of the object in an acoustic levitation system. The system fabricated and tested in this study has two sound sources with vibrating plates facing each other. Translation of the object can be achieved by controlling the phase of the energizing electrical signal for one of the sound sources. It was found that the levitation point can be moved smoothly in proportion to the phase difference between the vibrating plates.

Detection and quantification of subtle changes in red blood cell density using a cell phone.

PubMed

Felton, Edward J; Velasquez, Anthony; Lu, Shulin; Murphy, Ryann O; ElKhal, Abdala; Mazor, Ofer; Gorelik, Pavel; Sharda, Anish; Ghiran, Ionita C

2016-08-16

Magnetic levitation has emerged as a technique that offers the ability to differentiate between cells with different densities. We have developed a magnetic levitation system for this purpose that distinguishes not only different cell types but also density differences in cells of the same type. This small-scale system suspends cells in a paramagnetic medium in a capillary placed between two rare earth magnets, and cells levitate to an equilibrium position determined solely by their density. Uniform reference beads of known density are used in conjunction with the cells as a means to quantify their levitation positions. In one implementation images of the levitating cells are acquired with a microscope, but here we also introduce a cell phone-based device that integrates the magnets, capillary, and a lens into a compact and portable unit that acquires images with the phone's camera. To demonstrate the effectiveness of magnetic levitation in cell density analysis we carried out levitation experiments using red blood cells with artificially altered densities, and also levitated those from donors. We observed that we can distinguish red blood cells of an anemic donor from those that are healthy. Since a plethora of disease states are characterized by changes in cell density magnetic cell levitation promises to be an effective tool in identifying and analyzing pathologic states. Furthermore, the low cost, portability, and ease of use of the cell phone-based system may potentially lead to its deployment in low-resource environments.

Overview of NASA's Microgravity Materials Research Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Downey, James Patton; Grugel, Richard

2012-01-01

The NASA microgravity materials program is dedicated to conducting microgravity experiments and related modeling efforts that will help us understand the processes associated with the formation of materials. This knowledge will help improve ground based industrial production of such materials. The currently funded investigations include research on the distribution of dopants and formation of defects in semiconductors, transitions between columnar and dendritic grain morphology, coarsening of phase boundaries, competition between thermally and kinetically favored phases, and the formation of glassy vs. crystalline material. NASA microgravity materials science investigators are selected for funding either through a proposal in response to a NASA Research Announcement or by participation in a team proposing to a foreign agency research announcement. In the latter case, a US investigator participating in a successful proposal to a foreign agency can then apply to NASA for funding of an unsolicited proposal. The program relies on cooperation with other aerospace partners from around the world. The ISS facilities used for these investigations are provided primarily by partnering with foreign agencies and in most cases the US investigators are working as a part of a larger team studying a specific area of materials science. The following facilities are to be utilized for the initial investigations. The ESA provided Low Gradient Facility and the Solidification and Quench Inserts to the Materials Research Rack/Materials Science Laboratory are to be used primarily for creating bulk samples that are directionally solidified or quenched from a high temperature melt. The CNES provided DECLIC facility is used to observe morphological development in transparent materials. The ESA provided Electro-Magnetic Levitator (EML) is designed to levitate, melt and then cool samples in order to study nucleation behavior. The facility provides conditions in which nucleation of the solid is not triggered from the wall and in which fluid flows in the sample can be controlled and manipulated. These conditions allow scientists ideal conditions for understanding the relative amounts and distribution of different phases that form in the solid. Finally, the Coarsening of Solid Liquid Melts hardware allows quenching of low temperature samples in the Microgravity Science Glovebox.

Controlling Sample Rotation in Acoustic Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Stoneburner, J. D.

1985-01-01

Rotation of acoustically levitated object stopped or controlled according to phase-shift monitoring and control concept. Principle applies to square-cross-section levitation chamber with two perpendicular acoustic drivers operating at same frequency. Phase difference between X and Y acoustic excitation measured at one corner by measuring variation of acoustic amplitude sensed by microphone. Phase of driver adjusted to value that produces no rotation or controlled rotation of levitated object.

Non-contact transportation using near-field acoustic levitation

PubMed

Ueha; Hashimoto; Koike

2000-03-01

Near-field acoustic levitation, where planar objects 10 kg in weight can levitate stably near the vibrating plate, is successfully applied both to non-contact transportation of objects and to a non-contact ultrasonic motor. Transporting apparatuses and an ultrasonic motor have been fabricated and their characteristics measured. The theory of near-field acoustic levitation both for a piston-like sound source and a flexural vibration source is also briefly described.

Research on Acoustical Scattering, Diffraction Catastrophes, Optics of Bubbles, Photoacoustics, and Acoustical Phase Conjugation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-15

optical levitation of bubbles; D. Acoustical and optical diffraction catastrophes (theory and optical simulation of transverse cusps, experiments with...35 C. Optical Levitation of Bubbles in Water by the Radiation Pressure of a Laser Beam: An Acoustically Quiet Levitator ...radiation pressure of a laser beam: an acoustically quiet levitator ," J. Acoust . Soc. Am. (submitted July 1987). C. Books (and sections thereof) Published

Velocity damper for electromagnetically levitated materials

DOEpatents

Fox, R.J.

1994-06-07

A system for damping oscillatory and spinning motions induced in an electromagnetically levitated material is disclosed. Two opposed field magnets are located orthogonally to the existing levitation coils for providing a DC quadrupole field (cusp field) around the material. The material used for generating the DC quadrupole field must be nonconducting to avoid eddy-current heating and of low magnetic permeability to avoid distorting the induction fields providing the levitation. 1 fig.

Experimental study of streaming flows associated with ultrasonic levitators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trinh, E. H.; Robey, J. L.

1994-11-01

Steady-state acoustic streaming flow patterns have been observed during the operation of a variety of resonant single-axis ultrasonic levitators in a gaseous environment and in the 20-37 kHz frequency range. Light sheet illumination and scattering from smoke particles have revealed primary streaming flows which display different characteristics at low and high sound pressure levels. Secondary macroscopic streaming cells around levitated samples are superimposed on the primary streaming flow pattern generated by the standing wave. These recorded flows are quite reproducible, and are qualitatively the same for a variety of levitator physical geometries. An onset of flow instability can also be recorded in nonisothermal systems, such as levitated spot-heated samples when the resonance conditions are not exactly satisfied. A preliminary qualitative interpretation of these experimental results is presented in terms of the superposition of three discrete sets of circulation cells operating on different spatial scales. These relevant length scales are the acoustic wavelength, the levitated sample size, and finally the acoustic boundary layer thickness. This approach fails, however, to explain the streaming flow-field morphology around liquid drops levitated on Earth. Observation of the interaction between the flows cells and the levitated samples also suggests the existence of a steady-state torque induced by the streaming flows.

High-precision Non-Contact Measurement of Creep of Ultra-High Temperature Materials for Aerospace

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, Jan R.; Hyers, Robert

2008-01-01

For high-temperature applications (greater than 2,000 C) such as solid rocket motors, hypersonic aircraft, nuclear electric/thermal propulsion for spacecraft, and more efficient jet engines, creep becomes one of the most important design factors to be considered. Conventional creep-testing methods, where the specimen and test apparatus are in contact with each other, are limited to temperatures approximately 1,700 C. Development of alloys for higher-temperature applications is limited by the availability of testing methods at temperatures above 2000 C. Development of alloys for applications requiring a long service life at temperatures as low as 1500 C, such as the next generation of jet turbine superalloys, is limited by the difficulty of accelerated testing at temperatures above 1700 C. For these reasons, a new, non-contact creep-measurement technique is needed for higher temperature applications. A new non-contact method for creep measurements of ultra-high-temperature metals and ceramics has been developed and validated. Using the electrostatic levitation (ESL) facility at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, a spherical sample is rotated quickly enough to cause creep deformation due to centrifugal acceleration. Very accurate measurement of the deformed shape through digital image analysis allows the stress exponent n to be determined very precisely from a single test, rather than from numerous conventional tests. Validation tests on single-crystal niobium spheres showed excellent agreement with conventional tests at 1985 C; however the non-contact method provides much greater precision while using only about 40 milligrams of material. This method is being applied to materials including metals and ceramics for non-eroding throats in solid rockets and next-generation superalloys for turbine engines. Recent advances in the method and the current state of these new measurements will be presented.

Analysis of International Space Station Materials on MISSE-3 and MISSE-4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finckenor, Miria M.; Golden, Johnny L.; O'Rourke, Mary Jane

2008-01-01

For high-temperature applications (> 2,000 C) such as solid rocket motors, hypersonic aircraft, nuclear electric/thermal propulsion for spacecraft, and more efficient jet engines, creep becomes one of the most important design factors to be considered. Conventional creep-testing methods, where the specimen and test apparatus are in contact with each other, are limited to temperatures 1,700 deg. C. Development of alloys for higher-temperature applications is limited by the availability of testing methods at temperatures above 2000 C. Development of alloys for applications requiring a long service life at temperatures as low as 1500 C, such as the next generation of jet turbine superalloys, is limited by the difficulty of accelerated testing at temperatures above 1700 0c. For these reasons, a new, non-contact creep-measurement technique is needed for higher temperature applications. A new non-contact method for creep measurements of ultra-high-temperature metals and ceramics has been developed and validated. Using the electrostatic levitation (ESL) facility at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, a spherical sample is rotated quickly enough to cause creep deformation due to centrifugal acceleration. Very accurate measurement of the deformed shape through digital image analysis allows the stress exponent n to be determined very precisely from a single test, rather than from numerous conventional tests. Validation tests on single-crystal niobium spheres showed excellent agreement with conventional tests at 1985 C; however the non-contact method provides much greater precision while using only about 40 milligrams of material. This method is being applied to materials including metals and ceramics for noneroding throats in solid rockets and next-generation superalloys for turbine engines. Recent advances in the method and the current state of these new measurements will be presented.

Running Performance of a Pinning-Type Superconducting Magnetic Levitation Guide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okano, M.; Iwamoto, T.; Furuse, M.; Fuchino, S.; Ishii, I.

2006-06-01

A pinning-type superconducting magnetic levitation guide with bulk high-Tc superconductors was studied for use as a goods transportation system, an energy storage system, etc. A superconducting magnetic levitation running test apparatus with a circular track of ca. 38 m length, 12 m diameter, which comprises the magnetic rail constituted by Nd-B-Fe rare-earth permanent magnets and steel plates, was manufactured to examine loss and high-speed performance of the magnetic levitation guide. Running tests were conducted in air. These tests clarify that a vehicle supported by a superconducting magnetic levitation guide runs stably at speeds greater than 42 km/h above the circular track.

Levitation in physics.

PubMed

Brandt, E H

1989-01-20

Several physical effects allow free floatation of solid and even liquid matter. Materials may be levitated by a jet of gas, by intense sound waves, or by beams of laser light. In addition, conductors levitate in strong radio-frequency fields, charged particles in alternating electric fields, and magnets above superconductors or vice versa. Although levitation by means of ferromagnets is unstable, supper-conductors may be suspended both above and below a magnet as a result of flux pinning. Levitation is used for containerless processing and investigation of materials, for frictionless bearings and high-speed ground transportation, for spectroscopy of single atoms and microparticles, and for demonstrating superconductivity in the new oxide superconductors.

An Artificial-Gravity Space-Settlement Ground-Analogue Design Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dorais, Gregory A.

2016-01-01

The design concept of a modular and extensible hypergravity facility is presented. Several benefits of this facility are described including that the facility is suitable as a full-scale artificial-gravity space-settlement ground analogue for humans, animals, and plants for indefinite durations. The design is applicable as an analogue for on-orbit settlements as well as those on moons, asteroids, and Mars. The design creates an extremely long-arm centrifuge using a multi-car hypergravity vehicle travelling on one or more concentric circular tracks. This design supports the simultaneous generation of multiple-gravity levels to explore the feasibility and value of and requirements for such space-settlement designs. The design synergizes a variety of existing technologies including centrifuges, tilting trains, roller coasters, and optionally magnetic levitation. The design can be incrementally implemented such that the facility can be operational for a small fraction of the cost and time required for a full implementation. Brief concept of operation examples are also presented.

Matching Impedances and Modes in Acoustic Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.

1985-01-01

Temperature differences accommodated with tunable coupler. Report discusses schemes for coupling sound efficiently from cool outside atmosphere into hot acoustic-levitation chamber. Theoretical studies have practical implications for material-processing systems that employ acoustic levitation.

How to Simply Demonstrate Diamagnetic Levitation with Pencil Lead

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koudelkova, Vera

2016-01-01

A new simple arrangement how to demonstrate diamagnetic levitation is presented. It uses pencil lead levitating in a track built from neodymium magnets. This arrangement can also be used as a classroom experiment.

Eddy damping effect of additional conductors in superconducting levitation systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Zhao-Fei; Gou, Xiao-Fan

2015-12-01

Passive superconducting levitation systems consisting of a high temperature superconductor (HTSC) and a permanent magnet (PM) have demonstrated several fascinating applications such as the maglev system, flywheel energy storage. Generally, for the HTSC-PM levitation system, the HTSC with higher critical current density Jc can obtain larger magnetic force to make the PM levitate over the HTSC (or suspended below the HTSC), however, the process of the vibration of the levitated PM, provides very limited inherent damping (essentially hysteresis). To improve the dynamic stability of the levitated PM, eddy damping of additional conductors can be considered as the most simple and effective approach. In this article, for the HTSC-PM levitation system with an additional copper damper attached to the HTSC, we numerically and comprehensively investigated the damping coefficient c, damping ratio, Joule heating of the copper damper, and the vibration frequency of the PM as well. Furthermore, we comparatively studied four different arrangements of the copper damper, on the comprehensive analyzed the damping effect, efficiency (defined by c/VCu, in which VCu is the volume of the damper) and Joule heating, and finally presented the most advisable arrangement.

Electrochemistry in an acoustically levitated drop.

PubMed

Chainani, Edward T; Ngo, Khanh T; Scheeline, Alexander

2013-02-19

Levitated drops show potential as microreactors, especially when radicals are present as reactants or products. Solid/liquid interfaces are absent or minimized, avoiding adsorption and interfacial reaction of conventional microfluidics. We report amperometric detection in an acoustically levitated drop with simultaneous ballistic addition of reactant. A gold microelectrode sensor was fabricated with a lithographic process; active electrode area was defined by a photosensitive polyimide mask. The microdisk gold working electrode of radius 19 μm was characterized using ferrocenemethanol in aqueous buffer. Using cyclic voltammetry, the electrochemically active surface area was estimated by combining a recessed microdisk electrode model with the Randles-Sevcik equation. Computer-controlled ballistic introduction of reactant droplets into the levitated drop was developed. Chronoamperometric measurements of ferrocyanide added ballistically demonstrate electrochemical monitoring using the microfabricated electrode in a levitated drop. Although concentration increases with time due to drop evaporation, the extent of concentration is predictable with a linear evaporation model. Comparison of diffusion-limited currents in pendant and levitated drops show that convection arising from acoustic levitation causes an enhancement of diffusion-limited current on the order of 16%.

Optical levitation of a microdroplet containing a single quantum dot.

PubMed

Minowa, Yosuke; Kawai, Ryoichi; Ashida, Masaaki

2015-03-15

We demonstrate the optical levitation or trapping in helium gas of a single quantum dot (QD) within a liquid droplet. Bright single photon emission from the levitated QD in the droplet was observed for more than 200 s. The observed photon count rates are consistent with the value theoretically estimated from the two-photon-action cross section. This Letter presents the realization of an optically levitated solid-state quantum emitter.

Vertical Magnetic Levitation Force Measurement on Single Crystal YBaCuO Bulk at Different Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Celik, Sukru; Guner, Sait Baris; Ozturk, Kemal; Ozturk, Ozgur

Magnetic levitation force measurements of HTS samples are performed with the use of liquid nitrogen. It is both convenient and cheap. However, the temperature of the sample cannot be changed (77 K) and there is problem of frost. So, it is necessary to build another type of system to measure the levitation force high Tc superconductor at different temperatures. In this study, we fabricated YBaCuO superconducting by top-seeding-melting-growth (TSMG) technique and measured vertical forces of them at FC (Field Cooling) and ZFC (Zero Field Cooling) regimes by using our new designed magnetic levitation force measurement system. It was used to investigate the three-dimensional levitation force and lateral force in the levitation system consisting of a cylindrical magnet and a permanent cylindrical superconductor at different temperatures (37, 47, 57, 67 and 77 K).

Microrobot with passive diamagnetic levitation for microparticle manipulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Lin; Zhang, Shengyuan; Jiang, Yonggang; Zhang, Deyuan; Arai, Fumihito

2017-12-01

In this paper, an innovative microrobot with passive diamagnetic levitation is presented. Based on theoretical analysis, finite element method simulation, and experiments, the shape of pyrolytic graphite is redesigned, which improves the stability of passive diamagnetic levitation significantly. Therefore, passive diamagnetic levitation is able to be applied for 3-D control of the microrobot. Compared with the traditional microrobots driven by permanent magnets in a microfluidic chip, the microrobot made of pyrolytic graphite and driven by magnetic force has two advantages, no friction and 3-D control, which is able to expand the scope of the microrobot applications. Finally, the microrobot with passive diamagnetic levitation was demonstrated by being encapsulated in a microfluidic chip for microparticle manipulations.

Characterization of Acousto-Electric Cluster and Array Levitation and its Application to Evaporation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Robert E. Apfel; Zheng, Yibing

2000-01-01

An acousto-electric levitator has been developed to study the behavior of liquid drop and solid particle clusters and arrays. Unlike an ordinary acoustic levitator that uses only a standing acoustic wave to levitate a single drop or particle, this device uses an extra electric static field and the acoustic field simultaneously to generate and levitate charged drops in two-dimensional arrays in air without any contact to a solid surface. This cluster and array generation (CAG) instrument enables us to steadily position drops and arrays to study the behavior of multiple drop and particle systems such as spray and aerosol systems relevant to the energy, environmental, and material sciences.

Acoustic levitation: recent developments and emerging opportunities in biomaterials research.

PubMed

Weber, Richard J K; Benmore, Chris J; Tumber, Sonia K; Tailor, Amit N; Rey, Charles A; Taylor, Lynne S; Byrn, Stephen R

2012-04-01

Containerless sample environments (levitation) are useful for study of nucleation, supercooling, and vitrification and for synthesis of new materials, often with non-equilibrium structures. Elimination of extrinsic nucleation by container walls extends access to supercooled and supersaturated liquids under high-purity conditions. Acoustic levitation is well suited to the study of liquids including aqueous solutions, organics, soft materials, polymers, and pharmaceuticals at around room temperature. This article briefly reviews recent developments and applications of acoustic levitation in materials R&D. Examples of experiments yielding amorphous pharmaceutical materials are presented. The implementation and results of experiments on supercooled and supersaturated liquids using an acoustic levitator at a high-energy X-ray beamline are described.

Controlling the net charge on a nanoparticle optically levitated in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frimmer, Martin; Luszcz, Karol; Ferreiro, Sandra; Jain, Vijay; Hebestreit, Erik; Novotny, Lukas

2017-06-01

Optically levitated nanoparticles in vacuum are a promising model system to test physics beyond our current understanding of quantum mechanics. Such experimental tests require extreme control over the dephasing of the levitated particle's motion. If the nanoparticle carries a finite net charge, it experiences a random Coulomb force due to fluctuating electric fields. This dephasing mechanism can be fully excluded by discharging the levitated particle. Here, we present a simple and reliable technique to control the charge on an optically levitated nanoparticle in vacuum. Our method is based on the generation of charges in an electric discharge and does not require additional optics or mechanics close to the optical trap.

Single mode levitation and translation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, Martin B. (Inventor); Allen, James L. (Inventor)

1988-01-01

A single frequency resonance mode is applied by a transducer to acoustically levitate an object within a chamber. This process allows smooth movement of the object and suppression of unwanted levitation modes that would urge the object to a different levitation position. A plunger forms one end of the chamber, and the frequency changes as the plunger moves. Acoustic energy is applied to opposite sides of the chamber, with the acoustic energy on opposite sides being substantially 180 degrees out of phase.

Influence of Waiting Time on the Levitation Force Between a Permanent Magnet and a Superconductor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xing-Yi; Zhou, You-He; Zhou, Jun

This paper describes the experimental results of the levitation force of single-grained YBaCuO bulk superconductors preparing by the top-seeded melt-growth method with different waiting time tw below an NdFeB permanent magnet. It was found that waiting time has large effects on the zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) levitation force, and the levitation force shows aging characteristics at the liquid nitrogen temperature.

Smart-Phone Based Magnetic Levitation for Measuring Densities

PubMed Central

Knowlton, Stephanie; Yu, Chu Hsiang; Jain, Nupur

2015-01-01

Magnetic levitation, which uses a magnetic field to suspend objects in a fluid, is a powerful and versatile technology. We develop a compact magnetic levitation platform compatible with a smart-phone to separate micro-objects and estimate the density of the sample based on its levitation height. A 3D printed attachment is mechanically installed over the existing camera unit of a smart-phone. Micro-objects, which may be either spherical or irregular in shape, are suspended in a paramagnetic medium and loaded in a microcapillary tube which is then inserted between two permanent magnets. The micro-objects are levitated and confined in the microcapillary at an equilibrium height dependent on their volumetric mass densities (causing a buoyancy force toward the edge of the microcapillary) and magnetic susceptibilities (causing a magnetic force toward the center of the microcapillary) relative to the suspending medium. The smart-phone camera captures magnified images of the levitating micro-objects through an additional lens positioned between the sample and the camera lens cover. A custom-developed Android application then analyzes these images to determine the levitation height and estimate the density. Using this platform, we were able to separate microspheres with varying densities and calibrate their levitation heights to known densities to develop a technique for precise and accurate density estimation. We have also characterized the magnetic field, the optical imaging capabilities, and the thermal state over time of this platform. PMID:26308615

Smart-Phone Based Magnetic Levitation for Measuring Densities.

PubMed

Knowlton, Stephanie; Yu, Chu Hsiang; Jain, Nupur; Ghiran, Ionita Calin; Tasoglu, Savas

2015-01-01

Magnetic levitation, which uses a magnetic field to suspend objects in a fluid, is a powerful and versatile technology. We develop a compact magnetic levitation platform compatible with a smart-phone to separate micro-objects and estimate the density of the sample based on its levitation height. A 3D printed attachment is mechanically installed over the existing camera unit of a smart-phone. Micro-objects, which may be either spherical or irregular in shape, are suspended in a paramagnetic medium and loaded in a microcapillary tube which is then inserted between two permanent magnets. The micro-objects are levitated and confined in the microcapillary at an equilibrium height dependent on their volumetric mass densities (causing a buoyancy force toward the edge of the microcapillary) and magnetic susceptibilities (causing a magnetic force toward the center of the microcapillary) relative to the suspending medium. The smart-phone camera captures magnified images of the levitating micro-objects through an additional lens positioned between the sample and the camera lens cover. A custom-developed Android application then analyzes these images to determine the levitation height and estimate the density. Using this platform, we were able to separate microspheres with varying densities and calibrate their levitation heights to known densities to develop a technique for precise and accurate density estimation. We have also characterized the magnetic field, the optical imaging capabilities, and the thermal state over time of this platform.

A levitation instrument for containerless study of molten materials.

PubMed

Nordine, Paul C; Merkley, Dennis; Sickel, Jeffrey; Finkelman, Steve; Telle, Rainer; Kaiser, Arno; Prieler, Robert

2012-12-01

A new aero-acoustic levitation instrument (AAL) has been installed at the Institute for Mineral Engineering at RWTH University in Aachen, Germany. The AAL employs acoustically stabilized gas jet levitation with laser-beam heating and melting to create a contact-free containerless environment for high temperature materials research. Contamination-free study of liquids is possible at temperatures in excess of 3000 °C and of undercooled liquids at temperatures far below the melting point. Digital control technology advances the art of containerless experiments to obtain long-term levitation stability, allowing new experiments in extreme temperature materials research and to study operation of the levitation instrument itself. Experiments with liquid Al(2)O(3) at temperatures more than 3200 °C, 1200 °C above the melting point, and with liquid Y(3)Al(5)O(12) far below the melting point are reported. Fast pyrometry and video recording instruments yield crystallization rates in undercooled liquid Al(2)O(3) as a function of temperature. Levitation of dense liquid HfO(2) at temperatures above 2900 °C is demonstrated. Capabilities are described for resonant frequency matching in the three-axis acoustic positioning system, acoustic control of sample spin, and position control of standing wave nodes to stabilize levitation under changing experimental conditions. Further development and application of the levitation technology is discussed based on the results of experiments and modeling of instrument operations.

A levitation instrument for containerless study of molten materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nordine, Paul C.; Merkley, Dennis; Sickel, Jeffrey; Finkelman, Steve; Telle, Rainer; Kaiser, Arno; Prieler, Robert

2012-12-01

A new aero-acoustic levitation instrument (AAL) has been installed at the Institute for Mineral Engineering at RWTH University in Aachen, Germany. The AAL employs acoustically stabilized gas jet levitation with laser-beam heating and melting to create a contact-free containerless environment for high temperature materials research. Contamination-free study of liquids is possible at temperatures in excess of 3000 °C and of undercooled liquids at temperatures far below the melting point. Digital control technology advances the art of containerless experiments to obtain long-term levitation stability, allowing new experiments in extreme temperature materials research and to study operation of the levitation instrument itself. Experiments with liquid Al2O3 at temperatures more than 3200 °C, 1200 °C above the melting point, and with liquid Y3Al5O12 far below the melting point are reported. Fast pyrometry and video recording instruments yield crystallization rates in undercooled liquid Al2O3 as a function of temperature. Levitation of dense liquid HfO2 at temperatures above 2900 °C is demonstrated. Capabilities are described for resonant frequency matching in the three-axis acoustic positioning system, acoustic control of sample spin, and position control of standing wave nodes to stabilize levitation under changing experimental conditions. Further development and application of the levitation technology is discussed based on the results of experiments and modeling of instrument operations.

Flowfield characteristics of an aerodynamic acoustic levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yarin, A. L.; Brenn, G.; Keller, J.; Pfaffenlehner, M.; Ryssel, E.; Tropea, C.

1997-11-01

A droplet held in a single-axis ultrasonic levitator will principally sustain a certain external blowing along the levitation axis, which introduces the possibility of investigating heat and/or mass transfer from the droplet under conditions which are not too remote from those in spray systems. The focus of the present work is on the influence of the acoustic field on the external flow. More specifically, an axisymmetric submerged gas jet in an axial standing acoustic wave is examined, both in the absence and presence of a liquid droplet. Flow visualization is first presented to illustrate the global flow effects and the operating windows of jet velocities and acoustic powers which are suitable for further study. An analytic and numeric solution, based on the parabolic boundary layer equations are then given for the case of no levitated droplet, providing quantitative estimates of the acoustic field/flow interaction. Detailed velocity measurements using a laser Doppler anemometer verify the analytic results and extend these to the case of a levitated droplet. Some unresolved discrepancy remains in predicting the maximum velocity attainable before the droplet is blown out of the levitator. Two methods are developed to estimate the sound pressure level in the levitator by comparing flowfield patterns with analytic results. These results and observations are used to estimate to what extent acoustic aerodynamic levitators can be used in the future for investigating transport properties of individual droplets.

Optical Levitation of Micro-Scale Particles in Air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wrbanek, Susan Y.; Weiland, Kenneth E.

2004-01-01

Success has been achieved using a radiation pressure gradient to levitate microscale particles in air for as long as four hours. This work is performed as a precursor to the development of a vacuum based optical tweezers interrogation tool for nanotechnology research. It was decided to first proceed with solving the problem of achieving optical levitation of a micro-scale particle in air before trying the same in a vacuum environment. This successful optical levitation in air confirms the work of Ashkin and Dziedzic. Levitation of 10 and 13.8 microns diameter polystyrene spheres was achieved, as well as the levitation of 10 and 100 microns diameter glass spheres. Particles were raised and lowered. A modicum of success was achieved translating particles horizontally. Trapping of multiple particles in one laser beam has been photographed. Also, it has been observed that particles, that may be conglomerates or irregular in shape, can also be trapped by a focused laser beam. Levitated glass beads were photographed using laser light scattered from the beads. The fact that there is evidence of optical traps in air containing irregular and conglomerate particles provides hope that future tool particles need not be perfect spheres.

Thickness dependence of the levitation performance of double-layer high-temperature superconductor bulks above a magnetic rail

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, R. X.; Zheng, J.; Liao, X. L.; Che, T.; Gou, Y. F.; He, D. B.; Deng, Z. G.

2014-10-01

A double-layer high-temperature superconductor (HTSC) arrangement was proposed and proved to be able to bring improvements to both levitation force and guidance force compared with present single-layer HTSC arrangement. To fully exploit the applied magnetic field by a magnetic rail, the thickness dependence of a double-layer HTSC arrangement on the levitation performance was further investigated in the paper. In this study, the lower-layer bulk was polished step by step to different thicknesses, and the upper-layer bulk with constant thickness was directly superimposed on the lower-layer one. The levitation force and the force relaxation of the double-layer HTSC arrangement were measured above a Halbach magnetic rail. Experimental result shows that a bigger levitation force and a less levitation force decay could be achieved by optimizing the thickness of the lower-layer bulk HTSC. This thickness optimization method could be applied together with former reported double-layer HTSC arrangement method with aligned growth sector boundaries pattern. This series of study on the optimized combination method do bring a significant improvement on the levitation performance of present HTS maglev systems.

TinyLev: A multi-emitter single-axis acoustic levitator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marzo, Asier; Barnes, Adrian; Drinkwater, Bruce W.

2017-08-01

Acoustic levitation has the potential to enable novel studies due to its ability to hold a wide variety of substances against gravity under container-less conditions. It has found application in spectroscopy, chemistry, and the study of organisms in microgravity. Current levitators are constructed using Langevin horns that need to be manufactured to high tolerance with carefully matched resonant frequencies. This resonance condition is hard to maintain as their temperature changes due to transduction heating. In addition, Langevin horns are required to operate at high voltages (>100 V) which may cause problems in challenging experimental environments. Here, we design, build, and evaluate a single-axis levitator based on multiple, low-voltage (ca. 20 V), well-matched, and commercially available ultrasonic transducers. The levitator operates at 40 kHz in air and can trap objects above 2.2 g/cm3 density and 4 mm in diameter whilst consuming 10 W of input power. Levitation of water, fused-silica spheres, small insects, and electronic components is demonstrated. The device is constructed from low-cost off-the-shelf components and is easily assembled using 3D printed sections. Complete instructions and a part list are provided on how to assemble the levitator.

TinyLev: A multi-emitter single-axis acoustic levitator.

PubMed

Marzo, Asier; Barnes, Adrian; Drinkwater, Bruce W

2017-08-01

Acoustic levitation has the potential to enable novel studies due to its ability to hold a wide variety of substances against gravity under container-less conditions. It has found application in spectroscopy, chemistry, and the study of organisms in microgravity. Current levitators are constructed using Langevin horns that need to be manufactured to high tolerance with carefully matched resonant frequencies. This resonance condition is hard to maintain as their temperature changes due to transduction heating. In addition, Langevin horns are required to operate at high voltages (>100 V) which may cause problems in challenging experimental environments. Here, we design, build, and evaluate a single-axis levitator based on multiple, low-voltage (ca. 20 V), well-matched, and commercially available ultrasonic transducers. The levitator operates at 40 kHz in air and can trap objects above 2.2 g/cm 3 density and 4 mm in diameter whilst consuming 10 W of input power. Levitation of water, fused-silica spheres, small insects, and electronic components is demonstrated. The device is constructed from low-cost off-the-shelf components and is easily assembled using 3D printed sections. Complete instructions and a part list are provided on how to assemble the levitator.

Diamagnetic levitation enhances growth of liquid bacterial cultures by increasing oxygen availability

PubMed Central

Dijkstra, Camelia E.; Larkin, Oliver J.; Anthony, Paul; Davey, Michael R.; Eaves, Laurence; Rees, Catherine E. D.; Hill, Richard J. A.

2011-01-01

Diamagnetic levitation is a technique that uses a strong, spatially varying magnetic field to reproduce aspects of weightlessness, on the Earth. We used a superconducting magnet to levitate growing bacterial cultures for up to 18 h, to determine the effect of diamagnetic levitation on all phases of the bacterial growth cycle. We find that diamagnetic levitation increases the rate of population growth in a liquid culture and reduces the sedimentation rate of the cells. Further experiments and microarray gene analysis show that the increase in growth rate is owing to enhanced oxygen availability. We also demonstrate that the magnetic field that levitates the cells also induces convective stirring in the liquid. We present a simple theoretical model, showing how the paramagnetic force on dissolved oxygen can cause convection during the aerobic phases of bacterial growth. We propose that this convection enhances oxygen availability by transporting oxygen around the liquid culture. Since this process results from the strong magnetic field, it is not present in other weightless environments, e.g. in Earth orbit. Hence, these results are of significance and timely to researchers considering the use of diamagnetic levitation to explore effects of weightlessness on living organisms and on physical phenomena. PMID:20667843

Diamagnetic levitation enhances growth of liquid bacterial cultures by increasing oxygen availability.

PubMed

Dijkstra, Camelia E; Larkin, Oliver J; Anthony, Paul; Davey, Michael R; Eaves, Laurence; Rees, Catherine E D; Hill, Richard J A

2011-03-06

Diamagnetic levitation is a technique that uses a strong, spatially varying magnetic field to reproduce aspects of weightlessness, on the Earth. We used a superconducting magnet to levitate growing bacterial cultures for up to 18 h, to determine the effect of diamagnetic levitation on all phases of the bacterial growth cycle. We find that diamagnetic levitation increases the rate of population growth in a liquid culture and reduces the sedimentation rate of the cells. Further experiments and microarray gene analysis show that the increase in growth rate is owing to enhanced oxygen availability. We also demonstrate that the magnetic field that levitates the cells also induces convective stirring in the liquid. We present a simple theoretical model, showing how the paramagnetic force on dissolved oxygen can cause convection during the aerobic phases of bacterial growth. We propose that this convection enhances oxygen availability by transporting oxygen around the liquid culture. Since this process results from the strong magnetic field, it is not present in other weightless environments, e.g. in Earth orbit. Hence, these results are of significance and timely to researchers considering the use of diamagnetic levitation to explore effects of weightlessness on living organisms and on physical phenomena.

Numerical analyses of trapped field magnet and stable levitation region of HTSC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tsuchimoto, M.; Kojima, T.; Waki, H.

Stable levitation with a permanent magnet and a bulk high {Tc} superconductor (HTSC) is examined numerically by using the critical state model and the frozen field model. Differences between a permanent magnet and a trapped field magnet are first discussed from property of levitation force. Stable levitation region of the HTSC on a ring magnet and on a solenoid coil are calculated with the numerical methods. Obtained results are discussed from difference of the magnetic field configuration.

Development of Ultrasonically Levitated Drops as Microreactors for Study of Enzyme Kinetics and Potential as a Universal Portable Analysis System

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

1 DEVELOPMENT OF ULTRASONICALLY LEVITATED DROPS AS MICROREAC- TORS FOR STUDY OF ENZYME KINETICS AND POTENTIAL AS A UNIVERSAL PORTABLE ANALYSIS...microfluidic systems are incompatible with the chemistry one wishes to study. We have devel- oped an alternative approach. We use ultrasonically levitated ...since at least the 1940’s, we are the second group to carry out enzyme reactions in levitated drops, (Weis; Nardozzi 2005) and have fab- ricated the

A simulation of streaming flows associated with acoustic levitators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rednikov, A.; Riley, N.

2002-04-01

Steady-state acoustic streaming flow patterns have been observed by Trinh and Robey [Phys. Fluids 6, 3567 (1994)], during the operation of a variety of single axis ultrasonic levitators in a gaseous environment. Microstreaming around levitated samples is superimposed on the streaming flow which is observed in the levitator even in the absence of any particle therein. In this paper, by physical arguments, numerical and analytical simulations we provide entirely satisfactory interpretations of the observed flow patterns in both isothermal and nonisothermal situations.

An ultrasonically levitated noncontact stage using traveling vibrations on precision ceramic guide rails.

PubMed

Koyama, Daisuke; Ide, Takeshi; Friend, James R; Nakamura, Kentaro; Ueha, Sadayuki

2007-03-01

This paper presents a noncontact sliding table design and measurements of its performance via ultrasonic levitation. A slider placed atop two vibrating guide rails is levitated by an acoustic radiation force emitted from the rails. A flexural traveling wave propagating along the guide rails allows noncontact transportation of the slider. Permitting a transport mechanism that reduces abrasion and dust generation with an inexpensive and simple structure. The profile of the sliding table was designed using the finite-element analysis (FEA) for high levitation and transportation efficiency. The prototype sliding table was made of alumina ceramic (Al2O3) to increase machining accuracy and rigidity using a structure composed of a pair of guide rails with a triangular cross section and piezoelectric transducers. Two types of transducers were used: bolt-clamped Langevin transducers and bimorph transducers. A 40-mm long slider was designed to fit atop the two rail guides. Flexural standing waves and torsional standing waves were observed along the guide rails at resonance, and the levitation of the slider was obtained using the flexural mode even while the levitation distance was less than 10 microm. The levitation distance of the slider was measured while increasing the slider's weight. The levitation pressure, rigidity, and vertical displacement amplitude of the levitating slider thus were measured to be 6.7 kN/m2, 3.0 kN/microm/m2, and less than 1 microm, respectively. Noncontact transport of the slider was achieved using phased drive of the two transducers at either end of the vibrating guide rail. By controlling the phase difference, the slider transportation direction could be switched, and a maximum thrust of 13 mN was obtained.

Calibration and energy measurement of optically levitated nanoparticle sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hebestreit, Erik; Frimmer, Martin; Reimann, René; Dellago, Christoph; Ricci, Francesco; Novotny, Lukas

2018-03-01

Optically levitated nanoparticles offer enormous potential for precision sensing. However, as for any other metrology device, the absolute measurement performance of a levitated-particle sensor is limited by the accuracy of the calibration relating the measured signal to an absolute displacement of the particle. Here, we suggest and demonstrate calibration protocols for levitated-nanoparticle sensors. Our calibration procedures include the treatment of anharmonicities in the trapping potential, as well as a protocol using a harmonic driving force, which is applicable if the sensor is coupled to a heat bath of unknown temperature. Finally, using the calibration, we determine the center-of-mass temperature of an optically levitated particle in thermal equilibrium from its motion and discuss the optimal measurement time required to determine the said temperature.

Dimensionless Analysis and Numerical Modeling of Rebalancing Phenomena During Levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Lei; Shi, Zhe; Li, Donghui; McLean, Alexander; Chattopadhyay, Kinnor

2016-06-01

Electromagnetic levitation (EML) has proved to be a powerful tool for research activities in areas pertaining to materials physics and engineering. The customized EML setups in various fields, ranging from solidification to nanomaterial manufacturing, require the designing of stable levitation systems. Since the elevated droplet is opaque, the most effective way to research on EML is mathematical modeling. In the present study, a 3D model was built to investigate the rebalancing phenomenon causing instabilities during droplet melting. A mathematical model modified based on Hooke's law (spring) was proposed to describe the levitation system. This was combined with dimensionless analysis to investigate the generation of levitation forces as it will significantly affect the behavior of the spring model.

Non-contact measurement of diamagnetic susceptibility change by a magnetic levitation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, K.; Mogi, I.; Awaji, S.; Watanabe, K.

2011-03-01

A new method for measuring the temperature dependence of the diamagnetic susceptibility is described. It is based on the Faraday method and employs a magnetic levitation technique. The susceptibility of a magnetically levitating diamagnetic sample is determined from the product of the magnetic flux density and the field gradient at the levitating position observed using a micro CCD camera. The susceptibility of a sample during containerless melting and solidification can be measured to a precision of better than ±0.05%. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility of paraffin wax was measured by the magnetic levitation technique with an accuracy of ±0.25%. This method enables sensitive and contactless measurements of the diamagnetic susceptibility across the melting point with in situ observations.

Voyager spacecraft electrostatic discharge testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittlesey, A.; Inouye, G.

1980-01-01

The program of environmental testing undergone by the Voyager spacecraft in order to simulate the transient voltage effects of electrostatic discharges expected in the energetic plasma environment of Jupiter is reported. The testing consists of studies of the electrostatic discharge characteristics of spacecraft dielectrics in a vacuum-chamber-electron beam facility, brief piece part sensitivity tests on such items as a MOSFET multiplexer and the grounding of the thermal blanket, and assembly tests of the magnetometer boom and the science boom. In addition, testing of a complete spacecraft was performed using two arc sources to simulate long and short duration discharge sources for successive spacecraft shielding and grounding improvements. Due to the testing program, both Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 experienced tolerable electrostatic discharge-caused transient anomalies in science and engineering subsystems, however, a closer duplication of the spacecraft environment is necessary to predict and design actual spacecraft responses more accurately.

Progress report of the innovated KIST ion beam facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Joonkon; Eliades, John A.; Yu, Byung-Yong; Lim, Weon Cheol; Chae, Keun Hwa; Song, Jonghan

2017-01-01

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, Seoul, Republic of (S.) Korea) ion beam facility consists of three electrostatic accelerators: a 400 kV single ended ion implanter, a 2 MV tandem accelerator system and a 6 MV tandem accelerator system. The 400 kV and 6 MV systems were purchased from High Voltage Engineering Europa (HVEE, Netherlands) and commissioned in 2013, while the 2 MV system was purchased from National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC, USA) in 1995. These systems are used to provide traditional ion beam analysis (IBA), isotope ratio analysis (ex. accelerator mass spectrometry, AMS), and ion implantation/irradiation for domestic industrial and academic users. The main facility is the 6 MV HVEE Tandetron system that has an AMS line currently used for 10Be, 14C, 26Al, 36 Cl, 41Ca and 129I analyses, and three lines for IBA that are under construction. Here, these systems are introduced with their specifications and initial performance results.

Electrostatic hazards of charging of bedclothes and ignition in medical facilities.

PubMed

Endo, Yuta; Ohsawa, Atsushi; Yamaguma, Mizuki

2018-02-26

We investigated the charge generated on bedclothes (cotton and polyester) during bedding exchange with different humidities and the ignitability of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (72.3 mass% ethanol) due to static spark with different temperatures to identify the hazards of electrostatic shocks and ignitions occurring previously in medical facilities. The results indicated that charging of the polyester bedclothes may induce a human body potential of over about 10 kV, resulting in shocks even at a relative humidity of 50%, and a human body potential of higher than about 8 kV can cause a risk for the ignition of the hand sanitizer. The grounding of human bodies via footwear and flooring, therefore, is essential to avoid such hazards (or to reduce such risks).

Acoustic Levitation With One Driver

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, T. G.; Rudnick, I.; Elleman, D. D.; Stoneburner, J. D.

1985-01-01

Report discusses acoustic levitation in rectangular chamber using one driver mounted at corner. Placement of driver at corner enables it to couple effectively to acoustic modes along all three axes. Use of single driver reduces cost, complexity and weight of levitation system below those of three driver system.

Rotation Control In A Cylindrical Acoustic Levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Allen, J. L.

1988-01-01

Second driver introduces net circulation around levitated sample. Two transducers produce two sets of equal counterrotating acoustic fields. By appropriate adjustment of amplitudes and phases in two transducers, total acoustic field made to consist of two unequal counterrotating fields, producing net torque on levitated sample.

Method and apparatus for shaping and enhancing acoustical levitation forces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oran, W. A.; Berge, L. H.; Reiss, D. A.; Johnson, J. L. (Inventor)

1980-01-01

A method and apparatus for enhancing and shaping acoustical levitation forces in a single-axis acoustic resonance system wherein specially shaped drivers and reflectors are utilized to enhance to levitation force and better contain fluid substance by means of field shaping is described.

Observation of vacuum-enhanced electron spin resonance of optically levitated nanodiamonds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tongcang; Hoang, Thai; Ahn, Jonghoon; Bang, Jaehoon

Electron spins of diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are important quantum resources for nanoscale sensing and quantum information. Combining such NV spin systems with levitated optomechanical resonators will provide a hybrid quantum system for many novel applications. Here we optically levitate a nanodiamond and demonstrate electron spin control of its built-in NV centers in low vacuum. We observe that the strength of electron spin resonance (ESR) is enhanced when the air pressure is reduced. To better understand this novel system, we also investigate the effects of trap power and measure the absolute internal temperature of levitated nanodiamonds with ESR after calibration of the strain effect. Our results show that optical levitation of nanodiamonds in vacuum not only can improve the mechanical quality of its oscillation, but also enhance the ESR contrast, which pave the way towards a novel levitated spin-optomechanical system for studying macroscopic quantum mechanics. The results also indicate potential applications of NV centers in gas sensing.

Resonance Shift of Single-Axis Acoustic Levitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Wen-Jun; Wei, Bing-Bo

2007-01-01

The resonance shift due to the presence and movement of a rigid spherical sample in a single-axis acoustic levitator is studied with the boundary element method on the basis of a two-cylinder model of the levitator. The introduction of a sample into the sound pressure nodes, where it is usually levitated, reduces the resonant interval Hn (n is the mode number) between the reflector and emitter. The larger the sample radius, the greater the resonance shift. When the sample moves along the symmetric axis, the resonance interval Hn varies in an approximately periodical manner, which reaches the minima near the pressure nodes and the maxima near the pressure antinodes. This suggests a resonance interval oscillation around its minimum if the stably levitated sample is slightly perturbed. The dependence of the resonance shift on the sample radius R and position h for the single-axis acoustic levitator is compared with Leung's theory for a closed rectangular chamber, which shows a good agreement.

Self-arraying of charged levitating droplets.

PubMed

Kauffmann, Paul; Nussbaumer, Jérémie; Masse, Alain; Jeandey, Christian; Grateau, Henri; Pham, Pascale; Reyne, Gilbert; Haguet, Vincent

2011-06-01

Diamagnetic levitation of water droplets in air is a promising phenomenon to achieve contactless manipulation of chemical or biochemical samples. This noncontact handling technique prevents contaminations of samples as well as provides measurements of interaction forces between levitating reactors. Under a nonuniform magnetic field, diamagnetic bodies such as water droplets experience a repulsive force which may lead to diamagnetic levitation of a single or few micro-objects. The levitation of several repulsively charged picoliter droplets was successfully performed in a ~1 mm(2) adjustable flat magnetic well provided by a centimeter-sized cylindrical permanent magnet structure. Each droplet position results from the balance between the centripetal diamagnetic force and the repulsive Coulombian forces. Levitating water droplets self-organize into satellite patterns or thin clouds, according to their charge and size. Small triangular lattices of identical droplets reproduce magneto-Wigner crystals. Repulsive forces and inner charges can be measured in the piconewton and the femtocoulomb ranges, respectively. Evolution of interaction forces is accurately followed up over time during droplet evaporation.

John F. Kennedy Space Center's Technology Development and Application 2006-2007 Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2008-01-01

Topics covered include: Reversible Chemochromic Hydrogen Detectors; Determining Trajectory of Triboelectrically Charged Particles, Using Discrete Element Modeling; Using Indium Tin Oxide To Mitigate Dust on Viewing Ports; High-Performance Polyimide Powder Coatings; Controlled-Release Microcapsules for Smart Coatings for Corrosion Applications; Aerocoat 7 Replacement Coatings; Photocatalytic Coatings for Exploration and Spaceport Design; New Materials for the Repair of Polyimide Electrical Wire Insulation; Commodity-Free Calibration; Novel Ice Mitigation Methods; Crack Offset Measurement With the Projected Laser Target Device; New Materials for Structural Composites and Protective Coatings; Fire Chemistry Testing of Spray-On Foam Insulation (SOFI); Using Aerogel-Based Insulation Material To Prevent Foam Loss on the Liquid-Hydrogen Intertank; Particle Ejection and Levitation Technology (PELT); Electrostatic Characterization of Lunar Dust; Numerical Analysis of Rocket Exhaust Cratering; RESOLVE Projects: Lunar Water Resource Demonstration and Regolith Volatile Characterization; Tribocharging Lunar Soil for Electrostatic Beneficiation; Numerically Modeling the Erosion of Lunar Soil by Rocket Exhaust Plumes; Trajectory Model of Lunar Dust Particles; Using Lunar Module Shadows To Scale the Effects of Rocket Exhaust Plumes; Predicting the Acoustic Environment Induced by the Launch of the Ares I Vehicle; Measuring Ultrasonic Acoustic Velocity in a Thin Sheet of Graphite Epoxy Composite; Hail Size Distribution Mapping; Launch Pad 39 Hail Monitor Array System; Autonomous Flight Safety System - Phase III; The Photogrammetry Cube; Bird Vision System; Automating Range Surveillance Through Radio Interferometry and Field Strength Mapping Techniques; Next-Generation Telemetry Workstation; GPS Metric Tracking Unit; and Space-Based Range.

A Rotational Gyroscope with a Water-Film Bearing Based on Magnetic Self-Restoring Effect

PubMed Central

Chen, Dianzhong; Liu, Xiaowei; Li, Hai; Li, Ling; Rong, Wanting; Zhang, Zhongzhao

2018-01-01

Stable rotor levitation is a challenge for rotational gyroscopes (magnetically suspended gyroscopes (MSG) and electrostatically suspended gyroscopes (ESG)) with a ring- or disk-shaped rotor, which restricts further improvement of gyroscope performance. In addition, complicated pick-up circuits and feedback control electronics propose high requirement on fabrication technology. In the proposed gyroscope, a ball-disk shaped rotor is supported by a water-film bearing, formed by centrifugal force to deionized water at the cavity of the lower supporting pillar. Water-film bearing provides stable mechanical support, without the need for complicated electronics and control system for rotor suspension. To decrease sliding friction between the rotor ball and the water-film bearing, a supherhydrophobic surface (SHS) with nano-structures is fabricated on the rotor ball, resulting in a rated spinning speed increase of 12.4% (under the same driving current). Rotor is actuated by the driving scheme of brushless direct current motor (BLDCM). Interaction between the magnetized rotor and the magnetic-conducted stator produces a sinusoidal rotor restoring torque, amplitude of which is proportional to the rotor deflection angle inherently. Utilization of this magnetic restoring effect avoids adding of a high amplitude voltage for electrostatic feedback, which may cause air breakdown. Two differential capacitance pairs are utilized to measure input angular speeds at perpendicular directions of the rotor plane. The bias stability of the fabricated gyroscope is as low as 0.5°/h. PMID:29385105

Magnetic levitation of single cells

PubMed Central

Durmus, Naside Gozde; Tekin, H. Cumhur; Guven, Sinan; Sridhar, Kaushik; Arslan Yildiz, Ahu; Calibasi, Gizem; Davis, Ronald W.; Steinmetz, Lars M.; Demirci, Utkan

2015-01-01

Several cellular events cause permanent or transient changes in inherent magnetic and density properties of cells. Characterizing these changes in cell populations is crucial to understand cellular heterogeneity in cancer, immune response, infectious diseases, drug resistance, and evolution. Although magnetic levitation has previously been used for macroscale objects, its use in life sciences has been hindered by the inability to levitate microscale objects and by the toxicity of metal salts previously applied for levitation. Here, we use magnetic levitation principles for biological characterization and monitoring of cells and cellular events. We demonstrate that each cell type (i.e., cancer, blood, bacteria, and yeast) has a characteristic levitation profile, which we distinguish at an unprecedented resolution of 1 × 10−4 g⋅mL−1. We have identified unique differences in levitation and density blueprints between breast, esophageal, colorectal, and nonsmall cell lung cancer cell lines, as well as heterogeneity within these seemingly homogenous cell populations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that changes in cellular density and levitation profiles can be monitored in real time at single-cell resolution, allowing quantification of heterogeneous temporal responses of each cell to environmental stressors. These data establish density as a powerful biomarker for investigating living systems and their responses. Thereby, our method enables rapid, density-based imaging and profiling of single cells with intriguing applications, such as label-free identification and monitoring of heterogeneous biological changes under various physiological conditions, including antibiotic or cancer treatment in personalized medicine. PMID:26124131

Study on stable equilibrium of levitated impeller in rotary pump with passive magnetic bearings.

PubMed

Qian, K X; Wan, F K; Ru, W M; Zeng, P; Yuan, H Y

2006-01-01

It is widely acknowledged that the permanent maglev cannot achieve stable equilibrium; the authors have developed, however, a stable permanent maglev centrifugal blood pump. Permanent maglev needs no position detection and feedback control of the rotor, nevertheless the eccentric distance (ED) and vibration amplitude (VA) of the levitator have been measured to demonstrate the levitation and to investigate the factors affecting levitation. Permanent maglev centrifugal impeller pump has a rotor and a stator. The rotor is driven by stator coil and levitated by two passive magnetic bearings. The rotor position is measured by four Hall sensors, which are distributed evenly and peripherally on the end of the stator against the magnetic ring of the bearing on the rotor. The voltage differences of the sensors due to different distances between the sensors and the magnetic ring are converted into ED. The results verify that the rotor can be disaffiliated from the stator if the rotating speed and the flow rate of the pump are large enough, that is, the maximal ED will reduce to about half of the gap between the rotor and the stator. In addition, the gap between rotor and stator and the viscosity of the fluid to be pumped also affect levitation. The former has an optimal value of approximately 2% of the radius of the rotor. For the latter, levitation stability is better with higher viscosity, meaning smaller ED and VA. The pressure to be pumped has no effect on levitation.

Searching for Lunar Horizon Glow With the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barker, M. K.; Mazarico, E. M.; McClanahan, T. P.; Sun, X.; Smith, D. E.; Neumann, G. A.; Zuber, M. T.; Head, J. W., III

2017-12-01

The dust environment of the Moon is sensitive to the interplanetary meteoroid population and dust transport processes near the lunar surface, and this affects many aspects of lunar surface science and planetary exploration. The interplanetary meteoroid population poses a significant risk to spacecraft, yet it remains one of the more uncertain constituents of the space environment. Observed and hypothesized lunar dust transport mechanisms have included impact-generated dust plumes, electrostatic levitation, and dynamic lofting. Many details of the impactor flux and impact ejection process are poorly understood, a fact highlighted by recent discrepant estimates of the regolith mixing rate. Apollo-era observations of lunar horizon glow (LHG) were interpreted as sunlight forward-scattered by exospheric dust grains levitating in the top meter above the surface or lofted to tens of kilometers in altitude. However, recent studies have placed limits on the dust density orders of magnitude less than what was originally inferred, raising new questions on the time variability of the dust environment. Motivated by the need to better understand dust transport processes and the meteoroid population, the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is conducting a campaign to search for LHG with the LOLA Laser Ranging (LR) system. Advantages of this LOLA LHG search include: (1) the LOLA-LR telescope can observe arbitrarily close to the Sun at any time during the year without damaging itself or the other instruments, (2) a long temporal baseline with observations both during and outside of meteor streams, which will improve the chances of detecting LHG, and (3) a focus on altitudes < 20 km, the same range as the majority of Apollo 15 LHG measurements. In this contribution, we describe the instrument, methodology, and preliminary results.

Electrostatic Charging of Lunar Dust by UV Photoelectric Emissions and Solar Wind Electrons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, Mian M.; Tankosic, Dragana; Spann, James f.; LeClair, Andre C.; Dube, Michael J.

2008-01-01

The ubiquitous presence of dust in the lunar environment with its high adhesive characteristics has been recognized to be a major safety issue that must be addressed in view of its hazardous effects on robotic and human exploration of the Moon. The reported observations of a horizon glow and streamers at the lunar terminator during the Apollo missions are attributed to the sunlight scattered by the levitated lunar dust. The lunar surface and the dust grains are predominantly charged positively by the incident UV solar radiation on the dayside and negatively by the solar wind electrons on the night-side. The charged dust grains are levitated and transported over long distances by the established electric fields. A quantitative understanding of the lunar dust phenomena requires development of global dust distribution models, based on an accurate knowledge of lunar dust charging properties. Currently available data of lunar dust charging is based on bulk materials, although it is well recognized that measurements on individual dust grains are expected to be substantially different from the bulk measurements. In this paper we present laboratory measurements of charging properties of Apollo 11 & 17 dust grains by UV photoelectric emissions and by electron impact. These measurements indicate substantial differences of both qualitative and quantitative nature between dust charging properties of individual micron/submicron sized dust grains and of bulk materials. In addition, there are no viable theoretical models available as yet for calculation of dust charging properties of individual dust grains for both photoelectric emissions and electron impact. It is thus of paramount importance to conduct comprehensive measurements for charging properties of individual dust grains in order to develop realistic models of dust processes in the lunar atmosphere, and address the hazardous issues of dust on lunar robotic and human missions.

Containerless Processing of a Lithium Disilicate Glass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ranasinghe, Kisa; Ray, Chandra S.; Day, Delbert E.; Rogers, Jan R.; Hyers, Robert W.; Rathz, Thomas

2004-01-01

Glasses of Li2O.2SiO2 (LS2), and LS2 doped with 0.001wt% platinum (LS2 + 0.001 wt% Pt) compositions were melted, cooled and reheated at controlled rates while levitated (containerless) inside an Electrostatic Levitator (ESL) furnace at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL. The experiments were conducted in vacuum (approximately 10(exp -5) Pa) using spherical, 2.5 to 3 millimeter diameter, glass samples. The measured critical cooling rate for glass formation, R(sub c), for the LS2 and LS2+0.001 wt% Pt glasses processed at ESL were 14 plus or minus 2 Celsius per minute and 130 plus or minus 5 Celsius per minute, respectively. The values of R(sub c), for the same LS2 and LS2 + 0.001 wt% Pt glasses processed in a container were 62 plus or minus 3 Celsius per minute and 162 plus or minus 5 Celsius per minute, respectively. The effective activation energy for crystallization, E, for this LS2 glass processed without a container at ESL, 392 plus or minus 15 kiloJoules per mole, was higher than that, 270 plus or minus 15 kiloJoules per mole, for an identical glass processed in a container. These results suggest that the glass formation tendency for a containerless LS2 melt is significantly increased compared to an identical melt in contact with a container. The absence of heterogeneous nucleation sites that are inherently present in all melts held in containers, and or a change in the surface composition due to evaporation of Li2O during processing at ESL are likely reasons for the increased glass forming tendency of this containerless LS2 melt.

Improved acoustic levitation apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berge, L. H.; Johnson, J. L.; Oran, W. A.; Reiss, D. A.

1980-01-01

Concave driver and reflector enhance and shape levitation forces in acoustic resonance system. Single-mode standing-wave pattern is focused by ring element situated between driver and reflector. Concave surfaces increase levitating forces up to factor of 6 as opposed to conventional flat surfaces, making it possible to suspend heavier objects.

Off-Resonance Acoustic Levitation Without Rotation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Allen, J. L.

1984-01-01

Orthogonal acoustic-levitation modes excited at slightly different frequencies to control rotation. Rotation of object in square cross-section acoustic-levitation chamber stopped by detuning two orthogonal (x and y) excitation drivers in plane of square cross section. Detuning done using fundamental degenerate modes or odd harmonic modes.

Spin-stabilized magnetic levitation without vertical axis of rotation

DOEpatents

Romero, Louis [Albuquerque, NM; Christenson, Todd [Albuquerque, NM; Aaronson, Gene [Albuquerque, NM

2009-06-09

The symmetry properties of a magnetic levitation arrangement are exploited to produce spin-stabilized magnetic levitation without aligning the rotational axis of the rotor with the direction of the force of gravity. The rotation of the rotor stabilizes perturbations directed parallel to the rotational axis.

Short-range order of undercooled melts of PdZr2 intermetallic compound studied by X-ray and neutron scattering experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klein, S.; Holland-Moritz, D.; Herlach, D. M.; Mauro, N. A.; Kelton, K. F.

2013-05-01

The short-range order in undercooled melts of the intermetallic Zr2Pd glass-forming alloy is investigated by combining electrostatic levitation (ESL) with high-energy X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction. Experimentally determined structure factors are measured and analyzed with respect to various structures of short-range order. The comparative X-ray and neutron scattering experiments allow for investigations of topological and chemical short-range order. Based on these studies, no preference of a specific short-range order is found for the liquid Zr2Pd glass-forming alloy, even in the metastable state of the deeply undercooled melt. This is in agreement with an earlier report from X-ray diffraction and molecular-dynamics studies of a Zr75.5Pd24.5 liquid, which showed a broad distribution of cluster types. The results for the Zr2Pd liquid are discussed with respect to the glass-forming ability of this melt.

Cosmic dust synthesis by accretion and coagulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Praburam, G.; Goree, J.

1995-01-01

The morphology of grains grown by accretion and coagulation is revaled by a new laboratory method of synthesizing cosmic dust analogs. Submicron carbon particles, grown by accretion of carbon atoms from a gas, have a spherical shape with a cauliflower-like surface and an internal micro-structure of radial columns. This shape is probably common for grains grown by accretion at a temperature well below the melting point. Coagulated grains, consisting of spheres that collided to form irregular strings, were also synthesized. Another shape we produced had a bumpy non- spherical morphology, like an interplanetary particle collected in the terrestrial stratosphere. Besides these isolated grains, large spongy aggregates of nanometer-size particles were also found for various experimental conditions. Grains were synthesized using ions to sputter a solid target, producing an atomic vapor at a low temperature. The ions were provided by a plasma, which also provided electrostatic levitation of the grains during their growth. The temporal development of grain growth was studied by extinguishing the plasma after various intervals.

Analytical, Numerical, and Experimental Investigation on a Non-Contact Method for the Measurements of Creep Properties of Ultra-High-Temperature Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Jonghyun; Hyers, Robert W.; Rogers, Jan R.; Rathz, Thomas J.; Choo, Hahn; Liaw, Peter

2006-01-01

Responsive access to space requires re-use of components such as rocket nozzles that operate at extremely high temperatures. For such applications, new ultra-hightemperature materials that can operate over 2,000 C are required. At the temperatures higher than the fifty percent of the melting temperature, the characterization of creep properties is indispensable. Since conventional methods for the measurement of creep is limited below 1,700 C, a new technique that can be applied at higher temperatures is strongly demanded. This research develops a non-contact method for the measurement of creep at the temperatures over 2,300 C. Using the electrostatic levitator in NASA MSFC, a spherical sample was rotated to cause creep deformation by centrifugal acceleration. The deforming sample was captured with a digital camera and analyzed to measure creep deformation. Numerical and analytical analyses have also been conducted to compare the experimental results. Analytical, numerical, and experimental results showed a good agreement with one another.

Non-Contact Measurements of Creep Properties of Refractory Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Jonghyun; Bradshaw, Richard C.; Hyers, Robert W.; Rogers, Jan R.; Rathz, Thomas J.; Wall, James J.; Choo, Hahn; Liaw, Peter

2006-01-01

State-of-the-art technologies for hypersonic aircraft, nuclear electric/thermal propulsion for spacecraft, and more efficient jet engines are driving ever more demanding needs for high-temperature (>2000 C) materials. At such high temperatures, creep rises as one of the most important design factors to be considered. Since conventional measurement techniques for creep resistance are limited to about 17OO0C, a new technique is in demand for higher temperatures. This paper presents a non-contact method using electrostatic levitation (ESL) which is applicable to both metallic and non-metallic materials. The samples were rotated quickly enough to cause creep deformation by centrifugal acceleration. The deformation of the samples was captured with a high speed camera and then the images were analyzed to estimate creep resistance. Finite element analyses were performed and compared to the experiments to verify the new method. Results are presented for niobium and tungsten, representative refractory materials at 2300 C and 2700 C respectively.

Iodine Plasma Species Measurements in a Hall Effect Thruster Plume

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

with an ExB probe , an electrostatic analyzer (ESA), and a combined ESA/ExB probe . The distribution of xenon ions was also measured. Multiply charge...of iodine ions was measured with an ExB probe , an electrostatic analyzer (ESA), and a combined ESA/ExB probe . • Results: – Multiply charged species...Test Hardware – Vacuum test facility (6’ diameter) – Faraday probe (MIT) – ESA, ExB, ESA/ExB Probes (Plasma Controls) – Rotary probe arm (about

Electromagnetic Levitation of a Disc

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Valle, R.; Neves, F.; de Andrade, R., Jr.; Stephan, R. M.

2012-01-01

This paper presents a teaching experiment that explores the levitation of a disc of ferromagnetic material in the presence of the magnetic field produced by a single electromagnet. In comparison to the classical experiment of the levitation of a sphere, the main advantage of the proposed laboratory bench is that the uniform magnetic field…

A Simple, Inexpensive Acoustic Levitation Apparatus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schappe, R. Scott; Barbosa, Cinthya

2017-01-01

Acoustic levitation uses a resonant ultrasonic standing wave to suspend small objects; it is used in a variety of research disciplines, particularly in the study of phase transitions and materials susceptible to contamination, or as a stabilization mechanism in microgravity environments. The levitation equipment used for such research is quite…

Vibrating-chamber levitation systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Granett, D.; Lee, M. C. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

Systems are described for the acoustic levitation of objects, which enable the use of a sealed rigid chamber to avoid contamination of the levitated object. The apparatus includes a housing forming a substantially closed chamber, and means for vibrating the entire housing at a frequency that produces an acoustic standing wave pattern within the chamber.

Apparatus and method for magnetically unloading a rotor bearing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sanders, Seth Robert

An apparatus and method for unloading a rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes an electromagnet for levitating the rotor. In one embodiment, a sensor of the magnetic field near the electromagnet is used to control the current to levitate the rotor. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes rotating the rotor, increasing the current to levitate the rotor and decrease the gap between electromagnet and rotor, and then reducing the current to levitate the rotor with a minimal amount of electric power to the electromagnet.

Magnetic levitation configuration incorporating levitation, guidance and linear synchronous motor

DOEpatents

Coffey, H.T.

1993-10-19

A propulsion and suspension system for an inductive repulsion type magnetically levitated vehicle which is propelled and suspended by a system which includes propulsion windings which form a linear synchronous motor and conductive guideways, adjacent to the propulsion windings, where both combine to partially encircling the vehicle-borne superconducting magnets. A three phase power source is used with the linear synchronous motor to produce a traveling magnetic wave which in conjunction with the magnets propel the vehicle. The conductive guideway combines with the superconducting magnets to provide for vehicle levitation. 3 figures.

Chemical analysis of acoustically levitated drops by Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

Tuckermann, Rudolf; Puskar, Ljiljana; Zavabeti, Mahta; Sekine, Ryo; McNaughton, Don

2009-07-01

An experimental apparatus combining Raman spectroscopy with acoustic levitation, Raman acoustic levitation spectroscopy (RALS), is investigated in the field of physical and chemical analytics. Whereas acoustic levitation enables the contactless handling of microsized samples, Raman spectroscopy offers the advantage of a noninvasive method without complex sample preparation. After carrying out some systematic tests to probe the sensitivity of the technique to drop size, shape, and position, RALS has been successfully applied in monitoring sample dilution and preconcentration, evaporation, crystallization, an acid-base reaction, and analytes in a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy colloidal suspension.

Parametric resonance in acoustically levitated water drops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, C. L.; Xie, W. J.; Wei, B.

2010-05-01

Liquid drops can be suspended in air with acoustic levitation method. When the sound pressure is periodically modulated, the levitated drop is usually forced into an axisymmetric oscillation. However, a transition from axisymmetric oscillation into sectorial oscillation occurs when the modulation frequency approaches some specific values. The frequency of the sectorial oscillation is almost exactly half of the modulation frequency. It is demonstrated that this transition is induced by the parametric resonance of levitated drop. The natural frequency of sectorial oscillation is found to decrease with the increase of drop distortion extent.

Acoustic Levitator Power Device: Study of Ethylene-Glycol Water Mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caccamo, M. T.; Cannuli, A.; Calabrò, E.; Magazù, S.

2017-05-01

Acoustic levitator power device is formed by two vertically and opposed high output acoustic transducers working at 22 kHz frequency and produces sound pressure levels of 160 dB. The acoustic waves are monitored from an oscilloscope using a signal amplifier. The ability to perform contactless measurements, avoidance of undesired contamination from the container, are some of advantages of this apparatus. Acoustic levitation can be also used for sample preparation of high concentrated mixtures starting from solutions. In the present paper, an acoustic levitator power device is employed to collect data on levitated water mixtures of Ethylene Glycol (EG) which are then analysed by Infra-Red spectroscopy. The study allows to follow the drying process versus time and to obtain a gel-like compound characterized by an extended chemical crosslinking.

Interaction of acoustic levitation field with liquid reflecting surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Z. Y.; Xie, W. J.; Wei, B.

2010-01-01

Single-axis acoustic levitation of substances, such as foam, water, polymer, and aluminum, is achieved by employing various liquids as the sound reflectors. The interaction of acoustic levitation field with liquid reflecting surface is investigated theoretically by considering the deformation of the liquid surface under acoustic radiation pressure. Numerical calculations indicate that the deformation degree of the reflecting surface shows a direct proportion to the acoustic radiation power. Appropriate deformation is beneficial whereas excessive deformation is unfavorable to enhance the levitation capability. Typically, the levitation capability with water reflector is smaller than that with the concave rigid reflector but slightly larger than that with the planar rigid reflector at low emitter vibration intensity. Liquid reflectors with larger surface tension and higher density behave more closely to the planar rigid reflector.

Real Time Monitoring of Containerless Microreactions in Acoustically Levitated Droplets via Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Crawford, Elizabeth A; Esen, Cemal; Volmer, Dietrich A

2016-09-06

Direct in-droplet (in stillo) microreaction monitoring using acoustically levitated micro droplets has been achieved by combining acoustic (ultrasonic) levitation for the first time with real time ambient tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The acoustic levitation and inherent mixing of microliter volumes of reactants (3 μL droplets), yielding total reaction volumes of 6 μL, supported monitoring the acid-catalyzed degradation reaction of erythromycin A. This reaction was chosen to demonstrate the proof-of-principle of directly monitoring in stillo microreactions via hyphenated acoustic levitation and ambient ionization mass spectrometry. The microreactions took place completely in stillo over 30, 60, and 120 s within the containerless stable central pressure node of an acoustic levitator, thus readily promoting reaction miniaturization. For the evaluation of the miniaturized in stillo reactions, the degradation reactions were also carried out in vials (in vitro) with a total reaction volume of 400 μL. The reacted in vitro mixtures (6 μL total) were similarly introduced into the acoustic levitator prior to ambient ionization MS/MS analysis. The in stillo miniaturized reactions provided immediate real-time snap-shots of the degradation process for more accurate reaction monitoring and used a fraction of the reactants, while the larger scale in vitro reactions only yielded general reaction information.

Matrix method for acoustic levitation simulation.

PubMed

Andrade, Marco A B; Perez, Nicolas; Buiochi, Flavio; Adamowski, Julio C

2011-08-01

A matrix method is presented for simulating acoustic levitators. A typical acoustic levitator consists of an ultrasonic transducer and a reflector. The matrix method is used to determine the potential for acoustic radiation force that acts on a small sphere in the standing wave field produced by the levitator. The method is based on the Rayleigh integral and it takes into account the multiple reflections that occur between the transducer and the reflector. The potential for acoustic radiation force obtained by the matrix method is validated by comparing the matrix method results with those obtained by the finite element method when using an axisymmetric model of a single-axis acoustic levitator. After validation, the method is applied in the simulation of a noncontact manipulation system consisting of two 37.9-kHz Langevin-type transducers and a plane reflector. The manipulation system allows control of the horizontal position of a small levitated sphere from -6 mm to 6 mm, which is done by changing the phase difference between the two transducers. The horizontal position of the sphere predicted by the matrix method agrees with the horizontal positions measured experimentally with a charge-coupled device camera. The main advantage of the matrix method is that it allows simulation of non-symmetric acoustic levitators without requiring much computational effort.

Experimental technique for studying high-temperature phases in reactive molten metal based systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ermoline, A.; Schoenitz, M.; Hoffmann, V. K.; Dreizin, E. L.

2004-12-01

Containerless, microgravity experiments for studying equilibria in molten metal-gas systems have been designed and conducted onboard of a NASA KC-135 aircraft flying parabolic trajectories. An experimental apparatus enabling one to acoustically levitate, laser heat, and splat quench 1-3 mm metal and ceramic samples has been developed and equipped with computer-based controller and optical diagnostics. Normal-gravity testing determined the levitator operation parameters providing stable and adjustable sample positioning. A methodology for optimizing the levitator performance using direct observation of levitated samples was developed and found to be more useful than traditional pressure mapping of the acoustic field. In microgravity experiments, spherical specimens prepared of pressed, premixed powders of ZrO2, ZrN, and Zr, were acoustically levitated inside an argon-filled chamber at one atmosphere and heated by a CO2 laser up to 2800 K. Using a uniaxial acoustic levitator in microgravity, the location of the laser-heated samples could be maintained for about 1 s, so that local sample melting was achieved. Oscillations of the levitating samples in horizontal direction became pronounced in microgravity. These oscillations increased during the sample heating and eventually resulted in moving the sample out of the stable position and away from the laser beam.

Droplet Vaporization In A Levitating Acoustic Field

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruff, G. A.; Liu, S.; Ciobanescu, I.

2003-01-01

Combustion experiments using arrays of droplets seek to provide a link between single droplet combustion phenomena and the behavior of complex spray combustion systems. Both single droplet and droplet array studies have been conducted in microgravity to better isolate the droplet interaction phenomena and eliminate or reduce the effects of buoyancy-induced convection. In most experiments involving droplet arrays, the droplets are supported on fibers to keep them stationary and close together before the combustion event. The presence of the fiber, however, disturbs the combustion process by introducing a source of heat transfer and asymmetry into the configuration. As the number of drops in a droplet array increases, supporting the drops on fibers becomes less practical because of the cumulative effect of the fibers on the combustion process. To eliminate the effect of the fiber, several researchers have conducted microgravity experiments using unsupported droplets. Jackson and Avedisian investigated single, unsupported drops while Nomura et al. studied droplet clouds formed by a condensation technique. The overall objective of this research is to extend the study of unsupported drops by investigating the combustion of well-characterized drop clusters in a microgravity environment. Direct experimental observations and measurements of the combustion of droplet clusters would provide unique experimental data for the verification and improvement of spray combustion models. In this work, the formation of drop clusters is precisely controlled using an acoustic levitation system so that dilute, as well as dense clusters can be created and stabilized before combustion in microgravity is begun. While the low-gravity test facility is being completed, tests have been conducted in 1-g to characterize the effect of the acoustic field on the vaporization of single and multiple droplets. This is important because in the combustion experiment, the droplets will be formed and levitated prior to ignition. Therefore, the droplets will begin to vaporize in the acoustic field thus forming the "initial conditions" for the combustion process. Understanding droplet vaporization in the acoustic field of this levitator is a necessary step that will help to interpret the experimental results obtained in low-gravity.

The Levitation Characteristics of MGB2 Plates on Tracks of Permanent Magnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perini, E.; Bassani, E.; Giunchi, G.

2010-04-01

The bulk MgB2 can be manufactured in large plates by an innovative process: the reactive liquid Mg infiltration (Mg-RLI). According to this process it is possible to produce, even at lab scale, plates of 10÷20 cm in lateral dimensions. The superconducting material resulting is very dense and, even if it is in polycrystalline form, it levitates with respect to Permanent Magnets (PM), like the textured YBCO samples, up to 35 K. In order to control the levitation forces and stiffnesses of an MgB2 plate (10×10×1 cm3) moving with respect to a track of PM's (NdFeB bars arranged in 4 lines according to an Halbach disposition and separated by Iron flux concentrators), we have used an instrumented Cryogenic Levitation Apparatus (CLA). We have studied different kind of movements of the PM's track with respect to the MgB2 plate. First, we consider the vertical movement, assumed z direction, which describes the properly levitation characteristics. Secondly, we consider two kinds of lateral movements of the track, assumed x direction, with the long size of the magnets either perpendicular or parallel to the movement direction. The resulting configurations simulate the main movements that a superconducting levitating vehicle will do in a real track, either of axial or of guidance type. The levitation axial forces, measured in Field Cooling or Zero Field Cooling conditions, indicate that at the distance between superconducting plate and PM's of 4 mm it is possible to have an overall levitating pressure of 7 N/cm2.

Magnetic Field Is the Dominant Factor to Induce the Response of Streptomyces avermitilis in Altered Gravity Simulated by Diamagnetic Levitation

PubMed Central

Shang, Peng; Zhou, Xianlong; Ashforth, Elizabeth; Zhuo, Ying; Chen, Difei; Ren, Biao; Liu, Zhiheng; Zhang, Lixin

2011-01-01

Background Diamagnetic levitation is a technique that uses a strong, spatially varying magnetic field to simulate an altered gravity environment, as in space. In this study, using Streptomyces avermitilis as the test organism, we investigate whether changes in magnetic field and altered gravity induce changes in morphology and secondary metabolism. We find that a strong magnetic field (12T) inhibit the morphological development of S. avermitilis in solid culture, and increase the production of secondary metabolites. Methodology/Principal Findings S. avermitilis on solid medium was levitated at 0 g*, 1 g* and 2 g* in an altered gravity environment simulated by diamagnetic levitation and under a strong magnetic field, denoted by the asterix. The morphology was obtained by electromicroscopy. The production of the secondary metabolite, avermectin, was determined by OD245 nm. The results showed that diamagnetic levitation could induce a physiological response in S. avermitilis. The difference between 1 g* and the control group grown without the strong magnetic field (1 g), showed that the magnetic field was a more dominant factor influencing changes in morphology and secondary metabolite production, than altered gravity. Conclusion/Significance We have discovered that magnetic field, rather than altered gravity, is the dominant factor in altered gravity simulated by diamagnetic levitation, therefore care should to be taken in the interpretation of results when using diamagnetic levitation as a technique to simulate altered gravity. Hence, these results are significant, and timely to researchers considering the use of diamagnetic levitation to explore effects of weightlessness on living organisms and on physical phenomena. PMID:22039402

A Double-Decker Levitation Experiment Using a Sandwich of Superconductors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacob, Anthony T.; And Others

1988-01-01

Shows that the mutual repulsion that enables a superconductor to levitate a magnet and a magnet to levitate a superconductor can be combined into a single demonstration. Uses an overhead projector, two pellets of "1-2-3" superconductor, Nd-Fe-B magnets, liquid nitrogen, and paraffin. Offers superconductor preparation, hazards, and disposal…

Hybrid Contactless Heating and Levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, M. C.

1985-01-01

Acoustic and electromagnetic fields applied. In contactless processing apparatus, acoustic and electromagnetic levitating fields employed alternately or simultaneously with amplitude of each controlled to produce various combinations of heating, cooling, and levitation. Apparatus provides rapid heating and cooling or slow heating and cooling for such processes as nucleation, crystallization, incubation, deep undercooling, and heterogeneity control.

A Hands-On Approach to Maglev for Gifted Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Budd, Raymond T.

2003-01-01

This article discusses how Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) can be taught to gifted students in grades 4-9 using hands-on activities that align to the National Science Standards. Principles of magnetic levitation, advantages of magnetic levitation, construction of a Maglev project, testing and evaluation of vehicles, and presentation of the unit are…

Techniques to control and position laser targets. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jones, T.B.

1978-06-01

The purpose of the work was to investigate the potential role of various electrohydrodynamic phenomena in the fabrication of small spherical particles and shells for laser target applications. A number of topics were considered. These included charged droplet levitation, specifically the combined effects of the Rayleigh limit and droplet elongation in the presence of electric fields. Two new levitation schemes for uncharged dielectric particles were studied. A dynamic dielectrophoretic levitation scheme was proposed and unsuccessful attempts were made to observe levitation with it. Another static dielectrophoretic levitation scheme was studied and used extensively. A theory was developed for this typemore » of levitation, and a dielectric constant measurement scheme proposed. A charged droplet generator for the production of single droplets (< 1 mm dia of insulating liquids was developed. The synchronous DEP pumping of bubbles and spheres has been considered. Finally, some preliminary experiments with SiH/sub 4//O/sub 2/ bubbles in Viscasil silicone fluid were conducted to learn about the possibility of using silane to form SiO/sub 2/ microballons from bubbles.« less

Nonlinear vibration of a coupled high- Tc superconducting levitation system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugiura, T.; Inoue, T.; Ura, H.

2004-10-01

High- Tc superconducting levitation can be applied to electro-mechanical systems, such as flywheel energy storage and linear-drive transportation. Such a system can be modeled as a magnetically coupled system of many permanent magnets and high- Tc superconducting bulks. It is a multi-degree-of-freedom dynamical system coupled by nonlinear interaction between levitated magnets and superconducting bulks. This nonlinearly coupled system, with small damping due to no contact support, can easily show complicated phenomena of nonlinear dynamics. In mechanical design, it is important to evaluate this nonlinear dynamics, though it has not been well studied so far. This research deals with forced vibration of a coupled superconducting levitation system. As a simple modeling of a coupled system, a permanent magnet levitated above a superconducting bulk is placed between two fixed permanent magnets without contact. Frequency response of the levitated magnet under excitation of one of the fixed magnets was examined theoretically. The results show typical nonlinear vibration, such as jump, hysteresis, and parametric resonance, which were confirmed in our numerical analyses and experiments.

Controlling charge on levitating drops.

PubMed

Hilger, Ryan T; Westphall, Michael S; Smith, Lloyd M

2007-08-01

Levitation technologies are used in containerless processing of materials, as microscale manipulators and reactors, and in the study of single drops and particles. Presented here is a method for controlling the amount and polarity of charge on a levitating drop. The method uses single-axis acoustic levitation to trap and levitate a single, initially neutral drop with a diameter between 400 microm and 2 mm. This drop is then charged in a controllable manner using discrete packets of charge in the form of charged drops produced by a piezoelectric drop-on-demand dispenser equipped with a charging electrode. The magnitude of the charge on the dispensed drops can be adjusted by varying the voltage applied to the charging electrode. The polarity of the charge on the added drops can be changed allowing removal of charge from the trapped drop (by neutralization) and polarity reversal. The maximum amount of added charge is limited by repulsion of like charges between the drops in the trap. This charging scheme can aid in micromanipulation and the study of charged drops and particles using levitation.

Microlayered flow structure around an acoustically levitated droplet under a phase-change process.

PubMed

Hasegawa, Koji; Abe, Yutaka; Goda, Atsushi

2016-01-01

The acoustic levitation method (ALM) has found extensive applications in the fields of materials science, analytical chemistry, and biomedicine. This paper describes an experimental investigation of a levitated droplet in a 19.4-kHz single-axis acoustic levitator. We used water, ethanol, water/ethanol mixture, and hexane as test samples to investigate the effect of saturated vapor pressure on the flow field and evaporation process using a high-speed camera. In the case of ethanol, water/ethanol mixtures with initial ethanol fractions of 50 and 70 wt%, and hexane droplets, microlayered toroidal vortexes are generated in the vicinity of the droplet interface. Experimental results indicate the presence of two stages in the evaporation process of ethanol and binary mixture droplets for ethanol content >10%. The internal and external flow fields of the acoustically levitated droplet of pure and binary mixtures are clearly observed. The binary mixture of the levitated droplet shows the interaction between the configurations of the internal and external flow fields of the droplet and the concentration of the volatile fluid. Our findings can contribute to the further development of existing theoretical prediction.

Eutectic growth under acoustic levitation conditions.

PubMed

Xie, W J; Cao, C D; Lü, Y J; Wei, B

2002-12-01

Samples of Pb-Sn eutectic alloy with a high density of 8.5 x 10(3) kg/m(3) are levitated with a single-axis acoustic levitator, and containerlessly melted and then solidified in argon atmosphere. High undercoolings up to 38 K are obtained, which results in a microstructural transition of "lamellas-broken lamellas-dendrites." This transition is further investigated in the light of the coupled zone for eutectic growth and the effects of ultrasound. The breaking of regular eutectic lamellas and suppression of gravity-induced macrosegregation of (Pb) and (Sn) dendrites are explained by the complicated internal flow inside the levitated drop, which is jointly induced by the shape oscillation, bulk vibration and rotation of the levitated drop. The ultrasonic field is also found to drive forced surface vibration, which subsequently excites capillary ripples and catalyzes nucleation on the sample surface.

Acoustic levitation in the presence of gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collas, P.; Barmatz, M.; Shipley, C.

1989-01-01

The method of Gor'kov (1961) has been applied to derive general expressions for the total potential and force on a small spherical object in a resonant chamber in the presence of both acoustic and gravitational force fields. The levitation position is also determined in rectangular resonators for the simultaneous excitation of up to three acoustic modes, and the results are applied to the triple-axis acoustic levitator. The analysis is applied to rectangular, spherical, and cylindrical single-mode levitators that are arbitrarily oriented relative to the gravitational force field. Criteria are determined for isotropic force fields in rectangular and cylindrical resonators. It is demonstrated that an object will be situated within a volume of possible levitation positions at a point determined by the relative strength of the acoustic and gravitational fields and the orientation of the chamber relative to gravity.

Near-field levitated quantum optomechanics with nanodiamonds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juan, M. L.; Molina-Terriza, G.; Volz, T.; Romero-Isart, O.

2016-08-01

We theoretically show that the dipole force of an ensemble of quantum emitters embedded in a dielectric nanosphere can be exploited to achieve near-field optical levitation. The key ingredient is that the polarizability from the ensemble of embedded quantum emitters can be larger than the bulk polarizability of the sphere, thereby enabling the use of repulsive optical potentials and consequently the levitation using optical near fields. In levitated cavity quantum optomechanics, this could be used to boost the single-photon coupling by combining larger polarizability to mass ratio, larger field gradients, and smaller cavity volumes while remaining in the resolved sideband regime and at room temperature. A case study is done with a nanodiamond containing a high density of silicon-vacancy color centers that is optically levitated in the evanescent field of a tapered nanofiber and coupled to a high-finesse microsphere cavity.

Eutectic growth under acoustic levitation conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, W. J.; Cao, C. D.; Lü, Y. J.; Wei, B.

2002-12-01

Samples of Pb-Sn eutectic alloy with a high density of 8.5×103 kg/m3 are levitated with a single-axis acoustic levitator, and containerlessly melted and then solidified in argon atmosphere. High undercoolings up to 38 K are obtained, which results in a microstructural transition of ``lamellas-broken lamellas-dendrites.'' This transition is further investigated in the light of the coupled zone for eutectic growth and the effects of ultrasound. The breaking of regular eutectic lamellas and suppression of gravity-induced macrosegregation of (Pb) and (Sn) dendrites are explained by the complicated internal flow inside the levitated drop, which is jointly induced by the shape oscillation, bulk vibration and rotation of the levitated drop. The ultrasonic field is also found to drive forced surface vibration, which subsequently excites capillary ripples and catalyzes nucleation on the sample surface.

Electrostatically Accelerated Coupled Binding and Folding of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

PubMed Central

Ganguly, Debabani; Otieno, Steve; Waddell, Brett; Iconaru, Luigi; Kriwacki, Richard W.; Chen, Jianhan

2012-01-01

Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are now recognized to be prevalent in biology, and many potential functional benefits have been discussed. However, the frequent requirement of peptide folding in specific interactions of IDPs could impose a kinetic bottleneck, which could be overcome only by efficient folding upon encounter. Intriguingly, existing kinetic data suggest that specific binding of IDPs is generally no slower than that of globular proteins. Here, we exploited the cell cycle regulator p27Kip1 (p27) as a model system to understand how IDPs might achieve efficient folding upon encounter for facile recognition. Combining experiments and coarse-grained modeling, we demonstrate that long-range electrostatic interactions between enriched charges on p27 and near its binding site on cyclin A not only enhance the encounter rate (i.e., electrostatic steering), but also promote folding-competent topologies in the encounter complexes, allowing rapid subsequent formation of short-range native interactions en route to the specific complex. In contrast, nonspecific hydrophobic interactions, while hardly affecting the encounter rate, can significantly reduce the efficiency of folding upon encounter and lead to slower binding kinetics. Further analysis of charge distributions in a set of known IDP complexes reveals that, although IDP binding sites tend to be more hydrophobic compared to the rest of the target surface, their vicinities are frequently enriched with charges to complement those on IDPs. This observation suggests that electrostatically accelerated encounter and induced folding might represent a prevalent mechanism for promoting facile IDP recognition. PMID:22721951

Analysis of Instantaneous Attractive-Normal Force and Vertical Vibration Control of Combined-Levitation-and-Propulsion SLIM Vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Takashi

Combined-levitation-and-propulsion single-sided linear induction motor (SLIM) vehicle can be levitated without any additional levitation system. When the vehicle runs, the attractive-normal force varies depending on the phase of primary current because of the short primary end effect. The ripple of the attractive-normal force causes the vertical vibration of the vehicle. In this paper, instantaneous attractive-normal force is analyzed by using space harmonic analysis method. And based on the analysis, vertical vibration control is proposed. The validity of the proposed control method is verified by numerical simulation.

Magnetic levitating polymeric nano/microparticular substrates for three-dimensional tumor cell culture.

PubMed

Lee, Woong Ryeol; Oh, Kyung Taek; Park, So Young; Yoo, Na Young; Ahn, Yong Sik; Lee, Don Haeng; Youn, Yu Seok; Lee, Deok-Keun; Cha, Kyung-Hoi; Lee, Eun Seong

2011-07-01

Herein, we describe magnetic cell levitation models using conventional polymeric microparticles or nanoparticles as a substrate for the three-dimensional tumor cell culture. When the magnetic force originating from the ring-shaped magnets overcame the gravitational force, the magnetic field-levitated KB tumor cells adhered to the surface area of magnetic iron oxide (Fe(3)O(4))-encapsulated nano/microparticles and concentrated clusters of levitated cells, ultimately developing tumor cells to tumor spheroids. These simple cell culture models may prove useful for the screening of anticancer drugs and their formulations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Note: Attenuation motion of acoustically levitated spherical rotor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lü, P.; Hong, Z. Y.; Yin, J. F.; Yan, N.; Zhai, W.; Wang, H. P.

2016-11-01

Here we observe the attenuation motion of spherical rotors levitated by near-field acoustic radiation force and analyze the factors that affect the duration time of free rotation. It is found that the rotating speed of freely rotating rotor decreases exponentially with respect to time. The time constant of exponential attenuation motion depends mainly on the levitation height, the mass of rotor, and the depth of concave ultrasound emitter. Large levitation height, large mass of rotor, and small depth of concave emitter are beneficial to increase the time constant and hence extend the duration time of free rotation.

Note: Attenuation motion of acoustically levitated spherical rotor.

PubMed

Lü, P; Hong, Z Y; Yin, J F; Yan, N; Zhai, W; Wang, H P

2016-11-01

Here we observe the attenuation motion of spherical rotors levitated by near-field acoustic radiation force and analyze the factors that affect the duration time of free rotation. It is found that the rotating speed of freely rotating rotor decreases exponentially with respect to time. The time constant of exponential attenuation motion depends mainly on the levitation height, the mass of rotor, and the depth of concave ultrasound emitter. Large levitation height, large mass of rotor, and small depth of concave emitter are beneficial to increase the time constant and hence extend the duration time of free rotation.

Optical levitation of a mirror for reaching the standard quantum limit.

PubMed

Michimura, Yuta; Kuwahara, Yuya; Ushiba, Takafumi; Matsumoto, Nobuyuki; Ando, Masaki

2017-06-12

We propose a new method to optically levitate a macroscopic mirror with two vertical Fabry-Pérot cavities linearly aligned. This configuration gives the simplest possible optical levitation in which the number of laser beams used is the minimum of two. We demonstrate that reaching the standard quantum limit (SQL) of a displacement measurement with our system is feasible with current technology. The cavity geometry and the levitated mirror parameters are designed to ensure that the Brownian vibration of the mirror surface is smaller than the SQL. Our scheme provides a promising tool for testing macroscopic quantum mechanics.

Optical levitation of a mirror for reaching the standard quantum limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michimura, Yuta; Kuwahara, Yuya; Ushiba, Takafumi; Matsumoto, Nobuyuki; Ando, Masaki

2017-06-01

We propose a new method to optically levitate a macroscopic mirror with two vertical Fabry-P{\\'e}rot cavities linearly aligned. This configuration gives the simplest possible optical levitation in which the number of laser beams used is the minimum of two. We demonstrate that reaching the standard quantum limit (SQL) of a displacement measurement with our system is feasible with current technology. The cavity geometry and the levitated mirror parameters are designed to ensure that the Brownian vibration of the mirror surface is smaller than the SQL. Our scheme provides a promising tool for testing macroscopic quantum mechanics.

StarTram: An Ultra Low Cost Launch System to Enable Large Scale Exploration of the Solar System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Powell, James; Maise, George; Paniagua, John

2006-01-01

StarTram is a new approach for low launch to space using Maglev technology. Spacecraft are magnetically levitated and accelerated without propellants to orbital speeds in an evacuated tunnel at ground level using only electrical energy. The cost of the electric energy for acceleration to 8 kilometers per second is only 60 cents per kilogram of payload. After reaching orbital speed, the StarTram spacecraft coast upwards inside an evacuated levitated launch tube to an altitude, of 10 kilometers or more, where they enter the low-pressure ambient atmosphere. The launch tube is magnetically levitated by the repulsive force between a set of high current superconducting cables on it and oppositely directed currents in a set of superconducting cables on the ground beneath. High strength Kevlar tethers anchor the launch tube against crosswinds and prevent it from moving laterally or vertically. A Magneto Hydro Dynamic (MHD) pump at the exit of the evacuated launch tube prevents air from entering the tube. Two StarTram systems are described, a high G (30G) system for cargo only launch and a moderate G (2.5 G) system for passenger/cargo spacecraft. StarTram's projected unit cost is $30 per kilogram of payload launched, including operating and amortization costs. A single StarTram facility could launch more than 100,000 tons of cargo per year and many thousands of passengers. StarTram would use existing superconductors and materials, together with Maglev technology similar to that now operating. The StarTram cargo launch system could be implemented by 2020 AD and the passenger system by 2030 AD.

Ultralow Friction in a Superconducting Magnetic Bearing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bornemann, Hans J.; Siegel, Michael; Zaitsev, Oleg; Bareiss, Martin; Laschuetza, Helmut

1996-01-01

Passive levitation by superconducting magnetic bearings can be utilized in flywheels for energy storage. Basic design criteria of such a bearing are high levitation force, sufficient vertical and horizontal stability and low friction. A test facility was built for the measurement and evaluation of friction in a superconducting magnetic bearing as a function of operating temperature and pressure in the vacuum vessel. The bearing consists of a commercial disk shaped magnet levitated above single grain, melt-textured YBCO high-temperature superconductor material. The superconductor was conduction cooled by an integrated AEG tactical cryocooler. The temperature could be varied from 50 K to 80 K. The pressure in the vacuum chamber was varied from 1 bar to 10(exp -5) mbar. At the lowest pressure setting, the drag torque shows a linear frequency dependence over the entire range investigated (0 less than f less than 40 Hz). Magnetic friction, the frequency independent contribution, is very low. The frequency dependent drag torque is generated by molecular friction from molecule-surface collisions and by eddy currents. Given the specific geometry of the set-up and gas pressure, the molecular drag torque can be estimated. At a speed of 40 Hz, the coefficient of friction (drag-to-lift ratio) was measured to be mu = 1.6 x 10(exp -7) at 10(exp -5) mbar and T = 60 K. This is equivalent to a drag torque of 7.6 x 10(exp -10) Nm. Magnetic friction causes approx. 1% of the total losses. Molecular friction accounts for about 13% of the frequency dependent drag torque, the remaining 87% being due to eddy currents and losses from rotor unbalance. The specific energy loss is only 0.3% per hour.

Scaffold-free, label-free and nozzle-free biofabrication technology using magnetic levitational assembly.

PubMed

Parfenov, Vladislav A; Koudan, Elizaveta V; Bulanova, Elena A; Karalkin, Pavel A; Pereira, Frederico DAS; Norkin, Nikita E; Knyazeva, Alisa D; Gryadunova, Anna A; Petrov, Oleg F; Vasiliev, M M; Myasnikov, Maxim; Chernikov, Valery P; Kasyanov, Vladimir A; Marchenkov, Artem Yu; Brakke, Kenneth A; Khesuani, Yusef D; Demirci, Utkan; Mironov, Vladimir A

2018-05-31

Tissue spheroids have been proposed as building blocks in 3D biofabrication. Conventional magnetic force-driven 2D patterning of tissue spheroids requires prior cell labeling by magnetic nanoparticles, meanwhile a label-free approach for 3D magnetic levitational assembly has been introduced. Here we present first-time report on rapid assembly of 3D tissue construct using scaffold-free, nozzle-free and label-free magnetic levitation of tissue spheroids. Chondrospheres of standard size, shape and capable to fusion have been biofabricated from primary sheep chondrocytes using non-adhesive technology. Label-free magnetic levitation was performed using a prototype device equipped with permanent magnets in presence of gadolinium (Gd3+) in culture media, which enables magnetic levitation. Mathematical modeling and computer simulations were used for prediction of magnetic field and kinetics of tissue spheroids assembly into 3D tissue constructs. First, we used polystyrene beads to simulate the assembly of tissue spheroids and to determine the optimal settings for magnetic levitation in presence of Gd3+. Second, we proved the ability of chondrospheres to assemble rapidly into 3D tissue construct in the permanent magnetic field in the presence of Gd3+. Thus, scaffold- and label-free magnetic levitation of tissue spheroids is a promising approach for rapid 3D biofabrication and attractive alternative to label-based magnetic force-driven tissue engineering. . © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Containerless Manufacture of Glass Optical Fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naumann, R. J.; Ethridge, E. C.

1985-01-01

Contamination and crystallization reduced in proposed process. Solid optical fiber drawn from an acoustically levitated lump of molten glass. New material added in solid form, melted and then moved into main body of molten glass. Single axis acoustic levitation furnances levitate glass melts at temperature up to about 700 degrees C. Processing in unit limited to low-melting temperature glasses.

Propulsion and stabilization system for magnetically levitated vehicles

DOEpatents

Coffey, Howard T.

1993-06-29

A propulsion and stabilization system for an inductive repulsion type magnetically levitated vehicle which is propelled and stabilized by a system which includes propulsion windings mounted above and parallel to vehicle-borne suspension magnets. A linear synchronous motor is part of the vehicle guideway and is mounted above and parallel to superconducting magnets attached to the magnetically levitated vehicle.

Passive levitation in alternating magnetic fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Romero, Louis; Christenson, Todd; Aronson, Eugene A.

2010-09-14

Stable levitation of an object in an alternating magnetic field can be achieved by eliminating coupling between the rotational and translational forces acting on the object. Stable levitation can also be achieved by varying the coupling between the rotational and translational forces acting on the object, while maintaining one or more of the rotational and translational forces steady in time.

Passive levitation in alternating magnetic fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Romero, Louis; Christenson, Todd; Aronson, Eugene A

2009-06-16

Stable levitation of an object in an alternating magnetic field can be achieved by eliminating coupling between the rotational and translational forces acting on the object. Stable levitation can also be achieved by varying the coupling between the rotational and translational forces acting on the object, while maintaining one or more of the rotational and translational forces steady in time.

Levitation and propulsion of a Mie-resonance particle by a surface plasmon.

PubMed

Maslov, A V

2017-09-01

It is predicted that the optical force induced by a surface plasmon can form a stable equilibrium position for a resonant particle at a finite distance from the surface. The levitated particle can be efficiently propelled along the surface without touching it. The levitation originates from the strong interaction of the particle with the surface.

Acoustical-Levitation Chamber for Metallurgy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, M. B.; Trinh, E.; Wang, T. G.; Elleman, D. D.; Jacobi, N.

1983-01-01

Sample moved to different positions for heating and quenching. Acoustical levitation chamber selectively excited in fundamental and second-harmonic longitudinal modes to hold sample at one of three stable postions: A, B, or C. Levitated object quickly moved from one of these positions to another by changing modes. Object rapidly quenched at A or C after heating in furnace region at B.

Measurement of Levitation Forces of High-"T[subscript c] Superconductors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Becker, M.; Koblischka, M. R.; Hartmann, U.

2010-01-01

We show the construction of a so-called levitation balance which is capable of measuring the levitation forces between a permanent magnet and a superconducting high-T[subscript c] thin film sample. The underlying theoretical basis is discussed in detail. The experiment is performed as an introductory physics experiment for school students as well…

Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling and Experimental Validation of Convection Inside Electromagnetically Levitated Co-Cu Droplets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jonghyun; Matson, Douglas M.; Binder, Sven; Kolbe, Matthias; Herlach, Dieter; Hyers, Robert W.

2014-06-01

A magnetohydrodynamic model of internal convection of a molten Co-Cu droplet processed by the ground-based electromagnetic levitation (EML) was developed. For the calculation of the electromagnetic field generated by the copper coils, the simplified Maxwell's equations were solved. The calculated Lorentz force per volume was used as a momentum source in the Navier-Stokes equations, which were solved by using a commercial computational fluid dynamics package. The RNG k- ɛ model was adopted for the prediction of turbulent flow. For the validation of the developed model, a Co16Cu84 sample was tested using the EML facility in the German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany. The sample was subjected to a full melt cycle, during which the surface of the sample was captured by a high-speed camera. With a sufficient undercooling, the liquid phase separation occurred and the Co-rich liquid phase particles could be observed as they were floating on the surface along streamlines. The convection velocity was estimated by the combination of the displacement of the Co-rich particles and the temporal resolution of the high-speed camera. Both the numerical and experimental results showed an excellent agreement in the convection velocity on the surface.

Automated space processing payloads study. Volume 2, book 1: Technical report. [instrument packages and space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

The extent was investigated to which experiment hardware and operational requirements can be met by automatic control and material handling devices; payload and system concepts that make extensive use of automation technology are defined. Hardware requirements for each experiment were established and tabulated, and investigations of applicable existing hardware were documented. The capabilities and characteristics of industrial automation equipment, controls, and techniques are presented in the form of a summary of applicable equipment characteristics in three basic mutually-supporting formats. Facilities for performing groups of experiments are defined along with four levitation groups and three furnace groups; major hardware elements required to implement them were identified. A conceptual design definition of ten different automated processing facilities is presented along with the specific equipment to implement each facility and the design layouts of the different units. Constraints and packaging, weight, and power requirements for six payloads postulated for shuttle missions in the 1979 to 1982 time period were examined.

Design, implementation and control of a magnetic levitation device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shameli, Ehsan

Magnetic levitation technology has shown a great deal of promise for micromanipulation tasks. Due to the lack of mechanical contact, magnetic levitation systems are free of problems caused by friction, wear, sealing and lubrication. These advantages have made magnetic levitation systems a great candidate for clean room applications. In this thesis, a new large gap magnetic levitation system is designed, developed and successfully tested. The system is capable of levitating a 6.5(gr) permanent magnet in 3D space with an air gap of approximately 50(cm) with the traveling range of 20x20x30 mm3. The overall positioning accuracy of the system is 60mum. With the aid of finite elements method, an optimal geometry for the magnetic stator is proposed. Also, an energy optimization approach is utilized in the design of the electromagnets. In order to facilitate the design of various controllers for the system, a mathematical model of the magnetic force experienced by the levitated object is obtained. The dynamic magnetic force model is determined experimentally using frequency response system identification. The response of the system components including the power amplifiers, and position measurement system are also considered in the development of the force model. The force model is then employed in the controller design for the magnetic levitation device. Through a modular approach, the controller design for the 3D positioning system is started with the controller design for the vertical direction, i.e. z, and then followed by the controller design in the horizontal directions, i.e. x and y. For the vertical direction, several controllers such as PID, feed forward and feedback linearization are designed and their performances are compared. Also a control command conditioning method is introduced as a solution to increase the control performance and the results of the proposed controller are compared with the other designs. Experimental results showed that for the magnetic levitation system, the feedback linearization controller has the shortest settling time and is capable of reducing the positioning error to RMS value of 11.56mum. The force model was also utilized in the design of a model reference adaptive feedback linearization (MRAFL) controller for the z direction. For this case, the levitated object is a small microrobot equipped with a remote controlled gripper weighting approximately 28(gr). Experimental results showed that the MRAFL controller enables the micro-robot to pick up and transport a payload as heavy as 30% of its own weight without a considerable effect on its positioning accuracy. In the presence of the payload, the MRAFL controller resulted in a RMS positioning error of 8microm compared with 27.9mum of the regular feedback linearization controller. For the horizontal position control of the system, a mathematical formula for distributing the electric currents to the multiple electromagnets of the system was proposed and a PID control approach was implemented to control the position of the levitated object in the xy-plane. The control system was experimentally tested in tracking circular and spiral trajectories with overall positioning accuracy of 60mum. Also, a new mathematical approach is presented for the prediction of magnetic field distribution in the horizontal direction. The proposed approach is named the pivot point method and is capable of predicting the two dimensional position of the levitated object in a given vertical plane for an arbitrary current distribution in the electromagnets of the levitation system. Experimental results showed that the proposed method is capable of predicting the location of the levitated object with less than 10% error.

Aspects of passive magnetic levitation based on high-T(sub c) superconducting YBCO thin films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schoenhuber, P.; Moon, F. C.

1995-01-01

Passive magnetic levitation systems reported in the past were mostly confined to bulk superconducting materials. Here we present fundamental studies on magnetic levitation employing cylindrical permanent magnets floating above high-T(sub c) superconducting YBCO thin films (thickness about 0.3 mu m). Experiments included free floating rotating magnets as well as well-established flexible beam methods. By means of the latter, we investigated levitation and drag force hysteresis as well as magnetic stiffness properties of the superconductor-magnet arrangement. In the case of vertical motion of the magnet, characteristic high symmetry of repulsive (approaching) and attractive (withdrawing) branches of the pronounced force-displacement hysteresis could be detected. Achievable force levels were low as expected but sufficient for levitation of permanent magnets. With regard to magnetic stiffness, thin films proved to show stiffness-force ratios about one order of magnitude higher than bulk materials. Phenomenological models support the measurements. Regarding the magnetic hysteresis of the superconductor, the Irie-Yamafuji model was used for solving the equation of force balance in cylindrical coordinates allowing for a macroscopic description of the superconductor magnetization. This procedure provided good agreement with experimental levitation force and stiffness data during vertical motion. For the case of (lateral) drag force basic qualitative characteristics could be recovered, too. It is shown that models, based on simple asymmetric magnetization of the superconductor, describe well asymptotic transition of drag forces after the change of the magnet motion direction. Virgin curves (starting from equilibrium, i.e. symmetric magnetization) are approximated by a linear approach already reported in literature only. This paper shows that basic properties of superconducting thin films allow for their application to magnetic levitation or - without need of levitation forces, e.g. microgravity - magnetic damping devices.

Levitation force of melt-textured YBCO superconductors under non-quasi-static situation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Z. M.; Xu, J. M.; Yuan, X. Y.; Zhang, C. P.

2018-06-01

The superconducting levitation force of a simple superconductor-magnet system under non-quasi-static situation is investigated experimentally. Two yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) samples with different performances are chosen from two small batches of samples prepared by the top-seeded melt-textured growth process. The residual carbon content of the precursor powders of the two batches is different due to different heat treatment processes. During the experimental process for measuring the levitation force, the value of the relative speed between the YBCO sample and the permanent magnet is higher than that in conventional studies. The variation characteristics of the superconducting levitation force are analyzed and a crossing phenomenon in the force-displacement hysteresis curves is observed. The results indicate that the superconducting levitation force is different due to the different residual carbon contents. As residual carbon contents reduce, the crossing phenomenon is more obvious accordingly.

Optical levitation and manipulation of stuck particles with pulsed optical tweezers.

PubMed

Ambardekar, Amol Ashok; Li, Yong-Qing

2005-07-15

We report on optical levitation and manipulation of microscopic particles that are stuck on a glass surface with pulsed optical tweezers. An infrared pulse laser at 1.06 microm was used to generate a large gradient force (up to 10(-9) N) within a short duration (approximately 45 micros) that overcomes the adhesive interaction between the particles and the glass surface. Then a low-power continuous-wave diode laser at 785 nm was used to capture and manipulate the levitated particle. We have demonstrated that both stuck dielectric and biological micrometer-sized particles, including polystyrene beads, yeast cells, and Bacillus cereus bacteria, can be levitated and manipulated with this technique. We measured the single-pulse levitation efficiency for 2.0 microm polystyrene beads as a function of the pulse energy and of the axial displacement from the stuck particle to the pulsed laser focus, which was as high as 88%.

Holographic acoustic elements for manipulation of levitated objects.

PubMed

Marzo, Asier; Seah, Sue Ann; Drinkwater, Bruce W; Sahoo, Deepak Ranjan; Long, Benjamin; Subramanian, Sriram

2015-10-27

Sound can levitate objects of different sizes and materials through air, water and tissue. This allows us to manipulate cells, liquids, compounds or living things without touching or contaminating them. However, acoustic levitation has required the targets to be enclosed with acoustic elements or had limited manoeuvrability. Here we optimize the phases used to drive an ultrasonic phased array and show that acoustic levitation can be employed to translate, rotate and manipulate particles using even a single-sided emitter. Furthermore, we introduce the holographic acoustic elements framework that permits the rapid generation of traps and provides a bridge between optical and acoustical trapping. Acoustic structures shaped as tweezers, twisters or bottles emerge as the optimum mechanisms for tractor beams or containerless transportation. Single-beam levitation could manipulate particles inside our body for applications in targeted drug delivery or acoustically controlled micro-machines that do not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging.

Application of an ultrasonic focusing radiator for acoustic levitation of submillimeter samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, M. C.

1981-01-01

An acoustic apparatus has been specifically developed to handle samples of submillimeter size in a gaseous medium. This apparatus consists of an acoustic levitation device, deployment devices for small liquid and solid samples, heat sources for sample heat treatment, acoustic alignment devices, a cooling system and data-acquisition instrumentation. The levitation device includes a spherical aluminum dish of 12 in. diameter and 0.6 in. thickness, 130 pieces of PZT transducers attached to the back side of the dish and a spherical concave reflector situated in the vicinity of the center of curvature of the dish. The three lowest operating frequencies for the focusing-radiator levitation device are 75, 105 and 163 kHz, respectively. In comparison with other levitation apparatus, it possesses a large radiation pressure and a high lateral positional stability. This apparatus can be used most advantageously in the study of droplets and spherical shell systems, for instance, for fusion target applications.

Holographic acoustic elements for manipulation of levitated objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marzo, Asier; Seah, Sue Ann; Drinkwater, Bruce W.; Sahoo, Deepak Ranjan; Long, Benjamin; Subramanian, Sriram

2015-10-01

Sound can levitate objects of different sizes and materials through air, water and tissue. This allows us to manipulate cells, liquids, compounds or living things without touching or contaminating them. However, acoustic levitation has required the targets to be enclosed with acoustic elements or had limited manoeuvrability. Here we optimize the phases used to drive an ultrasonic phased array and show that acoustic levitation can be employed to translate, rotate and manipulate particles using even a single-sided emitter. Furthermore, we introduce the holographic acoustic elements framework that permits the rapid generation of traps and provides a bridge between optical and acoustical trapping. Acoustic structures shaped as tweezers, twisters or bottles emerge as the optimum mechanisms for tractor beams or containerless transportation. Single-beam levitation could manipulate particles inside our body for applications in targeted drug delivery or acoustically controlled micro-machines that do not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging.

Parametric study of an acoustic levitation system. [for thermophysical properties determination of nonmetal materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oran, W. A.; Berge, L. H.; Parker, H. W.

1980-01-01

The performance of an acoustic levitation system designed for the containerless processing of materials and consisting of a St. Clair generator and a reflector arranged in a six-axis configuration, is examined in order to define critical parameters of high-temperature systems and limitations of earth-based devices. The fields and forces along the axis of the system are measured and the forces are plotted versus body volume. It is found that for a range of shapes and sizes the levitation force is roughly proportional to body volume until the characteristic 'diameter' reaches a value of about lambda/2. A significant (i.e., factor of four) enhancement in the levitation force is obtained by curving the faces of the driver and reflector. In addition, the behavior of liquid materials in the acoustic fields is studied, and the radius at which the deformation of a levitated drop occurs is calculated.

Electron spin control of optically levitated nanodiamonds in vacuum.

PubMed

Hoang, Thai M; Ahn, Jonghoon; Bang, Jaehoon; Li, Tongcang

2016-07-19

Electron spins of diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres are important quantum resources for nanoscale sensing and quantum information. Combining NV spins with levitated optomechanical resonators will provide a hybrid quantum system for novel applications. Here we optically levitate a nanodiamond and demonstrate electron spin control of its built-in NV centres in low vacuum. We observe that the strength of electron spin resonance (ESR) is enhanced when the air pressure is reduced. To better understand this system, we investigate the effects of trap power and measure the absolute internal temperature of levitated nanodiamonds with ESR after calibration of the strain effect. We also observe that oxygen and helium gases have different effects on both the photoluminescence and the ESR contrast of nanodiamond NV centres, indicating potential applications of NV centres in oxygen gas sensing. Our results pave the way towards a levitated spin-optomechanical system for studying macroscopic quantum mechanics.

Holographic acoustic elements for manipulation of levitated objects

PubMed Central

Marzo, Asier; Seah, Sue Ann; Drinkwater, Bruce W.; Sahoo, Deepak Ranjan; Long, Benjamin; Subramanian, Sriram

2015-01-01

Sound can levitate objects of different sizes and materials through air, water and tissue. This allows us to manipulate cells, liquids, compounds or living things without touching or contaminating them. However, acoustic levitation has required the targets to be enclosed with acoustic elements or had limited manoeuvrability. Here we optimize the phases used to drive an ultrasonic phased array and show that acoustic levitation can be employed to translate, rotate and manipulate particles using even a single-sided emitter. Furthermore, we introduce the holographic acoustic elements framework that permits the rapid generation of traps and provides a bridge between optical and acoustical trapping. Acoustic structures shaped as tweezers, twisters or bottles emerge as the optimum mechanisms for tractor beams or containerless transportation. Single-beam levitation could manipulate particles inside our body for applications in targeted drug delivery or acoustically controlled micro-machines that do not interfere with magnetic resonance imaging. PMID:26505138

Burning and graphitization of optically levitated nanodiamonds in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, A. T. M. A.; Frangeskou, A. C.; Kim, M. S.; Bose, S.; Morley, G. W.; Barker, P. F.

2016-02-01

A nitrogen-vacancy (NV-) centre in a nanodiamond, levitated in high vacuum, has recently been proposed as a probe for demonstrating mesoscopic centre-of-mass superpositions and for testing quantum gravity. Here, we study the behaviour of optically levitated nanodiamonds containing NV- centres at sub-atmospheric pressures and show that while they burn in air, this can be prevented by replacing the air with nitrogen. However, in nitrogen the nanodiamonds graphitize below ≈10 mB. Exploiting the Brownian motion of a levitated nanodiamond, we extract its internal temperature (Ti) and find that it would be detrimental to the NV- centre’s spin coherence time. These values of Ti make it clear that the diamond is not melting, contradicting a recent suggestion. Additionally, using the measured damping rate of a levitated nanoparticle at a given pressure, we propose a new way of determining its size.

Electron spin control of optically levitated nanodiamonds in vacuum

PubMed Central

Hoang, Thai M.; Ahn, Jonghoon; Bang, Jaehoon; Li, Tongcang

2016-01-01

Electron spins of diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres are important quantum resources for nanoscale sensing and quantum information. Combining NV spins with levitated optomechanical resonators will provide a hybrid quantum system for novel applications. Here we optically levitate a nanodiamond and demonstrate electron spin control of its built-in NV centres in low vacuum. We observe that the strength of electron spin resonance (ESR) is enhanced when the air pressure is reduced. To better understand this system, we investigate the effects of trap power and measure the absolute internal temperature of levitated nanodiamonds with ESR after calibration of the strain effect. We also observe that oxygen and helium gases have different effects on both the photoluminescence and the ESR contrast of nanodiamond NV centres, indicating potential applications of NV centres in oxygen gas sensing. Our results pave the way towards a levitated spin–optomechanical system for studying macroscopic quantum mechanics. PMID:27432560

Electron spin control of optically levitated nanodiamonds in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoang, Thai M.; Ahn, Jonghoon; Bang, Jaehoon; Li, Tongcang

2016-07-01

Electron spins of diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres are important quantum resources for nanoscale sensing and quantum information. Combining NV spins with levitated optomechanical resonators will provide a hybrid quantum system for novel applications. Here we optically levitate a nanodiamond and demonstrate electron spin control of its built-in NV centres in low vacuum. We observe that the strength of electron spin resonance (ESR) is enhanced when the air pressure is reduced. To better understand this system, we investigate the effects of trap power and measure the absolute internal temperature of levitated nanodiamonds with ESR after calibration of the strain effect. We also observe that oxygen and helium gases have different effects on both the photoluminescence and the ESR contrast of nanodiamond NV centres, indicating potential applications of NV centres in oxygen gas sensing. Our results pave the way towards a levitated spin-optomechanical system for studying macroscopic quantum mechanics.

Potential impact of high temperature superconductors on MAGLEV transportation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hull, J. R.

1992-02-01

This report describes the potential impact that high-temperature superconductors (HTS's) may have on transportation by magnetically levitated vehicles. It is not intended as a planning document, but rather as an overview of potential HTS applications to magnetic-levitation (maglev) transportation. The present maglev program in the United States is summarized, and the present status of development of HTS's is described. Areas identified for possible impact on maglev technology are: (1) liquid-nitrogen-cooled levitation magnets; (2) magnetic-field shielding of the passenger compartment; (3) superconducting magnetic energy storage for wayside power; (4) superconducting bearings for flywheel energy storage for wayside power; (5) downleads to continuously powered liquid-helium-cooled levitation magnets; and (6) liquid-hydrogen-cooled levitation magnets and linear motor propulsion windings. Major technical issues that remain to be resolved for the use of HTS's in maglev applications include thermal magnetic stability, mechanical properties, and critical current density at liquid-nitrogen temperatures.

Dynamic Nucleation of Supercooled Melts and Measurement of the Surface Tension and Viscosity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.; Ohsaka, K.

1999-01-01

We investigate the phenomenon of acoustic pressure-induced nucleation by using a novel approach involving the large amplitude resonant radial oscillations and collapse of a single bubble intentionally injected into a supercooled liquid. Using a combination of previously developed and proven techniques, the bubble is suspended in a fluid host by an ultrasonic field which supplies both the levitation capability as well as the forcing of the radial oscillations. We observe the effects of an increase in pressure (due to bubble collapse) in a region no larger than 100 microns within the supercooled melt to rigorously probe the hypothesis of pressure-induced nucleation of the solid phase. The use of single bubbles operating in narrow temporal and spatial scales will allow the direct and unambiguous correlation between the origin and location of the generation of the disturbance and the location and timing of the nucleation event. In a companion research effort, we are developing novel techniques for the non-contact measurements of the surface tension and viscosity of highly viscous supercooled liquids. Currently used non-invasive methods of surface tension measurement for the case of undercooled liquids generally rely of the quantitative determination of the resonance frequencies of drop shape oscillations, of the dynamics of surface capillary waves, or of the velocity of streaming flows. These methods become quickly ineffective when the liquid viscosity rises to a significant value. An alternate and accurate method which would be applicable to liquids of significant viscosity is therefore needed. We plan to develop such a capability by measuring the equilibrium shape of levitated undercooled melt droplets as they undergo solid-body rotation. The experimental measurement of the characteristic point of transition (bifurcation point) between axisymmetric and two-lobed shapes will be used to calculate the surface tension of the liquid. Such an approach has already been validated through the experimental verification of numerical modeling results. The experimental approach involves levitation, melting, and solidification of undercooled droplets using a hybrid ultrasonic-electrostatic technique in both a gaseous as well as a vacuum environment. A shape relaxation method will be investigated in order to derive a reliable method to measure the viscosity of undercooled melts. The analysis of the monotonic relaxation to equilibrium shape of a drastically deformed and super-critically damped free drop has been used to derive interfacial tension of immiscible liquid combinations where one of the component has high viscosity. A standard approach uses the initial elongation of a droplet through shear flows, but an equivalent method could involve the initial deformation of a drop levitated in a gas by ultrasonic radiation pressure, electric stresses, or even solid body rotation. The dynamic behavior of the free drop relaxing back to equilibrium shape will be modeled, and its characteristic time dependence should provide a quantitative means to evaluate the liquid viscosity.

Nuclear quadrupole resonance studies project. [spectrometer design and spectrum analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murty, A. N.

1978-01-01

The participation of undergraduates in nuclear quadrupole resonance research at Grambling University was made possible by NASA grants. Expanded laboratory capabilities include (1) facilities for high and low temperature generation and measurement; (2) facilities for radio frequency generation and measurement with the modern spectrum analyzers, precision frequency counters and standard signal generators; (3) vacuum and glass blowing facilities; and (4) miscellaneous electronic and machine shop facilities. Experiments carried out over a five year period are described and their results analyzed. Theoretical studies on solid state crystalline electrostatic fields, field gradients, and antishielding factors are included.

The influence of wall resonances on the levitation of objects in a single-axis acoustic processing chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, B. B.

1980-01-01

Instabilities were observed in high temperature, single axis acoustic processing chambers. At certain temperatures, strong wall resonances were generated within the processing chamber itself and these transverse resonances were thought sufficient to disrupt the levitation well. These wall resonances are apparently not strong enough to cause instabilities in the levitation well.

Method for obtaining large levitation pressure in superconducting magnetic bearings

DOEpatents

Hull, John R.

1997-01-01

A method and apparatus for compressing magnetic flux to achieve high levitation pressures. Magnetic flux produced by a magnetic flux source travels through a gap between two high temperature superconducting material structures. The gap has a varying cross-sectional area to compress the magnetic flux, providing an increased magnetic field and correspondingly increased levitation force in the gap.

Method for obtaining large levitation pressure in superconducting magnetic bearings

DOEpatents

Hull, John R.

1996-01-01

A method and apparatus for compressing magnetic flux to achieve high levitation pressures. Magnetic flux produced by a magnetic flux source travels through a gap between two high temperature superconducting material structures. The gap has a varying cross-sectional area to compress the magnetic flux, providing an increased magnetic field and correspondingly increased levitation force in the gap.

Viscous Torques on a Levitating Body

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Busse, F.; Wang, T.

1982-01-01

New analytical expressions for viscous torque generated by orthogonal sound waves agree well with experiment. It is possible to calculate torque on an object levitated in a fluid. Levitation has applications in containerless materials processing, coating, and fabrication of small precision parts. Sound waves cause fluid particles to move in elliptical paths and induce azimuthal circulation in boundary layer, giving rise to time-averaged torque.

Optical levitation of absorbing particles with a nominally Gaussian laser beam.

PubMed

Huisken, Jan; Stelzer, Ernst H K

2002-07-15

We use a Gaussian laser beam to study the levitation of absorbing Mie particles. Several metal oxide particles are stably levitated, and their movement over time is recorded. Our studies show that the position of each particle is highly dependent on the other particles' locations. The observations are explained by the phenomenon of thermal creep. The increased local pressure that is due to a temperature gradient along the particle's surface induces levitation. The particles rest close to minima in the intensity distribution near the optical axis. An experiment is suggested that can be used to locate these minima in a laser beam.

Enzyme kinetics in acoustically levitated droplets of supercooled water: a novel approach to cryoenzymology.

PubMed

Weis, David D; Nardozzi, Jonathan D

2005-04-15

The rate of the alkaline phosphatase-catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferone phosphate was measured in acoustically levitated droplets of aqueous tris (50 mM) at pH 8.5 at 22 +/- 2 degrees C and in supercooled solution at -6 +/- 2 degrees C. At 22 degrees C, the rate of product formation was in excellent agreement with the rate observed in bulk solution in a cuvette, indicating that the acoustic levitation process does not alter the enzyme activity. The rate of the reaction decreased 6-fold in supercooled solution at -6 +/- 2 degrees C. The acoustic levitator apparatus is described in detail.

Vibrational Properties of High- Superconductors Levitated Above a Bipolar Permanent Magnetic Guideway

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lu; Wang, Jiasu

2014-05-01

A bipolar permanent magnetic guideway (PMG) has a unique magnetic field distribution profile which may introduce a better levitation performance and stability to the high- superconducting (HTS) maglev system. The dynamic vibration properties of multiple YBCO bulks arranged into different arrays positioned above a bipolar PMG and free to levitate were investigated. The acceleration and resonance frequencies were experimentally measured, and the stiffness and damping coefficients were evaluated for dynamic stability. Results indicate that the levitation stiffness is closely related to the field-cooling-height and sample positioning. The damping ratio was found to be low and nonlinear for the Halbach bipolar HTS-PMG system.

Levitation forces of a bulk YBCO superconductor in gradient varying magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, J.; Gong, Y. M.; Wang, G.; Zhou, D. J.; Zhao, L. F.; Zhang, Y.; Zhao, Y.

2015-09-01

The levitation forces of a bulk YBCO superconductor in gradient varying high and low magnetic fields generated from a superconducting magnet were investigated. The magnetic field intensity of the superconducting magnet was measured when the exciting current was 90 A. The magnetic field gradient and magnetic force field were both calculated. The YBCO bulk was cooled by liquid nitrogen in field-cooling (FC) and zero-field-cooling (ZFC) condition. The results showed that the levitation forces increased with increasing the magnetic field intensity. Moreover, the levitation forces were more dependent on magnetic field gradient and magnetic force field than magnetic field intensity.

Electron spin control of optically levitated nanodiamonds in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoang, Thai; Ahn, Jonghoon; Bang, Jaehoon; Li, Tongcang

2016-05-01

Electron spins of diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are important quantum resources for nanoscale sensing and quantum information. Combining such NV spin systems with levitated optomechanical resonators will provide a hybrid quantum system for many novel applications. Here we optically levitate a nanodiamond and demonstrate electron spin control of its built-in NV centers in low vacuum. We observe that the strength of electron spin resonance (ESR) is enhanced when the air pressure is reduced. To better understand this novel system, we also investigate the effects of trap power and measure the absolute internal temperature of levitated nanodiamonds with ESR after calibration of the strain effect.

Tunable Stable Levitation Based on Casimir Interaction between Nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xianglei; Zhang, Zhuomin M.

2016-03-01

Quantum levitation enabled by repulsive Casimir force has been desirable due to the potential exciting applications in passive-suspension devices and frictionless bearings. In this paper, dynamically tunable stable levitation is theoretically demonstrated based on the configuration of dissimilar gratings separated by an intervening fluid using exact scattering theory. The levitation position is insensitive to temperature variations and can be actively tuned by adjusting the lateral displacement between the two gratings. This work investigates the possibility of applying quantum Casimir interactions into macroscopic mechanical devices working in a noncontact and low-friction environment for controlling the position or transducing lateral movement into vertical displacement at the nanoscale.

Studies of the Stability and Dynamics of Levitated Drops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anikumar, A.; Lee, Chun Ping; Wang, T. G.

1996-01-01

This is a review of our experimental and theoretical studies relating to equilibrium and stability of liquid drops, typically of low viscosity, levitated in air by a sound field. The major emphasis here is on the physical principles and understanding behind the stability of levitated drops. A comparison with experimental data is also given, along with some fascinating pictures from high-speed photography. One of the aspects we shall deal with is how a drop can suddenly burst in an intense sound field; a phenomenon which can find applications in atomization technology. Also, we are currently investigating the phenomenon of suppression of coalescence between drops levitated in intense acoustic fields.

Precision Mechanical Measurement Using the Levitation Mass Method (LMM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujii, Yusaku; Jin, Tao; Maru, Koichi

2010-12-01

The present status and the future prospects of a method for precision mass and force measurement, the levitation mass method (LMM), are reviewed. The LMM has been proposed and improved by the authors. In the LMM, the inertial force of a mass levitated using a pneumatic linear bearing is used as the reference force applied to the objects under test, such as force transducers, materials or structures. The inertial force of the levitated mass is measured using an optical interferometer. The three typical applications of the LMM, i.e. the dynamic force calibration, the micro force material tester and the space scale, are reviewed in this paper.

An analytical investigation: Effect of solar wind on lunar photoelectron sheath

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, S. K.; Misra, Shikha

2018-02-01

The formation of a photoelectron sheath over the lunar surface and subsequent dust levitation, under the influence of solar wind plasma and continuous solar radiation, has been analytically investigated. The photoelectron sheath characteristics have been evaluated using the Poisson equation configured with population density contributions from half Fermi-Dirac distribution of the photoemitted electrons and simplified Maxwellian statistics of solar wind plasma; as a consequence, altitude profiles for electric potential, electric field, and population density within the photoelectron sheath have been derived. The expression for the accretion rate of sheath electrons over the levitated spherical particles using anisotropic photoelectron flux has been derived, which has been further utilized to characterize the charging of levitating fine particles in the lunar sheath along with other constituent photoemission and solar wind fluxes. This estimate of particle charge has been further manifested with lunar sheath characteristics to evaluate the altitude profile of the particle size exhibiting levitation. The inclusion of solar wind flux into analysis is noticed to reduce the sheath span and altitude of the particle levitation; the dependence of the sheath structure and particle levitation on the solar wind plasma parameters has been discussed and graphically presented.

Nanomagnetic Levitation 3-D Cultures of Breast and Colorectal Cancers

PubMed Central

Bumpers, Harvey L.; Janagama, Dasharatham G.; Manne, Upender; Basson, Marc D.; Katkoori, Venkat

2014-01-01

Background Innovative technologies for drug discovery and development, cancer models, stem cell research, tissue engineering, and drug testing in various cell-based platforms require an application similar to the in vivo system. Materials and Methods We developed for the first time nanomagnetically levitated three dimensional (3-D) cultures of breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells using carbon encapsulated cobalt magnetic nanoparticles. BC and CRC xenografts grown in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were evaluated for N-cadherin and Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressions. These phenotypes were compared with 2-D cultures and 3-D cultures grown in a gel matrix. Results The BC and CRC cells grown by magnetic levitation formed microtissues. The levitated cultures had high viability and were maintained in culture for long periods of time. It has been observed that N-cadherin and EGFR activities were highly expressed in the levitated 3-D tumor spheres and xenografts of CRC and BC cells. Conclusions Nanomagnetically levitated 3-D cultures tend to form stable microtissues of BC and CRC and may be more feasible for a range of applications in drug discovery or regenerative medicine. PMID:25617973

Optimization of radial-type superconducting magnetic bearing using the Taguchi method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ai, Liwang; Zhang, Guomin; Li, Wanjie; Liu, Guole; Liu, Qi

2018-07-01

It is important and complicated to model and optimize the levitation behavior of superconducting magnetic bearing (SMB). That is due to the nonlinear constitutive relationships of superconductor and ferromagnetic materials, the relative movement between the superconducting stator and PM rotor, and the multi-parameter (e.g., air-gap, critical current density, and remanent flux density, etc.) affecting the levitation behavior. In this paper, we present a theoretical calculation and optimization method of the levitation behavior for radial-type SMB. A simplified model of levitation force calculation is established using 2D finite element method with H-formulation. In the model, the boundary condition of superconducting stator is imposed by harmonic series expressions to describe the traveling magnetic field generated by the moving PM rotor. Also, experimental measurements of the levitation force are performed and validate the model method. A statistical method called Taguchi method is adopted to carry out an optimization of load capacity for SMB. Then the factor effects of six optimization parameters on the target characteristics are discussed and the optimum parameters combination is determined finally. The results show that the levitation behavior of SMB is greatly improved and the Taguchi method is suitable for optimizing the SMB.

The effect of acoustically levitated objects on the dynamics of ultrasonic actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilssar, D.; Bucher, I.

2017-03-01

This paper presents a comprehensive model, coupling a piezoelectric actuator operating at ultrasonic frequencies to a near-field acoustically levitated object through a compressible thin layer of gas such that the combined dynamic response of the system can be predicted. The latter is derived by introducing a simplified model of the nonlinear squeezed layer of gas and a variational model of the solid structure and the piezoelectric elements. Since the harmonic forces applied by the entrapped fluid depend on the levitated object's height and vertical motion, the latter affects the impedance of the driving surface, affecting the natural frequencies, damping ratios, and amplification of the actuator. Thus, the developed model is helpful when devising a resonance tracking algorithm aimed to excite a near-field acoustic levitation based apparatus optimally. Validation of the suggested model was carried out using a focused experimental setup geared to eliminate the effects that were already verified in the past. In agreement with the model, the experimental results showed that the natural frequency and damping ratio of a designated mode decrease monotonically with the levitated object's average height, whereas the amplification of the mode increases with the levitation height.

A Simple, Inexpensive Acoustic Levitation Apparatus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schappe, R. Scott; Barbosa, Cinthya

2017-01-01

Acoustic levitation uses a resonant ultrasonic standing wave to suspend small objects; it is used in a variety of research disciplines, particularly in the study of phase transitions and materials susceptible to contamination, or as a stabilization mechanism in microgravity environments. The levitation equipment used for such research is quite costly; we wanted to develop a simple, inexpensive system to demonstrate this visually striking example of standing waves. A search of the literature produced only one article relevant to creating such an apparatus, but the authors' approach uses a test tube, which limits the access to the standing wave. Our apparatus, shown in Fig. 1, can levitate multiple small (1-2 mm) pieces of expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) using components readily available to most instructors of introductory physics. Acoustic levitation occurs in small, stable equilibrium locations where the weight of the object is balanced by the acoustic radiation force created by an ultrasonic standing wave; these locations are slightly below the pressure nodes. The levitation process also creates a horizontal restoring force. Since the pressure nodes are also velocity antinodes, this transverse stability may be analogous to the effect of an upward air stream supporting a ball.

The homogeneity of levitation force in single domain YBCO bulk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Keran; Xu, Ke-Xi; Wu, Xing-da; Pan, Peng-jun

2007-11-01

The pellet homogeneity of levitation force versus the position in comparison to the seed or to the top surface has been studied in the entire volume of a single domain YBa 2Cu 3O 7-δ bulk sample processed by the top-seeded melt texturing growth (TSMTG). It is found that the levitation forces increase and peak at a depth of 3 mm from the top of the sample at liquid nitrogen temperature. In other words, the second disk has the largest levitation force density. The phenomenon can be interpreted by the interaction between the microcracks or pores produced by crystal growth and the oxygenation. We propose a model in which Y211 particles distribution leading to microcracks and pores reduces the effective induced shielding current loops (ISCL) and increases the perimeters of ISCL. This corresponds to a decrease in the grain size and results in greatly reduced levitation forces of the bottom of the bulk. From the research, we know that the density of the YBCO bulk is also an important parameter for the levitation properties. The result is very attractive and useful for the fundamental studies and fabrication of TSMTG YBa 2Cu 3O 7-δ bulk.

Microlayered flow structure around an acoustically levitated droplet under a phase-change process

PubMed Central

Hasegawa, Koji; Abe, Yutaka; Goda, Atsushi

2016-01-01

The acoustic levitation method (ALM) has found extensive applications in the fields of materials science, analytical chemistry, and biomedicine. This paper describes an experimental investigation of a levitated droplet in a 19.4-kHz single-axis acoustic levitator. We used water, ethanol, water/ethanol mixture, and hexane as test samples to investigate the effect of saturated vapor pressure on the flow field and evaporation process using a high-speed camera. In the case of ethanol, water/ethanol mixtures with initial ethanol fractions of 50 and 70 wt%, and hexane droplets, microlayered toroidal vortexes are generated in the vicinity of the droplet interface. Experimental results indicate the presence of two stages in the evaporation process of ethanol and binary mixture droplets for ethanol content >10%. The internal and external flow fields of the acoustically levitated droplet of pure and binary mixtures are clearly observed. The binary mixture of the levitated droplet shows the interaction between the configurations of the internal and external flow fields of the droplet and the concentration of the volatile fluid. Our findings can contribute to the further development of existing theoretical prediction. PMID:28725723

Ion-induced nucleation in solution: promotion of solute nucleation in charged levitated droplets.

PubMed

Draper, Neil D; Bakhoum, Samuel F; Haddrell, Allen E; Agnes, George R

2007-09-19

We have investigated the nucleation and growth of sodium chloride in both single quiescent charged droplets and charged droplet populations that were levitated in an electrodynamic levitation trap (EDLT). In both cases, the magnitude of a droplet's net excess charge (ions(DNEC)) influenced NaCl nucleation and growth, albeit in different capacities. We have termed the phenomenon ion-induced nucleation in solution. For single quiescent levitated droplets, an increase in ions(DNEC) resulted in a significant promotion of NaCl nucleation, as determined by the number of crystals observed. For levitated droplet populations, a change in NaCl crystal habit, from regular cubic shapes to dome-shaped dendrites, was observed once a surface charge density threshold of -9 x 10(-4) e.nm(-2) was surpassed. Although promotion of NaCl nucleation was observed for droplet population experiments, this can be attributed in part to the increased rate of solvent evaporation observed for levitated droplet populations having a high net charge. Promotion of nucleation was also observed for two organic acids, 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone monohydrate (THAP) and alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (CHCA). These results are of direct relevance to processes that occur in both soft-ionization techniques for mass spectrometry and to a variety of industrial processes. To this end, we have demonstrated the use of ion-induced nucleation in solution to form ammonium nitrate particles from levitated droplets to be used in in vitro toxicology studies of ambient particle types.

Single-droplet evaporation kinetics and particle formation in an acoustic levitator. Part 1: evaporation of water microdroplets assessed using boundary-layer and acoustic levitation theories.

PubMed

Schiffter, Heiko; Lee, Geoffrey

2007-09-01

The suitability of a single droplet drying acoustic levitator as a model for the spray drying of aqueous, pharmaceutically-relevant solutes used to produce protein-loaded particles has been examined. The acoustic levitator was initially evaluated by measuring the drying rates of droplets of pure water in dependence of drying-air temperature and flow rate. The measured drying rates were higher than those predicted by boundary layer theory because of the effects of primary acoustic streaming. Sherwood numbers of 2.6, 3.6, and 4.4 at drying-air temperatures of 25 degrees C, 40 degrees C, and 60 degrees C were determined, respectively. Acoustic levitation theory could predict the measured drying rates and Sherwood numbers only when a forced-convection drying-air stream was used to neuralize the retarding effect of secondary acoustic streaming on evaporation rate. At still higher drying-air flow rates, the Ranz-Marshall correlation accurately predicts Sherwood number, provided a stable droplet position in the standing acoustic wave is maintained. The measured Sherwood numbers and droplet Reynolds numbers show that experiments performed in the levitator in still air are taking place effectively under conditions of substantial forced convection. The similitude of these values to those occurring in spray dryers is fortuitous for the suitability of the acoustic levitator as a droplet evaporation model for spray drying. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

Construction and Self-Assembly of Single-Chain Polymer Nanoparticles via Coordination Association and Electrostatic Repulsion in Water.

PubMed

Zhu, Zhengguang; Xu, Na; Yu, Qiuping; Guo, Lei; Cao, Hui; Lu, Xinhua; Cai, Yuanli

2015-08-01

Simultaneous coordination-association and electrostatic-repulsion interactions play critical roles in the construction and stabilization of enzymatic function metal centers in water media. These interactions are promising for construction and self-assembly of artificial aqueous polymer single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs). Herein, the construction and self-assembly of dative-bonded aqueous SCNPs are reported via simultaneous coordination-association and electrostatic-repulsion interactions within single chains of histamine-based hydrophilic block copolymer. The electrostatic-repulsion interactions are tunable through adjusting the imidazolium/imidazole ratio in response to pH, and in situ Cu(II)-coordination leads to the intramolecular association and single-chain collapse in acidic water. SCNPs are stabilized by the electrostatic repulsion of dative-bonded block and steric shielding of nonionic water-soluble block, and have a huge specific surface area of function metal centers accessible to substrates in acidic water. Moreover, SCNPs can assemble into micelles, networks, and large particles programmably in response to the solution pH. These unique media-sensitive phase-transformation behaviors provide a general, facile, and versatile platform for the fabrication of enzyme-inspired smart aqueous catalysts. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Method for obtaining large levitation pressure in superconducting magnetic bearings

DOEpatents

Hull, J.R.

1997-08-05

A method and apparatus are disclosed for compressing magnetic flux to achieve high levitation pressures. Magnetic flux produced by a magnetic flux source travels through a gap between two high temperature superconducting material structures. The gap has a varying cross-sectional area to compress the magnetic flux, providing an increased magnetic field and correspondingly increased levitation force in the gap. 4 figs.

Method for obtaining large levitation pressure in superconducting magnetic bearings

DOEpatents

Hull, J.R.

1996-10-08

A method and apparatus are disclosed for compressing magnetic flux to achieve high levitation pressures. Magnetic flux produced by a magnetic flux source travels through a gap between two high temperature superconducting material structures. The gap has a varying cross-sectional area to compress the magnetic flux, providing an increased magnetic field and correspondingly increased levitation force in the gap. 4 figs.

A Review of Dynamic Characteristics of Magnetically Levitated Vehicle Systems.

DTIC Science & Technology

1995-11-01

The dynamic response of magnetically levitated ( maglev ) ground transportation systems has important consequences for safety and ride quality...smoothness and levitation and control systems must be considered if maglev systems are to be economically feasible. The link between the guideway and the...other maglev components is vehicle dynamics. For a commercial maglev system, vehicle dynamics must be analyzed and tested in detail. This report, which

Combustion Studies of Acoustically Suspended Liquid Droplets.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

34, 2 1 02 J Acoustic Levitation .’ ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse if necessary and identify by block number) piezoelectrically driven ultrasonic resonator...was developed and tested in this study. The device was used to levitate liquid fuel droplets for evaporation measurements and ignition :tudies. The... levitation technique may hold some promise for onducting non-combustion related droplet measurements, for example evaporation tests, but wIthout further

The compact AMS facility at Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Sanyuan; Ding, Ping; Wang, Ning; Shen, Chengde; Jia, Guodong; Zhang, Gan

2015-10-01

A compact 14C AMS facility manufactured by the National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC) has been installed at Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (GIGCAS). The system is based on a Model 1.5SDH-1 Pelletron accelerator with a maximum terminal volt 0.6 MV. This paper reports the performance and the operation of this machine in the first several months after installation.

Development of a Tandem Electrodynamic Trap Apparatus for Merging Charged Droplets and Spectroscopic Characterization of Resultant Dried Particles.

PubMed

Kohno, Jun-Ya; Higashiura, Tetsu; Eguchi, Takaaki; Miura, Shumpei; Ogawa, Masato

2016-08-11

Materials work in multicomponent forms. A wide range of compositions must be tested to obtain the optimum composition for a specific application. We propose optimization using a series of small levitated single particles. We describe a tandem-trap apparatus for merging liquid droplets and analyzing the merged droplets and/or dried particles that are produced from the merged droplets under levitation conditions. Droplet merging was confirmed by Raman spectroscopic studies of the levitated particles. The tandem-trap apparatus enables the synthesis of a particle and spectroscopic investigation of its properties. This provides a basis for future investigation of the properties of levitated single particles.

The influence of inhomogeneous magnetic field over a NdFeB guideway on levitation force of the HTS bulk maglev system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Lifeng; Deng, Jiangtao; Li, Linbo; Feng, Ning; Wei, Pu; Lei, Wei; Jiang, Jing; Wang, Xiqin; Zhang, Yong; Zhao, Yong

2018-04-01

Dynamic responses of high temperature superconducting bulk to inhomogeneous magnetic field distribution of permanent magnet guideway, as well as enlarged amplitude of magnetic field obtained by partially covering the permanent magnet guideway (PMG) with iron sheets in different thickness, are investigated. Experiments show that the instantaneous levitation force increases with the increase of the variation rate of magnetic field (dB/dt). Meanwhile, inhomogeneous magnetic field from PMG causes the decay of levitation force. The decay of levitation force almost increases linearly with the increase of alternating magnetic field amplitude. It should be very important for the application of high-speed maglev system.

Drop evaporation in a single-axis acoustic levitator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lierke, E. G.; Croonquist, A. P.

1990-01-01

A 20 kHz single-axis acoustic positioner is used to levitate aqueous-solution drops (volumes less than or approximately equal to 100 micro-liters). Drop evaporation rates are measured under ambient, isothermal conditions for different relative humidities. Acoustic convection around the levitated sample enhances the mass loss over that due to natural convection and diffusion. A theoretical treatment of the mass flow is developed in analogy to previous studies of the heat transfer from a sphere in an acoustic field. Predictions of the enhanced mass loss, in the form of Nusselt (Sherwood) numbers, are compared with observed rages of drop shrinking. The work is part of an ESA crystal growth from levitated solution drops.

Vertical Vibration Characteristics of a High-Temperature Superconducting Maglev Vehicle System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Jing; Li, Ke Cai; Zhao, Li Feng; Ma, Jia Qing; Zhang, Yong; Zhao, Yong

2013-06-01

The vertical vibration characteristics of a high-temperature superconducting maglev vehicle system are investigated experimentally. The displacement variations of the maglev vehicle system are measured with different external excitation frequency, in the case of a certain levitation gap. When the external vibration frequency is low, the amplitude variations of the response curve are small. With the increase of the vibration frequency, chaos status can be found. The resonance frequencies with difference levitation gap are also investigated, while the external excitation frequency range is 0-100 Hz. Along with the different levitation gap, resonance frequency is also different. There almost is a linear relationship between the levitation gap and the resonance frequency.

Axisymmetric analysis of a tube-type acoustic levitator by a finite element method.

PubMed

Hatano, H

1994-01-01

A finite element approach was taken for the study of the sound field and positioning force in a tube-type acoustic levitator. An axisymmetric model, where a rigid sphere is suspended on the tube axis, was introduced to model a cylindrical chamber of a levitation tube furnace. Distributions of velocity potential, magnitudes of positioning force, and resonance frequency shifts of the chamber due to the presence of the sphere were numerically estimated in relation to the sphere's position and diameter. Experiments were additionally made to compare with the simulation. The finite element method proved to be a useful tool for analyzing and designing the tube-type levitator.

Thermal Conductivity Measurement of Molten Cu-Co Alloy Using an Electromagnetic Levitator Superimposed with a Static Magnetic Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakamura, Yuki; Takahashi, Ryuji; Shoji, Eita; Kubo, Masaki; Tsukada, Takao; Uchikoshi, Masahito; Fukuyama, Hiroyuki

2017-12-01

The thermal conductivity of molten Cu-Co alloy with different compositions around the liquidus line temperature was measured by the periodic laser-heating method using an electromagnetic levitator superimposed with a static magnetic field to suppress convection in a levitated droplet sample. During the measurement, a static magnetic field of 10 T was applied to the levitated droplet. To confirm that the strength of the static magnetic field was sufficient to suppress convection in the droplet, numerical simulations were performed for the flow and thermal fields in an electromagnetically levitated droplet under a static magnetic field, and moreover, for the periodic laser-heating method to determine the thermal conductivity. It was found that the thermal conductivity of molten Cu-Co alloy increased gradually with increasing Cu composition up to 80 at. pct, beyond which it increased markedly and reached that of pure Cu. In addition, it was found that the composition dependence of the thermal conductivity can be explainable by the Wiedemann-Franz law.

Switchable Opening and Closing of a Liquid Marble via Ultrasonic Levitation.

PubMed

Zang, Duyang; Li, Jun; Chen, Zhen; Zhai, Zhicong; Geng, Xingguo; Binks, Bernard P

2015-10-27

Liquid marbles have promising applications in the field of microreactors, where the opening and closing of their surfaces plays a central role. We have levitated liquid water marbles using an acoustic levitator and, thereby, achieved the manipulation of the particle shell in a controlled manner. Upon increasing the sound intensity, the stable levitated liquid marble changes from a quasi-sphere to a flattened ellipsoid. Interestingly, a cavity on the particle shell can be produced on the polar areas, which can be completely healed when decreasing the sound intensity, allowing it to serve as a microreactor. The integral of the acoustic radiation pressure on the part of the particle surface protruding into air is responsible for particle migration from the center of the liquid marble to the edge. Our results demonstrate that the opening and closing of the liquid marble particle shell can be conveniently achieved via acoustic levitation, opening up a new possibility to manipulate liquid marbles coated with non-ferromagnetic particles.

Optical levitation of 10-ng spheres with nano-g acceleration sensitivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Monteiro, Fernando; Ghosh, Sumita; Fine, Adam Getzels; Moore, David C.

2017-12-01

We demonstrate optical levitation of SiO2 spheres with masses ranging from 0.1 to 30 ng. In high vacuum, we observe that the measured acceleration sensitivity improves for larger masses and obtain a sensitivity of 0.4 ×10-6g /√{Hz } for a 12-ng sphere, more than an order of magnitude better than previously reported for optically levitated masses. In addition, these techniques permit long integration times and a mean acceleration of (-0.7 ±2.4 [stat] ±0.2 [syst] ) ×10-9g is measured in 1.4 ×104 s. Spheres larger than 10 ng are found to lose mass in high vacuum where heating due to absorption of the trapping laser dominates radiative cooling. This absorption constrains the maximum size of spheres that can be levitated and allows a measurement of the absorption of the trapping light for the commercially available spheres tested here. Spheres consisting of material with lower absorption may allow larger objects to be optically levitated in high vacuum.

Experiment results of high temperature superconducting Maglev vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, J. S.; Wang, S. Y.; Ren, Z. Y.; Jiang, H.; Zhu, M.; Wang, X. R.; Shen, X. M.; Song, H. H.

2003-04-01

The first man-loading high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnetic levitation (Maglev) test vehicle in the world has normally operated over one year after its birth on December 31, 2000. Heretofore over 23 000 passengers have taken the vehicle, and it operates very well from first running to now. The HTS Maglev vehicle is over guideway, which consists of two parallel permanent magnetic tracks. The levitation force of the entire Maglev vehicle is measured. Three times measurement results on December 24, 2000, July 1, 2001, and December 24, 2001 are reported respectively, it will be seen from this that the levitation forces do not change nearly after long running. Total levitation force of entire vehicle is 1050 kg at the 8 mm net levitation gap, which the gap between the bottom of liquid nitrogen vessels and guideway face. A measuring equipment of the guidance force of the entire Maglev vehicle is designed and manufactured. The guidance force of the vehicle is obtained by the equipment.

Electron spin control and torsional optomechanics of an optically levitated nanodiamond in vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tongcang; Hoang, Thai; Ahn, Jonghoon; Bang, Jaehoon

Electron spins of diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers are important quantum resources for nanoscale sensing and quantum information. Combining such NV spin systems with levitated optomechanical resonators will provide a hybrid quantum system for many novel applications. Here we optically levitate a nanodiamond and demonstrate electron spin control of its built-in NV centers in vacuum. We observe that the strength of electron spin resonance (ESR) is enhanced when the air pressure is reduced. We also observe that oxygen and helium gases have different effects on both the photoluminescence and the ESR contrast of nanodiamond NV centers, indicating potential applications of NV centers in oxygen gas sensing. For spin-optomechanics, it is important to control the orientation of the nanodiamond and NV centers in a magnetic field. Recently, we have observed the angular trapping and torsional vibration of a levitated nanodiamond, which paves the way towards levitated torsional optomechanics in the quantum regime. NSF 1555035-PHY.

Electrostatic Accelerometer for the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On Mission (GRACE FO)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebat, V.; Foulon, B.; Christophe, B.

2013-12-01

The GRACE FO mission, led by the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), is an Earth-orbiting gravity mission, continuation of the GRACE mission, that will produce an accurate model of the Earth's gravity field variation providing global climatic data during five year at least. The mission involves two satellites in a loosely controlled tandem formation, with a micro-wave link measuring the inter-satellites distance variation. Non-uniformities in the distribution of the Earth's mass cause the distance between the two satellites to vary. This variation is measured to recover gravity, after subtracting the non-gravitational contributors, as the residual drag. ONERA (the French Aerospace Lab) is developing, manufacturing and testing electrostatic accelerometers measuring this residual drag applied on the satellites. The accelerometer is composed of two main parts: the Sensor Unit (including the Sensor Unit Mechanics and the Front-End Electronic Unit) and the Interface Control Unit. In the Accelerometer Core, located in the Sensor Unit Mechanics, the proof mass is levitated and maintained in a center of an electrode cage by electrostatic forces. Thus, any drag acceleration applied on the satellite involves a variation on the servo-controlled electrostatic suspension of the mass. The voltage on the electrodes providing this electrostatic force is the measurement output of the accelerometer. The impact of the accelerometer defaults (geometry, electronic and parasitic forces) leads to bias, misalignment and scale factor error, non-linearity and noise. Some of these accelerometer defaults are characterized by tests with micro-gravity pendulum bench and with drops in ZARM catapult. Besides, a thermal stability is needed for the accelerometer core and front-end electronics to avoid bias and scale factor variation, and reached by a thermal box designed by Astrium, spacecraft manufacturer. The accelerometers are designed to endure the launch vibrations and the thermal environment at ground and in orbit. As the measure must be accurate, no sliding of the core must appear in regard of the accelerometer external reference. To ensure the thermal core stability, the electrode cage of the core is made of glass material (ULE), which is very critical, in particular due to the free motion of the proof-mass during the launch. To assess the design of the accelerometer in particular the critical parts of the core, specific analysis is realized to ensure mechanical behavior. The design of electrostatic accelerometer of the GRACE Follow-On mission benefits of the GRACE heritage, GOCE launched in 2009 and MICROSCOPE which will be launched in 2016, including some improvement to improve the performance, in particular the thermal sensitivity of the measurements. The Preliminary Design Review of electronics was achieved successfully on July 2013, and the PDR of the whole instrument is forecasted on November 2013. The integration of the Engineering Model will begin on October 2013 and its status will be presented.

Grain Refining and Microstructural Modification during Solidification.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-01

was found to be insensitive to the iron concentration in the samples solidified in the levitated state but not in samples quenched from the liquid . The... liquid . The preliminary * results with niobium additions indicate that no appreciable grain refinement * is achieved when the samples are levitated in an...to the critical examination of the Cr-Ni phase diagram, by using high purity starting materials, and a containerless electromagnetic levitation

Experimental determination of the dynamics of an acoustically levitated sphere

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pérez, Nicolás, E-mail: nico@fisica.edu.uy; Andrade, Marco A. B.; Canetti, Rafael

2014-11-14

Levitation of solids and liquids by ultrasonic standing waves is a promising technique to manipulate materials without contact. When a small particle is introduced in certain areas of a standing wave field, the acoustic radiation force pushes the particle to the pressure node. This movement is followed by oscillations of the levitated particle. Aiming to investigate the particle oscillations in acoustic levitation, this paper presents the experimental and numerical characterization of the dynamic behavior of a levitated sphere. To obtain the experimental response, a small sphere is lifted by the acoustic radiation force. After the sphere lift, it presents amore » damped oscillatory behavior, which is recorded by a high speed camera. To model this behavior, a mass-spring-damper system is proposed. In this model, the acoustic radiation force that acts on the sphere is theoretically predicted by the Gor'kov theory and the viscous forces are modeled by two damping terms, one term proportional to the square of the velocity and another term proportional to the particle velocity. The proposed model was experimentally verified by using different values of sound pressure amplitude. The comparison between numerical and experimental results shows that the model can accurately describe the oscillatory behavior of the sphere in an acoustic levitator.« less

Contactless transport of matter in the first five resonance modes of a line-focused acoustic manipulator.

PubMed

Foresti, Daniele; Nabavi, Majid; Poulikakos, Dimos

2012-02-01

The first five resonance modes for transport of matter in a line-focused acoustic levitation system are investigated. Contactless transport was achieved by varying the height between the radiating plate and the reflector. Transport and levitation of droplets in particular involve two limits of the acoustic forces. The lower limit corresponds to the minimum force required to overcome the gravitational force. The upper limit corresponds to the maximum acoustic pressure beyond which atomization of the droplet occurs. As the droplet size increases, the lower limit increases and the upper limit decreases. Therefore to have large droplets levitated, relatively flat radiation pressure amplitude during the translation is needed. In this study, using a finite element model, the Gor'kov potential was calculated for different heights between the reflector and the radiating plate. The application of the Gor'kov potential was extended to study the range of droplet sizes for which the droplets can be levitated and transported without atomization. It was found that the third resonant mode (H(3)-mode) represents the best compromise between high levitation force and smooth pattern transition, and water droplets of millimeter radius can be levitated and transported. The H(3)-mode also allows for three translation lines in parallel. © 2012 Acoustical Society of America

Levitation and lateral forces between a point magnetic dipole and a superconducting sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

H, M. Al-Khateeb; M, K. Alqadi; F, Y. Alzoubi; B, Albiss; M, K. Hasan (Qaseer; N, Y. Ayoub

2016-05-01

The dipole-dipole interaction model is employed to investigate the angular dependence of the levitation and lateral forces acting on a small magnet in an anti-symmetric magnet/superconducting sphere system. Breaking the symmetry of the system enables us to study the lateral force which is important in the stability of the magnet above a superconducting sphere in the Meissner state. Under the assumption that the lateral displacement of the magnet is small compared to the physical dimensions of our proposed system, analytical expressions are obtained for the levitation and lateral forces as a function of the geometrical parameters of the superconductor as well as the height, the lateral displacement, and the orientation of the magnetic moment of the magnet. The dependence of the levitation force on the height of the levitating magnet is similar to that in the symmetric magnet/superconducting sphere system within the range of proposed lateral displacements. It is found that the levitation force is linearly dependent on the lateral displacement whereas the lateral force is independent of this displacement. A sinusoidal variation of both forces as a function of the polar and azimuthal angles specifying the orientation of the magnetic moment is observed. The relationship between the stability and the orientation of the magnetic moment is discussed for different orientations.

Optically Levitated Targets as a Source for High Brightness X-rays and a Platform for Mass-Limited Laser-interaction Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giltrap, Samuel; Stuart, Nick; Robinson, Tim; Armstrong, Chris; Hicks, George; Eardley, Sam; Gumbrell, Ed; Smith, Roland

2016-10-01

Here we report on the development of an optical levitation based x-ray and proton source, motivated by the requirement for a debris free, high spatial resolution, and low EMP source for x-ray radiography and proton production. Research at Imperial College has led to the development of a feedback controlled optical levitation trap which is capable of holding both solid (Glass beads) and liquid (silicon based oil) micro-targets ( 3-10um). The optical levitation trap has been successfully fielded in a high-intensity laser interaction experiment at Imperial College London and at the Vulcan Petawatt Laser system at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL). Here we report on the results from that RAL run including; an x-ray source size of 10-15um with very good spherical symmetry when compared to wire targets, secondly very low EMP signal from isolated levitated targets (9 times less RF signal than a comparable wire target). At Imperial College we were also able to record an x-ray energy spectrum which produced an electron temperature of 0.48KeV, and performed interferometry of a shock evolving into a blast wave off an optically levitated droplet which allowed us to infer the electron density within the shock front.

Experimental determination of the dynamics of an acoustically levitated sphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez, Nicolás; Andrade, Marco A. B.; Canetti, Rafael; Adamowski, Julio C.

2014-11-01

Levitation of solids and liquids by ultrasonic standing waves is a promising technique to manipulate materials without contact. When a small particle is introduced in certain areas of a standing wave field, the acoustic radiation force pushes the particle to the pressure node. This movement is followed by oscillations of the levitated particle. Aiming to investigate the particle oscillations in acoustic levitation, this paper presents the experimental and numerical characterization of the dynamic behavior of a levitated sphere. To obtain the experimental response, a small sphere is lifted by the acoustic radiation force. After the sphere lift, it presents a damped oscillatory behavior, which is recorded by a high speed camera. To model this behavior, a mass-spring-damper system is proposed. In this model, the acoustic radiation force that acts on the sphere is theoretically predicted by the Gor'kov theory and the viscous forces are modeled by two damping terms, one term proportional to the square of the velocity and another term proportional to the particle velocity. The proposed model was experimentally verified by using different values of sound pressure amplitude. The comparison between numerical and experimental results shows that the model can accurately describe the oscillatory behavior of the sphere in an acoustic levitator.

Production and Study of High-Beta Plasma Confined by a Superconducting Dipole Magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garnier, Darren

2005-10-01

The Levitated Dipole Experiment (LDX)http://psfcwww2.psfc.mit.edu/ldx/ is a new research facility that is exploring the confinement and stability of plasma created within the dipole field produced by a strong superconducting magnet. Unlike other configurations in which stability depends on curvature and magnetic shear, MHD stability of a dipole derives from plasma compressibility. Theoretically, the dipole magnetic geometry can stabilize a centrally-peaked plasma pressure that exceeds the local magnetic pressure (β> 1), and the absence of magnetic shear allows particle and energy confinement to decouple. In this presentation, the first experiments using the LDX facility are reported. Long-pulse, quasi-steady state microwave discharges lasting up to 12 seconds have been produced that are consistent with equilibria having peak beta values of 10%. Detailed measurements have been made of discharge evolution, plasma dynamics and instability, and the roles of gas fueling, microwave power deposition profiles, and plasma boundary shape. In these initial experiments, the high-field superconducting floating coil was supported by three thin supports and later the coil will be magnetically levitated. The plasma was created by multi- frequency electron cyclotron resonance heating at 2.45 and 6.4 GHz, and a population of energetic electrons, with mean energies above 50 keV, dominated the plasma pressure. Creation of high-pressure, high-beta plasma is only possible when intense hot electron interchange instabilities are stabilized sufficiently by a high background plasma density. A dramatic transition from a low-density, low-beta regime to a more quiescent, high-beta regime is observed when the plasma-fueling rate and confinement times are sufficiently long. External shaping coils are seen to modify the outer plasma boundary and affect the transition.

Antimicrobial effect of an ultrasonic levitation washer disinfector with silver electrolysis and ozone oxidation on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Tamai, Mariko; Matsushita, Shigeto; Miyanohara, Hiroaki; Imuta, Naoko; Ikeda, Ryuji; Kawai, Kazuhiro; Nishi, Junichiro; Sakamoto, Akihiro; Shigihara, Takanori; Kanekura, Takuro

2013-12-01

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has rapidly emerged as a cause of severe and intractable skin infection. At present, there are no effective topical treatments, and infection or colonization by MRSA of the skin raises serious medical problems. We developed an ultrasonic levitation washer that generates silver ions (Ag(+)) and ozone (O3) to clean and sterilize medical devices. We report the effect of ultrasonic levitation (levitation) with Ag(+) and O3 on MRSA in vitro and in vivo. Antimicrobial effect against six MRSA strains of all agr types was examined under three in vitro conditions; cells floating in a water tank, cells infiltrating-, and cells forming a biofilm on an atelocollagen membrane. In the in vivo studies, we assayed the number of MRSA organisms that survived treatment on murine skin ulcers and evaluated the ulcer size. Levitation with Ag(+) dramatically decreased the survival of MRSA floating in a water tank. Levitation with Ag(+) and O3 significantly decreased the viability of MRSA that had infiltrated or formed a biofilm on atelocollagen membranes regardless of the level of biofilm production. In vivo studies showed that the number of MRSA on murine skin ulcers was significantly decreased when 15-min treatment was performed for 7 consecutive days and that the ulcer size was significantly decreased after the seventh treatment course. Levitation with Ag(+) and O3 may be a valuable tool for treating MRSA infestation of the skin and for accelerating wound healing. © 2013 Japanese Dermatological Association.

Microgravity simulation by diamagnetic levitation: effects of a strong gradient magnetic field on the transcriptional profile of Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Herranz, Raul; Larkin, Oliver J; Dijkstra, Camelia E; Hill, Richard J A; Anthony, Paul; Davey, Michael R; Eaves, Laurence; van Loon, Jack J W A; Medina, F Javier; Marco, Roberto

2012-02-01

Many biological systems respond to the presence or absence of gravity. Since experiments performed in space are expensive and can only be undertaken infrequently, Earth-based simulation techniques are used to investigate the biological response to weightlessness. A high gradient magnetic field can be used to levitate a biological organism so that its net weight is zero. We have used a superconducting magnet to assess the effect of diamagnetic levitation on the fruit fly D. melanogaster in levitation experiments that proceeded for up to 22 consecutive days. We have compared the results with those of similar experiments performed in another paradigm for microgravity simulation, the Random Positioning Machine (RPM). We observed a delay in the development of the fruit flies from embryo to adult. Microarray analysis indicated changes in overall gene expression of imagoes that developed from larvae under diamagnetic levitation, and also under simulated hypergravity conditions. Significant changes were observed in the expression of immune-, stress-, and temperature-response genes. For example, several heat shock proteins were affected. We also found that a strong magnetic field, of 16.5 Tesla, had a significant effect on the expression of these genes, independent of the effects associated with magnetically-induced levitation and hypergravity. Diamagnetic levitation can be used to simulate an altered effective gravity environment in which gene expression is tuned differentially in diverse Drosophila melanogaster populations including those of different age and gender. Exposure to the magnetic field per se induced similar, but weaker, changes in gene expression.

Microgravity simulation by diamagnetic levitation: effects of a strong gradient magnetic field on the transcriptional profile of Drosophila melanogaster

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Many biological systems respond to the presence or absence of gravity. Since experiments performed in space are expensive and can only be undertaken infrequently, Earth-based simulation techniques are used to investigate the biological response to weightlessness. A high gradient magnetic field can be used to levitate a biological organism so that its net weight is zero. Results We have used a superconducting magnet to assess the effect of diamagnetic levitation on the fruit fly D. melanogaster in levitation experiments that proceeded for up to 22 consecutive days. We have compared the results with those of similar experiments performed in another paradigm for microgravity simulation, the Random Positioning Machine (RPM). We observed a delay in the development of the fruit flies from embryo to adult. Microarray analysis indicated changes in overall gene expression of imagoes that developed from larvae under diamagnetic levitation, and also under simulated hypergravity conditions. Significant changes were observed in the expression of immune-, stress-, and temperature-response genes. For example, several heat shock proteins were affected. We also found that a strong magnetic field, of 16.5 Tesla, had a significant effect on the expression of these genes, independent of the effects associated with magnetically-induced levitation and hypergravity. Conclusions Diamagnetic levitation can be used to simulate an altered effective gravity environment in which gene expression is tuned differentially in diverse Drosophila melanogaster populations including those of different age and gender. Exposure to the magnetic field per se induced similar, but weaker, changes in gene expression. PMID:22296880

Noise from high speed maglev systems: Noise sources, noise criteria, preliminary design guidelines for noise control, recommendations for acoustical test facility for maglev research. Final report, July 1991-October 1992

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hanson, C.E.; Abbot, P.; Dyer, I.

1993-01-01

Noise levels from magnetically-levitated trains (maglev) at very high speed may be high enough to cause environmental noise impact in residential areas. Aeroacoustic sources dominate the sound at high speeds and guideway vibrations generate noticeable sound at low speed. In addition to high noise levels, the startle effect as a result of sudden onset of sound from a rapidly moving nearby maglev vehicle may lead to increased annoyance to neighbors of a maglev system. The report provides a base for determining the noise consequences and potential mitigation for a high speed maglev system in populated areas of the United States.more » Four areas are included in the study: (1) definition of noise sources; (2) development of noise criteria; (3) development of design guidelines; and (4) recommendations for a noise testing facility.« less

Optical levitation measurements with intensity-modulated light beams.

PubMed

Cai, W; Li, F; Sun, S; Wang, Y

1997-10-20

Illumination of an optically levitated particle with an intensity-modulated transverse beam induces a transverse vibration of a particle in an optical trap. Based on this, the trapping force of a trap can be measured. Using an intensity-modulated longitudinal levitating beam causes a particle to move vertically, allowing for the determination of some aerodynamic parameters of a particle in air. The principles and the experimental phenomena are described and the initial results are given.

Rigid levitation, flux pinning, thermal depinning and fluctuation in high-Tc superconductors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brandt, E. H.

1991-01-01

Here, the author shows that the strong velocity-independent frictional force on a levitating superconductor and on any type-II superconductor moving in a homogeneous magnetic field is caused by pinning and depinning of the magnetic flux lines in its interior. Levitation may thus be used to investigate the pinning properties of a superconductor, and friction in a superconductor bearing may be minimized by choosing appropriate materials and geometries.

Dynamics and interactions of particles in a thermophoretic trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foster, Benjamin; Fung, Frankie; Fieweger, Connor; Usatyuk, Mykhaylo; Gaj, Anita; DeSalvo, B. J.; Chin, Cheng

2017-08-01

We investigate dynamics and interactions of particles levitated and trapped by the thermophoretic force in a vacuum cell. Our analysis is based on footage taken by orthogonal cameras that are able to capture the three dimensional trajectories of the particles. In contrast to spherical particles, which remain stationary at the center of the cell, here we report new qualitative features of the motion of particles with non-spherical geometry. Singly levitated particles exhibit steady spinning around their body axis and rotation around the symmetry axis of the cell. When two levitated particles approach each other, repulsive or attractive interactions between the particles are observed. Our levitation system offers a wonderful platform to study interaction between particles in a microgravity environment.

Design and fabrication of a hybrid maglev model employing PML and SML

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, R. X.; Zheng, J.; Zhan, L. J.; Huang, S. Y.; Li, H. T.; Deng, Z. G.

2017-10-01

A hybrid maglev model combining permanent magnet levitation (PML) and superconducting magnetic levitation (SML) was designed and fabricated to explore a heavy-load levitation system advancing in passive stability and simple structure. In this system, the PML was designed to levitate the load, and the SML was introduced to guarantee the stability. In order to realize different working gaps of the two maglev components, linear bearings were applied to connect the PML layer (for load) and the SML layer (for stability) of the hybrid maglev model. Experimental results indicate that the hybrid maglev model possesses excellent advantages of heavy-load ability and passive stability at the same time. This work presents a possible way to realize a heavy-load passive maglev concept.

Vertical vibration dynamics of acoustically levitated drop containing two immiscible liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zang, Duyang; Zhai, Zhicong; Li, Lin; Lin, Kejun; Li, Xiaoguang; Geng, Xingguo

2016-09-01

We have studied the levitation and oscillation dynamics of complex drops containing two immiscible liquids. Two types of drops, core-shell drop and abnormal-shaped drop, have been obtained depending on the levitation procedures. The oscillation dynamics of the drops have been studied using a high speed camera. It has been found that the oscillation of the abnormal-shaped drop has a longer oscillation period and decays much faster than that of the core-shell drop, which cannot be accounted for by the air resistance itself. The acoustic streaming induced by ultrasound may bring an additional force against the motion of the drop due to the Bernoulli effect. This is responsible for the enhanced damping during the oscillation in acoustic levitation.

Experimental studies in fluid mechanics and materials science using acoustic levitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Trinh, E. H.; Robey, J.; Arce, A.; Gaspar, M.

1987-01-01

Ground-based and short-duration low gravity experiments have been carried out with the use of ultrasonic levitators to study the dynamics of freely suspended liquid drops under the influence of predominantly capillary and acoustic radiation forces. Some of the effects of the levitating field on the shape as well as the fluid flow fields within the drop have been determined. The development and refinement of measurement techniques using levitated drops with size on the order of 2 mm in diameter have yielded methods having direct application to experiments in microgravity. In addition, containerless melting, undercooling, and freezing of organic materials as well as low melting metals have provided experimental data and observations on the application of acoustic positioning techniques to materials studies.

Acoustic method for levitation of small living animals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, W. J.; Cao, C. D.; Lü, Y. J.; Hong, Z. Y.; Wei, B.

2006-11-01

Ultrasonic levitation of some small living animals such as ant, ladybug, and young fish has been achieved with a single-axis acoustic levitator. The vitality of ant and ladybug is not evidently influenced during the acoustic levitation, whereas that of the young fish is reduced because of the inadequacy of water supply. Numerical analysis shows that the sound pressures on the ladybug's surface almost reach the incident pressure amplitude p0 due to sound scattering. It is estimated that 99.98% of the acoustic energy is reflected away from the ladybug. The acoustic radiation pressure pa on the ladybug's surface is only 1%-3% of p0, which plays a compression role on the central region and a suction role on the peripheral region.

New facility for ion beam materials characterization and modification at Los Alamos

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tesmer, J.R.; Maggiore, C.J.; Parkin, D.M.

1988-01-01

The Ion Beam Materials Laboratory (IBML) is a new Los Alamos laboratory devoted to the characterization and modification of the near surfaces of materials. The primary instruments of the IBML are a tandem electrostatic accelerator, a National Electrostatics Corp. Model 9SDH, coupled with a Varian CF-3000 ion implanter. The unique organizational structure of the IBML as well as the operational characteristics of the 9SDH (after approximately 3000 h of operation) and the laboratories' research capabilities will be discussed. Examples of current research results will also be presented. 5 refs., 2 figs.

Specific Volumes of the Zr(41.2)Ti(13.8)Cu(12.5)Ni(10.0)Be(22.5) Alloy in the Liquid, Glass, and Crystalline States

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ohsaka, K.; Chung, S. K.; Rhim, W. K.; Johnson, W. L.; Peker, A.; Scruggs, D.

1997-01-01

The specific volumes of the Zr(41.2)Ti(3.8)Cu(2.5)Ni(10.0)Be(22.5) alloy as a function of temperature, T, are determined by employing an image digitizing technique and numerical calculation methods applied to the electrostatically levitated spherical alloy. The linear fitting of the volumes of the alloy in the liquid, V(sub l), glass, V(sub g) and crystalline V(sub c), states in the temperature ranges shown in parentheses are V(sub l)(T) = 0.1583 + 8.877 x 10(exp -6) T(cu cm/g) (700-1300 K);V(sub g)(T) = 0.1603 + 5.528 x 10(exp -6) T (400-550 K);V(sub c)(T) = 0.1583 + 6.21 x 10(exp -6)T(400-850 K). The average volume thermal expansion coefficients within the temperature ranges are determined to be 5.32, 3.39. and 3.83 x 10(exp -5) (1/K) for the liquid, glass, and crystalline states, respectively.

Amorphous Alloy Surpasses Steel and Titanium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

In the same way that the inventions of steel in the 1800s and plastic in the 1900s sparked revolutions for industry, a new class of amorphous alloys is poised to redefine materials science as we know it in the 21st century. Welcome to the 3rd Revolution, otherwise known as the era of Liquidmetal(R) alloys, where metals behave similar to plastics but possess more than twice the strength of high performance titanium. Liquidmetal alloys were conceived in 1992, as a result of a project funded by the California Institute of Technology (CalTech), NASA, and the U.S. Department of Energy, to study the fundamentals of metallic alloys in an undercooled liquid state, for the development of new aerospace materials. Furthermore, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center contributed to the development of the alloys by subjecting the materials to testing in its Electrostatic Levitator, a special instrument that is capable of suspending an object in midair so that researchers can heat and cool it in a containerless environment free from contaminants that could otherwise spoil the experiment.

Multiple pathways of crystal nucleation in an extremely supersaturated aqueous potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) solution droplet

PubMed Central

Lee, Sooheyong; Wi, Haeng Sub; Jo, Wonhyuk; Cho, Yong Chan; Lee, Hyun Hwi; Jeong, Se-Young; Kim, Yong-Il; Lee, Geun Woo

2016-01-01

Solution studies have proposed that crystal nucleation can take more complex pathways than previously expected in classical nucleation theory, such as formation of prenucleation clusters or densified amorphous/liquid phases. These findings show that it is possible to separate fluctuations in the different order parameters governing crystal nucleation, that is, density and structure. However, a direct observation of the multipathways from aqueous solutions remains a great challenge because heterogeneous nucleation sites, such as container walls, can prevent these paths. Here, we demonstrate the existence of multiple pathways of nucleation in highly supersaturated aqueous KH2PO4 (KDP) solution using the combination of a containerless device (electrostatic levitation), and in situ micro-Raman and synchrotron X-ray scattering. Specifically, we find that, at an unprecedentedly deep level of supersaturation, a high-concentration KDP solution first transforms into a metastable crystal before reaching stability at room temperature. However, a low-concentration solution, with different local structures, directly transforms into the stable crystal phase. These apparent multiple pathways of crystallization depend on the degree of supersaturation. PMID:27791068

Multiple pathways of crystal nucleation in an extremely supersaturated aqueous potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) solution droplet.

PubMed

Lee, Sooheyong; Wi, Haeng Sub; Jo, Wonhyuk; Cho, Yong Chan; Lee, Hyun Hwi; Jeong, Se-Young; Kim, Yong-Il; Lee, Geun Woo

2016-11-29

Solution studies have proposed that crystal nucleation can take more complex pathways than previously expected in classical nucleation theory, such as formation of prenucleation clusters or densified amorphous/liquid phases. These findings show that it is possible to separate fluctuations in the different order parameters governing crystal nucleation, that is, density and structure. However, a direct observation of the multipathways from aqueous solutions remains a great challenge because heterogeneous nucleation sites, such as container walls, can prevent these paths. Here, we demonstrate the existence of multiple pathways of nucleation in highly supersaturated aqueous KH 2 PO 4 (KDP) solution using the combination of a containerless device (electrostatic levitation), and in situ micro-Raman and synchrotron X-ray scattering. Specifically, we find that, at an unprecedentedly deep level of supersaturation, a high-concentration KDP solution first transforms into a metastable crystal before reaching stability at room temperature. However, a low-concentration solution, with different local structures, directly transforms into the stable crystal phase. These apparent multiple pathways of crystallization depend on the degree of supersaturation.