systems to study this coarsening process. However, gravity can induce particle sedimentation
and thus hamper the studies of coarsening in these mixtures on Earth. The microgravity
environment of the space station allows scientists to study the process of coarsening with
reduced interference from the sedimentation that occurs on Earth.
RESULTS
Samples from CSLM-2 that were
processed during Increment 7 were not
able to be returned to Earth in time for
evaluating the results. Although the data
was lost, engineering data collected on
equipment function can benefit
subsequent experiments. The CSLM- 2
high volume fraction and CSLM-2R low-
volume fraction samples were
successfully processed and are currently
under analysis at Northwestern
University. Preliminary analysis of the
low-volume fraction samples indicates
that the furnaces performed as planned.
Recent results show that the particle size
distributions for a 30% volume fraction of
coarsening phase is very close to that predicted by theory. The particle distribution appears
different, perhaps due to the nonspherical shape of the particles that are present at this high
volume fraction. Analysis of both the low and high volume fraction samples is continuing.
PUBLICATION(S)
Duval WM, Hawersaat RW, Lorik T, Thompson J, Gulsoy EB, Voorhees PW. Coarsening in Solid-
liquid Mixtures: Overview of Experiments on Shuttle and ISS. 2013 Materials Science and
Technology Conference and Exhibition, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. October 27, 2013.
This investigation is complete, and results are pending publication.
ISS016E036416 – Expedition 17 Flight Engineer Garrett
Reisman works with the Coarsening in Solid Liquid Mixtures-2
(CSLM-2) experiment in the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox.
Image was taken in the European Laboratory/Columbus
Module during Expedition 16 / Expedition 17 joint operations.