Bubble Inflation • Bubble chamber – Bubble film thickness – Bubble inflation size control Observation by reflected light imaging • Low resolution video (bubble chamber) – Bubble inflation – Global bubble structure – Global organization (islands and droplets) • High-resolution video microscopy – Island structure and dynamics – Orientational textures – Island thickness Manipulation • Air jets (bubble chamber) – Island generation – Film hydrodynamics • Inkjet drop ejector (bubble chamber) – Island and droplet generation • Electric field (bubble chamber) – Induced island interactions – Electrohydrodynamics • Temperature gradients (bubble chamber) – Thermocapillary effects • Dynamic inflation and deflation (bubble chamber) – Nucleation of islands and pores National Aeronautics and Space Administration Design and Development of the Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space Experiment PS–00945–1112 The primary objective of Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS) experiment is to exploit the unique characteristics of freely suspended liquid crystals in a microgravity environment to advance the understanding of fluid state physics. Freely suspended liquid crystal (FSLC) films exhibit a combination of physical characteristics. Quantized thickness (3 nm for a single molecular layer) • Stable fluid structures • Largest surface-to-volume ratio • Low vapor pressure The OASIS spaceflight experiment comprises a series of experi- ments that will probe the interfacial and hydrodynamic behavior of FSLC films in space. It will be executed using four different liquid crystal materials in four separate sample chambers that will be contained in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) onboard the ISS. The study of equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium phenomena in reduced dimensionality, for example, liquid crystal ordering and fluctuations in two dimensions, and the effects of finite size on liquid crystal phase transitions. • FSLC films in microgravity present extraordinary opportunities for the study of fluid dynamic and thermodynamic behavior in reduced dimensionality, and for the exploration of fundamental nonequilibrium fluid interfacial phenomena. • N.R. Hall, 1 P. Tin, 2 C.C. Sheehan, 3 R. Stannarius, 4 T. Trittel, 4 N. Clark, 5 J. Maclennan, 5 M. Glaser, 5 and C. Park 5 1 NASA Glenn Research Center, USA; 2 National Center for Space Exploration Research, USA; 3 ZIN Technologies, USA; 4 University of Magdeburg, Germany; 5 University of Colorado, USA www.nasa.gov Introduction The syringe pump allowed for excellent thin film bubble formation with little to no premature island formation. Pressure quenching and pulsation was tested. Thermocapillary, inkjet droplet device, and air jets all worked well. E-field not visible with macro camera. Analysis continues on the data by PI team. • • • • Exercise flight experiment system functions such as pressure quenching and pulsation, thermocapillary, inkjet droplet device, air jets, and E-field. Used two different liquid crystal samples (50/50 8CB and MX12160 type) and tested bubble inflation system in microgravity. Experiment flew on the OASIS Parabolic Flight System in the Zarges Container shown below. • • • Test Summary Test Objectives OASIS International Space Station (ISS) Flight Experiment European Parabolic Flight Liquid Crystal Phases Ultra-thin FSLC Films Inkjet Droplet Device System Image Macro-Observation System Image Depolarized Reflected Light Microscopy (DRLM) of Tilted Smectic (SmC) Film Experiment Testing to be Conducted in Microgravity Adaptive Optical Elements • As diverse as inter and intra satellite communications, 3D optical switching in space optical communications, remote sensing (LIDAR), lunar landing/rendevous/docking • Advantage of photonic devices over conventional mechanical beam steering parts, light weight, very low power • ESA supported UPM for LC programmable blaze grating (SLM) Space Suit Head-Mount Displays • Very fast switching, defect free and high resolution (also military applications) Consumer Electronics Space and Terrestrial Applications Background Right: OASIS Parabolic Flight Crew. Below: Novespace Airbus reduced-gravity aircraft • O T T O V O N G U E R IC K E U NIV E R SITY O F M A G D E B U R G • ZIN T E C H N O L O G I E S • U N I V E R S IT Y O F C O L O R A D O B O U LD E R • N A S A G L E N N R E S E A R C H C E N T E R OASIS surfaces symmetry fields Reflection microscope image. ~ 50 layers ~ 50 layers ~ 60 layers ~ 60 layers ~ 40 layers ~ 40 layers ~ 30 layers ~ 30 layers ~ 10 layers ~ 10 layers ~ 20 layers ~ 20 layers ed Reflected Light py (DRLM) of Tilted SmC) Film c(r) f(r) Electronics power enclosure Digital I/O enclosure assembly Cube Removable hard drive PC104 Stack Avionics assembly S1111MFA3300 optics/illumination assembly Bubble chamber insert assembly Bubble chamber enclosure assembly Macro camera assembly X.X X.XX X.XXX ANG. +-0.03 +-0.01 +-0.005 +-0.5 Right: OASIS Parabolic Flight Crew. Below: Novespace Airbus reduced-gravity aircraft An engineering test unit of the OASIS experiment was tested on the DLR 20th/NOVESPACE 97th parabolic flight campaign in Merignac, France, September 10 to 14, 2012. 1. Bubble chamber insert 2. AVT GX1050C Macro cam 3. Power conversion/distribution system 4. Bubble inflation and LC and LED drivers module 5. IDD/E-field drivers module 6. Pressure pulsation system 3 6 1 4 5 2 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20130011409 2018-05-20T15:48:14+00:00Z