Code UG Weekly Notes 10-24-01

Physical Sciences Division
Weekly Highlights for Week Ending 10/24/2001

*** Indicates item is appropriate for the HQ senior staff and may appear
on the OBPR Web site: http://spaceresearch.nasa.gov

GENERAL

MICROGRAVITY SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH (SBIR) PHASE II PROPOSALS:
The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) SBIR 2000 Phase II proposals associated
with the Microgravity Technical Area Group were ranked by the Topic Managers
on October 11, 2001, after being coordinated with Subtopic Managers and
with the Headquarters Strategic Enterprise Representative for the Office
of Biological and Physical Research. The MSFC Center Evaluation Committee
determines Center priorities based on Technical Area Group rankings, and
selections are targeted for early November. Microgravity Technical Area
proposals are included under Subtopic 9.04: Understanding and Utilizing
Gravitational Effects on Biotechnology and Materials Science, Subtopic
11.01: Commercial Microgravity Research, and Subtopic 12.01: Telescience
and Outreach for Space Exploration.

EDUCATION and OUTREACH

COMBUSTION
DISCIPLINE PICTURE SELECTED: The attached 3-D image entitled "Fluid
on Fire" was selected by NASA GRC for use as a PR handout at this
month’s Supercomputing conference typically attended by 8000 to 9000 people.
Each NASA center was asked to select 1 image for inclusion in a cube of
NASA’s best images developed from supercomputer-based modeling. The image
from the PSD-sponsored Spread Across Liquids’ project (GRC/H. Ross, PI)
was generated by Mary Vickerman of GRC and Fletcher Miller of CWRU/National
Center for Microgravity Research, with the input file being raw data of
the microgravity flame shape and flow fields (liquid and gas) during flame
spread across liquids from the state-of-the-art 3D computer model newly
developed at University of California at Irvine by Profs. Bill Sirignano
and Feng Liu.

Visible in the image is the predicted flame shape (shown in yellow),
the liquid flow field (shown in dots), the gas recirculation cell ahead
of the flame (purple), and the gas flow above the flame (color-coded to
indicate speed). The flame and flow fields are shown "sliced open"
at the line of symmetry (at the axial centerline of the tray holding the
liquid fuel).

JPL DISPLAYS RESEARCH IN LASER COOLED ATOMIC PHYSICS AT OPTICAL SOCIETY
MEETING: Last week in Long Beach JPL’s Outreach team presented displays
describing research topics using lasers to the 17th Interdisciplinary
Laser Science Conference Sponsored by the American Physical Society’s
Division of Laser Science. The meeting included special sessions on laser-cooled
atomic clocks, and on gravity wave detection experiments LIGO and LISA,
both having JPL involvement. So the JPL display included large posters
from LISA and LIGO, plus displays describing the overall microgravity
research program of the Physical Sciences Research Division of Code U.
Lute Maleki’s team prepared three posters showing the Laser Cooled Atomic
Physics activities of his team at JPL, plus the experiments being supported
in that subdiscipline of the Fundamental Physics research program.

COMBUSTION SCIENCE PARTICIPATION AT THE ISS UTILIZATION CONFERENCE:
The Combustion Science and Project community were active participants
at the ISS Utilization Conference held October 15-17 in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Two Combustion Research sessions, each consisting of 6 papers representing
planned ISS Combustion investigations and hardware were presented. Topics
ranged from fundamental research of droplet and gaseous combustion to
spacecraft and terrestrial fire safety studies on ignition, flammability,
and extinction.

Further information on the combustion systems was provided in the Exhibit
Hall where the Fluids and Combustion Facility mockup was located within
a full size Destiny (US-Lab) module, and at a tabletop display of the
Multi-user Droplet Combustion Apparatus experiment insert. A number of
ad-hoc interviews with local and national media were provided at the mockup.
Some local news film footage was broadcast which highlighted the FCF and
the Utilization Conference.

MICROGRAVITY FLUID PHYSICS AT THE ISS UTILIZATION CONFERENCE: The
Fluid Physics facilities and discipline experiments currently on the ISS
and those planned for the future were highlighted at the ISS Utilization
Conference in Cape Canaveral, FL, October 15-18, 2001. The conference
was jointly sponsored by Boeing and NASA and administered by the AIAA.
One session was devoted to facilities that ranged from a description of
the Fluids and Combustion Facility (FCF) to the Fluids Integrated Rack
(FIR) to the CNES-provided DECLIC. Three sessions were devoted to papers
that described the fluid physics modules such as the Light Microscopy
Module (LMM) and the Granular Flow Module (GFM) and various individual
science investigations that are planned to be conducted on the FIR. Other
fluid physics investigations were described in sessions that focused on
experiments to be conducted in the Microgravity Science Glovebox. In total,
more than 25 papers on Fluid Physics topics were presented. The papers
will be published by the AIAA in December 2001 in CD format. Prof. David
Weitz of Harvard University, the Principal Investigator for the Physics
of Colloids in Space (PCS) experiment, gave one of the plenary talks and
described some early exciting science results and experiences from early
ISS science operations. In the exhibit area, the FIR and LMM were also
featured in the full size ISS U. S. Laboratory mockup.

ISS FLIGHT PROGRAM

MICROGRAVITY RESEARCH PROGRAM (MRP) PAYLOAD OPERATIONS STATUS ON INTERNATIONAL
SPACE STATION (ISS) 7A.1 STAGE: Week 10 of Stage 7A.1 of ISS Increment
3 began during the week of October 22 with all of the MRP payloads performing
nominally. These payloads have been performing experiments in the areas
of colloids studies and cell science and structural biology. The Physics
of Colloids in Space has started their detailed study on colloid-polymer
samples to understand the gelation and aging process. The Cellular Science
Experiment has its processed samples preserved in a refrigerator for return
to ground on Flight UF1 in December. The Structural Biology investigation
is receiving video and light scattering information on a regular basis
to follow the progress of the crystal growth process. The acceleration
measuring systems on board are very busy recording the microgravity environment
and special events such as EVAs and Soyuz docking/undocking.

PHYSICS OF COLLOIDS IN SPACE (PCS) ON ISS: During EXPPCS’ 96 hours
of operations over this week, investigations continued on the colloidal
glass and colloid-polymer gel samples. The colloid-polymer gel sample
was rehomogenized and studies of the gelation and aging processes of this
sample were conducted using low angle dynamic scattering. While not the
initial focus of studies of the colloid-polymer gel, the gel’s aging characteristics
are proving to be remarkably similar to those of a permanently bonded
gel, and also similar to what it is expected when studies begin of the
two fractal gels on board EXPPCS. The PCS Principal Investigator, Prof.
David Weitz presented preliminary results from the PCS experiment and
their significance at the ISS Utilization Conference in Cape Canaveral,
FL this week in a plenary session.

INSPACE CREW TRAINING ON INCREMENT 5 & 6: Investigating the
Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates of Colloidal Emulsions (InSPACE)
investigates, through video imaging, the microstructural configuration
and aggregate structures of a Magnetorheological (MR) fluid in a pulsed
magnetic field under different magnetic field strengths and pulse frequencies,
and for different particle size samples. InSPACE crew training took place
on Oct 3& 4, 2001. Dr. Juan H. Agui (GRC) served as InSPACE Instructor.
There were three training sessions, one per crew member. On October 3,
we trained Donald Petitt of JSC. October 4, Peggy Whitson and Donald Thomas
were trained separately. Each training session consisted of an Overview
presentation on the InSPACE payload and a ‘hands on’ procedural part.
Each crew member had already undergone training on the overall operations
of the MSG facility prior to the InSPACE training. During the InSPACE
training session, crew members were provided with the science principals,
launch and operation schedules, hardware description and operation, and
hands on training. During the hands on, each crew member was provided
with procedures on the setup, operations, coil (or sample) exchange, tape
exchange, power down, and deactivation and stowage. Each crew member demonstrated
an understanding of the science principles and an ability to perform the
procedures without any significant hindrance, relying on paper procedures.
The crew members expressed an appreciation for the simplicity of the experiment
and also provided helpful suggestions on further streamlining the procedural
parts. Overall, the training was quite successful. Refresher training
is expected 4 months before launch of each increment.

MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE GLOVEBOX (MSG): Final preparations are underway
for Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) Systems Test Group personnel
to meet the MSG Flight Facility at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), 10/23/01.
A pre-ship review was held 10/17/01, with the European Space Agency (ESA),
MSFC, KSC, and Johnson Space Center (JSC) to discuss open issues or problems
prior to shipment. Several verification items remain open to be completed
offline at KSC. The MSFC Systems Test Group’s test schedule has been updated
to reflect these changes. Once the Flight Facility arrives at KSC, offline
tests will begin using both ESA, ground support equipment, and the Payload
Rack Checkout Unit. The Flight Facility is scheduled to be turned over
to KSC for online testing 12/20/01, upon completion of off line testing.

SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

COMBUSTION SCIENCE:

QUENCHING OF PARTICLE-GAS COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES USING ELECTRIC PARTICULATE
SUSPENSION (EPS) AND DISPERSION METHODS: The primary objective of
this investigation, led by Prof. G. Colver of Iowa State University, is
to measure and interpret flame quenching distances, flammability limits,
and burning velocities in particulate suspensions. A secondary objective
is to measure particle slip velocities and particle velocity distributions
since these affect flame propagation. Achieving a uniform dust concentration
has been identified as a key problem to be resolved in dust flame studies.
This uniformity can be accomplished with the electric particle suspension
method. Initial testing was carried out using an existing electrostatic
apparatus to help further understand some of the issues associated with
the EPS method. An important item is the method of producing ignition
of the powder suspension. Presently, a spark discharge is utilized to
trigger air breakdown and powder ignition within the test section using
either a fixed or high speed shooting needle electrode. An improved method
would be to use a high voltage pulse for triggering the spark. This would
eliminate the needle electrode and further preserve the uniformity of
the suspension prior to ignition. The shooting or injected needle electrode
has proven successful; however, this method is somewhat cumbersome. A
new experiment using an automobile distributor coil to trigger the spark
in our EPS method was devised and tested (without powder combustion).
The goal is (1) to permit pulse sparking during low voltage operating
conditions in microgravity and (2) to replace the cumbersome high-speed
moving needle electrode used previously as a spark trigger device. The
test was successful for initiating sparks using the parallel plate test
section alone. However, when connected to the large storage capacitors,
the pulse energy was absorbed and no sparking was observed. This result
had been anticipated. A control circuit modification will be needed if
electronic sparking is to be utilized covering the desired low to high
range of voltages wanted for microgravity studies. An alternative circuit
involving a simple voltage divider circuit is being considered in place
of the sparking coil.

FLUID PHYSICS:

ATTRACTIVE AND REPULSIVE FORCES OBSERVED IN 2-D DUSTY PLASMAS:
Fluid Physics PI Prof. J. Goree (U. of Iowa) and colleagues have documented
the presence of both attractive and repulsive forces in a dusty plasma
system. A dusty plasma is an ionized gas containing micron-scale charged
particles. An interaction of a negatively biased wire with a monolayer
lattice of negatively charged particles was studied experimentally. The
particles levitated at the height of the wire in a sheath of an rf discharge.
It was found that the particles close to the wire were repelled from it
electrostatically, while the far particles were attracted due to the drag
of the ion flow deflected toward the wire. The ion drag force prevails
far from the wire, whereas the electrostatic force is stronger close to
the wire. The range of the forces was found to be one to two orders of
magnitude greater than the screening length. Dusty plasma experiments
are hoped to provide insight into the fundamental nature of melting and
freezing transitions most commonly associated with atomic and molecular
crystals. This work is reported in the following paper:
D. Samsonov, A. V. Ivlev, G. E. Morfill, and J. Goree,"Long-range
attractive and repulsive forces in a two-dimensional complex (dusty) plasma,"
Physical Review E Vol. 63, pp. 025401-1(R) – 025401-4(R) 2001

MICROSCOPE-BASED STATIC LIGHT-SCATTERING INSTRUMENT APPLIED TO BIOLOGICAL
STUDIES: Fluid physics PI Prof D. Weitz (Harvard) and his coworkers
describe a new design for a microscope-based static light-scattering instrument
that provides simultaneous high-resolution images and static light-scattering
data. By correlating real space images with scattering patterns, they
can interpret measurements from heterogeneous samples, which they illustrate
by using biological tissue. The static scattering microscope is sensitive
to local structure in complex systems. It can detect variations in structure
and organization in thin tissue samples, making it potentially useful
for pathohistological studies. Further development of analysis techniques
to parameterize the scattering patterns may permit the application of
local light-scattering measurements to the automated classification of
cellular phenotype and to the identification of diseased tissue that is
characterized by changes in size, shape, or organization. This work is
reported in the following paper:

M. T. Valentine, A. K. Popp, D. A. Weitz and P. D. Kaplan, "Microscope-based
static light-scattering instrument," OPTICS LETTERS, Vol. 26, No.
12. June 15, 2001.

FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS:

RICE TEAM REPORTS EVENTS: Randy Hulet reports that his team has
gained and lost in recent personnel changes. They were joined by a new
post-doc, Dr. Marin Pichler. Marin’s Ph.D. studies at the University of
Connecticut were on the topic of photoassociation of ultracold atoms.
As well, Jordan Gerton defended his Ph.D. thesis and is now a post-doc
at Caltech, where he is working on biophysics.

Hulet presented two invited talks last summer at the Nordic School on
Atomic Quantum Gases and Matter Wave Optics, in Turku, Finland. The first
was titled "Bose-Einstein Condensation of Attracting Atoms – The
Atomic Supernova", while the second was "Bose-Einstein Condensation
and the Scattering Length."

MATERIALS SCIENCE:

ARTICLE TO APPEAR IN JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS: A paper, entitled
"An Experimental Study of the Influence of a Rotating Magnetic Field
in Rayleigh-Benard Convection," by M. P. Volz (MSFC) and K. Mazuruk,
Universities Space Research Associates (USRA), will appear in the October
issue of the Journal of Fluid Mechanics (vol. 444, pp. 79-98). The article
describes the nature and stability of fluid flow subjected to both thermal
gradients and a rotating magnetic field. The range of parameters is identified,
which is most suitable for the bulk growth of semiconductor crystals.

PRESENTATION MADE AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRYSTAL GROWTH:
A presentation, entitled "Growth of Single Crystal Organic Films
on Coated Glass Substrates by Physical Vapor Transport," by William
E. Carswell, University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), Maria I. Zugrav,
and Glenn Haulenbeek, was presented at the 13th International Conference
on Crystal Growth in Kyoto, Japan, 7/30-8/4/2001. The presentation discussed
the stages of deposition from the initial formation of individual islands
to the development of continuous films. The materials under investigation
are being studied for potential applications in the emerging field of
optoelectronics, which seeks to combine the process of electronic information
processing, such as modern computing, with optical information processes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Additional meetings and symposia can be found at: http://microgravity.grc.nasa.gov/ugml/ugmltext.htm

November 15, 2001, TeleConference MRT Meeting, 10:00am – 02:00pm CST

December 12-13, 2001, Face-To-Face MRT Meeting, MSFC

December 12, 2001, Teleconference MRT Meeting, 10:00am – 02:00pm CST

March 18-22, 2002, 2002 American Physical Society March Meeting, Indianapolis,
IN

April 20-23, 2002, 2002 American Physical Society April Meeting, Albuquerque,
NM

April 22-25, 2002, 2002 Applied Computational Research Society Joint
Meeting on Computational Micro And Nano Technology, International Conference
on Computational Nano Science, Modeling & Simulation of Microsystems,
San Juan Marriott Resort, San Juan, Puerto Rico http://www.cr.org