Long-time observation of near-critical spinodal decomposition of colloid-polymer mixtures in microgravity Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • We investigate liquid-gas phase separation near the critical point of colloid-polymer mixtures aboard the International Space Station, as part of the BCAT3 and BCAT4 experiments. In this microgravity environment, the higher-density liquid phase does not sink beneath the lower-density gas phase, as it does on the surface of the earth. Instead, we can observe the patterns formed during spinodal decomposition, using time-lapse photography for days to weeks, while previous experiments have been limited to observations of minutes to hours. We give a primer on phase separation and detail our sample preparation procedures. We also describe the specific innovations in our photography procedures made by a number of astronauts on orbit, demonstrating the importance of a manned microgravity laboratory to our investigation. Copyright 2009 by Peter J. Lu.

published proceedings

  • 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

author list (cited authors)

  • Lu, P. J., Weitz, D. A., Chamitoff, G. E., Chiao, L., Fincke, E. M., Foale, C. M., ... Sicker, R. J.

publication date

  • January 2009