Experiment

Marangoni UVP/MaranGogniat-1 Completed

* All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)

Spatio-temporal Flow Structure in Marangoni Convection (Marangoni UVP/MaranGogniat)^*1) Series 1, or MEIS-2 Series 1, which has been performed since January 29, 2010, using the Fluid Physics Experiment Facility (FPEF) in Kibo, was completed.

*1) Principal Investigator (PI): Shinichi Yoda, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)

Marangoni UVP/MaranGogniat-1, which has been performed on board Kibo since January 29, 2010, was completed. The last session of the Marangoni UVP/MaranGogniat-1 was performed on July 15-16, 2010.

Marangoni convection experiment investigates the surface flow rate, temperature distributions, and change of the internal flow of a liquid bridge made of silicon oil.
Marangoni UVP/MaranGogniat makes a 5cm-diameter liquid bridge in space and measures flow rate distribution in the liquid bridge, using Doppler effect in ultrasound images taken by the Ultrasonic Velocity Profiler (UVP). Change in the liquid bridge's surface temperature is also measured using an infrared thermography.

Marangoni UVP/MaranGogniat consists of Series 1 and Series 2. Schedule of the Series 2 is now being planned.

Chaos, Turbulence and its Transition Process in Marangoni Convection (Marangoni Exp/MEIS)^*2), the MEIS Theme1, has also been performed on board Kibo, and the MEIS Theme3, Experimental Assessment of Dynamic Surface Deformation Effects in Transition to Oscillatory Thermo capillary Flow in Liquid Bridge of High Prandtl Number Fluid (Dynamic Surf)^*3) will also be performed using the FPEF.
Those experiments are expected to yield many findings and scientific achievements in respect of convection phenomena in a liquid bridge produced in space.

*2) Principal Investigator (PI): Koichi Nishino, Professor of Yokohama National University
*3) Principal Investigator (PI): Yasuhiro Kamotani, Professor of Case Western Reserve University

Special Message from Principal Investigator (PI)

Over the past 20 years, there has been a stunning advancement in Japan's microgravity science research. 20 years ago, Japan did not perform any microgravity experiment. From 1988, Japan and Germany jointly held joint scientific conference for five years. In those days, Germany had just completed the German Spacelab (D-1) Mission, and there was a wide gap between Japan and Germany in terms of microgravity science research.

Now, Japan becomes one of the leading countries in respect of space experiment, especially in the Marangoni convection research field.

JAXA has been making tremendous efforts to understand Marangoni convection phenomena in a comprehensive manner collaborating with the world's top scientists. This Marangoni UVP/MaranGogniat experiment is also part of the effort.

During the experiment, there was an oil leak trouble, but the equipment was fixed through a collaborative troubleshooting effort between ground team and ISS crew. We could complete all the sessions as scheduled. After the troubleshooting, we obtained interesting data, so we will examine the data to clarify flow transition phenomena in detail. I am grateful to the ISS crew members for their great support.

Liquid bridge prepared during the experiment

JAXA Marangoni Experiment

*All times are Japan Standard Time (JST)