Pressurized Module

SPCF Solution/Protein Crystal Growth Facility

Images Taken from a TR-1A Experiment	Images Taken using SCOF Engineering Model

The following mg experiments were performed on TR-1A, which became the basis for the development of SCOF:
 

  Each Experiment Cell Cartridge in SCOF is designed according to the requirements of the corresponding experiment and the interface requirements with the Main Section. As of August 2000, three Experiment Cell Cartridges are being developed (in the Engineering Model Phase), and feasibility studies are being performed on two experiments that have been selected at the First Announcement of Opportunity. As a reference, the Temperature Gradient Experiment Cell Cartridge (Engineering Model) is shown below.
  

Temperature Gradient Experiment Cell Cartridge (Engineering Model)

#An Example of Kibo AO#1 using SCOF

1.  Experiment Summary
Title:  Interfacial Stability under Microgravity'
PI:  Yasunori Miyata
Organization:@ Nagaoka University of Technology
overview
In order to investigate the interfacial stability, which plays an important role in solidification, the interface formation process is in-situ observed by using the organic alloy under microgravity condition, which prevents the natural convection caused by the temperature and/or solutal concentration difference in the material.  Phenomena to be observed makes clear the formation mechanism of the interface and will support research and development of new materials.

2.  Experiment Requirement
The experiment requirements to SCOF functions are listed below.

Temperature control     Temperature control of 8 channels within 0 - 100 deg C are required. The cell cartridge has 4 temperature gradient cell. The temperature gradient cell has two thermo-module to keep temperature gradient of the specimen in the cell.

Temperature measurement Temperature measurement of 8 thermistors is required.   These thermistors are installed in the gradient cells to measure temperature gradient.

Optical observations     Optical observation on 2-Wave Mach-Zehender Microscope Interferometer and amplitude modulation microscope is  required.

 
                                    fig.4-1                                    fig.5-1( MPEG movie is available.(2,858KB))

3.  ‚b‚…‚Œ‚Œ Cartridge
The overview of cell cartridge is shown in fig.4-1.   The cartridge has four temperature gradient cells with thermo-module.
 
4.  Experiment Data
The image of amplitude modulation microscope observation is shown in fig.5-1.   The process of crystal growth under temperature gradient condition is observed.

5.  Operation
The experiment is operated almost automatically along with the sequence which is set before starting. The sequence is repeated four times a temperature gradient cell.  Exchange of observed temperature cell is carried out by IVA.   The temperature profile of one sequence is shown in Fig. 6-1. The operation overview of the each step is shown below.
 

                                                            Fig. 6-1 Temperature profile
 

Step 1 The sequence starts.
Step 2 Optical adjustment by crew or command up-link.
Step 3 The Homogenization of the solution.
Step 4 Stable growth of the crystal.
Step 5 Unstable growth of the crystal.

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Protein Crystallization Research Facility (PCRF)
 

Experiment Cell Cartridge Assembly (Engineering Model)	Typical Experiment Cell Cartridge

  A typical Experiment Cell Section of PCRF consists of an Experiment Cell Cartridge, which consists of Cells that hold the protein solution (specimen) for crystallization. Then this Experiment Cell Cartridge is installed into the Experiment Cell Cartridge Assembly, along with other parts such as motors, thermo-modules, and temperature sensors (thermistors).

The PCRF Main Section can accommodate the following four methods of protein crystallization:

Vapor Diffusion Method

Membrane-intervened Two-liquid Diffusion Method

Liquid-liquid Interface Two-liquid Diffusion Method

Static Batch Method

A sample image taken using the Engineering Model is shown below. The quality of the image is expected to improve for the flight model.

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