Using magnetic field gradients to simulate variable gravity in fluids and materials experiments
- Paper number
IAC-06-A2.1.06
- Author
Dr. Narayanan Ramachandran, BAE SYSTEMS Analytical Solutions, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Fluid flow due to a gravitational field is caused by sedimentation, thermal buoyancy, or solutal buoyancy induced convection. During crystal growth, for example, these flows are undesirable and can lead to crystal imperfections. While crystallization in microgravity can approach diffusion limited growth conditions (no convection), terrestrially strong magnetic fields can be used to control fluid flow and sedimentation effects. In this work, a theory is presented on the stability of solutal convection of a magnetized fluid(weakly paramagnetic) in the presence of a magnetic field. The requirements for stability are developed and compared to experiments performed within the bore of a superconducting magnet. The theoretical predictions are in good agreement with the experiments. Extension of the technique can also be applied to study artificial gravity requiremetns for long duration exploration missions. Discussion of this application with preliminary experiments and application of the technique to crystal growth will be provided.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A2.1.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.