Electrostatic Levitation Furnace for ISS/KIBO

Paper number

IAC-11,A2,5,2,x9976

Author

Dr. Keiji Murakami, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan

Year

2011

Abstract

JAXA is now going to start the development of new ISS/KIBO material processing equipment, called Electrostatic Levitation Furnace(ELF). ELF is the levitation furnace using electrostatic force, and samples are heated by semiconductor laser from multiple directions to keep the isothermal temperature profile in the sample, and maximum temperature would be up to 3000 degree Celcius, depending on the sample materials and diameter. The merit of using electrostatic force is that we can process the non-metalic samples, such as oxides　and glasses. 
ELF would be installed into Multi-purpose Small Payload Rack(MSPR) which has been launched by HTV#2 this January. ELF is one of the equipment which uses MSPR Workvolume, so the volume of ELF is limited to fit into the Workvolume, should be approx. 600mm depth , 900mm width and 700mm height.
In this presentation, we will present the latest status(such as development schedule and mission target of initial phase) and specifications of ELF.

Abstract document

IAC-11,A2,5,2,x9976.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)