Student Experiment Could Launch to Space Station Overnight
Posted:
An experiment by aerospace engineering students and faculty is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station aboard a Japanese spacecraft shortly after 12 a.m. Saturday.
The Ohio State experiment is focused on isolating the effect of gravity on the growth of ceria nanoparticles. Ceria (CeO2) is used as a support or catalyst in many technologically important reactions, such as high-temperature coatings for jet engines, solid oxide fuel cells for next-generation automobiles, and emissions abatement. The experiment will contribute information on whether reduced gravity leads to a higher level of performance for the catalyst.
The Space Station is a prime site for conducting the Ohio State experiment because the effective acceleration at the radius of the ISS orbit is about one-millionth of that at sea-level on Earth. The proposed experiment is aimed at synthesizing cerium (IV) oxide (ceria) nanoparticles in the presence of microgravity and returning the samples to Earth in order to study the effect of gravity on the crystal growth and defect structure.
Countdown has already begun for the launch, scheduled for shortly after midnight in our time zone (Japan time 2:37:57 p.m. Jan. 22). Read more about the experiment online, and keep track of the spacecraft launch, which is dependent upon weather, via the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Media Contacts:Joan Slattery Wall, engineering communications, wall.107@osu.edu or (office) 614-292-4064 or (cell) 614-284-8110
Michael Snyder, team member, aerospace engineering master's student, snyder.686@osu.edu
The Ohio State experiment is focused on isolating the effect of gravity on the growth of ceria nanoparticles. Ceria (CeO2) is used as a support or catalyst in many technologically important reactions, such as high-temperature coatings for jet engines, solid oxide fuel cells for next-generation automobiles, and emissions abatement. The experiment will contribute information on whether reduced gravity leads to a higher level of performance for the catalyst.
The Space Station is a prime site for conducting the Ohio State experiment because the effective acceleration at the radius of the ISS orbit is about one-millionth of that at sea-level on Earth. The proposed experiment is aimed at synthesizing cerium (IV) oxide (ceria) nanoparticles in the presence of microgravity and returning the samples to Earth in order to study the effect of gravity on the crystal growth and defect structure.
Countdown has already begun for the launch, scheduled for shortly after midnight in our time zone (Japan time 2:37:57 p.m. Jan. 22). Read more about the experiment online, and keep track of the spacecraft launch, which is dependent upon weather, via the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
Media Contacts:Joan Slattery Wall, engineering communications, wall.107@osu.edu or (office) 614-292-4064 or (cell) 614-284-8110
Michael Snyder, team member, aerospace engineering master's student, snyder.686@osu.edu
