Scientists of the NASA Science Mission Directorate conducted years of research on colloids in microgravity. However, few studies have investigated the effects of acoustic waves on colloids under reduced gravity. Few platforms can actively control the concentration, pattern, assembly, and alignment of tiny particles in liquids under reduced gravity. On the other hand, engineers at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center are very interested in developing in-space manufacturing technologies for long space voyages. To fabricate polymer matrix composites reinforced/functionalized with tiny particles, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers, techniques that can arrange particles suspended in polymer resins are critical. However, no 3D printing platforms have been demonstrated to arrange tiny particles in resins and print polymer matrix composites containing patterned/aligned particles under reduced gravity.

The research will be conducted during parabolic flight using previously developed acoustofluidic platforms upgraded and optimized for manipulating particles under reduced gravity. The data collected under different gravity conditions will be analysed and compared to understand the mechanisms of acoustically manipulating particles in liquids under reduced gravity.

This project aligns with the Physical Sciences Program of the NASA Science Mission Directorate by contributing to the research on colloids in microgravity. Moreover, this project aligns with the Advanced Manufacturing Program of the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate.