Conducts research in fluid physics and transport phenomenon to elucidate effects of microgravity and reduced-gravity environments encountered in space and develop technologies to enable open and closed-loop exploration life support and thermal control, in situ resource utilization, and other spacecraft technologies and systems. Capabilities include Fluids Integrated Rack (FIR) on ISS to conduct long-duration microgravity experiments; specialized ground-based fluid physics labs with state-of-the-art diagnostics; access to ground-based low-gravity facilities including NASA low-gravity aircraft, 5.2 Second Zero-Gravity facility and 2.2 Second Drop Tower.
Research is conducted on fluid physics and transport phenomenon using the unique attributes of the space environment. This research is aimed at developing technologies to enable closed-loop life support and other spacecraft systems through understanding of the underlying physical processes that involve sensitivity to gravity, multiphase flows, and heat and mass transport. Flight hardware is developed for ISS and other space platforms to conduct carefully designed experiments to elucidate the effects of low gravity on multiphase flows and complex fluids. The experiment results are used to develop models and technologies for Advanced Life Support Systems; In situ Resource Utilization; and other spacecraft technologies and systems.
Research Areas
- Analytical/computational modeling and experiments in multiphase (liquid-gas, gas-solid, and liquid-solid) flows in microgravity and partial-gravity environment to provide design tools to enable multiphase-based technologies for advanced life support and other exploration needs
- Two-Phase Flow: Overview of the effects of microgravity on two-phase flow.
- Advanced thermal control technologies phase change (boiling, condensation and sublimation) e.g., multifluid sublimator/evaporator for spacecraft thermal control, condensing heat exchanger for humidity control of the crew environment, and pulsed thermal loop heat transport technology
- Advanced technologies for phase separation/contacting in microgravity and partial gravity environment e.g., passive liquid-gas separators and packed/fluidized bed reactors
- Advanced diagnostics for measuring fluid properties and flow field in single and multicomponent fluid systems
- Advanced technologies and concepts for managing/ controlling liquid inventory in microgravity environment
