Mingzhi Luo^1,2, Peili Yu¹, Yang Jin³, Zhili Qian¹, Yue Wang¹, Jingjing Li¹, Peng Shang^2*, Linhong Deng^1*

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.13, No.2, pp. 137-157, 2016, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2016.013.155

Abstract Random positioning machine (RPM) and diamagnetic levitation are two essential ground-based methods used to stimulate the effect of microgravity in space life science research. However, the force fields generated by these two methods are fundamentally different, as RPM generates a dynamic force field acting on the surface in contact with supporting substrate, whereas diamagnetic levitation generates a static force field acting on the whole body volume of the object (e.g. cell). Surprisingly, it is hardly studied whether these two fundamentally different force fields would cause different responses in mammalian cells. Thus we exposed cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts to either dynamically stimulated… More >

Binbin Diao¹, Deli Gao^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.90, No.1, pp. 77-90, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2013.090.077

Abstract The measurement of the relative position of two adjacent wells is one of the key technologies in the directional drilling of twin parallel horizontal wells, and the downhole intersection of two adjacent wells. A new electromagnetic ranging system and a guidance method are introduced for determining the relative position of two adjacent wells. The system mainly consists of two solenoid assemblies, improved surveying instrument for measurement while drilling (MWD), and a computational procedure for guidance. Also, the distribution of the magnetic field of each energized solenoid assembly is discussed, by regarding the solenoid assembly as two independent oscillating magnetic dipoles.… More >

Jun Du^1,*, Xin Wu¹, Ruonan Li¹, Ranran Cheng¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 77-87, 2019, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2019.05949

Abstract In this paper, we take the mid-temperature gravity heat pipe exchanger as the research object, simulate the fluid flow field, temperature field and the working state of heat pipe in the heat exchanger by Fluent software. The effects of different operating parameters and fin parameters on the heat transfer performance of heat exchangers are studied. The results show that the heat transfer performance of the mid-temperature gravity heat pipe exchanger is the best when the fin spacing is between 5 mm and 6 mm, the height of the heat pipe is between 12 mm and 13 mm, and the inlet… More >

Saber Hamimid¹, Messaoud Guellal²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 137-153, 2016, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2016.012.137

Abstract The numerical study of combined thermo-magnetic convection and surface radiation is presented in this paper and computations are performed for a paramagnetic fluid filled square cavity whose four walls have the same emissivity, placed in a micro-gravity environment (g ≈0), and subjected to various strong non-uniform magnetic field gradients. The vertical walls were isothermal, and the horizontal walls were adiabatic. Finite volume method based on the concepts of staggered grid and SIMPLER algorithm has been applied, and the view factors were determined by analytical formula. Representative results, illustrating the effect of magnetic field strength on streamlines, temperature contours and Nusselt… More >

M.M. Shemirani¹, M.Z. Saghir²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.5, No.3, pp. 211-230, 2009, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2009.005.211

Abstract A three-dimensional numerical modeling of Ge0.98Si0.02crystal growth is conducted to investigate the effect of g-jitter along with rotating magnetic field on the heat and mass transfer in the solvent region. It was found that the speed in the flow under the low frequency g-jitter is in the nano-centimeter per second and is too weak to have any impact on the silicon concentration in the process of crystallization near the growth interface. Different magnetic field intensities for different rotational speeds were examined. It was also found that rotating magnetic field not only did not suppress the convection but also generated an… More >

Lassig, J.¹, Montes, G., Quiroga, J.

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.5, No.1, pp. 61-80, 2009, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2009.005.061

Abstract This paper presents a description of the design and ensuing development of an automated liquid droplet generator and related utilization aboard the space shuttle, a) as a fluid positioning system for materials processing (attached droplet method), and b) as a means to measure surface oscillation of droplets under microgravity for determining their surface tension. More >

Sayavur I. Bakhtiyarov¹, Dennis A. Siginer²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.5, No.1, pp. 1-22, 2009, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2009.005.001

Abstract Strong inhomogeneous magnetic fields are necessary to generate a finite levitation force in ground based electromagnetic levitation techniques. External forces such as magnetic and gravitational forces influence the oscillation spectrum and counteract the surface movement resulting in a frequency shift, and making the use of electromagnetic levitation techniques in microgravity an attractive alternative to measure thermophysical properties of liquid metals. Under microgravity conditions the magnetic field strength around a liquid droplet is significantly lower than that required to position the same specimen against earth gravity. Hence, a low magnetic field strength results in a low amount of heat energy absorbed… More >

Huawei Han¹, Kamiel S. Gabriel²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 287-298, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.287

Abstract Data on air-water co-current two-phase annular flow in a tube with an inner diameter of 9.525 mm (3/8 in) were previously collected at both microgravity u-g and normal gravity (1-g) conditions. The data contained measurements of pressure drop, in addition to previously published data of liquid film thickness. This paper presents the results and analysis of the influence of flow pressure gradient on interfacial wave properties of annular flow at both microgravity and normal gravity. The examined wave properties include wave base thickness, wave height (or roughness height), wave spacing, wave speed and wave frequency. It was found that, the… More >

Y. Okano¹, A. Ishii¹, H. Miyashita¹, H. Minakuchi¹, S. Dost²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.4, pp. 261-270, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.261

Abstract The article presents the results of a numerical simulation study that was carried out to examine the effect of g-jitter on the flow and concentration structures observed in the solution of a growth crucible under microgravity conditions. The simulation model considers a simple crucible of electroepitaxy, and assumes crucible rotation and applied axial static magnetic fields to control and minimize the effect of g-jitter induced flow oscillations. More >

V. Pletser¹, R. Bosch², L. Potthast², R. Kassel³

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.2, No.1, pp. 65-76, 2006, DOI:10.3970/fdmp.2006.002.065

Abstract Orbital weightless conditions have been shown to yield better and larger crystals. The Solution Crystallization Diagnostics Facility (SCDF) is a third generation instrument developed by ESA and dedicated to the observation and study with advanced diagnostics nucleation and crystallisation processes of molecules from solutions on board the International Space Station. The SCDF is intended to be used for studies of proteins and large biomolecules, and more generally of any kind of molecules growing from solutions, using the powerful set of diagnostics means available in the SCDF platform. Several protein crystallisation reactors have been developed to study protein and macro-biomolecules assembling… More >