[Fragility]
The origin of fragility in high-temperature oxide liquids - towards fabrication of novel non-equilibrium oxide materials

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

• In order to reveal the nature of glass formation, data on precise thermophysical properties (such as density and viscosity) is needed, as well as information on the molecular structure of high-temperature molten oxide melts.
• Temperature dependence data of the density and viscosity on the several kinds of oxide melts with high melting point (including silicate minerals) are obtained by on-orbit experiments. Using synchrotron radiation X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments on ground, data on the liquid structure of the samples can be obtained. Finally, the relationship between thermophysical properties and structures can be clarified.
• Research from The Origin of Fragility in High-temperature Oxide Liquids - Towards Fabrication of Novel Non-equilibrium Oxide Materials (Fragility) investigation can provide information to predict and propose the design of novel functional materials, and provide important data for simulation of flow phenomena of magma and mantle materials.

SPACE APPLICATIONS

The Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) supports various physical science investigations on the ISS, especially for producing novel materials and measuring thermophysical properties. Use of the ELF promotes and encourages the research of materials science in space to researchers and companies all over the world.

EARTH APPLICATIONS

The goal of this research is to predict the physical properties and material functions of unknown substances. Ultimately, the information obtained provides feedback into the design of new materials, and also the simulation of the dynamics of magma flow for earth science applications and predictions.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROTOCOLS

The Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF) body is assembled and installed in Multi Purpose Small Payload Rack (MSPR or MSPR-2) in the Kibo Module. After setup, the experiment is operated from ground control as required by investigators at Space Station Integration and Promotion Center, Tsukuba Space Center. The experiment procedure follows:

1. Preparation of the experiment: crew inserts Sample Holder into Sample Cartridge, and inserts Sample Cartridge into chamber. Activation and initial configuration of facilities (MSPR, ELF).
2. Experiment operation: the Sample is released to Experiment Volume by Sample Release Rod. Sample is charged/position controlled/heated and melted through electrodes and Power Lasers. Sample is measured through sensors and cameras.
3. Post experiment operation—downlink of recorded video/pictures, data.
4. Closeout of experiment—deactivation of facilities.