Materials science in space
2015-2026: ESA PRODEX “Thermophysical and structural properties of Bulk Metallic Glasses: X-ray assisted design in materials processing and opportunities for space applications” connected to the ELIPS program in physical sciences, PI: Antonia Neels
Topic
- Controlling the solidification of bulk metallic glasses (BMG) is supported by fundamental thermophysical understanding combined with structural evaluation
- Challenges for structural research followed by implementation into the industrial workflow: multi-phase systems, metastable phases, phase separation, preferred orientation, nano-micro-crystals, crystallinity, strain & relaxation
Key results
- Results obtained through space experiments enable a new design and optimization of fabrication processes for advanced functional parts to tackle applications with high reliability demands
- Support for the industrialization of new materials and materials systems
- Process and parts qualification of for space applications - TRL raising
Publications
- "Electromagnetic levitation containerless processing of metallic materials in microgravity: thermophysical properties" M. Mohr, Y. Dong, G. P. Bracker , R. W. Hyers, D. M. Matson, R. Zboray, R. Frison, A. Dommann, A. Neels, X. Xiao, J. Brillo, R. Busch, R. Novakovic, P. Srirangam and H.-J. Fecht, NPJ Microgravity, 2023, npj Microgravity (2023) 34, 1-12.
- "Thermophysical Properties of Bulk Metallic Glasses" Mohr, M., Dong, Y., Hofmann, D. C., Neels, A., Dommann, A., Johnson, W. L., & Fecht, H. J. (2022). In H. J. Fecht & M. Mohr (Eds.), The minerals, metals & materials series. Metallurgy in space. Recent results from ISS (pp. 425-450). (book chapter)
- "Surface tension and viscosity of liquid Pd43Cu27Ni10P20 measured in a levitation device under micro-gravity" by M. Mohr, R. Wunderlich, K. Zweiacker, S. Prades-Rödel, R. Sauget, A. Blatter, R. Logé, A. Dommann, A. Neels, W. Johnson, H. Fecht, NPJ Microgravity 2019, 5(1), 4, 1-8.