Bubble nucleation and growth on microstructured surfaces under microgravity.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the dynamics of surface bubble formation and growth on heated surfaces holds significant implications for diverse modern technologies. While such investigations are traditionally confined to terrestrial conditions, the expansion of space exploration and economy necessitates insights into thermal bubble phenomena in microgravity. In this work, we conduct experiments in the International Space Station to study surface bubble nucleation and growth in a microgravity environment and compare the results to those on Earth. Our findings reveal significantly accelerated bubble nucleation and growth rates, outpacing the terrestrial rates by up to ~30 times. Our thermofluidic simulations confirm the role of gravity-induced thermal convective flow, which dissipates heat from the substrat

SUBMITTER: Zhang Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10827752 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature