Macromolecular crystal growth experiments on international microgravity laboratory - 1

Macromolecular crystallization in microgravity

Density difference fluid flows and sedimentation of growing crystals are greatly reduced when crystallization takes place in a reduced gravity environment. In the case of macromolecular crystallography a crystal of a biological macromolecule is used for diffraction experiments (x-ray or neutron) so as to determine the three-dimensional structure of the macromolecule. The better the internal ord...

Experiments on Magnesium Aerosol Combustion in Microgravity

An experimental study of the combustion of an aerosol of coarse magnesium particles in microgravity is reported. Particles with sizes between 180–250 mm were aerosolized in a 0.5-L combustion chamber and ignited in a constant-pressure, microgravity environment. Two flame images were produced simultaneously using interference filters separating adjacent MgO and black body radiation bands at 500 ...

A Microfluidic, High Throughput Protein Crystal Growth Method for Microgravity

The attenuation of sedimentation and convection in microgravity can sometimes decrease irregularities formed during macromolecular crystal growth. Current terrestrial protein crystal growth (PCG) capabilities are very different than those used during the Shuttle era and that are currently on the International Space Station (ISS). The focus of this experiment was to demonstrate the use of a comm...

Particle aggregation in microgravity: Informal experiments on the International Space Station

We conducted experiments in space to investigate the aggregation of millimeterand submillimeter-sized particles in microgravity, an important early step in planet formation. Particulate materials included salt (NaCl), sugar (sucrose), coffee, mica, ice, Bjurb€ ole chondrules, ordinary and carbonaceous chondrite meteorite fragments, and acrylic and glass beads, all triply confined in clear plast...

Macromolecular crystal quality.