UZAY
Materials Science and Physics
UYNA
Innovative Research on Novel Space Alloys
TÜBİTAK MAM
Ömür Can Odabaş
The UYNA experiment investigates the thermophysical properties of novel medium entropy and high entropy alloys (MEAs and HEAs, respectively) in microgravity. These types of metal alloys are characterized by their high strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion and are of interest for potential applications in many industries, including space, aviation, automotive, energy, and medicine.
Three different alloys designed by TUBITAK MAM are sent to ISS and tested in ELF device in JAXA’s KIBO module. Melting and solidification processes are completed while samples are levitated and heated by a laser source. During the melting and solidification processes, the effects of thermophysical properties, structural analysis, interface phenomena, crystal growth, and levitating production technique on material properties are examined.
The data from this experiment will help to improve the understanding of the formation and properties of MEA/HEA alloys, which could lead to the development of new and improved materials for a variety of applications.
GMETAL
Microgravity effects on metal particles dynamics in fluids
TÜBİTAK MAM
Prof. Dr. İskender Gökalp
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil, Bora Yazıcı, Dr. Nefise Mutlu, Dilay Güleryüz
gMETAL aims to investigate the effect of microgravity on the dynamics of two-phase mixing between solid particles and a gaseous medium in a stationary volume. For this purpose, 2 different particle sizes - 44 and 100 micrometers and 4 particle volume densities are tested on board ISS.
The ultimate goal of the research is to gather validated knowledge on the formation of a homogeneous mixture between metal particles and a gaseous oxidant introduced into a combustion chamber or a reactor to ensure efficient combustion and maximum heat release rate.
Applications for this research include the development of zero-carbon energy generation technologies on Earth by burning metal particles in air; or for development of propulsion systems or energy generation on Mars, for example, by reacting metal particles with CO2 collected from the Martian atmosphere.
MIYOKA
Lead Free Soldering Research for Microgravity Environment
TÜBİTAK UZAY
Hakan Asan
Bülent Avenoğlu
The aerospace industry is currently moving away from lead-tin solder due to its negative effects on health. Lead-free soldering is the new application for PCB manufacturing.
MIYOKA research aims to investigate the performance of lead-free soldering in microgravity conditions.
For this purpose, PCB’s will be soldered lead-free on ISS. After return, aging studies will be carried out in a vacuum environment for the tin whisker, which emerged in time in pure tin applications, using the PCB’s coming from the ISS. Destructive and non-destructive inspection procedures will be carried out and lead-free solders will be examined postflight.
Lead-free soldering, which will be performed in a microgravity environment will provide critical benefits in the planning and execution of future space missions.
