Phase partitioning in space and on earthThe influence of gravity on the efficiency and quality of the impressive separations achievable by bioparticle partitioning is investigated by demixing polymer phase systems in microgravity. The study involves the neutral polymers dextran and polyethylene glycol, which form a two-phase system in aqueous solution at low concentrations. It is found that demixing in low-gravity occurs primarily by coalescence, whereas on earth the demixing occurs because of density differences between the phases.
Document ID
19890029158
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Van Alstine, James M. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, United States)
Karr, Laurel J. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Snyder, Robert S. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Matsos, Helen C. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Curreri, Peter A. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Harris, J. Milton (Alabama, University Huntsville, United States)
Bamberger, Stephan B. (Oregon Health Sciences University Portland, United States)
Boyce, John (British Columbia, University Vancouver, Canada)
Brooks, Donald E. (Oregon Health Sciences University Portland; British Columbia, University, Vancouver, Canada)