Zeolite crystal growth in space - What has been learnedThree zeolite crystal growth experiments developed at WPI have been performed in space in last twelve months. One experiment, GAS-1, illustrated that to grow large, crystallographically uniform crystals in space, the precursor solutions should be mixed in microgravity. Another experiment evaluated the optimum mixing protocol for solutions that chemically interact ('gel') on contact. These results were utilized in setting the protocol for mixing nineteen zeolite solutions that were then processed and yielded zeolites A, X and mordenite. All solutions in which the nucleation event was influenced produced larger, more 'uniform' crystals than did identical solutions processed on earth.
Document ID
19930039379
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sacco, A., Jr. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Thompson, R. W. (NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Dixon, A. G. (Worcester Polytechnic Inst. MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Subject Category
Materials Processing
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 93-0473
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA, Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit