Fluid Behavior in Microgravity

An experiment designed to study some fundamental aspects of microgravity fluid dynamics has been built and is scheduled for flight. The purpose of the experiment is to investigate differences in behavior of wetting and nonwetting fluid systems at low Bond numbers. Methods were developed to determine liquid quantity, estimate vapor contact area and measure liquid layer thickness. Both the responses of the fluid systems to external perturbations and the transfer of liquid through a connection between two containers can be studied.