The International Space Station (ISS), which flies about 400 km above the ground, is a special environment that is completely different from the ground, such as microgravity, space radiation, a vast field of view, a high vacuum, and abundant solar energy. It has been 10 years since the Japanese Experiment Module "Kibo" was installed on the ISS, and it has been established as a place for long-term and stable use of the space environment and technology demonstration, and a place (platform) for familiar space use. doing.

The "Electrostatic Levitation Furnace" (ELF) installed in "Kibo" has made it possible to create substances and acquire data, which was difficult on the ground. We are also taking on the challenge of new technologies such as measuring the physical properties of melts of refractory materials that take advantage of the fact that substances can be floated without a container. Experiments at Kibo are helping to create new innovations and technologies and enhance the competitiveness of Japanese manufacturing.

JAXA accepts requests for high-precision thermophysical property measurement using electrostatic levitation furnaces on the ground and in space. ELF can melt high melting point material which cannot be melted on ground. Then ELF can measure its thermophysical properties like density, surface tension, and viscosity. Please contact us first as some samples cannot be measured.

[Poster] Electrostatic Levitation Furnace (ELF)
"[Booklet] "Kibo" Utilization Services #2: Materials Science