ESA title
Science & Exploration

Innovative technologies

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ESA / Science & Exploration / Human and Robotic Exploration / Research

The improvement of industrial production methods and the development of new technologies are essential for a European industry that wants to be on the leading edge.

With the progress made in research in weightlessness during the last two decades, a number of research topics have emerged that have a clear relevance for industrial production processes. In order to model or improve production methods, it is important to understand the processes which are gravity dependent

To give an example, even a small increase in accuracy of the thermophysical properties of molten metals or crude oils can have important economic benefits for the casting of petrochemical industries. Also a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the solidification or crystal growth mechanisms, or the behaviour of foams, can lead to optimised production methods or even new materials.

The development of new technologies can also be the primary goal of experiments in weightlessness or the spin off of experiments performed. Projects related to the development of technology for clinical and pharmaceutical applications, such as artificial organs and reconstituted tissues for drug screening and telemedicine, are foreseen aboard the ISS. Also innovative materials could be developed such as magnetic fluids, advanced foams and advanced sensing systems. Finally, basic research projects could develop new technology concepts for the future, based for example on cold-atom or plasma physics technologies.

Improved oil recovery

Crude oil is a very viscous liquid containing a very high number of different chemical ingredients. When trying to measure the capacity of oil wells (e.g. by seismic sampling) the properties of the crude oil have to be known to quite some accuracy. It can be quite difficult to measure the properties of these mixtures on Earth with the desired accuracy, again because the force of gravity will separate the different components according to their specific weight. Measurements on these mixtures in space promise to be a very good way to determine these essential parameters, thereby giving very valuable inputs to the capacity estimation and selection of appropriate recovery techniques of these oil fields.

Artificial cartilage

On Earth it is still not yet possible to understand or mimic three-dimensional growth of human cells in vitro. The best that can be obtained are two-dimensional flat samples. In space it is possible to grow cultures in three dimensions and try to understand the role of the various processes involved.

This could lead to the identification of a possible technique to do this on Earth as well. Being able to produce three-dimensional cultures would open up possibilities for producing replacement material such as cartilage (and later possibly even more functional tissues and organs) based on the cells of the patient itself, thus avoiding all types of immune system reactions at implantation. The research is highly relevant: even if its only result is the development of artificial cartilage, huge numbers of sporting enthusiasts or elderly people would benefit.

Research into foams

Metal foam
Metal foam

Foams formed on Earth are never homogenous due to the force of gravity. This can be seen from the size and wall thickness distribution in any foam (beer, dishwashing). Foams are generally an unwanted by-product in chemical plants, clogging piping, etc. Having more fundamental knowledge of foam properties, as can be measured on uniform samples in space, may help industry to improve the design of their plants.

A special category of foam can be made from metals. These would constitute new lightweight materials that can be used, for example, in new car components. Here too ESA, industry and scientists are joining forces to perform relevant research on the International Space Station.