Data from cryo-neutron phase change experiments with LH2 and LCH4.

Cryogenic Propellant management is a critical roadblock to enable long term space missions. Commonly used propellants (liquid hydrogen and methane) undergo constant vaporization but there is limited knowledge on the phase change rate and its implications on long term storage stability. This is, in part, due to the inability to image the liquid-vapor mixture inside opaque metallic containers at cryogenic temperatures.

Observations of internal flow inside an evaporating nanofluid sessile droplet in the presence of an entrapped air bubble.

Using a unique, near-field microscopy technique, fringe patterns and nanoparticle motions are visualized immediately following a nanofluid droplet deposition on a glass substrate in which an air bubble is entrapped. The nanofluid consists of DI-water, 0.10% Aluminum Oxide nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 nm, and 0.

Visualization of an evaporating thin layer during the evaporation of a nanofluid droplet.

During the evaporation of a droplet, there exists an evaporating thin layer that is difficult to visualize because of optical restrictions. The present study visualized this thin layer by using a reflective-mode, confocal microscope that can provide improved signal-to-noise focal plane imaging over traditional optical microscopy while simultaneously serving as an interferometer when imaging thin liquid films. The spatial distribution of the evaporating thin layer thickness was determined from interferometric fringe analysis.

A novel miniature dynamic microfluidic cell culture platform using electro-osmosis diode pumping.

An electro-osmosis (EOS) diode pumping platform capable of culturing cells in fluidic cellular micro-environments particularly at low volume flow rates has been developed. Diode pumps have been shown to be a viable alternative to mechanically driven pumps. Typically electrokinetic micro-pumps were limited to low-concentration solutions (≤10 mM).

An analytical solution for determination of small contact angles from sessile drops of arbitrary size.

An analytical solution to the capillary equation of Young and Laplace is derived that allows determination of the static contact angle based on the volume of a sessile drop and the wetted area of the substrate. This solution does not require numerical integration to determine the drop profile and accounts for surface deformation due to gravitational effects. Calculation of the static contact angle by this method is remarkably simple and accurate when the contact angle is less than 30 degrees.