Microgravity science is a frontier interdisciplinary discipline emerging with the development of China’s manned space program, a hotspot in space science. The Key Laboratory of Microgravity of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NML), founded as the National Laboratory of Microgravity in 1995 and renamed officially in 2008, has become the center for microgravity science and the user support system in China. The first director of the Lab was Prof. Hu Wenrui and the first chair of the Academic Committee was Prof. Lin Lanying (both are the academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences).
NML has been focusing on understanding the fundamental principles and rationales of microgravity fluid physics and promoting interdisciplinary studies related to space material sciences, space life sciences and space biotechnologies. Utilizing ground-based, drop tower, recoverable satellite, and space payload experiments, LNM has been conducting diversified theoretical and experimental investigations on various overlapping fields related to microgravity science, making great contributions to hi-tech developments such as fire safety and fluid management imperative for China’s manned space program.
Current research fields are as follows:
1. Microgravity fluid physics
Thermocapillary convection and interfacial phenomena
Multiphase flows and related heat transfer
Complex fluids
2. Microgravity combustion science
Combustion mechanism
Fire safety in manned spacecraft
3. Space material science
Solidification process
Crystal growth
4. Biomechanics and nano-biotechnology
Molecular and cellular biomechanics
Nano bio-optics
Space biotechnology and space life sciences
Great progresses have been achieved in the following fields:
1. Microgravity fluid physics
Liquid-bridge (pool) thermocapillary convection and its stability
Thermocapillary migration of liquid droplets and bubbles
Two-layer fluids with evaporation and convection
2. Complex fluids and colloid self-assembly
Microscopic diagnosis of the stability of dispersion systems
ZnO monocrystal with 2D-periodic hole structure upon colloid templates
3. Microgravity experimental facilities and related techniques
100-meter drop tower system
Ground-based and space experiments and related techniques
4. Space biomechanics and space bioengineering
Biological responses of cells to microgravity
Dynamics of cell aggregation and adhesion and their molecular regulations
Objectives:
Guided by China’s science and technology strategy and space program, NML will strengthen its research bases and establish a worldwide center for microgravity science and a user support system with a high reputation. While completing the key national projects, NML will also provide necessary technical support for China’s manned space program and make great contributions to the frontiers and interdisciplinary fields of microgravity science.