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2022 NASA EPSCOR SFO

Proposal Abstracts 

Contents

22-2022 SFO-0002 .................................................................................................................................... 1

Acoustofluidics-based Multifunctional Manipulation of Micro- and Nanoparticles under Reduced 

Gravity ...................................................................................................................................................... 1

22-2022 SFO-0003 .................................................................................................................................... 2

Experimental Measurement of Granular Flow Free Cooling in Microgravity .......................................... 2

22-2022 SFO-0005 .................................................................................................................................... 4

Activation of Self-folding Origami in Microgravity Environment (AoSOME)............................................ 4

22-2022 SFO-0002

Acoustofluidics-based Multifunctional Manipulation of Micro- and Nanoparticles under 

Reduced Gravity

The University of Mississippi

Director/PI: Dr. Nathan Murray

Tiny particles suspended in a liquid, colloids occur in many different forms (e.g., milk, muddy water, shampoo, 

and medicine) in our daily lives. Recently, colloids have shown great potential for additive manufacturing, drug 

delivery, and constructing colloidal superstructures. Scientists of the NASA Science Mission Directorate 

conducted years of research on colloids in microgravity. However, few studies investigated the effects of 

acoustic waves on colloids under reduced gravity. Few platforms can actively control the concentration, 

pattern, assembly, and alignment of tiny particles in liquids under reduced gravity.

On the other hand, engineers at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center are very interested in developing 

in-space manufacturing technologies for long space voyages. To fabricate polymer matrix composites 

reinforced/functionalized with tiny particles, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silicon carbide (SiC) 

whiskers, techniques that can arrange particles suspended in polymer resins are critical. However, no 3D 

printing platforms have been demonstrated to arrange tiny particles in resins and print polymer matrix 

composites containing patterned/aligned particles under reduced gravity.

The overall objective of this research is to develop and demonstrate novel acoustofluidic platforms 

that enable two unique capabilities: (i) multifunctional control (e.g., concentration, patterning, and alignment) 

of micro/nanoparticles, and (ii) printing polymer matrix composites containing patterned micro/nanoparticles 

under reduced gravity. To achieve this objective, we will accomplish five Tasks. Task 1 is to upgrade and 

optimize our previously developed acoustofluidic platforms for manipulating particles under reduced gravity. 

Task 2 is to develop theoretical models for predicting acoustofluidics-based particle manipulation under 

reduced gravity. Task 3 is to perform particle manipulation tests using our acoustofluidic platforms during the 

ZERO-G parabolic flight. Task 4 is to perform reduced-gravity 3D printing tests, by using our acoustics-assisted 
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2022 NASA EPSCOR SFO

Proposal Abstracts 

3D printing platform that integrates an acoustic array for arranging micro/nanoparticles in polymer resins and 

a light projection unit for photocuring. Task 5 is to analyze and compare the data collected under different 

gravity conditions, in order to understand the mechanisms of acoustically manipulating particles in liquids 

under reduced gravity.

We expect this research will lead to both critical scientific contributions and new technologies. (i) This study 

will generate new knowledge about the acoustic effects on micro/nanoparticles in liquids under reduced 

gravity. (ii) This study will lead to novel acoustofluidic technologies and fully functional platforms for actively 

manipulating (i.e., concentrating, patterning, and aligning) micro/nanoparticles in liquids under reduced 

gravity. (iii) This study will lead to an acoustics-assisted 3D printing platform, which can print multifunctional 

composite structures in reduced gravity environments. Particularly, the printed composite structures will 

contain lattice-like patterns of particles, and we expect these patterned internal particles can tailor the 

mechanical and electrical properties of printed composites.

This project aligns with the Physical Science Program of the NASA Science Mission Directorate by contributing 

to the research on colloids in microgravity. Moreover, this project aligns well with the Advanced 

Manufacturing Program of the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate. Specifically, the acoustics-assisted 

3D printing platform to be developed in this project will greatly contribute to space and surface manufacturing 

toward sustainable exploration activities, as mentioned in the letter of support provided by Dr. Protz: create 

controlled polymer matrix composites by 3D printing in low g environments has the potential to reduce up 

mass and effectively use available resources on Mars for example.

22-2022 SFO-0003

Experimental Measurement of Granular Flow Free Cooling in Microgravity

Wichita State University

Director/PI: Dr. Leonard Miller

Granular and particulate flows are ubiquitous in our world, from river sediment transport to the formation of 

planetesimals in a solar system. However, a predictive granular theory and associated model are still out of 

reach. Because collisions between solid particles are inelastic, a granular system is essentially dissipative and 

far-from equilibrium, which results in the clustering of particles. There is no consensus about the decay rate of 

particle kinetic energy in a free cooling state after the occurrence of clustering. Existing theories make 

distinctive predictions. In the proposed research, these predictions will be examined experimentally. The 

results will validate and improve the theories. The proposed research will use a novel experimental technology 

known as magnetic particle tracking (MPT). Since a dense granular flow is usually opaque, advanced optical 

diagnostic techniques are useless. The magnetic tracking method, in contrast, relies on the magnetic field of a 

few labeled tracers, which can penetrate commonly used non-ferromagnetic materials. The magnetic tracking 

method is able to provide the Lagrangian trajectory and orientation of a magnetic particle. Hence, its velocity 

and kinetic energy can be calculated.
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Proposal Abstracts 

The proposed research constructs a payload with automated MPT measurements of a large ensemble of 

particles distributed in 3D suitable for flight on a reduced gravity aircraft. This aircraft will expose the payload 

to short periods of microgravity (~20 s) by flying a parabolic path. The proposed effort collects at least 100 

such observations, between which the experiment is reset. The MPT technique will allow for 10 trajectories of 

particles in each experiment to be reconstructed, allowing computation of the free cooling rate for comparison 

to theory. Observation and measurement of such a visually obscured particle distribution in microgravity has 

never been done before. Previous experiments have focused on a small number of particles, 2D distributions, 

or were constrained by the technical difficulties of gravity so that free cooling rates could not be observed. The 

first results of this experiment would be data supporting the standing model of free cooling in the absence of 

clustering under these conditions (3D, large ensemble, microgravity), which are data not known to exist in the 

literature. After clustering begins, the data collected can help to determine which of the theories explaining 

the free cooling rate are correct, increasing our understanding of this phenomenon. This explanation would 

not be possible without microgravity. In addition to making an immediate impact supporting existing scientific 

understanding, the proposed project reduces the risk of future long-term MPT experiments in microgravity 

which could better investigate more complicated phenomena.
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2022 NASA EPSCOR SFO

Proposal Abstracts 

22-2022 SFO-0005 

Activation of Self-folding Origami in Microgravity Environment (AoSOME)

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Director/PI: Dr. Lawrence Thomas

The goal of the proposed research is to understand the self-folding dynamics of shape memory polymer (SMP) 

sheets in microgravity. Shape memory polymers can be used as lightweight mechanical actuators to deploy 

solar arrays or open/close antennas. They offer significant weight savings over motors and are not likely to be 

affected by lunar dust. Lightweight mechanisms are obtained by pre-straining the polymer so that it shrinks 

when heated above the glass transition temperature. Specific actuation/folding patterns may be obtained by 

controlling local energy absorption properties of the material, e.g. via coating. Local heating due to infrared 

(IR) light absorption by ink patterns produces a gradient of temperature and shrinking through the thickness of 

the sheet, which induces self-folding. This approach has been demonstrated in ground-based experiments, and 

the effects of parameters such as ink pattern geometry, darkness, and light intensity have been investigated. 

Unfortunately, we do not know how SMP actuators adapt to space environments. As these actuators are 

driven by the release of stored energy, understanding the building blocks of self-folding science will inform the 

design and development of SMP deployment mechanisms. The effects of space environments, e.g. radiation 

and vacuum, on polymers have been evaluated through combinations of ground and on-orbit based testing. 

However, microgravity effects on self-folding can only be approximated in ground-based experiments for the 

simplest of fold patterns. As a step toward resolving unknown self-folding SMP behaviors, we propose to 

investigate self-folding of single fold and intersecting fold (e.g. Miura-Ori) patterns in a microgravity 

environment and to compare the results to ground-based experiments. A suborbital, parabolic flight profile 

produces microgravity conditions for self-folding that cannot be obtained in a ground-based setting, and 

characterization of self-folding in microgravity is necessary to advance the TRL for future applications in 

deployable structures. The objectives of the proposed research follow. 

Objective 1: Adapt ground-based apparatus for testing in microgravity flight 

The current experimental apparatus consists of four 250 W IR heat lamps and a heated surface. We will adapt 

this fixture for microgravity testing by securing all components to a test frame, incorporating a preheating 

chamber, and implementing a system for automating sample placement, self-folding, and recovery. 

Objective 2: Design of Experiments Study to Determine Major Drivers for Microgravity Behavior 

Parameters to be considered include pattern geometry, ink darkness, sample orientation, light intensity, and 

initial temperature. This study will enable the test parameters to be finalized in advance of the suborbital 

flight. Ground-based testing of the selected parameters will be used to validate the modified test apparatus 

before flight. 

Objective 3: Analyze Self-Folding Dynamics in Microgravity 

We will perform self-folding experiments in reduced gravity and compare the results to ground based tests. 

Single fold and coordinated fold patterns will be considered. These tests will enable us to evaluate the effects 
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2022 NASA EPSCOR SFO

Proposal Abstracts 

of parameters identified in Objective 2 on self-folding dynamics in conjunction with microgravity. The results 

can be used to calculate the torque available during self-folding, which is relevant to the size limits of a large 

SMP structure or the mass limit of components that could be deployed by SMP.

The expected impacts of this study are that we will foster the creation of new lightweight actuation 

mechanisms for the deployment and assembly of emergent space structures. The research will contribute to 

the Artemis mission in the following ways. SMP actuation mechanisms may be infused into lightweight roll-out 

structures (TX12.1.1, TX12.1.3, and TX12.2.1) for lunar geophysical in-situ observations, radio and 

communication devices, and power generation.