The returned experiment may also include those in the material science areas so scientists can find out if the microgravity environment has any effects on the experiment samples. Although an extensive list of the life science and material science experiments was not available, China Space News, a major Chinese-language aerospace publication in China, published some details of the experiments in the Jan. 11 edition. Among the material science experiments is growing crystals in a multi-chamber crystal growth furnace. In space where convection and precipitation are significantly reduced, crystals form with more complete structure and higher quality than those grown on Earth. Some of the crystals grown on the mission include crystals used in semi-conductors, oxidized monocrystals, and metallic alloys.
Scientists set up camera systems to image the entire crystal growth process.
Primary interests are in studying the dynamics of crystal growth and how the near absence of convection affects the crystal growing process. Analyzing the imagery may shed light on why space crystals have better qualities than their Earth-based counterparts, and help improve the techniques of growing crystals on Earth. In the life science experiments, there are 25 specimens known to be flown on the mission. Of the 19 different types of biological systems in the flown specimens, seventeen are microorganisms, plants, aquatic organisms, and invertebrates while two kinds are cells and cellular structures from vertebrates. The life science experiments examine space effects on biological organisms and a closed biological system.