The primary objective of Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space (OASIS) experiment is to exploit the unique characteristics of freely suspended liquid crystals in a microgravity environment to advance the understanding of fluid state physic

Clark, N.

Glaser, M.

Hall, Nancy Rabel

Maclennan, J.

Park, C.

Sheehan, C. C.

Stannarius, R.

Tin, Padetha

Trittel, T.

NASA Technical Reports Server

Bubble Inflation
 • Bubble chamber
  – Bubble film thickness
  – Bubble inflation size control 
Observation by reflected light imaging
 • Low resolution video (bubble chamber) 
  – Bubble inflation
  – Global bubble structure
  – Global organization (islands and droplets)
 • High-resolution video microscopy 
  – Island structure and dynamics
  – Orientational textures
  – Island thickness 
Manipulation
 • Air jets (bubble chamber)
  – Island generation
  – Film hydrodynamics
 • Inkjet drop ejector (bubble chamber)
  – Island and droplet generation
 • Electric field (bubble chamber)
  – Induced island interactions
  – Electrohydrodynamics
 • Temperature gradients (bubble chamber)
  – Thermocapillary effects
 • Dynamic inflation and deflation (bubble chamber)
  – Nucleation of islands and pores
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Design and Development of the Observation and Analysis 
of Smectic Islands in Space Experiment
PS–00945–1112
The primary objective of Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands 
in Space (OASIS) experiment is to exploit the unique characteristics 
of freely suspended liquid crystals in a microgravity environment to 
advance the understanding of fluid state physics.
Freely suspended liquid crystal (FSLC) films exhibit a combination of 
physical characteristics.
Quantized thickness 
(3 nm for a single molecular layer) 
• Stable fluid structures
• Largest surface-to-volume ratio
• Low vapor pressure
The OASIS spaceflight experiment comprises a series of experi-
ments that will probe the interfacial and hydrodynamic behavior of 
FSLC films in space. It will be executed using four different liquid 
crystal materials in four separate sample chambers that will be   
contained in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) onboard 
the ISS.
The study of equilibrium and out-of-equilibrium phenomena in 
reduced dimensionality, for example, liquid crystal ordering and 
fluctuations in two dimensions, and the effects of finite size on 
liquid crystal phase transitions.
•
FSLC films in microgravity present extraordinary opportunities 
for the study of fluid dynamic and thermodynamic behavior in 
reduced dimensionality, and for the exploration of fundamental 
nonequilibrium fluid interfacial phenomena.
•
N.R. Hall,1 P. Tin,2 C.C. Sheehan,3 R. Stannarius,4 T. Trittel,4 N. Clark,5 J. Maclennan,5 M. Glaser,5 and C. Park5
1NASA Glenn Research Center, USA; 2National Center for Space Exploration Research, USA;  3ZIN Technologies, USA;  
4University of Magdeburg, Germany;  5University of Colorado, USA
www.nasa.gov
Introduction
The syringe pump allowed for excellent thin film bubble formation 
with little to no premature island formation.
Pressure quenching and pulsation was tested.
Thermocapillary, inkjet droplet device, and air jets all worked 
well. E-field not visible with macro camera.
Analysis continues on the data by PI team.
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•
•
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Exercise flight experiment system functions such as pressure 
quenching and pulsation, thermocapillary, inkjet droplet device, 
air jets, and E-field.
Used two different liquid crystal samples (50/50 8CB and 
MX12160 type) and tested bubble inflation system in microgravity.
Experiment flew on the OASIS Parabolic Flight System in the 
Zarges Container shown below.
•
•
•
Test Summary
Test Objectives
OASIS International Space Station (ISS) Flight Experiment European Parabolic Flight
Liquid Crystal Phases
Ultra-thin FSLC Films
Inkjet Droplet Device System ImageMacro-Observation System Image
Depolarized Reflected Light 
Microscopy (DRLM) of Tilted 
Smectic (SmC) Film
Experiment Testing to be Conducted in Microgravity
Adaptive Optical Elements  
 • As diverse as inter and intra  satellite communications, 3D 
       optical switching in space optical communications, remote 
       sensing (LIDAR), lunar landing/rendevous/docking
 • Advantage of photonic devices over conventional 
       mechanical beam steering parts, light weight, very low power
 • ESA supported UPM for LC programmable blaze grating 
       (SLM)
Space Suit Head-Mount Displays
 • Very fast switching, defect free and high resolution (also 
       military applications)
Consumer Electronics
Space and Terrestrial Applications
Background Right: OASIS Parabolic Flight Crew.Below: Novespace Airbus reduced-gravity 
aircraft
•  OTTO VON GUERICKE UNIVERSITY OF MAGDEB
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 ZI
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UN
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TY
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F C
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OR
ADO
 BOUL
DER  •  NASA GLENN RESEARCH CENTER
OASIS
surfaces 
symmetry 
fields 
 
Reflection
microscope image.
~ 50 layers~ 60 layers
~ 40 layers
~ 30 layers
~ 10 layers
~ 20 layers
c(r) 
 
f(r) 
 
Electronics 
power enclosure
Digital I/O enclosure 
assembly Cube Removable hard drive
PC104 Stack
Avionics assembly
S1111MFA3300
optics/illumination
assembly
Bubble chamber insert assembly
Bubble chamber
enclosure assembly
Macro camera 
assembly
X.X
X.XX
X.XXX
ANG.
+-0.03
+-0.01
+-0.005
+-0.5
An engineering test unit of the OASIS experiment was tested on the 
DLR 20th/NOVESPACE 97th parabolic flight campaign in Merignac, 
France, September 10 to 14, 2012. 
1. Bubble chamber insert
2. AVT GX1050C Macro cam
3. Power conversion/distribution 
    system
4. Bubble inflation and LC 
    and LED drivers module
5. IDD/E-field drivers module
6. Pressure pulsation system
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20130011409 2019-08-31T00:37:21+00:00Z


Design and Development of the Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space Experiment

Design and Development of the Observation and Analysis of Smectic Islands in Space Experiment

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