Feasibility of large free-standing liquid films in space

Abstract

We consider the feasibility of large-scale free-standing thin liquid film experiment in the space environment as a new realization to study two-dimensional hydrodynamics. We identify material and environmental criteria necessary to avoid freezing, evaporation, chemical degradation, and spontaneous collapse of the film. These criteria pose no obstacles to achieving films of kilometer scale and lifetime of many months, with attainable Reynolds number up to 10(7). However, impacts from meteoroids pose a serious threat to the film, and require substantial shielding or unproven self-healing properties in the film. Current theoretical and experimental studies of two-dimensional turbulence are briefly reviewed. We also describe a specific candidate liquid for the film.

A study of the evaporative deposition process: Pipes and truncated transport dynamics

“…We estimated in[37] that the typical velocity for a free standing dewetting film is about the order of 1 m/s.…”

Energy absorption in a bamboo foam

“…We shall describe here much more violent impacts, with velocities V in the range of 1 to 3 m/s. For larger velocities, the projectile might irreversibly damage the film [5].…”

Microstructure evolution of Cu atomic islands on liquid surfaces in the ambient atmosphere

“…As σ 2 (3.60 × 10 −2 J/m 2 [25] ) is much smaller than σ 0 (for Cu with the polycrystalline structure, σ 0 varies and its mean value is of the order of 1.79 J/m 2 [26] ), σ 0 -σ 2 > 0 is obtained, therefore, ∆G total > 0, indicating that the total free energy of the islands decreases with t. Equations ( 3)-( 6) give a theoretical explanation for the experimental results shown above.…”