Work

Coupled System of Dual-Axis Clinostat and Helmholtz Cage for Simulated Microgravity Experiments

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The experimental investigation of plant growth under space conditions is a necessary prerequisite of long-term space missions. Besides experiments in space, many studies are performed under simulated microgravity, using a clinostat. However, the Earth magnetic field is usually not taken into account in such investigations. Here, a self-designed and constructed system of coupled devices—a clinostat and a Helmholtz cage—is presented. The clinostat can, on average, cancel the effective gravity field by using two independent rotations, enabling simulated zero-valued gravity experiments. Additionally, an appropriately symmetrically mounted Helmholtz cage can be used to cancel the natural Earth magnetic field in the volume where the clinostat is located. The combination of these two devices offers the opportunity, e.g., for bio-inspired experiments in which plant cultivation can be carried out in conditions that imitate a space environment. We provide information about the experimental setup and show first experimental results of growth tests.

Source: Applied Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/app14209517

Authors: Maciej Malczyk, Tomasz Blachowicz, Andrea Ehrmann

Institutions: Silesian University of Technology, Hochschule Bielefeld

Language: English

Topic: Spaceflight effects on biology

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,728

Funder: Silesian University of Technology