Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #30804: Dancing Particles in Microgravity: The Physics of Colloids on the ISS

Colloids—tiny particles suspended in a fluid—are all around us, from milk to paint. But how do they behave in space? The EXPRESS Physics of Colloids experiment, led by Dr. David Weitz from Harvard, used the microgravity conditions aboard the ISS to unlock new insights into colloidal behavior without the interference of gravity.

In space, colloids self-organize into structures not possible on Earth. This helps researchers understand crystallization, gelation, and glass formation processes. These findings can improve consumer products, drug delivery systems, and even 3D printing technologies.

The experiment revealed how tiny forces dominate at the microscopic scale and influence material properties. It paves the way for advanced materials science and manufacturing techniques, making use of the space lab as a tool to explore fundamental physics.

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