Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31284: Watching Invisible Forces: Brownian Motion and Thermophoresis in Space

Tiny particles in fluids are always moving, jiggling around due to invisible collisions with molecules. This motion is called Brownian motion. But in space, the behavior of these particles changes dramatically due to the absence of gravity-driven convection.

The experiment known as 'Microgravity Research for Versatile Investigations - Thermophoretic And Brownian Optical Observation System,' led by Dr. James Gilchrist of Lehigh University, uses optical systems to track how particles behave in microgravity.

Thermophoresis is another focus of the study—it refers to particles moving from hot areas to cooler ones. On Earth, these effects are often hidden by gravity-based currents. In space, however, the effects are more pronounced and measurable.

By studying this motion on the ISS during Expeditions 72 and 73, the researchers aim to improve our understanding of aerosol behaviors, filtration systems, and possibly even medical diagnostics in zero gravity.

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