Investigation Seeks to Create Self-Assembling Materials

As we travel farther into space, clever solutions to problems like engine part malfunctions and other possible mishaps will be a vital part of the planning process. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is an emerging technology that may be used to custom-create mission-critical parts. An integral piece of this process is understanding how particle shape, size distribution and packing behavior affect the manufacturing process. The Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature-7 investigation (ACE-T-7) aboard the International Space Station explores the feasibility of creating self-assembling microscopic particles for use in the manufacturing of materials during spaceflight.

Read more about ACE-T-7 here: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/investigation-seeks-to-create-self-assembling-materials

HD Link: https://archive.org/details/jsc2018m000297_Investigation_Seeks_to_Create_Self-Assembling_Materials-MX