Chemical and biological processes behave differently in space due to different fluid mechanics (i.e. lack of convection currents) and other effects of microgravity. Examples of interesting projects for consumer and life-science fields are: Pharmaceuticals: Novel polymorphs, improved crystals for inhalation and other novel dosage forms, protein crystallization, accelerated models for bacterial infection and aging diseases, growth of 3D tissues and organ-on-chip for drug discovery. Food and nutrition: improvement of fermentation processes. Enhanced extraction of flavors, and nutrients from natural resources. Cosmetics and consumer products: Understanding rheology and dynamics of colloids, emulsions and foams. SpacePharma enables access to microgravity research using remote-controlled, miniaturized, automated labs in a satellite or onboard the International Space Station. We have performed two successful launches in 2017 in which 8 experiments were completed. In this presentation we will show the results of two experiments: First, a drop-coalescence experiment (performed in a free-orbit satellite) showed that the main driving force for coalescence is the concentration of drops in a confined space, while temperature is a major inhibiting factor to viscosity. This result can be used for modeling extraction and phase separation processes, as well as pointing out some of the complexities of in-orbit manufacturing. Second, crystallization of an organic substance led to significantly larger crystals, with higher crystalline order, compared to any crystal of the same substance obtained on Earth. This experiment, performed aboard the International Space station, afforded about 50 mg of material which were returned to Earth. This quantity is sufficient for comprehensive analysis and experimental processing.

Experiences and challenges with remote controlled chemical instruments in orbit

256th National Meeting (2018)

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