No abstract available

[en] Measurements of microaccelerations on board an orbital station are analyzed from the standpoint of the influence (of the state determined by them) on the development of convective processes of a gravitational nature. Two regimes of development of convection are identified, depending on the nature of the variation of the acceleration vector: In one of them the intensity of convective motion is the determining factor, and in the other convection is suppressed and heat conduction (diffusion) is the main transport mechanism. 4 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab

[en] This paper presents the results of an experiment which investigated the effects of the using science fiction stories in physics lessons. A questionnaire form containing 2 open-ended questions related to Jules Vernes story From the Earth to the Moon was used with 353, 9th and 10th grade students to determine their pre-conceptions about gravity and weightlessness. Mental models explaining students scientific and alternative views were constructed, according to students replies. After these studies, 6 students were interviewed. In this interview, researches were done about whether science fiction stories had an effect on bringing students pre-conceptions related to physics subjects out, on students inquiring their own concepts and on increasing students interest and motivation towards physics subjects. Studies in this research show that science fiction stories have an effect on arousing students interest and curiosity, have a role encouraging students to inquire their own concepts and are effective in making students alternative views come out

[en] The first experiment on the decharging of a complex plasma in microgravity conditions was conducted. After switching off the rf power, in the afterglow plasma, ions and electrons rapidly recombine and leave a cloud of charged microparticles. Because of microgravity, the particles remain suspended in the experimental chamber for a sufficiently long time, allowing precise measurements of the rest particle charge. A simple theoretical model for the decharging is proposed which agrees quite well with the experiment results and predicts the rest charge at lower gas pressures

No abstract available

[en] In this paper, granular segregation in a two-compartment cell in zero gravity is studied numerically by DEM simulation. In the simulation using a virtual window method we find a non-monotonic flux, a function which governs the segregation. A parameter is used to quantify the segregation. The effect of three parameters: the total number of particles N, the excitation strength $\mathrm{\Gamma <!--\; ??\; -->}$, and the position of the window coupling the two compartments, on the segregation and the waiting time τ are investigated. It is found that the segregation observed in zero gravity exists and does not depend on the excitation strength $\mathrm{\Gamma <!--\; ??\; -->}$. The waiting time τ, however, depends strongly on $\mathrm{\Gamma <!--\; ??\; -->}$: the higher the $\mathrm{\Gamma <!--\; ??\; -->}$, the lower the waiting time τ. The simulation results are important in guiding the SJ-10 satellite microgravity experiments. (paper)

[en] In the work the bio-model systems which are capable to ensure statement of unequivocally interpreted experiments and ensuring creation of the sequential theory of weak electrophysical interactions between cells, and also their response to weak external fields are discussed. It is shown, that the conditions of microgravitation are the key factor which is capable to ensure cleanness of indicated bio-model experiments. (author)

[en] In this paper we report the first observation on submicron dust particle clouds grown in a radio-frequency sputtering discharge under microgravity conditions. These results have been obtained in the PKE-Nefedov (Plasma Kristall Experiment) chamber in the framework of a French-German-Russian programme. A dust-free region, usually called the 'void', is observed in the laboratory and under microgravity conditions even with submicron particles. In this region, successive generations of particles can be grown, leading to the coexistence of particles with various sizes. Each generation of particles constitutes a cloud separated from the others by a definite sheath. Dynamics of these clouds have been investigated showing vortex-like motions or independent behaviour of small heaps of particles, emphasizing both attractive and repulsive effects between dust clouds. As these particles drastically influence the plasma properties, the growth kinetics is followed through the evolution of the discharge current

[en] We describe the first observation of a void closure in complex plasma experiments under microgravity conditions performed with the Plasma-Kristall (PKE-Nefedov) facility on board the International Space Station. The void--a grain-free region in the central part of the discharge where the complex plasma is generated--has been formed under most of the plasma conditions and thought to be an inevitable effect. However, we demonstrate in this Letter that an appropriate tune of the discharge parameters allows the void to close. This experimental achievement along with its theoretical interpretation opens new perspectives in engineering new experiments with large quasi-isotropic void-free complex plasma clouds in microgravity conditions

[en] The viscosity of eutectic PdSi alloys has been measured by different techniques. The conventional oscillating cup viscosimetry was used in the ground-based laboratory, while the oscillating drop technique was applied in a microgravity experiment. Different working equations were utilised to derive the viscosity from the damping of the oscillations, and the results thus obtained were compared to each other and available literature data. Whereas systematic deviations exist, an overall satisfactory agreement was found.