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Ferrell, R. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Ferrell, R. A..

3 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1999

Electrostriction of Near-Critical SF6 in Microgravity

We used interferometry to measure the electric-field-induced (i.e., "electrostrictive") increase of the density of sulfur hexafluoride near its critical point. The results at the temperatures T(sub c) + 5 mK, T(sub c) + 10 mK, and T(sub c) + 30 mK with T(sub c) = 319 K agree with a calculation based on the Clausius-Mossotti relation and the restricted cubic model equation of state. These measurements were performed in microgravity so that the electrostrictive density changes (less than or equal to 3.5% in this work) would not be complicated by stratification of the fluid's density induced by the Earth's gravity.

Zimmerli, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Electric field effects on a near-critical fluid in microgravity

The effects of an electric field on a sample of SF6 fluid in the vicinity of the liquid-vapor critical point is studied. The isothermal increase of the density of a near-critical sample as a function of the applied electric field was measured. In agreement with theory, this electrostriction effect diverges near the critical point as the isothermal compressibility diverges. Also as expected, turning on the electric field in the presence of density gradients can induce flow within the fluid, in a way analogous to turning on gravity. These effects were observed in a microgravity environment by using the Critical Point Facility which flew onboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1994 as part of the Second International Microgravity Laboratory Mission. Both visual and interferometric images of two separate sample cells were obtained by means of video downlink. The interferometric images provided quantitative information about the density distribution throughout the sample. The electric field was generated by applying 500 Volts to a fine wire passing through the critical fluid.

Zimmerli, G.↗