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Grand Challenges in Soft Matter Science: Prospects for Microgravity ResearchAt the suggestion of NASA’s Physical Science Research Program in the Space Life and Physical Science Research and Application Division, Paul Chaikin, Noel Clark, and Sidney Nagel organized a focus session and workshop for the 2020 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting under the auspices of the Division of Soft Matter. Three overarching themes emerged from the workshop and are presented with additional details:

•Machines made out of machines
•Scalable self-sustaining ecosystems
•Active materials and metamaterials

This report lays out only some of the potential directions for soft matter dynamics over the next two decades. It also lays out the role that gravity plays in the organization of the basic building blocks of matter. Not only will research on soft matter have tremendous application towards understanding its behavior in our terrestrial environment, but also potentially in other NASA programs such as planetary science, exploration, robotics, etc.
Document ID
20205010493
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Conference Publication (CP)
Authors
Paul Chaikin ORCID(New York University New York, New York, United States)
Noel Clark ORCID(University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado, United States)
Sidney Nagel ORCID(University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois, United States)
Date Acquired
November 20, 2020
Publication Date
March 1, 2021
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Thermodynamics
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Physics (General)
Report/Patent Number
E-19904
NASA/CP-20205010493
Meeting Information
Meeting: Grand Challenges in Soft Matter and Opportunities for Microgravity Research
Location: Virtual
Country: US
Start Date: March 26, 2020
End Date: March 26, 2020
Sponsors: American Physical Society, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 619352.01.02.03.01.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Portions of document may include copyright protected material.
Technical Review
Single Expert
Keywords
Microgravity
colloids
gels
liquid crystals
granular media
emulsions
foams
fluids

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