ESA - Human Spaceflight and Exploration - International Space Station - Material Science Laboratory Electromagnetic Levitator (MSL-EML)

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Material Science Laboratory Electromagnetic Levitator (MSL-EML)

The MSL-EML is the result of cooperation between ESA and DLR; it will be installed in the ESA Columbus laboratory. MSL-EML is a multi-user facility for the melting and solidification of conductive metals, alloys, or semiconductors, in ultra-high vacuum, or in high-purity gaseous atmospheres. This is especially important for reactive materials, whose properties can be very sensitive to contamination. The heating and positioning of the sample are accomplished using electromagnetic fields generated by a coil system. Melting and solidification can both take place without containers, thanks to the 0 g environment.

The facility will contain an Experiment Unit (EU) that can accept different Experiment Inserts (EI). The Experiment Carrier will provide all necessary services to the EU.

Last update: 10 July 2007

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