Meet the team: CAVE0g
Parabolic flights provide a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of scientific exploration in microgravity. One of the teams embarking on this journey is CAVE 0g (Cavitation Emulsification in Zero Gravity), a multidisciplinary group of students eager to investigate how cavitation – a phenomenon where vapor bubbles form in a liquid under rapid pressure changes – creates emulsions in zero gravity. The experiment will take place onboard NoveSpace’s Airbus A310 AirZeroG flying out of Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport in September 2025.
The team CAVE 0g consists of 6 passionate students from the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, from various disciplines, including fluid mechanics, physics, engineering and graphic design, united by their curiosity about the fundamental behavior of fluids in extreme environments. Their experiment aims to explore the dynamics of emulsions formed by cavitation bubbles in microgravity and to understand how different parameters influence the emulsification processes. This knowledge could have practical implications for the pharmaceutical industry, food production and even space exploration, where controlled fluid behavior is crucial.
To bring their experiment to life, the CAVE 0g team has developed a specialized setup capable of inducing cavitation under precisely controlled conditions aboard a parabolic flight. By systematically varying key parameters, they seek to determine how the absence of gravity alters cavitation dynamics compared to Earth-bound experiments.
Beyond their scientific ambitions, the team shares a passion for space-related research and hands-on experimentation. Each member contributes unique expertise, from engineering and programming to scientific analysis and visual communication. By participating in the ESA Academy Experiments Programme, they gain first-hand experience in aerospace research while honing their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Beyond their scientific ambitions, the team shares a passion for space-related research and hands-on experimentation. Each member contributes unique expertise, from engineering and programming to scientific analysis and visual communication. By participating in the ESA Academy Experiments Programme, they gain first-hand experience in aerospace research while honing their teamwork and problem-solving skills.