Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation

Short Name: PFMI

Facility Description

The Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) facility objective is to study the fundamental phenomena responsible for the formation of certain classes of defects in different materials. Investigators examine the physical principles which control the occurrence of defects in manufacturing on Earth in order to develop methods to reduce flaws, defects or wasted material.

PFMI operates within the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) facility for containment, utilities provision, remote commanding and video imaging capabilities. In 2020, PFMI was redesigned to include a second cold zone and underwent general maintenance.

The PFMI furnace is a low temperature Bridgman-type furnace used specifically for crystal growth, with a maximum heater temperature of at least 100°C, and a minimum cold zone temperature of less than 10°C. PFMI has a main zone, booster zone, and two cold zones. Sample ampoules are inserted into the furnace, and the two cold zones and two electrode rings translate along the length of the sample. As the cold zones and electrode ring are translated, the hot zone shortens, and heat is removed from the sample to the radiators by the cold zone. Sample ampoules will have different materials in them, depending on the science objectives of the specific principal investigator using the furnace.

Current Status: On Ground

Availability: Please contact the facility manager

ISS Environment: Internal

Owner:

Operator/Implementation Partner:
Redwire Space

Developer(s):
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Redwire Space Technologies, Inc.

Facility Manager:
Rachel Ormsby

Parent Facility: MSG

Child Facility:

Sponsoring Space Agency: NASA

Equipment Category: Capability

Additional Information:

PFMI on NASA’s SSRE

A preflight view of the PFMI Furnace. The Pore Formation and Mobility Investigation (PFMI) facility objective is to study the fundamental phenomena responsible for the formation of certain classes of defects in different materials. Investigators examine the physical principles which control the occurrence of defects in manufacturing on Earth in order to develop methods to reduce flaws, defects or wasted material.