Materials dataset from microgravity levitation experiments on the China Space Station

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Authors: yanan Liu, Shengyang Li, Bo Yang, Yunfei Liu, Yunziwei Deng, Jianding YU, Xuzhi Li
Cited by: 1
References: 17

Abstract

The China Space Station provides new opportunities for containerless materials research through its electrostatic levitation platform, enabling non-contact processing and property measurements of high-temperature materials in microgravity. This dataset presents experimental records from containerless electrostatic levitation experiments conducted both in orbit and through ground-matched experiments under matched configurations. The on-orbit facility integrates tri-axial electrostatic levitation, laser heating, infrared pyrometry, and high-speed diagnostics to support precise observation of materials during high-temperature processes. A ground-matched system with equivalent setup was developed to enable direct comparison between gravitational environments. The dataset contains 565 experimental records, including 420 on-orbit and 145 ground-matched experiments, covering metallic alloys, ceramics, and other material types. It provides key thermophysical parameters, including liquid-phase density and thermal response indicators, enabling systematic investigation of gravity-related influences on material behavior. This dataset offers a valuable resource for research in containerless materials processing, gravitational effect studies, and the development of space-based experimental techniques.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Solidification and crystal growth phenomena Magnetic and Electromagnetic Effects Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Scientific Data
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
112–112
Publication date
16 January 2026
Language
EN