Giant Molecules in Space
Bachelor/Master project 2012
Contact: Dr. S.J. Veen and Dr. P. Schall
Colloidal particles –small micrometer-size particles suspended in a liquid – are
considered “giant atoms”, because they display fundamental properties of atoms in
condensed matter. Because colloidal particles are much larger than atoms, they can
be directly observed with a microscope. This direct observation provides fascinating
insight into the atomic microworld. We study crystals, liquids and glasses made of
these particles in space. Our samples are installed on board the International Space
Station (ISS) (see fig. 1a), where we can directly control and observe how crystals and
liquids form in microgravity.
In this project, we want to use new, anisotropic particles (see fig. 1b) to make
colloidal molecules. We have recently developed a novel colloidal system, in which
we have direct control over the interactions between particles via the ‘Critical
Casimir’ effect, an anologue to the quantum mechanical ‘Casimir effect’. We want to
use this effect with the new anisotropic particles to build molecule structures on
micrometer length scales. These colloidal molecules are planned to be sent up to the
ISS for future experiments.
Because of their large size, we can image these molecule structures directly in
three dimensions and real time using our confocal microscope on earth. These
experiments will give direct insight into the relation between atomic potential and
the formation of molecular structures. Can we measure the attractive particle
potential (molecular binding energy) directly? In how far do these colloidal bonds
mimic “atomic orbitals”?
a
b
Fig. 1 Colloidal Molecules in space. a, Installation of our colloid experiment on board the
International Space Station by astronaut Shannon Walker. left: Soyuz rocket, which brought our
experiment up into space. b, Colloidal particles of different geometry for making colloidal
molecules (Particles provided by Utrecht University).
For more information, please contact:
Dr. S.J. Veen or Dr. P. Schall
Institute of Physics/WZI
Science Park C4.228
Tel. (0)20 525 6314
Email: [email protected], [email protected]