Paper 13100-117
Paper 13100-117
Fluidic Shaping of optical components in microgravity: from Parabolic Flights to the International Space Station
21 June 2024 • 13:35 - 13:50 Japan Standard Time | Room G214, North - 2F
Abstract
We present experiments performed in parabolic flights and in space, demonstrating the use of Fluidic Shaping to create optical components in microgravity. By injecting optical liquid into a circular bounding frame in microgravity, surface tension drives the liquid to a minimum energy form of a spherical lens with sub-nanometric surface roughness. We will discuss the engineering challenges encountered in such experiments, and provide details and insights towards the future implementation of similar experiments in microgravity.
We view this set of experiments as the first milestones in expanding in-space manufacturing capabilities to also include optical components. Due to its simplicity, low power consumption and essentially zero waste, Fluidic Shaping can serve as a fabrication infrastructure for future long-duration space missions that must be self-sufficient. Due to its scale invariance, the method could potentially be used for the creation of large space telescopes, thus overcoming launch constraints.
Presenter
Omer Luria
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (Israel)
Omer Luria is a research engineer at the Fluidic Technologies Laboratory at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, where he works on implementing the Fluidic Shaping technology for both space- and earth-based applications. For over 14 years in research and development, Omer gained proficiency across a wide spectrum of disciplines including design, experimentation, and analysis in fields ranging from mechanics and electronics to materials and optics. He received his B.Sc. (2018, magna cum laude) and M.Sc. (2020, summa cum laude) in mechanical engineering from Tel Aviv University in a direct track, where he studied novel optical metrology of 2D materials for renewable energy applications. At the Technion, Omer leads a joint project with NASA, in which he designed successful scientific experiments performed on four parabolic flights, as well as onboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Ax-1 mission.