Liquidmetal Technologies Inc (LQMT)

[Crispy_2014]

Fellow space geeks - BMG foam in space article

Viscous Liquid Foam - Bulk Metallic Glass (Foam) - 06.28.17


Science Objectives for Everyone

This investigation tests and produces hardened foam from bulk metallic glass. The absence of gravity facilitates the creation of a more uniform metallic glass foam, a material with an extremely high strength to weight ratio. Developing lighter and stronger materials can lead to a more durable spacecraft that will require less propellant to travel long distances.

Science Results for Everyone

Have foam, will (space) travel. Microgravity makes it possible to produce metallic glass foam with an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio. Spacecraft made of such light, strong material would be more durable against space debris, yet require less fuel. This experiment studied the formation of metallic foam from bulk metallic glass, a type of metal alloy that solidifies without crystallizing, and demonstrated foaming an expandable structure in microgravity and a vacuum. Researchers examined the physics of bubble and foam formation in microgravity and found that foam created on the ground and aboard the Space Station had similar textures.

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/259.html