Introduction:
Biomedical experiments in microgravity allow insight into the fundamental mechanisms of living cells. Not only astronauts benefit from this research, but also terrestrial medicine. However, access to space is still very expensive and complex. For this reason, so-called clinostats for simulating weightlessness are used, among other things, for pre- and post-processing. In this process, the samples are rotated around a horizontal axis for a longer period of time. In the case of non-adherent (floating) cells, this is intended to prevent the samples from sedimenting out and, as in space, to keep the samples in suspension. An analysis of the applicable forces in an ideal system, shows that the samples should nevertheless sediment out after a longer time due to the centrifugal force. However, this is not always observed. We suspect that inaccuracies in the rotational motion help to keep the particles in suspension. This will now be investigated as part of this Master's thesis.
Project Objective:
The first step is to build a simulation model for cliostats. In a second step it will be investigated whether inaccuracies in the rotational motion lead to flows which help to keep small particles in suspension. In this work you will
- learn Fluid-Dynamics Simulationem (CFD) in the software ANSYS
- learn to create a study design
- you will be able to plan and structure projects
- get an insight into space biology
The work is done in collaboration with Ernesto Casartelli from the Institute of Mechanical and Power Engineering (CC Fluid Mechanics and Numerical Methods) and Simon Wüest from the Institute of Medical Engineering.
