image: The Ring Sheared Drop system containing concentrated solution of human serum albumin (the main protein constituent of blood).
Credit: Joe Adam
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (FL), January 6, 2025 – For the tenth consecutive year, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding a solicitation that seeks proposals leveraging the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Laboratory for research in transport phenomena, which now includes research in manufacturing methods that utilize such phenomena, and the resulting materials. NSF will provide up to $3.6 million in total funding for multiple projects to utilize the space station for fundamental research focused on:
- Fluid dynamics
- Particulate and multiphase processes
- Thermal transport processes
- Combustion and fire systems
- Nanoscale interactions
- Manufacturing methods that employ any of those transport phenomena
- Resulting metallic materials, metal nanostructures, and ceramic materials
Gravity affects the underlying physics in many transport processes. In microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment., the gravity-driven forces that impact fluid behavior are significantly reduced. This makes the sustained microgravity environment on the orbiting laboratory beneficial for several areas of study. Responsive proposals will describe how the proposed project will utilize the unique conditions available on the space station to advance fundamental and translational research to benefit humanity.
An NSF-funded investigation from Florida International University recently launched on Northrop Grumman’s 21st Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission to the space station. The experiment leveraged microgravity to improve models of active colloids, which are groups of suspended particles that move within a liquid or gel medium. Results could lead to improvements in a broad range of technologies—from biosensing and drug delivery to water desalination and photothermal therapies for cancer treatment.
Fundamental science is a strategic focus area for the ISS National Lab, and knowledge gained from such research leads to advances that bring value to our nation and further inform the scientific community. Through this partnership, NSF will fund the selected projects, and the ISS National Lab will facilitate hardware implementation and in-orbit access to the ISS.
Prior to submitting a full proposal to NSF for this solicitation, all interested investigators must first submit an ISS National Lab Feasibility Review Form. The information provided in this form is used to evaluate the operational feasibility of the proposed research to be conducted onboard the space station.
The deadline to submit a Feasibility Review Form is February 6, 2025. Only investigators whose proposed concept passes this Feasibility Review will be invited to submit a full proposal. The full proposal submission deadline is on April 10, 2025.
For more information on this solicitation (NSF 25-529), including how to submit a Feasibility Review Form, visit the ISS National Lab solicitation webpage. To view the full solicitation, please visit the NSF solicitation page.
For information on existing ISS research hardware and facilities that may be available for use under this solicitation, please visit the ISS Research Facilities Directory.
The ISS National Lab recently published a paper in Gravitational and Space Research highlighting how partnering with NSF has enabled groundbreaking research in the area of transport phenomena that benefits humanity. To learn more about previous ISS National Lab and NSF research collaborations and additional opportunities to leverage the space station, please visit our website.
Download a high-resolution image for this release: Ring Sheared Drop system