Effects of Hydrogel Polymers in Microgravity vs. on Earth
Explore the absorption behavior of hydrogel polymers when mixed with water in microgravity compared to Earth's conditions. This experiment aims to understand how these polymers interact with water in a space environment, offering insights for future space habitation. Investigate the impact of gravity on water diffusion and polymer absorption rates.
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Presentation Transcript
What are the effects of hydrogel polymers when mixed with water in microgravity vs. on Earth? Burleson Independent School District Burleson, Texas The Academy at Nola Dunn 5thGrade Teacher Facilitator-Susan Mundt, Burleson Independent School District Delaney Storey- Principal Investigator Kylie Morton-Investigator Westley Mitchell-Investigator Bryston Baker Investigator
Background We watched many videos of daily life on the space station such as brushing We watched many videos of daily life on the space station such as brushing teeth and drinking water. We were fascinated by this and had many teeth and drinking water. We were fascinated by this and had many questions about the water simply floating around. This led to our initial questions about the water simply floating around. This led to our initial wonder about how water is stored, reused, and absorbed. wonder about how water is stored, reused, and absorbed.
Purpose The purpose of this experiment is to observe the effect of polymers and if they will absorb less or more water in microgravity. Polymers are an important material as they are used in a variety of items on earth. They are used in credit cards, bottles, spandex, eyeglasses, and first aid packs. It is important to study the polymers and their absorption because this will one day help when families are living on the space station and not just astronauts.
The Question We propose to answer the question of what We propose to answer the question of what hydrogel do when mixed with water in space. Our team is looking do when mixed with water in space. Our team is looking forward to finding out if these polymers (sodium forward to finding out if these polymers (sodium polyacrylate will absorb more or less water in a microgravity environment. will absorb more or less water in a microgravity environment. Our research into polymers has shown us that polymers are Our research into polymers has shown us that polymers are capable of absorbing and holding large amounts of water. On capable of absorbing and holding large amounts of water. On earth, the amount of water absorbed relies on the ability of earth, the amount of water absorbed relies on the ability of water to diffuse. Since diffusion is the breaking apart of water water to diffuse. Since diffusion is the breaking apart of water molecules, gravity seems to play a large part in the amount of molecules, gravity seems to play a large part in the amount of water absorbed. While we think that the water will still be water absorbed. While we think that the water will still be absorbed in space, we believe that the diffusion process will be absorbed in space, we believe that the diffusion process will be slower, which would make the amount of water absorbed by slower, which would make the amount of water absorbed by the polymers less than the amount absorbed on Earth. the polymers less than the amount absorbed on Earth. hydrogel polymers polymers polyacrylate) )
Materials 2 grams of 2 grams of hydrogel (sodium (sodium polyacrylate polyacrylate) (Target brand diapers) ) (Target brand diapers) hydrogel polymers polymers Type 2 FME Mini Lab Type 2 FME Mini Lab 2 plastic faucet aerator screens by NEOPERL 2 plastic faucet aerator screens by NEOPERL 2.0 ml of local Burleson, TX tap water 2.0 ml of local Burleson, TX tap water 3/10 gram of one piece of cotton ball 3/10 gram of one piece of cotton ball (Up & Up brand from Target) (Up & Up brand from Target)
Conclusion 1. We will know the differences in the absorption of the 1. We will know the differences in the absorption of the hydrogel polymers in space vs. on Earth. polymers in space vs. on Earth. hydrogel 2. We will compare the retention volume of the polymers in our classroom 2. We will compare the retention volume of the polymers in our classroom compared to space. compared to space. 3. We will have a better understanding of the behavior of water in a 3. We will have a better understanding of the behavior of water in a microgravity environment and possibly the working of the water cycle. microgravity environment and possibly the working of the water cycle. 4. We believe it is important to understand basic interactions to ultimately 4. We believe it is important to understand basic interactions to ultimately live in space for long periods of time. live in space for long periods of time.
