There are many organizations in the United States contributing to commercial aspects of crystal growth in space. These include five of NASA's Centers for the Commercial Development of Space, many private companies, and government laboratories. Projects range from growth of large bulk crystals to preparation of thin epitaxial films and small crystals. In most cases the prospect for manufacturing in space remains doubtful because of the high cost and long lead time required for work in space, although these problems are being attacked by NASA's Office of Commercial Programs. Thus at present the commercial reasons for research on crystal growth in space are to evaluate the potential for manufacturing in space, to develop the technology that would be required for this manufacturing, to gain information about the influence of gravity on crystal growth, and to prepare high quality benchmark crystals and devices that can be used as targets for earth-based programs.
Commercial crystal growth in space
Kommerzielle Kristallzüchtung im Weltraum
1991
11 Seiten
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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