{rfName}
Co

Indexed in

APC

1 973,00 Euros
Springer
Transformative agreement with library

License and Use

Icono OpenAccess

Citations

8

Altmetrics

Analysis of institutional authors

Gligor, DCorresponding AuthorSalgado Sánchez P.AuthorRodriguez, JAuthorOlfe, KAuthor

Share

April 11, 2024
Publications
>
Article
Sí

Controlling a Free Surface With Thermocapillary Flows and Vibrations in Microgravity

Publicated to: MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. 36 (2): 13- - 2024-02-17 36(2), DOI: 10.1007/s12217-024-10099-8

Authors:

Plaza, J; Gligor, D; Sánchez, PS; Rodríguez, J; Olfe, K
[+]

Affiliations

Univ Politecn Madrid, Escuela Tecn Super Ingn Aeronaut & Espacio, Ctr Computat Simulat, Plaza Cardenal Cisneros 3 - Author

Abstract

Fluid manipulation and control is crucial for space exploration. Motivated by the Thermocapillary-based control of a free surface in microgravity (ThermoSlosh) experiment (Salgado Sanchez et al. in Acta Astronautica 205:57-67, 2023), we conduct here a detailed numerical analysis of interfacial dynamics in a two-dimensional cylindrical cell, half-filled with different silicone oils or a fluorinert, and subjected to thermal forcing and vibrations. The effect on the free surface dynamics of the applied temperature difference, vibrational amplitude, fluid viscosity, and contact angle is analyzed; both static and dynamic contact angle models are considered. Results strongly suggest that thermocapillary flows can be used to control the interface orientation within the cell, while supplemental vibrations can be added to increase the system responsiveness. This control can be further improved by using classical proportional-integral-derivative feedback to adjust the cell boundary temperatures in real-time. The proportional and derivative gains of the controller can be selected to optimize the stabilization time and/or energy cost, while the integral contribution is effective in reducing the steady-state error. Overall, the present analysis highlights the potential of using the thermocapillary effect for fluid management in reduced gravity, and evaluates different types of experimental tests that can be executed in the frame of the ThermoSlosh microgravity project.
[+]

Keywords

Air-trapping mechanismContact angleCylindrical cellsDropFluid controlFree surfacesInstabilityInterfaceInterfacial dynamicsLiquidsMicrogravityMicrogravity processingProportional control systemsReductionSiliconesSpace explorationsSpace researchTankThermocapillaryThermocapillary effectThermocapillary flowTwo term control systemsTwo-dimensionalVibrationVibration analysisVibrations

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal MICROGRAVITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2024 there are still no calculated indicators, but in 2023, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q2 (Segundo Cuartil), in the category Engineering (Miscellaneous). Notably, the journal is positioned en el Cuartil Q3 for the agency WoS (JCR) in the category Engineering, Aerospace.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-27:

  • WoS: 4
  • Scopus: 4
[+]

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-27:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 8.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 8 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 1.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 1 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/87930/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 130
  • Downloads: 25
[+]

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Plaza, J) and Last Author (OLFE GARCIA, KARL STEPHAN).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been GLIGOR, DAN CRISTIAN.

[+]