Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G M Seidel.
Electrical breakdown of partially filled helium cells below 0.5 K is shown to be the result of Penning ionization of metastable triplet helium excimers bound to the surface of the liquid.
We report on studies of the early stage of coalescence of two liquid drops. The drops were high viscosity silicon oil immersed in a water-alcohol mixture of the same density in order to eliminate the effects of gravity. The viscosity was sufficiently large that measurements could be made under the conditions of Stokes flow. Measurements were made of the radius of the neck between the drops as a function of the time from the onset of coalescence, and the results compared with theoretical predictions.
Missions to Mars will subject living specimens to a range of low gravity environments. Deleterious biological effects of prolonged exposure to Martian gravity (0.38 g), Lunar gravity (0.17 g), and microgravity are expected, but the mechanisms involved and potential for remedies are unknown. We are proposing the development of a facility that provides a simulated Martian and Lunar gravity environment for experiments on biological systems in a well controlled laboratory setting. The magnetic adjustable gravity simulator will employ intense, inhomogeneous magnetic fields to exert magnetic body forces on a specimen that oppose the body force of gravity. By adjusting the magnetic field, it is possible to continuously adjust the total body force acting on a specimen. The simulator system considered consists of a superconducting solenoid with a room temperature bore sufficiently large to accommodate small whole organisms, cell cultures, and gravity sensitive bio-molecular solutions. It will have good optical access so that the organisms can be viewed in situ. This facility will be valuable for experimental observations and public demonstrations of systems in simulated reduced gravity.