Parabolic airplane flights

Mathias et al. studied the photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate on parabolic airplane flights and reported a variation in the molecular weight with g level (34) consistent with a report from a drop tower experiment by Sturm et al. (55). This phenomenon is most likely an effect of mixing caused by composition gradients created during photopolymerization that affects the average rate of initiation throughout the sample. 

McGinniss and Whitmore studied thin polysulfone membranes formed under high and low g environments on parabolic airplane flights, sounding rockets and on the Space Shuttle (42). The most important effect of acceleration level was on the solvent gas transfer coefficient and not on the components in the membrane. Tan et al. considered the same issue theoretically (43). 

Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals (PDLCs) can be affected by buoyancy. Fox et al. studied PDLCs produced via photopolymerization on parabolic airplane flights 47), The authors reported improved response times in the flight samples. 

Foams are quite susceptible to influences from the buoyancy. Polymeric foam formation has been studied on sounding rockets (58,59) and parabolic airplane flights (60,61). Volatilization of thermoplastics is also affected, which affects how thermoplastics can bum (62). 

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