Bubble nucleation and growth on microstructured surfaces under microgravity

Understanding the dynamics of surface bubble formation and growth on heated surfaces holds significant implications for diverse modern technologies. While such investigations are traditionally confined to terrestrial conditions, the expansion of space exploration and economy necessitates insights into thermal bubble phenomena in microgravity. In this work, we conduct experiments in the International Space Station to study surface bubble nucleation and growth in a microgravity environment and compare the results to those on Earth. Our findings reveal significantly accelerated bubble nucleation and growth rates, outpacing the terrestrial rates by up to ~30 times. Our thermofluidic simulations confirm the role of gravity-induced thermal convective flow, which dissipates heat from the substrate surface and thus influences bubble nucleation. In microgravity, the influence of thermal convective flow diminishes, resulting in localized heat at the substrate surface, which leads to faster temperature rise. This unique condition enables quicker bubble nucleation and growth. Moreover, we highlight the influence of surface microstructure geometries on bubble nucleation. Acting as heat-transfer fins, the geometries of the microstructures influence heat transfer from the substrate to the water. Finer microstructures, which have larger specific surface areas, enhance surface-to-liquid heat transfer and thus reduce the rate of surface temperature rise, leading to slower bubble nucleation. Our experimental and simulation results provide insights into thermal bubble dynamics in microgravity, which may help design thermal management solutions and develop bubble-based sensing technologies.