Abstract
Using the provided microgravity environment, we will observe the phenomena of capillary action in order to determine if axial blades may be propelled by the rising action of a liquid in capillary tubes. This idea is important to test in order to show that other means of obtaining energy in zero-gravity may be possible, such as converting the energy resulting from a fluid in capillary motion into usable work. The effect of capillary action on axial blades depends on many variables. We will investigate two of these variables: the viscosity of the liquid used and the radius of the blades. Based on our calculations, we believe that the capillary action will produce a considerable force to the axial blade, which, as a result, will be set in rotational motion. The rotation of axial blades of different radii will be compared and examined side-by-side. The capillary-driven liquids used for the experiment will be two liquids with different viscosities yet negligible difference in densities. This way, we will create a control group while focusing on the changes of a single variable, which allows us to analyze the possible factors that contribute to the powering of the axial blades. We theorize that the lower viscosity liquid is the best choice to use for the capillary liquid and the axial blade with the smaller radius will rotate at higher frequency, so it will achieve a better energy outlet. These hypotheses are based on a gravitational standpoint; therefore we believe that in a microgravity environment, our hypotheses will prove correct due to less restraint because of the absence of the gravitational force. If our experiment is successful, its results will have important applications in introducing new methods of producing reusable energy in zero-gravity which can help supply power to small electronic devices in space.
