Liquid Flow Sensor flies into Space

On 6 May, a rocket will lift off bound for the International Space Station (ISS). On board will be a liquid flow sensor from Sensirion AG, Stäfa, Switzerland. The sensor is part of a research project by Minnehaha Academy in Minnesota that is investigating the impact of microgravity on the effectiveness of liquid flow. Among other potential findings, the project aims to shed light on the effects of weightlessness on the circulatory system.

The LS16 liquid flow sensor from Sensirion on board the ISS will measure the flow of demineralised water generated by a piezoelectric pump in zero gravity, and compare the results with those of a control experiment on earth. Numerous applications in fluid dynamics, physics, biology and haemodynamics will benefit from these findings. The research team is extremely satisfied with the sensor. “Our experience with the Sensirion LS16 sensor has been outstanding, the LS16 has been accurate, precise and durable,” said Max Thompson, Student Project Manager at Minnehaha Academy. Sensirion did not just supply the sensor for the experiment, its developers also helped out in an advisory function. For instance, the LS16 liquid flow sensor had to be modified for the launch: to ensure that the sensor could withstand the enormous forces during lift-off, Sensirion’s development team replaced the capillary glass tubes with robust capillary steel tubes. “Our project would not have been possible without the generosity, time and amazing commitment from Sensirion to make the flow sensor flight-ready,” said Max Thompson.

Sensirion stands for innovation. Existing and new products from Sensirion continue to set standards and show that in the measurement of temperature, humidity, gas and liquid flows using sensors, Sensirion’s expertise and innovative drive have made it a number one worldwide. The research team at Minnehaha Academy was delighted to have Sensirion’s support: “Sensirion has been a champion of companies to have as a partner to make this student-designed project a reality.”