Random positioning machine

A random positioning machine, or RPM, rotates biological samples along two independent axes to change their orientation in space in complex ways and so eliminate the effect of gravity.[1]

random positioning machine
Other names3D clinostat
Usesrotates biological samples around two independent axes to eliminate the effect of gravity
InventorT. Hoson
ManufacturerAirbus Defence and Space Netherlands
Related itemsclinostat, free fall machine

Description

The RPM is a more sophisticated development of the single-axis clinostat. RPMs usually consist of two independently rotating frames. One frame is positioned inside the other giving a very complex net change of orientation to a biological sample mounted in the middle. The RPM is sometimes wrongly referred to as the "3-D clinostat" (which rotates both axis in the same direction, i.e. both clockwise). It is a microweight ('micro-gravity') simulator that is based on the principle of 'gravity-vector-averaging'. RPM provides a functional volume which is 'exposed' to simulated microweight.[2] .

Simulated micro-, partial, and hyper (Earth) gravity

The concept of 'random' positioning has been used to simulated a micro-gravity environment through the nullification of gravity. This is accomplished by disorientating the target model, or as "vector-averaging". Through the use of a centrifuge, a 'hyper-gravity' gravity can be simulated, as the model will get exposed to a continued accelerated force.[3] In the circumstances of hyper-gravity within a micro-gravity environment, a partial 'Earth' gravity is created. Hyper-gravity simulation is also achieved through the use of larger centrifuges, such as the Large diameter Centrifuge (LDC) at the European Space Agency. The LDC simulated up to twenty times the Earth's gravitational strength. A system developed by Airbus uses an algorithm to simulate partial-gravity through a not fully randomly vector-averaging. The vector-averaging by Airbus' algorithm doesn't average out the vector to null but to a percentage representing simulated partial-gravity.[1][2][4]

See also

References
  1. Jack J.W.A. van Loon (2007). Some history and use of the random positioning machine, RPM, in gravity related research. Advances in Space Research 39: 1161-1165
  2. A. G. Borst, J.J.W. A. van Loon. Technology and Developments for the Random Positioning Machine, RPM. Microgravity Sci. Technol., 2008. DOI 10.1007/s12217-008-9043-2
  3. van Loon, Jack J. W. A.; Krausse, Jutta; Cunha, Humberto; Goncalves, Joao; Almeida, Hugo; Schiller, Peter (June 2008). "The Large Diameter Centrifuge, LDC, for Life and Physical Sciences and Technology". Life in Space for Life on Earth. 553: 92. Bibcode:2008ESASP.663E..92V. ISSN 1609-042X.
  4. Manzano, Aránzazu; Herranz, Raúl; den Toom, Leonardus A.; te Slaa, Sjoerd; Borst, Guus; Visser, Martijn; Medina, F. Javier; van Loon, Jack J. W. A. (2018-04-04). "Novel, Moon and Mars, partial gravity simulation paradigms and their effects on the balance between cell growth and cell proliferation during early plant development". NPJ Microgravity. 4: 9. doi:10.1038/s41526-018-0041-4. ISSN 2373-8065. PMC 5884789. PMID 29644337.


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