Thursday, August 11, 2011

Is there such a thing as a gel or "dense liquid" that would solidify or coagulate in an absolute vacuum?

Such a concept had piqued my curiosity for applications in space exploration. If such a possibility existed, it would be useful in such an instance as a spacewalk where a tear or perforation in a spacesuit could mean depressurization and its hazardous effects. A non-electroactive gel or liquid would likely be preferable seeing as how it would further task what limited power capacity would be possible with a spacesuit. Even if future applications allowed for exotic personal power units such as a "microfusion reactor" (many, many years away) ideal wear would not be bulky. I am aware of skinsuits, and magnetorheological fluid, but I would think that a relatively thin liquid or gel layer would be preferable to restricted movement or needless power consumption.

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