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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free fall machine | 1/1 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_fall_machine | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T03:52:53.947295+00:00 | kb-cron |
A free fall machine (FFM) is a mechanism designed to permit the development of small biological samples, such as cell cultures, with a simulated effect of micro-gravity under free fall conditions.
== Description == The free fall machine (FFM) addresses some of the problems of the simple horizontal clinostat or random positioning machines (RPM). In a typical machine samples are allowed to cycle between free fall for about a metre down a column (micro-gravity simulation, near "0 g") and a "bounce" back to the top of the column that is intended to be so fast (c. 20 g for 20 ms) that it is undetected by the biological sample. The sample therefore experiences an average gravity of near 0 g. Long duration of hyper-gravity is often simulated by machines such as the large diameter centrifuge (LDC) at ESA. To simulate partial-gravity (between simulated 0 and Earth's gravity, 1, such as Mars or Moon gravitational strengths) conditions, an RPM can also be used.
== See also == Clinostat Gravitropism Large Diameter Centrifuge Random Positioning Machine
== References ==
== External links == ETH Space Biology Free Fall Machine