A fluid dynamics theory proposed by a group of graduate students in National Taiwan University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering has been selected for experimentation by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Their proposal won first place in the 2025 Asian Try Zero-G Competition and will be carried out by JAXA astronauts in zero-gravity conditions.
The group, led by NTU Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Chiang Ya-Yu (蔣雅郁), proposed that liquid poured through a spring coil in a zero-gravity environment would be confined within the coil. They surmised that the liquid would flow alongside the coil when it is stretched, twisted, or bent, not unlike a dance partner.
Chiang says that their group’s proposal was selected out of 67 proposals nationwide to represent Taiwan in the final selection round of the competition. She added that it received high praise from the astronauts who participated in the selection process.