G-jitter-induced motion of a protein crystal under microgravity

Direct numerical simulations have been carried out to examine the nature of g-jitter induced convective flows during a typical protein crystal growth experiment in a microgravity environment. The numerical investigations identified six parameters of importance for the motion of a spherical crystal particle in a microgravity environment subjected to single frequency vibrations in one direction: frequency (f) and amplitude (A) of the applied vibration, particle radius (R) and density (ρp), fluid density (ρf) and fluid viscosity (ν). In the Stokes regime, the numerical results were found to be in good agreement with the analytical results of Coimbra and Rangel [AIAA J. 39(9)(2001)]. Beyond the Stokes regime (1