The Binary Colloidal Alloy Test (BCAT) was first constructed by ZIN in 2003 to explore the unique colloid evolution and behavior exhibited in a microgravity environment to advance the understanding of this intriguing Fluid Physics field. BCAT consists of a Slow Growth Sample Module which houses ten 3cc cuvettes containing ten different colloid samples. The samples are mixed by the crew by agitating a tiny metallic stir bar inside each sample cuvette using a large hand-held mixing magnet. The samples are each photographed automatically over time by setting the Nikon D2Xs’ intervalometer. Accommodation JAXA Japanese Experiment The Main System Diagnostics (carrier) Module (JEM) Include: Upmass (kg) 2.82 • Nikon D2Xs Camera with 105mm (w/o packing factor) Macro Lens • 4GB removable Flash Drive Volume (cm3) 1895.12 • SB-800 Flash (w/o packing factor) • LED Mini-MagLite (to assist with Power (kw) ~90W for SSC sample setup) (peak) ~42W for Camera • SSC with EarthKAM software (to view sample images on SSC) Crew Time (hrs) 2hr Complete Setup (installation/operations) 30min Initialization each • BCAT Camera Power Supply sample 10min for each Intervalometer ZIN has built and launched six BCAT Change/Image Transfer Sample Modules, operating on-board Launch Certified to launch in all the ISS from 2004 to present. BCAT in JEM (Forward vehicles Side of Airlock) ISS Resource Requirements Research Objectives: Photograph initially randomized colloid samples onboard the International Space Station (ISS) to determine their resulting structure and kinetics over time. Applications that have been studied include: • Aging of gels and late collapse • Seeded growth • DNA (lock/key) coated polyballs • Ellipsoidal particle crystals in the absence of gravitational jamming • Binary crystals • 3D Growth crystallization and melting with disks • Develop underlying theory for predicting product shelf-life • Phase separation competing with crystallization BCAT-6 Slow Growth Sample Images taken Many more diverse applications could be considered Sample Module with Nikon D2Xs for future BCAT samples.