Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This device projected light through samples from crystal growth experiments on the Space Shuttle. A small growth cell fit into the round opening in the light table. The light enabled close examination of crystals under a microscope, which astronauts set up in an enclosed glovebox. By examining samples, researchers learned which conditions, solutions, and proteins were best for promoting a particular protein's crystal growth. This knowledge is important for medical, drug, and agricultural research. A group of researchers actively involved in experiments for Shuttle flights gave this item and a large set of protein crystal growth equipment to the Museum.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type EQUIPMENT-Scientific Devices Dimensions 3-D: 12.7 x 11.4 x 9.5cm (5 x 4 1/2 x 3 3/4 in.)
3-D (Hose): 34 × 2.2cm (13 3/8 × 7/8 in.)
Materials Aluminum alloy, stainless steel, plastics, synthetic fabric, cotton, Velcro, rubber
Inventory Number A20120286000 Credit Line Gift of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Center for Biological Sciences and Engineering Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.