Abstract
The containerless processing conducted by droplet levitation techniques makes it possible to manufacture new materials and conducts non-contact measurement of material properties under the microgravity condition. It is pointed out that surface deformation and internal flow of the large levitated droplet influence the containerless processing. There are few studies about surface deformation and internal flow of the large droplet levitated by the acoustic wave. In the present study, the characteristics of the surface deformation and the internal flow of the droplet levitated by the ultrasonic wave are investigated under the normal gravity condition and microgravity condition by using the aircraft. Under the microgravity condition, it is possible to levitate a larger and more spherical droplet in comparison with under the normal gravity condition. When the droplet surface oscillates in the second mode, the internal flow corresponding to the surface oscillation and the asymmetrical complex flow are observed.
