"The International Space Station is a prime location to perform such experiments because of lack of interference from the pull of gravity.

A basic principle of thermodynamics is that gas cools as it expands. When gas is sprayed from a household aerosol can, the can cools because the remaining gas within it expands to fill the recently-vacated space.

Quantum gases cool similarly, with man-made devices known as 'magnetic traps' replacing the aerosol can. After particles have been confined within the traps, the more energetic of the group escape, allowing the rest to cool much like the common spray can.

"On the ISS [space station], these traps can be made very weak because they do not have to support the atoms against the pull of gravity," Thomas said. "Weak traps allow gases to expand and cool to lower temperatures than are possible on the ground."

Practical applications of the work done by the Cold Atom Lab include quantum sensors, matter wave interferometers, and atomic lasers. If the temperatures are low enough, researchers may also be able to assemble quantum wave packages as wide as the human hair — "big enough for the eye to see," according to Thompson."
http://news.yahoo.com/scientists-create-coldest-spot-universe-space-station-video-170711710.html