Prevention of Sample Cross Contamination on Mars Rovers · 2020-04-22 · How can cross...
1
Prevention of Sample Cross Contamination on Mars Rovers Natalya Gage, Mechanical Engineering Mentor: Anoop Grewal, Lecturer (ASA/SEMTE) Fulton School of Engineering How can cross contamination be prevented between different sites sampled by a Mars Rovers? Current Designs Mars rovers first started to collect soil samples from Mars in January 2004 with Spirit and Opportunity. [1] When designing these rovers, scientists were mostly focused on getting samples from Mars without causing forward contamination [2]. The sample collection system was consisted of a drill leading to a collection chamber which is shown below. The newest NASA Mars rover now consists of witness tubes which collect a sample of the atmosphere surrounding the rover. Sample Retrieval Design The sample retrieval system was designed to be compatible with the Rover designed by the ASU Sun Devil Robotics Club. The initial prototype consisted of: 1. Linear Actuator 2. Outer Casing 3. Collection Chamber 4. Drill 5. Drill Motor 6. Mounting Bracket 7. Vacuum Tubing Challenges This project ran into a few difficulties that hindered the completion of the project. The biggest issue that was encountered was COVID-19. The system was almost completely manufactured when ASU announced that the school would be closing. With the school shutting down, all access to the sample retrieval prototype was cut off, preventing any further manufacturing or testing. Another challenge that was encountered was the budget. A larger scale prototype was created to cut down on costs and parts were 3D printed that would ideally have been manufactured out of metal. Future Work Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 this semester, limited testing and modifications were able to be completed on the sample retrieval system. Had the outbreak not occurred, the following work was planned: • Manufacturing a sterilization chamber • System sterilization testing using Ethylene Oxide Gas and/or Hydrogen Peroxide vapor • Increase maneuverability of arm Both Ethylene Oxide gas and Hydrogen Peroxide vapor are currently used to sterilize medical equipment since they have been found to remove almost all microbacteria found on a surface. [2][3] General processes for these chemicals require a sterilization chamber to be used, which mandate that the sample retrieval system be removable. Further research could go into different sanitizing chemicals that could be used without a sterilization chamber. Acknowledgements The researchers wish to express thanks to the Sun Devil Robotics Team for allowing their rover to be used as a base to mount the sample retrieval system. References 1. “Mars Exploration Rovers Overview.” MARS Exploration Rovers, NASA, mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/overview/. 2. DeVincenzi, D. L., Race, M. S., & Klein, H. P. (1998). Planetary protection, sample return missions and Mars exploration: History, status, and future needs. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 103(E12), 28577-28585. 3. Mendes, Gisela CC, Teresa RS Brandao, and Cristina LM Silva. "Ethylene oxide sterilization of medical devices: a review." American journal of infection control 35.9 (2007): 574-581. 4. Moore, Francis C., and Leon R. Perkinson. "Hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization method." U.S. Patent No. 4,169,123. 25 Sep. 1979. Problem Background Mars has been a subject of interest to many people and the subject of many experiments through rovers. With every experiment scientist and engineerings are focused on preventing contaminates from interfering with the study of the planet. While we have developed many systems for how humans can take samples without causing cross contaminating of a sample, those same procedures are not always compatible with mars rovers. This research investigates the current designs of sample retrieval systems, with an aim to develop an improved system that uses sterilization between caching separate samples. Fig 1. Curiosity sample collection system Fig 2. Sun Devil Robotics Rover Fig 3. Exploded view drilling system Fig 4. Sample Retrieval System 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Transcript of Prevention of Sample Cross Contamination on Mars Rovers · 2020-04-22 · How can cross...
Prevention of Sample Cross Contamination on Mars Rovers
Natalya Gage, Mechanical EngineeringMentor: Anoop Grewal, Lecturer (ASA/SEMTE)
Fulton School of Engineering
How can cross contamination be prevented between different sites sampled by a Mars Rovers?
Current DesignsMars rovers first started to collect soil samples from Mars in January 2004 with Spirit and Opportunity. [1] When designing these rovers, scientists were mostly focused on getting samples from Mars without causing forward contamination [2]. The sample collection system was consisted of a drill leading to a collection chamber which is shown below. The newest NASA Mars rover now consists of witness tubeswhich collect asample of the atmosphere surrounding the rover.
Sample Retrieval DesignThe sample retrieval system was designed to be compatible with the Rover designed by the ASU Sun Devil Robotics Club. The initial prototype consisted of:
1. Linear Actuator2. Outer Casing3. Collection Chamber4. Drill5. Drill Motor6. Mounting Bracket7. Vacuum Tubing
ChallengesThis project ran into a few difficulties that hindered the completion of the project. The biggest issue that was encountered was COVID-19. The system was almost completely manufactured when ASU announced that the school would be closing. With the school shutting down, all access to the sample retrieval prototype was cut off, preventing any further manufacturing or testing. Another challenge that was encountered was the budget. A larger scale prototype was created to cut down on costs and parts were 3D printed that would ideally have been manufactured out of metal.
Future WorkDue to the outbreak of COVID-19 this semester, limited testing and modifications were able to be completed on the sample retrieval system. Had the outbreak not occurred, the following work was planned:
• Manufacturing a sterilization chamber• System sterilization testing using Ethylene Oxide
Gas and/or Hydrogen Peroxide vapor• Increase maneuverability of arm
Both Ethylene Oxide gas and Hydrogen Peroxide vapor are currently used to sterilize medical equipment since they have been found to remove almost all microbacteria found on a surface. [2][3] General processes for these chemicals require a sterilization chamber to be used, which mandate that the sample retrieval system be removable. Further research could go into different sanitizing chemicals that could be used without a sterilization chamber.
AcknowledgementsThe researchers wish to express thanks to the Sun Devil Robotics Team for allowing their rover to be used as a base to mount the sample retrieval system.
References1. “Mars Exploration Rovers Overview.” MARS Exploration Rovers, NASA,
mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/overview/.2. DeVincenzi, D. L., Race, M. S., & Klein, H. P. (1998). Planetary protection, sample
return missions and Mars exploration: History, status, and future needs. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 103(E12), 28577-28585.
3. Mendes, Gisela CC, Teresa RS Brandao, and Cristina LM Silva. "Ethylene oxide sterilization of medical devices: a review." American journal of infection control 35.9 (2007): 574-581.
4. Moore, Francis C., and Leon R. Perkinson. "Hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization method." U.S. Patent No. 4,169,123. 25 Sep. 1979.
Problem BackgroundMars has been a subject of interest to many people and the subject of many experiments through rovers. With every experiment scientist and engineerings are focused on preventing contaminates from interfering with the study of the planet. While we have developed many systems for how humans can take samples without causing cross contaminating of a sample, those same procedures are not always compatible with mars rovers. This research investigates the current designs of sample retrieval systems, with an aim to develop an improved system that uses sterilization between caching separate samples.
Fig 1. Curiosity sample collection system
Fig 2. Sun Devil Robotics Rover
Fig 3. Exploded view drilling system
Fig 4. Sample Retrieval System
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
