A5055253675- Cryospheric studies and observations
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Winter Sports Injuries and Performance
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Underwater Vehicles and Communication Systems
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence
- Aerospace Engineering and Energy Systems
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies
- Membrane-based Ion Separation Techniques
- Marine and environmental studies
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Robotic Path Planning Algorithms
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Maritime Navigation and Safety
- Air Quality Monitoring and Forecasting
- Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Adventure Sports and Sensation Seeking
- Underwater Acoustics Research
Honeybee Robotics (United States)
2023-2024
Cornell University
2024
Georgia Institute of Technology
2016-2023
Louisiana State University
2021
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
2016
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
2015
Abstract Thwaites Glacier represents 15% of the ice discharge from West Antarctic Ice Sheet and influences a wider catchment 1–3 . Because it is grounded below sea level 4,5 , thought to be susceptible runaway retreat triggered at grounding line (GL) which glacier reaches ocean 6,7 Recent ice-flow acceleration 2,8 front 8–10 GL 11,12 indicate that loss will continue. The relative impacts mechanisms underlying recent are however uncertain. Here we show sustained least 2011 2020 resolve...
Abstract Thwaites Glacier is one of the fastest-changing ice–ocean systems in Antarctica 1–3 . Much ice sheet within catchment grounded below sea level on bedrock that deepens inland 4 , making it susceptible to rapid and irreversible loss could raise global by more than half a metre 2,3,5 The rate extent loss, whether proceeds irreversibly, are set ocean conditions basal melting grounding-zone region where first goes afloat 3,6 both which largely unknown. Here we show—using observations...
Abstract The ARTEMIS docking system demonstrates autonomous capability applicable to robotic exploration of sub‐ice oceans and sub‐glacial lakes on planetary bodies, as well here Earth. In these applications, melted or drilled vertical access shafts restrict vehicle geometry the in‐water infrastructure that may be deployed. ability return reliably precisely point is critical for data return, battery charging, and/or recovery. This paper presents mechanical, sensor, software components make...
Abstract Ozone is a highly oxidizing gas easily generated from atmospheric oxygen with inexpensive equipment and commonly used for the disinfection of municipal water, foods, surfaces. We report tests ability ozone to inactivate enveloped respiratory viruses (influenza A virus syncytial virus), chosen as more handled surrogates SARS-CoV-2, on N95 respirators other personal protective (PPE) in hospitals. At 20 ppm, an concentration achieved by standard commercial equipment, were inactivated...
Ice streams flowing into Ross Shelf are presently responsible for around 10% of the mass flux from West Antarctica, with noteworthy exception Kamb Stream, which stagnated in late 1800s. The subsequent reduction ice supply led to grounding-line retreat at coastal margin where transitions floating Shelf. Grounding-line migration is linked broader changes ice-sheet balance and sea level, but our understanding related ice, ocean seafloor interactions limited by difficulty accessing these remote...
Abstract Several worlds in our solar system are thought to hold oceans of liquid water beneath their frozen surfaces. These subsurface ice and ocean environments promising targets the search for life beyond Earth, but they also present significant new technical challenges planetary exploration. With a focus on Jupiter’s moon Europa, here we (1) identify major benefits world science, (2) provide multidisciplinary survey relevant sample handling detection technologies, (3) integrate those...
Ocean conditions near the grounding zones of Antarctica's ice shelves play a key role in controlling outflow and mass balance sheet. However, ocean observations these regions are largely absent. Here, we present detailed spatial survey collected with an underwater vehicle basal crevasse located cavity at Ross Ice Shelf zone. The depict fine-scale variability forcing that drives asymmetric melting along lower sidewalls freezing upper reaches crevasse. Freshwater release from depth salt...
Abstract The freezing point of water is negatively dependent on pressure; therefore in any ocean without external forcing it warmest at the surface and grows colder with depth. Below floating ice Earth (e.g., shelves or sea ice), this pressure dependence combines gradients draft to drive an redistribution process termed “ice pump”: submerged melts, upwells, then refreezes shallower depths. Ice pumping exchange between overhead that results unique compositions textures influences distribution...
Icefin is a custom remotely or autonomously operated vehicle (ROV/AUV) designed for sub-ice deployments in Antarctica with focus on portability remote field and modularity to accommodate various payloads characterize the under-ice environment. A prototype iteration of was deployed McMurdo, 2014 provided data as well valuable lessons learned. Since then has been refined significantly into more capable reliable platform that during 2017 austral summer Antarctic season (October - December...
Microbial mat growth can produce diagnostic delicate structures in low-energy environments, but morphology, and thus preservation of as morphological biosignatures, is affected by mud accumulation. In Lake Joyce, Antarctica, varying rates siliciclastic deposition the morphology partially calcified microbial mats. These mats were characterized along a shore-parallel transect from higher- to lower-sedimentation regions lake. Mats with high accumulation predominantly flat sparse pinnacles. At...
Several moons in our solar system, including Europa, are believed to host large bodies of liquid water beneath ice shells. These compelling locations the search for life beyond Earth, but present significant challenges access future planetary missions. The Vertical Entry Robot Navigating Europa (VERNE) is a robotic mission concept penetrate and operate within Europa's shell ocean funded through Scientific Exploration Subsurface Access Mechanism (SESAME) program. SESAME requires vehicle...
We present thermophysical, biological, and chemical observations of ice brine samples from five compositionally diverse hypersaline lakes in British Columbia's interior plateau. Possessing a spectrum magnesium, sodium, sulfate, carbonate, chloride salts, these low-temperature high-salinity are analogs for planetary ice-brine environments, including the shells Europa Enceladus systems on Mars. As such, understanding thermodynamics biogeochemistry can provide insights into evolution,...
Here we present the design of a custom water sampling system for use on underwater robot Icefin. The goals this instrument are to collect discrete samples in compact form factor, operate extreme environments including high pressure and low temperature settings, maintain simple low-cost design. To achieve these objectives integrates fluidic manifold, several solenoid pumps valves, electronic controls, an oil filled housing. A first-generation version sampler was successfully tested Icefin...
Icefin is a custom designed remotely or autonomously operated vehicle (ROV/AUV) for sub-ice deployments in polar environments with primary focus on modularity deploying multiple payloads throughout season to characterize the under-ice environment. Over past six years has undergone numerous design improvements become stable and robust platform. The current was proven during 2018 field campaign. With success of that season, second built accommodate two campaigns austral summer 2019–2020,...
Field studies at terrestrial analogue sites represent an important contribution to the science of ocean worlds. The value and technology investigations conducted field depends on relevance environment target world. We accept that there are no perfect analogues for many unique environments represented by worlds but suggest a one-to-one matching environmental characteristics conditions is not crucial success or impact work. Instead, we must instead determine which processes parameters required...
At present, considerable uncertainty surrounds the details of how Earth’s ice sheets interact with surrounding ocean. This inhibits reliability future sea level rise projections from sheet models and highlights a need to better constrain ice-ocean interactions in situ observations. Here, we present detailed ocean data beneath Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf, Antarctica, collected underwater vehicle Icefin as part ITGC MELT project. The observations are subset full set that...
Melt beneath Antarctica’s large cold-cavity ice shelves remains a major source of uncertainty in sheet projections. Beneath these melt is typically greatest both at the shelf front and grounding zone where first goes afloat. Grounding thought to have significant influence on flow across line, but can be difficult estimate using remote sensing methods due flexure overriding shelf. Added complexity caused by thin water column, abundant basal crevassing, possible addition subglacial...
<p>Icefin performed the first long range robotic exploration of grounding zone Thwaites Glacier from January 9-12 2020. Icefin was part MELT project International Collaboration deployed to Glacier, West Antarctica over period December 2019-February 2020.<span>  </span>MELT is an interdisciplinary explore rapid change across zone, and in particular basal melting.<span>  </span>The subglacial cavity...