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CSU-PUEBLO CSGC ACTIVITIES FOR 2010-12

H. SARPER, Ph.D., P.E.

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The Effect of Dietary Symbiotic on Bone Mass and Mechanical Strength in Rat Bones During Simulated Weightlessness (In Period of 10/08 through 6/11)

Concluded. Weightlessness matters for bone strength, but special diet did not help in comparison with the control diet.

The Device for the ProjectThe 3 point bend testing machine is now functional. The I/O are processed through a MATLAB code run from a lap top.

We plan to use it again for different samples.

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MARS RETURN FUEL PRODUCTIONThe Chemical Project

On-site manufacture of fuel for Mars ascent vehicle

Preparation of methane fuel (CH4) to power an ascent vehicle from the surface of Mars to an orbiting return vehicle has been proposed via a Sabatier reaction to take advantage of the high concentration of CO2 in the Martian atmosphere. Phase 1 of this project is construction and validation of a Sabatier reactor that combines CO2 and H2 forming CH4 and by-product H2O(1).

Due to the limited supply of hydrogen in the Martian atmosphere, it will also be necessary to generate hydrogen on-site by electrolysis of water (2) carried on the mission and possibly supplemented by limited local supplies on Mars. Incorporation of this reaction into our demonstration apparatus constitutes phase 2 of the project.

(1)

(2)2 H2O 2 H2 + O2solar

electrolysis

CO2 + 4 H2 CH4 + 2 H2ORu / Al2O3 cat.

350-400oC

Powering lift-off of the ascent vehicle involves combustion of methane (3). Oxygen necessary for this reaction is a by-product of reaction (2).

CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2Orocket

engine (3)

Phase 1 – Sabatier reactor overview

The Sabatier reactor is a compact unit consisting of valves to regulate input of reactant gases (yellow handles), a flow meter to monitor total flow of mixed gases, a thermostated catalyst chamber (vertical stainless steel cylinder at left), an output pressure gauge, control switches and monitor for three heating elements, and output into a cryostatic flask for capture.

(1)CO2 + 4 H2 CH4 + 2 H2ORu / Al2O3 cat.

350-400oC

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A Big Hit at the MARS Society Convention in Dallas (8/2011)

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Methane Combustion

The flame shows methane was produced and combusted.

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The 6.12 kW

Experimental PV System will run our step 2 reaction.

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Electrolysis Background

The water is dissociated into hydrogen and oxygen gases;

2H2O(g) → 2H2(g) + O2(g)

The oxygen ultimately will be stored in

cryogenic tanks for the combustion process; The hydrogen is used in the Sabatier

reaction.

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Electrolysis with Off-the-shelf Equipment

Hoffman apparatus Dissociates the water into

hydrogen and oxygen gases;

Ionic compound added for conductivity;

Electrodes; Leads, connected to the

outside tubes of apparatus;

Valves at the top of each outside tube to control flow rate of produced gases;

Powered by the solar panels.

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Solar panels Each solar panel is a 24-volt, 5-

watt, 0.417-ampere commercially sold battery charger;

Each panel is roughly 18” x 18”;Wired in parallel to accommodate

battery voltage;Stand.

Angle adjustment to optimize incident angle of the sun;

Made out of a steel framework, that was made in four pieces: a foot, neck, angle changer, and panel harness;

Made so panels are easily accessible and interchangeable.

Electrolysis Continued…

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Present Electrolysis Construction

Two six volt marine batteries

Perforated 316 stainless steel electrodes

¼” copper rods

• Corrosion resistant• Increased surface area• Malleable

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Electrolysis Construction Continued…10 gallon fish tank4” acrylic tubing

Stainless steel needle valves

• Transparent• Insulator

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ANOTHER EXTENSION

Work with the PCC to build a larger systems with two larger reactors. WHY?

1) We expect to reach self sustaining reaction (no power needed) using more catalyst surface area,

2) Also produce methanol using the same inputs,

3) Try different catalysts to further improve the outputs.

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TO CHECK THE PRESENCE OF CERTAIN BACTERIA NEAR SPACE

Balloon Payload Project

High-Altitude Bacterium Retrieval

Project

Extremophile Bacterial Colonies

High-altitude extremophile bacteria reside in the Earth’s stratosphere

Even in inhospitable conditions to humans, they have the ability to thrive through adaptation

Bacterial strains collected in 2005 over India using a balloon satellite

Overview

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Conceptual DesignsDesign Modifications• Smaller • Cartridge filter design• Sterility Issues• Articulated shaft motion

Current Design• Circular design• Utilizes O-ring seal• Dual valve system to

maintain sterility• Dual-servo actuation• Rack-and-pinion linear

motion

Implementation – mechanical

Sterile Unit assembled within protective insulation

Filter containment unit housed in protective, airflow-promoting chassis

Implementation – Electronic Design

Parallax BS2pe microcontroller (BASIC Stamp)

Simple breadboard with microcontroller and power, output connections

Materials• Parallax BS2pe BASIC

Stamp microcontroller• HiTec Titanium high-torque

servos (333 oz.-in)• 7.2V 2800mah Ni-Cd

battery pack• 9-volt heating elements

High-torque servo setup

EOSS LAUNCH – Spring 2011

Last-minute heating element assembly

Mechanical and electrical assembly

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NEW Project: Revisit our LanderFrom 2007 and makeit work again. We

plan to fly it as balloon payload (heavy) and/or drop it off an airplane with its parachute.

NEW Project: Build 2 or 3 more autonomous rovers to fly in the Lander and also participate in the Sand Dunes event.