The rewards of interdisciplinary research

Interdisciplinary research organizations provide a wide range of opportunities for all involved.  I am in the fortunate position of having been introduced to truly multidisciplinary research very early in my career.  My first position was at Westinghouse Research Labs, working in an environmental group with about equal parts engineering, chemistry, and biology.  It was enlightening to observe the first approaches to, for example, an oil spill.  The engineer’s immediate response is to develop devices for separating the oil from the water, the chemist looks to develop agents to control the spill, and the biologist seeks an organism that eats the oil. 
 
Here in the space center, we have an even more diverse range of expertise and interests, though the extent of overlap among the disciplines is often necessarily substantial given the nature of our field.  As an engineer interested in developing instruments/equipment for use in space I am currently involved in a number of projects that require collaborations with other center researchers and students.  For example the HERA mission to return samples from near-earth asteroids requires the development of sample collection devices that in turn requires knowledge of the asteroids themselves; this particular project currently involves engineers, chemists and astronomers.

Synergy in the center is provided by a combination of familiar themes (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, chemical reactions) and the introduction of new approaches to and new applications for those same familiar topics.  It is facilitated through research meetings and space center seminars.  A monthly newsletter helps keep everyone informed about center activities.

The greatest reward for me, however, is working with students from other disciplines.  Among our students, there is always a great enthusiasm for the new and unknown, and the presence in the center of such diverse expertise and interests provides a unique and exciting environment.  While the interaction of science professionals has its reward, it is the larger interaction between students and faculty that generates the most satisfaction.

Larry Roe, Mechanical Engineering, UArk

Center affiliate, Al Grauer of UALR and his collaborators Claud Lacy and Derek Sears of the space center, UArk have recently been awarded a grant from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium to investigate spectral characterization of near-earth asteroids, specifically the HERA mission target asteroids.  A detailed description of this project can be found in the September issue of Space Notes.

In recent weeks several center researchers have been making good use of our planetary chamber.  Derek Sears together with colleague Barney Farmer and his students Shauntae Moore, Aaron Meier, and Julie Chittenden have been performing a series of experiments on evaporation rates of water and brine on Mars.  The chamber facilities allow them to measure the effects on evaporation rates of changing conditions on Mars due to seasonal and atmospheric variations through being able to control both temperature and pressure.  The first results were presented at a recent DPS meeting and were the subject of a press release at the conference.  Collaborations are now beginning with interested researchers at JPL and the University of Arizona where researchers are heading up the Phoenix Mission to place a lander on Mars.  Tim Kral is currently conducting a series of experiments under Mars conditions to explore the survivability of methanogens.  Dr. Kral plans to present the results of these experiments at the upcoming AGU meeting in December.  Our colleagues at OSU are also beginning experimental work in Andromeda; Ginny Kalchgruber and Michael Blair from Steve McKeever’s group made some initial measurements of optical bleaching of likely surface materials on Mars in connection with the ODIN instrument for dating sediments.

Some articles recently published by space center faculty, their  students and collaborators

Catlos, E. J. and S. S. Sorensen (2003)  Phengite-Based Chronology of K- and Ba-Rich Fluid Flow in Two Paleosubduction Zones. Science 299, 92-95.

Cornwell, K., D. Norsby, and R. Marston (2003)  Drainage, sediment transport, and denudation rates on the Nanga Parbat Himalaya, Pakistan. Geomorphology 55, 25-43.

Franzen, M. A., S. Nichols, K. Bogdon, C. White, R. Godsey, N. Napieralski, P. H. Benoit, and D. W. G. Sears (2003)  Size and density sorting of metal and silicate grains under microgravity conditions and the origin of chondrites. Geophysical Research Letters 30,7-1.

Lacy, C. H. S., G. Torres, A. Claret, and J. A. Sabby (2003)  Absolute Properties of the Main-Sequence Eclipsing Binary Star BP Vulpeculae. Astronomical Journal 126, 1905-1915.

Marston R., J. Bravard, and T. Green (2003)  Impacts of reforestation and gravel mining on the Malnant River, Haute-Savoie, French Alps. Geomorphology 55, 65-74.

McKeever S. W. S., D. Banerjee, M. Blair, S. M. Clifford, M. S. Cloudsley, S. S. Kim, M. Lamothe, K. Lepper, M. Leuschen, K. J. McKeever, M. Prather, A. Rowland, D. Reust, D. W. G. Sears and J. W. Wilson  (2003) Concepts and approaches to in situ dating of martian sediments.  Radiation. Measurements 37 (4-5). pp. 527-34.

Moore, S. R., M. Franzen, P. H. Benoit, D. W. G. Sears, A. Holley, M. Meyer, R. Godsey, and J. Czlapinski (2003) The origin of chondrites: Metal-silicate separation experiments under microgravity conditions - II. Geophysical Research Letters 30, 29-1.

Sabby, J. A. and C. H. S. Lacy (2003)  Absolute Properties of the Eclipsing Binary Star RT Coronae Borealis. Astronomical Journal 125, 1448-1457.

Schneider, D. M., P. H. Benoit, A. Kracher, and D. W. G. Sears (2003)  Metal size distributions in EH and EL chondrites. Geophysical Research Letters 30, 2-1.

Yukihara E., V. Whitley,. D. Polf, S. Klein, S. McKeever, A. Akselrod, and M. Akselrod (2003)  The effects of deep trap population on the thermoluminescence of Al2O3:C.  Radiation Measurements 37,
6, pp 627-638.

The new graduate degree programs in space and planetary sciences are making steady progress at both campuses.  At UArk they were recently approved by the Faculty Senate and will go before the Board of Trustees in mid-November.  At OSU the programs have just been approved by the Graduate Council.  We are on target with the degree being offered beginning Fall 2004.

Seminars take place via video conference (UArk: Chemistry Bldg., Rm. 226; OSU: Life Sciences East, Rm 216)
Alternative venues have asterisks beside them

Wed., Sep 24, 3:30 pm
Dr. Derek Sears, University of Arkansas
"Water on Mars"

Mon., Sep 29, 7:00 pm
Dr. Bruce Hapke, University of Pittsburgh
"Dark Moon"
The Barringer Lecture Series
*Giffels Auditorium

Wed., Oct 22, 3:30 pm
Dr. Regina Kalchgruber, Oklahoma State University
"Luminescence dating on Mars: Why martian sediments should use sun cream!"

Wed., Nov 5, 3:30 pm
Dr. Albert Grauer, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
"Physical Characterization of Near-Earth Objects"

Wed., Nov 19, 3:30 pm
Dr. Richard Marston, Oklahoma State University
"Rock Glaciers on Mars"

Wed., Dec 3, 3:30 pm
Dr. Larry Roe, University of Arkansas
"The Hera Sample Collector"