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Validair supplies airborne particle counter for the study of soil samples from Mars

Validair
31 Aug 2021
Ellie Abbott
Biochemist

Industry news

Was there life on Mars? Amongst the excitement of space missions to the Red Planet, successful landings and the deployment of the Mars Rover, it’s easy to forget that the vital analysis of samples retrieved from the surface will take place here, on our Blue Planet.

In preparation for the return of soil samples, the University of Leicester has designed a new double-walled isolator to provide a super-sterile research and analysis environment, protecting the invaluable Martian material from earthly contaminants. That protection will be constantly monitored by a TSI AeroTrak 9110-01 Airborne Particle Counter supplied by Validair Monitoring Solutions Ltd.

The entire Mars project looks to the future, in more ways than one. With these extra-terrestrial exploration projects spanning many years, planning is crucial. Even though soil samples from the surface of Mars are not expected back on Earth for 10 years, the new isolator, its instruments including the Validair APC, and the research facilities will be ready and validated. Some of the students at the University’s Space Park working on project preparations today will be fully qualified research scientists by the time the analysis process begins. At that point, we can expect to be closer to answering the question: was there life on Mars?

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Environmental Monitoring and TestingEnvironmental monitoring and testing uses handheld portable analyzers, kits, spectrometers or chromatography systems for air, water, soil, food and other sample testing. Useful features of analyzers such as BOD and COD include portability, easy calibration, automation and sensitivity.  Environmental test kits for pH, water, moisture, etc, should be accurate, sensitive, reliable, fast and easy to use.Particle CharacterizationParticle characterization instruments are used to determine particle size distribution, shape, surface area, zeta potential, density and porosity of particles and materials. Multiple tecchniques are available for determining particle size, shape and count including dynamic light scattering (DLS), laser diffraction, electrozone (Coulter technique), imaging particle analysis and single particle optical sensing. Determine the density of your material with a gas pycnometer or examine its surface area and porosity with gas adsorption analyzers and mercury porosimeters. Find the best particle characterization instruments in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Soil TestingSoil testing helps determine the nutrient content, pH level, and other factors affecting soil health. This information is critical for agriculture, environmental science, and land management. Explore soil testing solutions in our peer-reviewed product directory; compare products, check reviews, and get pricing directly from manufacturers.Environmental ContaminationContaminants in the environment are harmful chemicals that are present in the air, land and water. These include pesticides, pharmaceuticals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and many more.Environmental AnalysisEnvironmental analysis describes a variety of tests that determine the effect of chemicals, processes and particulates such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have on the environment.

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Validair supplies airborne particle counter for the study of soil samples from Mars