RADIATION EDELWEISS FLOWER - grc.nasa.gov · Edelweiss-like hairs could block harmful UV radiation....

PIPEVINE-INSPIRED SELF-HEALINGROVER WHEEL

HOW THE PIPEVINE’S QUICK HEALING COULD UPGRADE THE WHEELNASA BIOMIMICRY PROJECT: NATURE-INSPIRED EXPLORATION ON EARTH AND IN SPACE

AUTHOR: ANTHONY THOMAS DEMONG | SCHULICH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING | INSTRUCTOR M. EGGERMONT

I M AG E R E F E R E N C E S :[ 1 ] D N A R A D I A T I O N D A M A G E : H T T P : / / W W W . C G S O C I E T Y . O R G / C G S A R C H I V E / N E W G A L L E R Y C R I T S / G 8 5 / 8 6 7 8 5 / 8 6 7 8 5 _ 1 1 9 4 0 9 3 5 0 9 _ L A R G E . J P G[ 2 ] M I C R O G R A V I T Y W A T E R D R O P L E T : H T T P S : / / I . Y T I M G . C O M / V I / P X1 7 A C S 5 K H K / M A X R E S D E F A U L T . J P G[ 3 ] M A R T I A N T E R R A I N : H T T P : / / I M G . P H O M B O . C O M / I M G 1 / P H O T O C O M B O / 8 0 / 2 2 9 5 3 6 M A I N _ P I A 0 2 4 0 6 . J P G[ 4 ] C R A C K E D R O V E R W H E E L 1 : H T T P : / / W W W . J P L . N A S A . G O V / S P A C E I M A G E S / I M A G E S / L A R G E S I Z E / P I A 2 0 3 3 4 _ H I R E S . J P G[ 5 ] C R A C K E D R O V E R W H E E L 2 : H T T P : / / W W W . S P A C E . C O M / I M A G E S / I / 0 0 0 / 0 4 8 / 6 4 6 / O R I G I N A L / C U R I O S I T Y_ W H E E L _ T R E A D . J P G ? I N T E R P O L A T I O N = L A N C Z O S - N O N E & F I T = I N S I D E % 7 C 6 6 0

Leg connected to rover body

High pressured, expandable material

between outer and inner sections of the wheel

Once a crack or hole appears in thewheel, an inner material expandsoutwards into the crack. This simulatesthe pipevine’s natural healing process,where lesions are filled by rapidly-dividing cells. As a result, the structuralintegrity of the wheel is maintained,increasing its functional lifespan.

Chosen material would stop when it comes into contact with the outer atmosphere, such as a chemical reaction with CO2, the dominant gas on Mars (95.32%) [1]

The design of the wheel (to the left) is based on that of the Mars Curiosity

rover, which is currently suffering from cracked wheels.

[5][4]

RADIATION

Astronauts are exposed to significant sources of harmful radiation.

Exposure to high doses can lead to radiation sickness.

HYDRATION

On the ISS, most of the excess water and waste is recycled.

Ejection of humid water vapour from airlocks is a current cause of excess water loss.

TRAVERSING

PLANETS

Rover wheels struggle on rocky, uneven terrain.

On Mars, rovers like the Spirit have become immobilized.

RESEARCHING NASACHALLENGES

[1]

[2]

EDELWEISS FLOWER

LEONTOPODIUM ALPINUM

To protect itself, the Edelweiss

has hairs capable of

absorbing UV radiation before it can harm the plant’s tissue.

Coating a surface with synthetic Edelweiss-like hairs could block harmful UV radiation.

CAMEL

CAMELUS BACTRIANUS

To conserve water lost from exhaling, the camel reabsorbs

humidity from the air it exhales in

its hygroscopic nasal passages. Surfaces within the ISS could

condense and then store humidity from the air, preventing excess water loss.

PIPEVINE

ARISTOLOCHIA MACROPHYLLA

Whenever the pipevine’s tissue is damaged, the cells

surrounding this area

begin to rapidly multiply in

order to seal the crevice. This concept of rapid

expansion could be applied to manmade surfaces.

NATURE’S SOLUTIONS TOTHESE PROBLEMS

[3]

PIPEVINEILLUSTRATION

CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIESDIAGRAM

ANTHONY T. DEMONG ANTHONY.DEMONG@UCALGARY.CA M. EGGERMONT MEGGERMO@UCALGARY.CA