A SIMPLE, COST EFFECTIVE RAMAN-FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETER Frank Marshall, Katelyn R. Brinker, Owen Chiaventone, Michelle Rojo, Michael A. Pride, Zachary Walker Advisors: Dr. Garry S. Grubbs, Dr. Melanie Mormile, Dr. Michael Storrie-Lombardi ISMS 70th Talk RC02 Missouri S&T Mars Rover Design Team
Primarily undergraduates Building a Mars Rover analogue to compete in the University Rover Challenge (URC) Design and build the next generation of Mars Rovers capable of working with astronauts on Mars. Must complete specialized tasks. Focus on Science
Science Task 30-60 minute time limit Select a site of biological importance Collect at least a 5mg sample from the site Analyze the sample to determine the probability of life Mandated pH and Soil Humidity Optional Experiments
Optional Experiment: Raman Spectroscopy Optional Experiment: Raman Spectrometer Capable of detecting various biomarkers
Extremophile bacteria1 Porphyrins Lipids Amino Acids Can be performed quickly Detailed data Expensive Can cost upwards of 10,000 USD
2,500 USD budget 1 Russell, N.C., Edwards, H.G.M., and Wynn-Williams, D.D., FT-Raman spectroscopic Porphine2 analysis of endolithic microbial communities from Beacon sandstone in Victoria Land, Antarctica, 10:6374. (1998), Antarct Sci 2
The Science Team 6 Active Undergraduates Physics, Math, Biology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Freshman through 5th year senior level
The Spectrometer Monochromator Czerny-Turner Configuration3 Composed of 2 mirrors, 1 Diffraction Grating Collimating Mirror Focusing Mirror Diffraction Grating
Maps signal to Linear CCD Array Laser, sample filters 25cm x 25cm x 6cm Weighs approximately 1.5kg with filtering optics Lerner, Jeremy M, Imaging Spectrometer Fundamentals for Researchers in the Biosciences A Tutorial, International Society for Analytical Cytology, Cytometry Part A, 69A, 2006, 712-734 3
Lens and Filter Holder 3D Printed Polylactic Acid Plastic (PLA) Holds filters, lenses, and laser Fits around a sample chamber Raman-Fluorescence Spectrometer Design: Photon Source 50 mW
532 nm CW Handheld, modified 532nm excites Raman and Fluorescence signals Cannot remove fluorescence without expensive electronics (Choppers, Pulse Laser, etc. . .) Use fluorescence to obtain mineral composition http://www.roithner-laser.com/laser_pointers.html
2 Picture from Roithner Lasertechnik2 Raman-Fluorescence Spectrometer Design: Filters and Focusing Lens System Thor Labs Biconvex Lens Focuses laser on samples and exit
aperture, diffuses laser beam to avoid filter degradation Diagram From Semrock3 Filters: Semrock Laser Clean-up Filter Eliminates laser noise http://www.semrock.com/FilterDetails.aspx?id=LL01532-12.5 3
Raman-Fluorescence Spectrometer Design: Filters and Focusing Lens System Thor Labs Biconvex Lens Focuses laser on samples and exit aperture, diffuses laser beam to avoid filter degradation Diagram From Semrock3
Filters: Semrock Laser Clean-up Filter Eliminates laser noise http://www.semrock.com/FilterDetails.aspx?id=LL01532-12.5 3 Raman-Fluorescence Spectrometer Design: Filters cont. . . Thor Labs DMLP550 Dichroic
Mirror Redirects laser, allows Raman/Fluorescence signal to pass into monochromator Diagram from Thor Labs4 http://www.thorlabs.com/ thorproduct.cfm?partnumber=DMLP550 4
Raman-Fluorescence Spectrometer Design: Filters cont. . . Semrock BLP01-532R-25 Edge Filter Eliminates remaining 532nm light http://www.semrock.com/FilterDetails.aspx? id=BLP01-532R-25 5 Diagram from Semrock5
Results Design started middle of November 2014 Construction started middle of February 2015 Construction finished middle of May 2015 Designed and built completely by undergraduates in their spare
time Results Design started middle of November 2014 Construction started middle of February 2015 Construction finished middle of May 2015 Designed and built completely by
undergraduates in their spare time Results Design started middle of November 2014 Construction started middle of February 2015 Construction finished middle of May 2015
Designed and built completely by undergraduates in their spare time Results: Baseline Clearly not flat PLA? Polylactic Acid Organics
Raman Observed Fluorescence Observed Intensity Clipping Raman Peak Intensity
Clipped Fluorescence Expected Baseline Results: Flowering Plant Results: Flowering Plant Results: Flowering Plant
Results: Flowering Plant Baseline Intact Additional Fluorescence Band Possibly: Phycobilirubins Carotenes Expected Baseline
Raman Peak Intensity Clipped Fluorescence Sample Fluorescence Competition Results
Scored a 100/100 on science Only other team to do so won 1st First perfect score in team history MRDT placed 5th 43 teams signed up to attend Only 24 were accepted into competition
Future Work Fix the CCD Permanent placement for accurate measurements Intensity clipping Implement into undergrad Physical Chemistry Lab course IR active vs. Raman active
Remove Fluorescence Pulse Laser Chopper Build it ourselves Acknowledgem ents Mars Rover Design Team & Sponsors
Missouri University of Science and Technology Bonus Pictures!
