Macromolecular materials in meteorites and asteroids
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Earth Science and Engineering
Abstract
JAXA and NASA have announced the availability of samples of asteroid Itokawa. The samples were returned to Earth by the Hayabusa Mission. These samples may contain organic matter and the majority of this will be macromolecular in nature. The samples will be very small and techniques that access the major organic component are essential. Novel on-line hydrogenation equipment at Imperial College London can effectively liberate this material for analysis. The technique will be assessed for analysis of asteroid samples. Small meteorite samples will be examined and, where possible, asteroid sample returns. The findings will improve our understanding of life and its distribution in the Universe.
Planned Impact
Scientific advances will be communicated through publication in the highest possible quality journals.
Origin of life studies attract enormous public interest. The work will be disseminated effectively through the professional services of the Imperial College London Press office in coordination with STFC.
Knowledge transfer will be facilitated by Imperial Innovations, the technology transfer office of Imperial College London, and the relevant funding opportunities provided by STFC to help with commercialisation.
The implications for space mission design and operation will communicated by the applicant at international conferences and via international committee work.
Origin of life studies attract enormous public interest. The work will be disseminated effectively through the professional services of the Imperial College London Press office in coordination with STFC.
Knowledge transfer will be facilitated by Imperial Innovations, the technology transfer office of Imperial College London, and the relevant funding opportunities provided by STFC to help with commercialisation.
The implications for space mission design and operation will communicated by the applicant at international conferences and via international committee work.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Mark Sephton (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Watson JS
(2015)
Heat, Aromatic Units, and Iron-Rich Phyllosilicates: A Mechanism for Making Macromolecules in the Early Solar System.
in Astrobiology
Verchovsky A
(2018)
Reaction of Q to thermal metamorphism in parent bodies: Experimental simulation
in Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Sephton MA
(2015)
Multiple Cosmic Sources for Meteorite Macromolecules?
in Astrobiology
Sephton M
(2013)
Aromatic units from the macromolecular material in meteorites: Molecular probes of cosmic environments
in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta
Sephton M
(2014)
Perchlorate-induced combustion of organic matter with variable molecular weights: Implications for Mars missions
in Geophysical Research Letters
Potiszil C
(2017)
Effects of Pressure on Model Compounds of Meteorite Organic Matter
in ACS Earth and Space Chemistry
Montgomery W
(2016)
PRESSURE EFFECTS IN POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC NITROGENATED HETEROCYCLES (PANHs): DIAGNOSTIC QUALITIES AND COSMOBAROMETRY POTENTIAL
in The Astrophysical Journal
Montgomery W
(2016)
The nature of organic records in impact excavated rocks on Mars.
in Scientific reports
Montgomery W
(2016)
Sporopollenin, a Natural Copolymer, is Robust under High Hydrostatic Pressure
in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Montgomery W
(2014)
AN ORGANIC COSMO-BAROMETER: DISTINCT PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE EFFECTS FOR METHYL SUBSTITUTED POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
in The Astrophysical Journal
| Description | A new system has been developed that can identify the source of organic materials. The system is a next generation fingerprinting tool for extraterrestrial organic materials. |
| Exploitation Route | We were assisted by a UK industrial partner that will be adding the system to its product line. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Security and Diplomacy |
| Description | Outreach events provide inspiration for the next generation of scientists. The work was presented at Imperial Fringe, the Royal Albert Hall and Pint of Science. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |