Pitt Community College

ABSTRACTRationaleInductively coupled plasma (ICP) is a commonly used ion source for mass spectrometry‐based chemical analysis of a wide range of materials. Traditional ICP ion sources use high power (> 1000 W) and significant gas flow (> 10 L/min), rendering them unsuitable for spaceflight, as they are too resource‐intensive for planetary spacecraft.MethodsTo address the technology gap, we designed and developed a laser ablation microwave‐induced plasma mass spectrometer (LA‐MIP‐MS) and experimentally validated the analytical performance of a prototype instrument capable of providing in situ analyses during planetary science missions. We developed a low‐pressure plasma ion source and interfaced it to a heritage quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) to perform elemental and isotopic analysis of solid samples via laser ablation. The low power plasma ion source was generated at < 1 Torr (< 133 Pa) using 30 W of power and 50 mL/min of He. Analytes were introduced via laser ablation (266 nm); we report elemental abundances and isotopic ratios for Cu, Ni, and Fe metals.ResultsOur experiments confirmed quantification accuracy for stainless steel within 1.4–4% of values measured by x‐ray fluorescence (XRF), with precision ranging from ±9.1 to 22% (2σm). Cu and Ni isotopic ratios were measured with ±0.8–3% (2σm) precision and reproducibility ranging from 0.12% to 11.8%. Measured limits of detection ranged from 21 ppmw for 57Fe to 780 ppmw for 54Fe, with limits of detection for Cr, Mn, and Ni below 240 ppmw.ConclusionsThis technique adds to the roster of instrumentation available for planetary missions by enabling elemental and isotopic analysis with orders of magnitude less power and plasma gas relative to commercial ICP‐MS systems. This work paves the way for low resource LA‐MIP‐MS instruments as a viable technique to be applied to a wide range of applications for terrestrial and spaceflight chemical analysis of geologic materials.

Pitt Community College Librarians describe their partnership with their Early College High School students and teachers, and share ideas they learned from peers while presenting at the North Carolina Community College Library Association's annual conference in February 2025.

Characterization of Regolith And Trace Economic Resources (CRATER), an Orbitrap™-based laser desorption mass spectrometry instrument designed to conduct high-precision, spatially resolved analyses of planetary materials, is capable of answering outstanding science questions about the Moon's formation and the subsequent processes that have modified its (sub)surface. Here, we describe the baseline design of the CRATER flight model, which requires <20 000 cm3 volume, <10kg mass, and <60 W peak power. The analytical capabilities and performance metrics of a prototype that meets the full functionality of the flight model are demonstrated. The instrument comprises a high-power, solid-state, pulsed ultraviolet (213 nm) laser source to ablate the surface of the lunar sample, a custom ion optical interface to accelerate and collimate the ions produced at the ablation site, and an Orbitrap mass analyzer capable of discriminating competing isobars via ultrahigh mass resolution and high mass accuracy. The CRATER instrument can measure elemental and isotopic abundances and characterize the organic content of lunar surface samples, as well as identify economically valuable resources for future exploration. An engineering test unit of the flight model is currently in development to serve as a pathfinder for near-term mission opportunities.

Fall 2020 and the other starting their engineering studies in Fall 2021. Each cohort was to be comprised of 40 students including 20 students at ECU and 20 students divided among the three partnering community colleges. In addition to

This study provides an evaluation of multiple sensors by examining their precision and ability to capture topographic complexity. Five different small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) were evaluated, each with a different camera, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). A lidar was also used on the largest sUAS and as a mobile scanning system. The quality of each of the seven platforms were compared to actual surface measurements gathered with real-time kinematic (RTK)-GNSS and terrestrial laser scanning. Rigorous field and photogrammetric assessment workflows were designed around a combination of structure-from-motion to align images, Monte Carlo simulations to calculate spatially variable error, object-based image analysis to create objects, and MC32-PM algorithm to calculate vertical differences between two dense point clouds. The precision of the sensors ranged 0.115 m (minimum of 0.11 m for MaRS with Sony A7iii camera and maximum of 0.225 m for Mavic2 Pro). In a heterogenous test location with varying slope and high terrain roughness, only three of the seven mobile platforms performed well (MaRS, Inspire 2, and Phantom 4 Pro). All mobile sensors performed better for the homogenous test location, but the sUAS lidar and mobile lidar contained the most noise. The findings presented herein provide insights into cost–benefit of purchasing various sUAS and sensors and their ability to capture high-definition topography.

The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument onboard the ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars rover (to launch in July, 2020) will analyze volatile and refractory organic compounds in martian surface and subsurface sediments. In this study, we describe the design, current status of development, and analytical capabilities of the instrument. Data acquired on preliminary MOMA flight-like hardware and experimental setups are also presented, illustrating their contribution to the overall science return of the mission. Key Words: Mars—Mass spectrometry—Life detection—Planetary instrumentation. Astrobiology 17, 655–685.

This paper examines what came to be known as muscular Hinduism and its expression through yoga practices in India. It argues that identifying Anglo-American muscular Christianity as the locus point for the configuration of ideas that link the body to morality is a colonial distortion. Christianity is the primary referent for muscularity at the fin de siècle, but to properly understand muscular Christianity one must think much more broadly about emerging concerns about the relationship between the body, morality and society in different parts of the world during this period. Apart from the distorting prismatic of colonialism and nationalism, Christianity itself does not provide a comprehensive perspective on religion and moral values. The development of yoga as a system of metaphysical fitness at the fin de siècle can only be understood if the frame of reference is global, rather than colonial and nationalistic, and if one looks at Christianity, Hinduism and other ideological articulations of belief in terms of a world history of religious ideas at this period of time.

Occupational therapists are primary candidates in taking a proactive role in meeting the community dwelling senior citizen's safety, environmental, and cognitive needs through the development of community based programs in conjunction with aging organizations. The purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations to occupational therapists in developing, implementing, and marketing a senior community based fall prevention and home safety program in conjunction with a Council on Aging and occupational therapy outpatient private practice.