Micro-Submersible Lake Exploration Device (MSLED) - Development of first-generation propelled slim-hole device for subglacial lake (& aquatic environments) exploration

该奖项为极地计划办公室南极综合系统科学的“微型潜湖探测装置（MSLED）-开发用于冰下湖泊（水生环境）探测的第一代推进式小孔装置”提供支持。冰下环境是地球上最后一个未被探索的栖息地之一。要进入冰下环境，必须先钻透冰层。钻孔的直径通常被限制在大约30厘米（约10英寸），目前所有的冰下勘探都仅限于留在钻孔正下方的细长设备。 MSLED将是唯一一款能够在冰下环境中“游”出冰洞的设备，从而大大增加了勘探范围。智力优势：该奖项为开发一种游泳相机和传感器平台提供资金，该平台足够小，可以部署在细长的钻孔中。MSLED将有一个摄像头，还配备了一套有限的化学传感器，包括温度，盐度，pH值和压力。虽然目前的奖项只用于开发和初步现场测试的MSLED通过海冰，它是设想，MSLED将是非常有用的，最近的项目，美国国家科学基金会资助的松岛冰川和Whillans冰流地区。 了解南极的冰下动力学对于改进陆地冰损失的预测模型至关重要，而陆地冰损失的预测模型又对了解下个世纪海平面上升的速度至关重要。 相机是一个很好的工具，可以快速查看完全未探索的地点，而这些探索的图像是吸引公众的好方法。MSLED的开发在很大程度上依赖于学生（研究生和本科生）的设计贡献，并将把一名学生带到南极洲。

This award provides support for "Micro-Submersible Lake Exploration Device (MSLED)- Development of first-generation propelled slim-hole device for subglacial lake (& aquatic environments) exploration" from the Antarctic Integrated System Science within the Office of Polar Programs. Subglacial environments represent one of the last unexplored habitats on Earth. To get to subglacial environments one must first drill through the ice. Drill holes are typically limited in diameter to approximately 30 cm (~ten inches), and all subglacial explorations are currently limited to slim equipment that will remain directly beneath the drill hole. The proposed MSLED will be the only piece of equipment to "swim" away from the hole in a subglacial environment, thus greatly increasing the range of exploration.Intellectual Merit: The award provides funding for development of a swimming camera and sensor platform that is small enough to be deployed down a slim borehole. The MSLED will have a camera, and also be equipped with a limited suite of chemical sensors to include temperature, salinity, pH, and pressure. While the current award is only for development and initial field testing of the MSLED through the sea ice, it is envisioned that the MSLED will be very useful for recent projects that NSF has funded within the Pine Island Glacier and Whillans Ice Stream areas. Understanding subglacial dynamics in the Antarctic is critical for improving predictive models of land-ice loss that in turn is critical for understanding how fast sea level may rise in the next century.Broader Impact: Exploring new environments has great inherent interest. Cameras are a great tool to provide a quick look at totally unexplored locations, and imagery from such explorations is a great way to engage the public. The development of the MSLED draws heavily on design contributions from students (both graduate and undergraduate), and will bring a student to Antarctica.