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

该合同为“微型潜湖探测装置（MSLED）——用于冰下湖（&amp；水生环境）探测的第一代推进式小孔装置的开发”提供支持，该装置来自南极综合系统科学办公室的极地项目。冰下环境是地球上最后未开发的栖息地之一。要进入冰下环境，必须先钻穿冰层。钻孔通常被限制在直径约30厘米（~ 10英寸），目前所有的冰下勘探都被限制在直接留在钻孔下面的小型设备上。拟议的MSLED将是唯一一个在冰下环境中“游”离洞的设备，从而大大增加了勘探范围。知识价值：该奖项为游泳摄像机和传感器平台的开发提供资金，该平台足够小，可以部署在小井眼中。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。虽然目前的合同仅用于MSLED在海冰中的开发和初步现场测试，但预计MSLED将在NSF最近资助的Pine Island Glacier和Whillans ice Stream地区的项目中非常有用。了解南极的冰下动态对改进陆冰损失的预测模型至关重要，而陆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。更广泛的影响：探索新环境具有巨大的内在兴趣。相机是一个很好的工具，可以快速查看完全未开发的地方，而从这些探索中获得的图像是吸引公众的好方法。MSLED的开发很大程度上借鉴了学生（研究生和本科生）的设计贡献，并将带一名学生到南极洲。

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.