Abstract
This work investigates the potential use of direct ultrasonic vibration as an aid to penetration of granular material. Compared with non-ultrasonic penetration, required forces have been observed to reduce by an order of magnitude. Similarly, total consumed power can be reduced by up to 27%, depending on the substrate and ultrasonic amplitude used. Tests were also carried out in high-gravity conditions, displaying a trend that suggests these benefits could be leveraged in lower gravity regimes.
Highlights
Finding signs of life, or evidence of conditions compatible with life, has long been one of the driving forces for space exploration
This work investigates the potential use of direct ultrasonic vibration as an aid to penetration of granular material
These tests showed that application of ultrasonic vibration has a large impact on the peak penetration force, where the greatest reduction occurred at the lowest vibration amplitude, 1 μm, with diminishing returns at higher amplitudes
Summary
Evidence of conditions compatible with life, has long been one of the driving forces for space exploration. The radiation at 3 m depth on Mars is no more intense than that at Earth’s surface [1], and even at 1 m the radiation level is estimated to reduce to levels at which the highly radio-resistant bacteria Deinococcus radiodurans might survive over evolutionary time scales. In this regard, devices that are able to access this depth can have great scientific and exploratory value.
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