Please note: this page is due for review. The information here, while accurate at the time, is now not current. For the latest information, please check our home page, try a search, or contact us.
Research in AntarcticaIt’s expensive, both in time and money, to do a research program in Antarctica. We, in Science Technical Support, often see research programs put at risk because of simple and avoidable equipment failures. We offer the following advice about making and using equipment so that you will know that your own equipment will work correctly first time, and obtain maximum utility from it in the difficult conditions of Antarctica.What are Antarctic conditions like?
Expeditioner using computer in field
| In the coastal regions, the temperatures will go from above zero to -40 Celsius. The inland regions have temperatures which may never go above zero and which may drop to -60 Celsius. Occasionally in far inland regions, temperatures may go below -80 Celsius.
The wind can be very strong, up to 200 kph in coastal regions. The wind will carry grit in areas where there is no snow cover.
Antarctica has very dry air. This allows large amounts of static electricity, particularly when the wind is strong. Static electricity can instantly destroy unprotected electronic equipment.
So equipment for Antarctic field work will be exposed to low temperatures, freeze-thaw cycles, melting ice, grit blasting and strong static electricity. If your equipment does not work correctly in these conditions, you might waste the effort invested in your research program.
Test & verify your equipmentThe single most important thing you can do is to test your equipment before taking it to Antarctica. It is the obvious thing to do, but many people just don’t do it and their research programs are compromised by equipment failures which are completely avoidable.
Make sure that your equipment works as required at the temperatures you will encounter in Antarctica. Also check that the cables remain flexible and the enclosure seals protect the internals.
Do not rely on the equipment manufacturer’s claims about the operating temperature range for your equipment. Verify the correct operation of your equipment for yourself before you go to Antarctica.
Perform these tests well before you are due to depart for Antarctica. Give yourself plenty of time to fix any deficiencies in your equipment.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)Australia’s Antarctic stations have many pieces of equipment that rely for their correct operation on access to the radiofrequency spectrum without risks from interference. This includes telecommunications equipment and scientific equipment.
Electrical and electronic equipment sent to Antarctica must be designed to minimise electromagnetic emissions that could cause harmful interference to such telecommunications and scientific systems. Equipment must also be designed to operate reliably in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields generated by high power telecommunications and scientific transmitters. Licensing of equipmentAll equipment (including scientific equipment) that is designed to emit RF radiation must be licensed by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA).
Approval for operation of this equipment in Antarctica must also be sought from the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) Telecommunications Manager before the equipment is sent. Any proposed changes to the operation of the equipment must also be approved by the Telecommunications Manager. If the equipment, once installed, is found to be causing interference to telecommunications equipment or other scientific equipment, the Telecommunications Manager may direct that the equipment be shut down until the problem can be overcome. BatteriesAll types of battery have reduced performance in the cold, and compared with office and lab temperatures, they go flat faster and have less ability to deliver electricity. Make sure you are using batteries appropriate to the temperatures you will encounter in Antarctica.
- Always use fresh batteries from the major battery manufacturers. Don’t use cheap batteries because they will cost you dearly with their poor performance.
- Use batteries which are commonly available and if rechargeable, ones which are tolerant of the type of charger. Doing this gives you more options should things go wrong.
- Never use carbon-zinc batteries in Antarctica.
- Alkaline batteries are usable down to -30 Celsius.
- Lead acid batteries are usable down to -30 Celsius if they are kept well charged. They are easy to recharge if you don’t know how to recharge batteries. They can be recharged at low temperatures.
- Nickel cadmium batteries are usable down to -30 Celsius. Don’t use nickel cadmium batteries if they are to be idle for weeks because they may go flat in this time. These batteries might not be rechargeable at low temperatures.
- There are many types of lithium battery (different chemistries) and some are usable down to -40 Celsius and below. You must check that you have the correct type. Note that you must have exactly the right battery charger to recharge a lithium ion battery, these batteries are fussy.
Electrical cablesThe metal wires in cables are unaffected by the cold, but the plastic covering which is so pliable in your office or lab may become rigid and shatter in the cold. Make sure that your cables are flexible and usable at the temperatures you will encounter in Antarctica.
- Don’t rely on the cable manufacturer’s claims of temperature performance. You must test the cables in your particular operating conditions.
- The most common insulation (covering) on electrical cables is PVC plastic. Be careful about using PVC below -10 Celsius.
- Some of the synthetic rubber insulations are satisfactory down to -30 Celsius.
- The fluorocarbon insulations (Teflon, tefzel, PVDF, etc) and silicone insulations are usable below -60 Celsius.
- Loose cables and wiring looms can cause equipment failure due to vibration, both in transit and in high wind conditions. Make sure that cables and wiring looms are well secured with cable ties or adhesives, etc.
Construction materialsMany common materials behave differently at Antarctic temperatures and become unsuitable for use in equipment.
The most obvious change is that pliable and flexible materials become progressively harder and more brittle at lower temperatures. So equipment which is fine in the office or lab becomes stiff or shatters in the cold. It also causes equipment seals to fail and allows the ingress of moisture and grit.
Lubricants become thick or solid at Antarctic temperatures thus immobilising equipment.
In general, cheap domestic electronic and mechanical components should not be used in equipment. Instead, use the more rugged industrial or commercial grades of components. For example, a lot of equipment is fitted with cigarette lighter style power connectors which are completely unsuitable for Antarctic use. Replace them XLR style connectors.
Make sure that all the materials in your equipment behave as required at the temperatures you will encounter in Antarctica.
Enclosure sealingYour equipment must be watertight so it will keep out moisture and grit. Note that water ingress causes rapid failure of electronic equipment, and sea-water in particular is lethal for electronic equipment. Make sure that the enclosure for your electronic equipment, and the plugs and sockets, is watertight and remains so at Antarctic temperatures.
If your equipment is subjected to cycles of hot and cold, it will pump air and water vapour through any gaps in the sealing. The water vapour will condense to water or ice inside the equipment and damage it.
Mechanical equipment also needs sealing against the ingress of moisture and grit. Moisture will become ice inside the equipment and hinder its operation.
DisplaysMost measuring equipment has a display on it. The most common displays are LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and LEDs (light emitting diodes). CRT (cathode ray tube) displays are used occasionally.
- Remember that you may have to read your display through a layer of frozen condensation.
- LCDs might not work at all in the cold, or their response will be so slow that they are useless.
- LEDs work fine at low temperatures, but they might be hard to read in the very bright glary sunlight of Antarctica.
- CRTs behave similarly to LEDs.
ErgonomicsCan you actually operate your equipment in the field in Antarctica? You will be wearing heavy mitts or gloves, so anything with small buttons or knobs or screws or tiny displays may be ergonomically impossible to operate. Make sure you can operate your equipment easily when you are clothed for severe Antarctic conditions. Spare parts & repairsTake a full kit of spare parts, operation & repairs manuals with you to Antarctica. Again, it sounds obvious but many people don’t do this. Do not assume that replacement parts for your equipment will be available at the Antarctic stations. If the equipment is critical to the success of your research program, take two units plus spares so you can replace a faulty unit and repair it while your research program continues.
Design your equipment with standardisation of parts in mind, wherever possible. This gives the advantage of allowing failed parts to be easily swapped or cannibalised from other equipment. Where possible, make components the same as those already standardised by the AAD, so that there is a greater chance that replacement parts will be available from another source.
There are basic repair facilities at the stations for electrical, mechanical & electronic equipment.
If your project relies on a PC or similar, make sure you bring backup copies of all software used on the PC, including the operating system.
How STS can help youIf you have any questions about building reliable scientific equipment for Antarctic or marine science use, please contact us at:
Electronics laboratory manager +61 3 6232 3332
Or email ElectronicsLaboratory@aad.gov.au
STS has a low temperature environmental chamber which is used by STS staff for equipment development and testing down to -85 Celsius. You can use this chamber to temperature test your own equipment provided:
- The equipment being tested is for a research program supported by the Australian Antarctic Division.
- You must perform the tests yourself with minimal STS help.
- STS staff have priority use of the chamber.
Please contact us for more details.
|
