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Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Adrian Edward Southard

(Research Associate)

Adrian Edward Southard's Contact Card & Information.
Email: adrian.e.southard@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.286.4457
Org Code: 699
Address:
NASA/GSFC
 Mail Code 699
 Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK

Missions & Projects

Brief Bio

My graduate studies in the chemical physics program at University of Maryland enabled me to explore new material synthesis, deposition, and characterization methods. I have utilized this expertise to develop applications for both organic materials and new forms of carbon such as carbon nanotubes. I have also examined organic field-effect transistors to gain a deeper understanding of the charge transport mechanisms in organic materials.

Coming to work at NASA GSFC in 2010 gave me an opportunity to explore my passion for all things planetary science and, in particular, the search for traces of life in the solar system. I have been working towards the goal by supporting instrument development efforts related to the field of mass spectrometry, associated separation techniques such as liquid chromatograph and gas chromatography, as well as energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS). I started by reengineering and testing a field emission electron gun for time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) and later leveraged this for elemental analysis via EDS. I learned how to simulate ion trajectories with SIMION and optimize a TOF-MS. I have since expanded my work to efforts involving linear ion trap and Orbitrap mass analyzers given their ability to perform mass fragmentation and high resolution mass spectrometry, respectively. I have also worked to enable the use of chromatographic separations via MEMS technology and worked to improve online derivatization efforts for gas chromatography. Finally, I have more recently focused on laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and its ability to doing imaging mass spectrometry.

Ultimately, the unifying aim of all these efforts is to advance our understanding of the evolution of planetary bodies in the solar system and the role life played, if any, in their history.

 

Research Interests

Improving instrumentation for mass spectrometry.

My research has focused on simulations and experiments with new instruments which all interface or support the use of a mass spectrometer in some way. Subject areas include charged particle optics, computation fluid dynamics, and heat transfer, All of this engineering aims to improve the sensitivity and capabilities of instrumentation to facilitate the detection inorganic and organic material on the moon, Mars, comets, or icy moons in the solar system like Europa, Enceladus, and Titan.

Current Projects

Mars organic molecular analyzer Mass Spectrometer

Mars

MOMA-MS aims to sample Martian soil as much as 2 meters deep and look for organics that may have survived exposure to radiation over billions of years. My focus is to provide the mass spectrometer with a  a fast response pressure gauge that will ensure its safe operation.

In situ mineral composition analysis via xray spectroscopy.

Planetary Geology

The mineralogy of planetary  surfaces is crucial in understanding the evolution of a planet.  The goal of this project is to develop higher resolution compositional maps of surfaces by bombarding the surface with high energy electrons so as to generate characteristics x-rays from the sample.

Dragonfly mass spectrometer (DraMS)

Planetary surfaces

The DraMS (Dragonfly Mass Spectrometer) instrument on NASA's Dragonfly mission aims to understand Titan's prebiotic chemistry and search for biosignatures by analyzing surface organic molecules, identifying components that could form life, studying their distribution, and detecting chirality (molecular "handedness") in different environments across Titan's surface, potentially revealing signs of past or present life

AROMA (Advanced Resolution Organic Molecular Analyzer)

Comets

AROMA is a higly sensitive, high-resolution (m/dm > 10,0000) mass analyzer capable of measurements of trace levels (< ppmw) of organic and inorganic compounds in icy environments of interest to planetary science.

A Fluidic Trap for Life Detection in Icy Planetary Env.: Part II

Astrochemistry

To develop the interface (i.e., Fluidic trap or FT) between a fluid delivery subsystem and a gas chromatography - mass spectrometer. This project aims to improve the limits of detection for such an interface.

CHARACTERIZATION OF REGOLITH AND TRACE ECONOMIC RESOURCES (CRATER)

Moons

Here, we propose to develop a highly capable laser-based mass spectrometer that will transform our understanding of the Earth-Moon system. This comprehensive, versatile, and low SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) in situ investigation will deliver:
1. Noninvasive, spatially resolved (micron-scale) compositional analysis of lunar regolith,
crustal rocks, and/or mantle-derived materials via laser ablation microprocessing with a
beam that can be scanned across the sample surface to generate 2D chemical maps;
2. Quantitative measurements of major and minor elemental composition, including cations
(e.g., transition metals) and anions (e.g., halogens), and trace levels of organic content over
a wide range of volatilities, ionization potentials, and molecular weights (up to 1000 Da);
3. Unrivaled disambiguation of atomic and molecular (polyatomic) isobaric interferences
and isotopologues via ultrahigh mass resolving powers and mass accuracy; and,
4. High-precision (percent scale) determinations of isotopic ratios and abundances.

Molecular Analyzer for complex refractory and organic-rich samples

Comets

The outcome of the proposed work will be a MACROS instrument laboratory
prototype that will determine inorganic mineral composition, broadband organic
sample content, and detailed structural analysis of high-priority compound
classes for a thorough understanding of the chemistry of planetary surface
materials.

Characterization of Ocean Realms and Life Signatures (CORALS)

Astrobiology

CORALS is a transformative laser-based mass spectrometer that will redefine
our understanding of Europa as a potentially habitable world through the detection/unambiguous identification of molecular biosignatures, and the chemical analysis of surface materials.

Positions/Employment

Visiting associate research engineer

CRESST-II/University of Maryland, College Park - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Bldg. 37 S229

December 2021 - Present

Research in the area of planetary sciences with a focus on instrument development

Teaching Experience

Teaching assistant of Introductory Physics at New College (1998)
Teaching assistant at Univ. of Florida in Introductory Physics Lab (2000-2001)
Teaching assistant at Univ. of Maryland in Introductory Chemistry Lab (2001-2002)

Education

Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University of Maryland College Park
Bachelor of Arts in Physics from New College of Florida

Professional Societies

I am currently a member of ASMS (American Society of Mass Spectrometry) However, I've also been a member of APS and MRS.

2015 - Present

Awards

2012 IRAD Innovator of the Year Team Award

Grants

Advanced Resolution Organic Molecular Analyzer

Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration (MatISSE) Program (ROSES) - NASA (80NSSC23K0050) - Awarded: 0000-00-00


Dates:  - 

Coverage: 1.4

Amount ~ $3 million

Special Experience

  • Use of commercial mass spectrometers (Thermo Q-Exactive, Bruker TOF), and other instruments for analytical separation gas chromatography (Agilent), liquid chromatography
  • Skilled user of SIMION, a finite difference electrodynamics simulation software, for simulating electron and ion trajectories in mass spectrometers. Focus areas include simulating cold cathode emission, orthogonal ion extraction, Orbitrap analyzer injection, channel electron multiplier modeling, and modeling of ions in gas flows (electrospray interface).
  • Finite-element modeling for analyzing viscous flow using COMSOL. Applications include modeling of time dependent fluid dynamics relevant to aerosol capture, vacuum system design, and cold cathode field emission 
  • Optical spectrospcopy: UV/VIS, Infrared
  • Development of control systems via LabVIEW, and programming using Origin (Labtalk). To a lesser degree, C/C++
  • Xray diffraction for elucidating structure of minerals. Certified by the state of Maryland to work with X-ray equipment.
  • Micro- and nanoscale device fabrication, including electron-beam and photolithography, photolithographic masks design, sample patterning via dry (RIE, DRIE) and wet etch, metal deposition methods, anodic bonding, electrochemical polymerization and clean room techniques.
  • Electrical characterization (current-voltage, capacitance-voltage characteristics and noise measurements) at room and cryogenic temperatures.


Selected Publications

Refereed

2013. "Organics Analyzer for Sampling Icy Surfaces: a Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer for Future in situ Small Body Missions.", IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, [Proceedings]

2013. "In situ instrument to detect prebiotic compounds in planetary ices.", SPIE Newsroom, [DOI: 10.1117/2.1201302.004703] [Report]

2012. "Volatile Analysis by Pyrolysis of Regolith for Planetary Resource Exploration.", IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings, 1-11, 3-10 [Full Text] [10.1109/AERO.2012.6187065] [Proceedings]

Talks, Presentations and Posters

Other

Advanced Resolution Organic Molecular Analyzer (AROMA)

July 3, 2018

The small size, low power, high mass resolution and mass accuracy of an orbitrap make it a highly capable component of a flight instrument for planetary science investigations, specifically disambiguation and identification of potential biosignatures, e.g. organic molecules, on comets or other airless bodies in the solar system (Fig. 1). To date, mass resolving power of over 100,000 has been demonstrated for a custom built orbitrap with a laser desorption ionization source[Briois et al.]. The Advanced Resolution Organic Molecular Analyzer (AROMA) adds to the mass analysis capabilities of the Orbitrap by interfacing it to a flight qualified linear ion trap (LIT) developed for the ExoMars rover.  The LIT based Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument adds the capabilities of ion selection, MSn, and the option for accumulating ions prior to injection. A concept for the eventual flight instrument is shown in Fig 2.

Power versus performance tradeoffs of an RF ion guide vs. electrostatic lenses in the OASIS LCMS

interface

July 3, 2017

Traditional LC-MS interface designs incorporate an RF component to

direct electrospray ions into the mass spec, but RF power supplies typically

use several Watts of power which could be a significant fraction of the

power budget for a mission to search for amino acids or nucleic acids on

airless icy bodies of the solar system (see target bodies below), e.g.

Europa. Limiting power consumption for in situ measurements on an

airless icy body requires reconsidering the use of an RF ion guide, while

also considering the sensitivity of such an instrument. In this work,

simulation of ion transmission through three different ion optics stages,

two with electrostatic lenses and one with a hexapole RF guide are

compared for a set of amino acid standards. The results of simulations will

guide design improvements of the OASIS instrument (see schematic and

tested components below) [1].

Liquid Chromatography-Mass spectrometry interface for detection of extraterrestrial organics

December 2014

LC-MS has been used to quantify enantiomeric ratios in extraterrestrial amino acids that have been found in well preserved meteorites delivered to Earth [4]. To exploit the advanced analysis offered by LC-MS, the goal of the instrument development effort described here is to implement LC-MS in a spaceflight-compatible package called OASIS (Organ-ics Analyzer for Sampling Icy Surfaces) [5].


High speed and accurate pressure measurement with a MEMS pirani pressure gauge from 100 to less than 0.1 mtorr

July 2014

Demonstration of pressure prediction from 0.1 mtorr to 100 torr over temperatures from -20 to 80 C and with response times of 0.05 s

Contact Us

For general inquiries about the Sciences and Exploration Directorate.

Jocelyn Lynch

Project Support Specialist

301-286-6066 jocelyn.m.lynch@nasa.gov
Ellie Jeffries

Project Support Specialist

301-286-6066 ellie.jeffries@nasa.gov
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