Flying people into space is hard – getting to space and staying there in a sustainable way is even harder. As we move forward with manned exploration of our solar system, we can no longer rely exclusively on logistical support from our home planet. We will increasingly need to live off what resources we find locally. At ESA, we have been investigating how we can utilise local lunar resources to sustain our astronauts for longer periods of time and provide them with infrastructure needed to survive sustainably. In this talk we outline the challenges of living off world and how we can change the paradigm of space exploration using space resources.

Biography

Aidan is an adaptable, diligent, innovative and enthusiastic multidisciplinary postdoctoral research fellow in solid state physics, space science and energy systems. With advanced experience in thin film deposition and liquid phase epitaxial growth methods as well as optical/structural characterization techniques.

Demonstrated experience with wide variety of materials metrology techniques for thin film/epitaxial growth characterization, including XRD, XRR, AFM, SEM, EDX, μRaman spectroscopy, UV-VIS, PL & Low-K PL, EL and synchrotron beam line operation/experimental setup (SXRT/XRDI/XEOL). Electrical characterisation of thin films (I-V measurements, electrolytic decomposition, Hall effect measurements). Advanced knowledge relating to Liquid Phase Epitaxial growth and physical vapour deposition, including surface/substrate preparation and unstable compound semiconductor material handling and processing. Experience relating to micro-lithography and colloidal nanolithographic techniques as well as practical experience with plasma processing and etching. Proven scientific writing ability and presentation skills.

Advanced programming capability with C, C++, Java, php, html/xml/css, SQL, LabVIEW, Matlab/SIMULINK (R2013a -> date) as well as expansive IT knowledge, including scientific software such as OriginPro. City & Guilds qualifications in Solidworks Parametric CAD (2010) and AutoCAD (2000). Completed 15th European Summer School in Bad Honnef, Germany, on Low Temperature Plasma Physics and Atmospheric Plasmas in October 2010.