Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S43351/01
Title:	NETWORK: Transfer of Engineering and Analytical Technology to Astrobiological Exploration (TREATAE)
Principal Investigator:	Parnell, Professor J
Other Investigators:	Cockell, Professor CS
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Geology and Petroleum Geology
Organisation:	University of Aberdeen
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 April 2004	Ends:	31 March 2007	Value (£):	63,182
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Population Ecology
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Chemicals Electronics Environment
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The proposal is for a network that brings together physical scientists/engineers and astrobiologists. Astrobiology is a rapidly expanding discipline involving research on the evolution of early life on Earth, life in extreme environments, the effects of impact events on life, methodology for detecting life on other planets and characterization of surface environments on other planets. Much of this research employs Life Sciences techniques, but the particular demands of extreme, remote and extraterrestrial environments call for the application of new approaches, involving the transfer of technologies from Engineering and Physical Sciences. Objectives include improved detection of organic materials, sample extraction, sample handling techniques including the manipulation of water and gases, and imaging of organic structures. The Network will establish the environment for multi-disciplinary research in the UK in support of astrobiological exploration. Interactions between academic and industrial institutions will be encouraged. The network will last 3 years, with goals identified in the fields of (a) prebiotic chemistry, (b) detection of organic molecules, (c) detection of life, and (d) sampling on planetary surfaces. The result should be a strengthening of UK astrobiology by providing a firm background in physical sciences and engineering, which will be sustained beyond the Network lifetime by creating relationships between academics and industry, and improved capability to compete for research funding.
Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Organisation Website:	http://www.abdn.ac.uk