Yujian Fu
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Research Mentor(s): Cheng Li
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering / Engineering
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Authors:
Abstract
Saltation threshold is the minimum wind velocity required to initiate sand movement off ground under given conditions. In 2020, from pictures taken by martian projects at NASA, researchers discovered that the saltation threshold on Mars is lower than expected (Bruno Andreottim etal, Alower-than-expected saltation threshold at Martian pressure and below, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), 118 (5) e2012386118, 2021). A new regime is required to explain the lower than expected saltation threshold on Mars. This project will modify the current model for saltation by reconsidering interparticle force, bedrock vibration, triboelectrification and hysteresis. This project will fit the model parameter to existing experimental data of saltation using Markov Chain Monte Carlo Method under ambient conduction on Earth from the 1930s to 2000s (Jasper F Kok et al, The physics of wind-blown sand and dust, Rep. Prog. Phys. 75 106901, 2012). By studying the parameters, the research is trying to gain insight into what causes the new regime. We will also implement a dust lifting model to a model of Mars’ atmosphere. A simulation for the dust cycle on Mars will be created based on the model, including lifting, sedimentation and transport. The new regime is important for us to understand Mars Climate, especially future research on sand movement on Mars, dust cycle, dune formation, which will provide support to future human exploration on Mars.
