Extreme Environment Robotics: Materials for a -1000°C Planet

[HugeDragon]

Hi guys,

My science teacher gave me a project to design a robot for a specific planet. I must also include what materials the robot were to be made of. Unfortunately the planet I received has very hostile conditions

1. Temps of -1000 degrees C. Do not ask my why my planet is colder than 0K (3 times colder). My science teacher will not give me a straight answer.
2. Covered in 1m of dust.
3. Extremely windy.
4. Extremely dry.​

I know there are no materials that will work at 0K (much less 3 times colder). But I have to pick the materials that are best for it (the ones that will fail the least).

Thanks.

 

[PietKuip]

I think the assignment is ridiculous. Negative temperatures can exist in some kinds of systems, but not on planets. A really stupid assignment.

 

[HugeDragon]

It is, but I still have to do it.

 

[berkeman]

Hi guys,

My science teacher gave me a project to design a robot for a specific planet. I must also include what materials the robot were to be made of. Unfortunately the planet I received has very hostile conditions

1. Temps of -1000 degrees C. Do not ask my why my planet is colder than 0K (3 times colder). My science teacher will not give me a straight answer.
2. Covered in 1m of dust.
3. Extremely windy.
4. Extremely dry.​

I know there are no materials that will work at 0K (much less 3 times colder). But I have to pick the materials that are best for it (the ones that will fail the least).

Thanks.

It is, but I still have to do it.

Welcome to the PF, HD.

The question cannot be answered as stated, because the problem statement is non-physical (it amounts to Science Fiction or worse). Can you please ask your instructor for clarification? What level class is this -- is it for a high school class?

 

[berkeman]

Maybe have a look at this, to see if this may be what your instructor is shooting for...

"Temperatures below absolute zero..."

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/ParticleAndNuclear/neg_temperature.html

.

 

[HugeDragon]

It is for a high school level class (grade 9). I did ask for a clarification and my teacher said "This is not earth. This scenario may be possible on another planet". By that I think shy meant that the current laws of physics that apply to temperature may not be constant (they may change on another planet) and that I will have to find the materials that work best at cold temperatures (although nothing would work at that temperature).

 

[berkeman]

It is for a high school level class (grade 9). I did ask for a clarification and my teacher said "This is not earth. This scenario may be possible on another planet". By that I think shy meant that the current laws of physics that apply to temperature may not be constant (they may change on another planet) and that I will have to find the materials that work best at cold temperatures (although nothing would work at that temperature).

Well she is incorrect. That's not a very good approach to science education, IMO.

Why don't you take a printed copy of the article that I linked to her and ask her to explain it to you...

Beyond that, I guess all you can do is read a bit about "cryogenic materials" to see what kinds of materials are used at temperatures near -273C.

 

[HugeDragon]

The best I could get (as I was doing some research myself) was aluminum or gold, as they are less likely to fracture upon impact. But it really is impossible. Oh well then. Thanks a lot for the help.

 

[PietKuip]

I think you should complain about this. It is not the way to teach science. Try to get her replaced.

 

[Chestermiller]

Maybe the robot should have a self-contained power supply to keep it at reasonable temperatures where it's materials won't fail.

 

[PietKuip]

Yes, try to keep warm! That is why Philae (the comet lander) failed: its batteries froze.

 

[HugeDragon]

If only it was as simple as logic. Power supply to keep it warm? Nope, can't have that. -726K on a planet (that apparently has liquids and gas)? Why not! I have to hand in the project tomorrow so I won't be checking this anymore. Thanks for the quick help!