University of Alberta
Investigating and Refining Advanced Curation  Methods for Future Sample Return — PI: Dr. Christopher  Herd. More and more  missions in our solar system involve robotically retrieving samples from the  surfaces of planets and other planetary bodies (such as asteroids and comets)  and bringing those samples back to Earth. Preserving these samples against changes while on Earth is critically  important. This  project will investigate the best ways  to preserve samples returned from future missions. The team will develop and  refine advanced methods for astromaterials curation, which is the preservation  of the intrinsic properties of samples through the use of materials, tools and  enclosures. This project will help extend Canada's leadership in cold curation.