Research team goes from planetary exploration to ventilator development

The Planetary Science Group at the University of Aberdeen’s School of Geosciences has used its expertise in the development of life support systems for manned space missions to build a ventilator for use in the fight against COVID-19.

Using certified and low-cost components which are commercially available for common use on Earth, the scientists believe the device - known as ATMO-Vent (Atmospheric Mixture Optimisation Ventilator) - is quicker to build, more cost-effective and more user-friendly than any other model currently in development.

They are now working to have the device officially certified, so that it can be rapidly deployed in healthcare settings worldwide.

Professor Javier Martín-Torres, who leads the design team, and heads the Planetary Sciences Group, said: “As a multidisciplinary research group specialising in Martian study, we have a wealth of experience in building, calibrating and qualifying space instruments using commercial components.

“We’ve used this expertise to design and build a fully operating prototype ventilator using widely available parts. This means that it is easy to build and ideally suited to rapid, mass deployment in healthcare settings. This will be especially useful in countries with underdeveloped healthcare infrastructure.

“The ATMO-Vent has been designed to comply with UK regulatory guidelines, and we are now in the testing phase as we seek industrial and healthcare partners to collaborate with us on its continued development.”

The group is known for its expertise in development of instruments for Earth and planetary exploration. Professor Torres has designed and built an instrument that will be used in a European Space Agency probe scheduled to fly to Mars in 2022.

The COVID-19 crisis has allowed the group to put their skills to another use, albeit one which may one day be used as part of its usual activities.

Professor Torres added: “As a Group we have watched the spread of COVID-19 with growing alarm, and we wanted to use our expertise to help.

“Our hope is that the ATMO-Vent’s cost-effective design and short development time means it can rapidly supplement the number of ventilators being produced my manufacturers. 

“Looking beyond the current crisis, there is also the potential to scale the design for space applications by using it to implement and control artificial atmospheres, for example in space greenhouses and artificial habitats for future planetary explorations.”