Mars - SuperCam - Exomars - Mars2020 - Raman - LIBS

Jose A. Manrique Martínez

AREA RESEARCH GROUP INSTITUTE
Theoretical Physics ERICA
My research career

As part of GIR ERICA I have participated in different projects on the application of spectroscopic techniques, especially Raman and LIBS. The fields in which this application has been developed have been varied, having collaborated in projects for biomedicine, cultural heritage, polymer development, industrial process monitoring and especially in the development of space instrumentation.

I collaborated in the development of a Raman instrument for the diagnostic use of the blood proteome spectrum, specifically in the search for markers of Alzheimer's disease. This project was funded through an INNPACTO project.

I also collaborated in projects with REPSOL in the development of polymers for agricultural use, using these spectroscopic techniques in accelerated ageing experiments, searching for compounds that offer greater resistance to UV.

In the field of historical and artistic heritage, I have been able to collaborate in the study of the degradation of the Burgos Cathedral's altarpiece, confirming the cause of the same.

Most of my research career has focused on the use of Raman spectroscopy and LIBS in planetary exploration missions. I have been a member of the ExoMars 2028 and Mars2020 missions. In the ExoMars mission I have been able to develop support science tasks, as well as integration and testing of the calibration sample of the ExoMars Raman instrument, RLS. For Mars2020 I was Project Manager in the development of the SuperCam calibration sample, one of the components mounted on the Perseverance Rover, which UVa delivered to NASA in 2019. I am a member of the Mars2020 science team, and of the surface operations team, where I develop the Science Payload Downlink Lead and Science Payload Uplink Lead functions.

I also collaborate in several technology transfer projects using these techniques in various industrial environments.

My research

I am very interested in the various applications of different spectroscopic techniques. However, my main area of interest is the development of instruments using these techniques in space exploration. I am actively involved in the Mars2020 mission and in the development of future missions and instruments, including ExoMars 2028 and instrumentation for use by astronauts. I am interested in the use of unsupervised learning methods for interpretation and quantitative calculations based on these spectroscopic techniques, as well as in their possible combined use. The development of new instrumentation is a constant in our Research Group.

The versatility and demonstrated success in their application will lead to a greater presence of instruments based on Raman spectroscopy and LIBS in future Solar System exploration missions. Not only in robotic exploration, the future of human space exploration relies heavily on the characterisation of potential settlements and the identification of materials of interest for in situ use.

My vision is to be part of this new horizon in space exploration through future and current missions.