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Announcing SCHOOL of ICE-Summer 2022

School of Ice is an NSF funded professional development program for faculty at Minority Serving Institutions. This program will train participants to understand paleo-climate evidence derived from ice cores and to acquire the skills necessary to bring this exciting inquiry into new and existing Earth and environmental science classes on their campuses.

The experiential nature of this workshop will build background knowledge of cutting-edge research and empower participants to communicate authentic paleo-climate research practices, ice core data, and results to their students.

There will be two opportunities to attend School of Ice this summer. Besides thinking about the dates, please help us reduce our carbon footprint by considering the one closer to you geographically. In both you will interact with experts currently working in climate and ice science research, take interesting field trips, and engage in hands-on learning experiences you can use with your students. Learn more at https://icedrill-education.org/school-of-ice/. Travel expenses are paid and all resources are provided freely to workshop participants.

Registration is open now. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by the due date, but accepted on a rolling basis until the workshop is filled. Note: there is usually a waiting list to attend, so apply early!

School of Ice--Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH

School of Ice--COLDEX-Oregon State University, OR

QUESTIONS? Contact Louise Huffman louise.t.huffman@dartmouth.edu

Mechanical Engineer Job Openings at IDP Madison, WI, USA

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) group located at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking two Mechanical Engineers!

IDP supports ice drilling development and operations for the National Science Foundation (NSF). IDP is a small team, composed mostly of engineers that conceptualize, design, test, and ultimately operate drilling equipment in glacial environments in the polar regions and all over the world! In this exciting and fulfilling career you will find yourself designing novel solutions that result in discoveries of past climate change or subatomic particles from across the universe.

Selected candidates will be required to periodically deploy to remote camps in the polar regions for 1-3 month periods to provide technical support and field operation of equipment.

IDP's history of supporting a diverse set of ice drilling and coring systems, rock drills, and associated support equipment ranges from small hand-held drills to rigs that drill through thousands of meters of ice to retrieve rock cores. The challenge of operating drills and systems in these environments requires a broad set of disciplines and skills from the team of people involved. This dynamic environment requires us to learn about new scientific advances, systems, and technologies on a regular basis. This environment, coupled with meaningful research, provides an exciting career opportunity for any creative and motivated engineer!

The selected candidate(s) will work closely with multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and technicians to develop state-of-the art unique ice coring and drilling systems for use in the polar regions. The candidate will support the development of engineering requirements; system design; component procurement; part fabrication; and system assembly, test, and operational use. This includes defining and conducting trade studies and leading the development of mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical and thermal subsystems. Responsibilities may include leading test programs, procedure development, definition and development of unique test hardware, analysis of test data, and producing test reports. This position will also support the maintenance, problem resolution, and upgrade activities for legacy ice drilling systems and will maintain communications with internal and external partners.

For more information, including how to apply for the position, read the complete job advertisement at:
https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/512023/mechanical-engineer

Fall 2021 Ice Bits Newsletter Now Available

The Fall 2021 quarterly update of U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) activities is now available at:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-fall

Topics include:

  • IDP Education and Outreach Resources
  • AGU Town Hall (Online Only): Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions
  • Mark Twickler Retires After 35+ Years Involved in Ice Drilling
  • IDP-WI Equipment Development and Maintenance Update
  • IDP’s Library – A Portal to Ice Drilling Technology Documents
  • International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences (IPICS) 3rd Open Science Conference
  • Stay Connected with IDP
  • Acknowledgment of IDP in Publications
  • Ice Drilling Support for NSF Polar Proposals

To view the newsletter, please go to:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-fall

AGU Town Hall (Online Only): Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) will hold the AGU Town Hall on Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions on Tuesday, 7 December 2021, from 18:15-19:15 Central Time. This is an online only event. We hope to see you there!

Abstract: Ice sheets, glaciers, and the underlying bedrock, sediment, and permafrost hold crucial evidence of past climate, ice sheet dynamics, and cratonic geology. National and international collaboration for drilling in the remote Polar Regions requires strategic coordination between science, technology, and logistics. This meeting will provide the research community with brief updates from the US Ice Drilling Program, Ice Core Young Scientists (ICYS), International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences (IPICS), GreenDrill, and Hercules Dome. In addition, opportunities for community involvement will be showcased, and input from the audience will be solicited.

Date: Tuesday, 7 December 2021. Online Only.
Time: 18:15-19:15 Central Time
AGU meeting website: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm21/meetingapp.cgi/Session/121992
Presentations: 2021 Scientific Drilling in the Polar Regions presentations

Summer 2021 Ice Bits Newsletter Now Available

The Summer 2021 quarterly update of U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) activities is now available at:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-summer

Topics include:

  • 2021-2031 Long Range Science and Long Range Drilling Technology Plans Updated
  • Successful School of Ice Held at Oregon State University
  • 700 Drill Detailed Design Progress
  • Ice Core Early Career Researchers Workshop (ICECReW)
  • Presentations Available - U.S. Science Traverses on the Greenland Ice Sheet: a Planning Workshop
  • DISC Drill - Survey of Community Interest
  • Science Requirements: Replicate Coring for the Foro 3000 Drill
  • Acknowledgment of IDP in Publications
  • Ice Drilling Support for NSF Polar Proposals

To view the newsletter, please go to:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-summer

Call for Nominations -- Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research

Seeking Experts: Technology Developments to Advance Antarctic Research

The Polar Research Board (of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) seeks your input for convening a workshop planning committee. This committee will organize a forum to explore how technological innovation can: advance, facilitate, and transform Antarctic research and facilitate improvements to science support logistics; can increase the reach of scientific investigations in Antarctica while reducing the logistics and environmental footprint of these operations; and can facilitate broader, more diverse participation in Antarctic research. The workshop will address specific disciplinary sciences as well as cross-cutting themes such as: autonomous sensors and platforms, communications and connectivity, transportation and logistics, and energy sources and consumption, including low power and battery developments.

We invite your suggestions for people to serve on the workshop planning committee, including people with expertise in the following areas: sensors and observing systems for geophysical research (geological, atmospheric, cryospheric, oceanic), biological research, and for astronomy, astrophysics, and space weather research; data and communications technologies; low-temperature electronics and batteries/power systems for cold-weather environments; remote logistics support; and robotics and autonomous instrument engineering.

The National Academies are committed to enhancing diversity and inclusion in order to strengthen the quality of our work. Diverse perspectives contribute to finding innovative approaches and solutions to challenging issues. We encourage the nomination of volunteers who reflect the populations we serve and also welcome in particular nominations of candidates from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, women, and early- and mid-career professionals.

Submissions (including self-nominations) are welcome until September 15th.

Form to submit names: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6490084/Call-for-Nominations-Technology-Developments-to-Advance-Antarctic-Research-A-Workshop

DISC Drill - Request Regarding Community Interest

The U.S. Ice Drilling Program is planning use of its drills for the coming decade. If you intend to submit a proposal to the NSF that would require use of the DISC Drill, please send an email expressing your intent to Icedrill@Dartmouth.edu before August 15, 2021.

Additional information: Deep drilling at Hercules Dome will be conducted using the Foro 3000 Drill. A comparison of Foro 3000 Drill and DISC Drill capabilities and associated logistics requirements is available at https://icedrill.org/library/disc-drill-vs-foro-3000-drill-analysis (see Table 1, page 11).

Table 1. Comparison of DISC Drill and Foro 3000 Drill system parameters for a 2,800 m deep project

 

Thank you for contributing to future planning for the U.S. Ice Drilling Program!

2021 Long Range Science Plan and Long Range Drilling Technology Plan Now Available

The purpose of the plans is to articulate goals and make recommendations for the direction for U.S. ice coring and drilling science, and for the development of drilling technology, infrastructure and logistical support needed to enable the science.

Long Range Science Plan

Long Range Drilling Technology Plan

Spring 2021 Ice Bits Newsletter Now Available

The Spring 2021 quarterly update of U.S. Ice Drilling Program (IDP) activities is now available at:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-spring

Topics include:

  • Beneficial Drill System Testing and Operator Training Conducted near Madison, WI
  • Science Advisory Board 2021 Meeting
  • Ice Core Working Group 2021 Meeting
  • Request for Community Input — DRAFT 2021 Long Range Science Plan
  • IDP Education and Public Outreach Update Spring 2021
  • U.S. Scientific Traverses on the Greenland Ice Sheet: a Planning Workshop
  • Acknowledgment of IDP in Publications
  • Ice Drilling Support for NSF Polar Proposals

To view the newsletter, please go to:
https://icedrill.org/icebits/2021-spring

Request for Community Input — DRAFT 2021 Long Range Science Plan

Each year in the spring, the Ice Drilling Program (IDP) works with its Science Advisory Board and the research community to update the Long Range Science Plan. This Plan identifies the science in the coming decade that will require the use of ice drilling technology and expertise for the community. This also drives the formation of other plans, for example, the Long Range Drilling Technology Plan. The plans provide the basis for multi‐annual planning for the actions and drill development projects of IDP and others, and the plans give the funding agencies advance notice of upcoming community science needs.

If you need an ice core or a hole drilled in a glacier or ice sheet in the coming decade or a rock core from under shallow glacial ice, please make sure that the high‐level articulation of your science is captured in the current draft update of the Long Range Science Plan!

Please read through the draft Long Range Science Plan and send corrections, updates, or additions to Icedrill@Dartmouth.edu ASAP or not later than June 12, 2021. When sending corrections/updates, please also reference the appropriate line number in the draft Long Range Science Plan where the correction/update is needed.

Submission deadline: June 12, 2021

To download the working draft, visit:
https://icedrill.org/long-range-science-plan