Page:Concepts for detection of extraterrestrial life.djvu/56

46 consists of a reaction chamber, solvent storage chamber, tapered valve pin, explosive-charge bellows motor, and a filtered light source. The entire solvent chamber is sealed prior to operation by a thin diaphragm which is placed in front of the pointed valve tip.

In operation, dust-bearing air is drawn through the impeller and in front of the reaction chambers. The impeller imparts sufficient velocity to particles above 10μ in diameter to fling them into the reaction chambers where they tend to settle. Upon completion of the particle-collecting operation, the explosive-charged bellows motors are electrically ignited. Expansion of the bellows results in the sealing of the reaction chambers and the injection of the solvent. The substrate materials, which have been stored dry in the reaction chambers during flight, are dissolved and the reaction begins. After a preset re-