works in progress. Silica, calibration targets

For the works in progress symposium I sat in on someone talking about their research on the use of silica in aerogels. This topic was very interesting. I really did not know what the topic was about until I got into the room and he actually started to talk. He was talking about enhancing a calibration test that NASA uses in space, he was especially talking about Mars. He talked about how the dust collecte on the calibration device and affects the colors. He also stated that with replacing the previous material with the silica there would be, just about, no dust collection on the calibration device. This replacement might be a little bit costly at first but in the long run it would be more cost effective. It would also be a lighter load to carry into space.