65th Annual STS (2005-2006)
Finalists
Lucas Edward Moller

IDAHO
Lucas Edward Moller, 17, of Moscow, submitted an earth and planetary science project to the Intel Science Talent Search that investigated new approaches for understanding dust behavior on Mars. After participating in the 1999 Student Nanoexperiment Challenge, Luke concentrated his efforts of examining patterns of dust deposit formation and mechanics. His research focused on designing, building and testing new approaches for understanding Mars dust dynamics and statics in laboratory simulations and for Mars lander configurations. This work has applications in industrial processes such as mineral ore, agricultural commodity and industrial powder transport, as well as analysis of terrestrial mechanics such as landslides, avalanches and encroaching sand dunes. He is sole author of a paper presented at the 32nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, and his findings have been utilized by NASA in two Mars lander missions, including the 2001 Odyssey Lander. Luke, a Davidson Fellow, is a student at Moscow High School where he competes in cross-country and track. The son of Dr. Gregory and Laurie Moller, he hopes to be on the team that sends astronauts to Mars.