1 Active Surface Technologies for Dust Mitigation in Martian and Lunar Environments Project PI : William Lakin, wlakin@together.net, Professor, Dept. of Mathematics Faculty Investigators (all at the University of Vermont) Jeff Marshall (Science-PI), jeffm@cems.uvm.edu , Professor, School of Engr Jeff Frolik, jfrolik@cems.uvm.edu , Assistant Professor, School of Engineering Darren Hitt, darren.hitt@uvm.edu , Associate Professor, School of Engineering Junru Wu, junru.wu@uvm.edu , Professor, Department of Physics Project Contact Address Prof. William Lakin, VT Space Grant Consortium/ NASA EPSCoR, Votey Building, UVM, Burlington, VT 05405 Requested Amount (by year): Year 1 – $246,045 Year 2 – $247,300 Year 3 – $256,487 TOTAL = $749,832 Proposed Project Dates : September 1, 2008 – August 31, 2011 Project Summary : The presence of fine soil particles poses a significant threat to human health and machine reliability during Martian and lunar exploration and habitation. This fine dust (with particle diameter as small as 10 nm) can quickly foul electrical equipment, cover solar panels, and penetrate through seals on space suits and hatches. The fine particles tend to be electrostatically charged, so that collision of the particles with space suits, vehicles, or machinery can transfer this charge to these objects, leading to rapid adhesion of dust particles onto the objects in question. Dust mitigation technology for lunar or Martian habitations must be effective for particles of diameter ranging from 0.01-100 microns and it must require small amounts of energy and material, which are highly restricted for space applications. The proposed project will explore the concept of an active surface, i.e., a surface with integrated dust sensors and dust detachment and removal actuators, which is designed to provide mitigation of fine adhesive dust particles with minimal energy expenditures. The active surface will utilize a combination of acoustic radiation, surface vibrations, or electromagnetic pulsing to induce dust detachment, which will be accompanied by a repulsive electrostatic field or fluid flow to remove the detached dust particles. A wireless sensor network will be utilized to regulate the system, ensuring minimal energy usage and maintenance time. Application will be explored for cleaning of solar panels, space suits, hatch covers, heat exchanger surfaces, and filters. The project will be conducted with the aid of a combination of discrete-element modeling and a variety of laboratory experiments, using specialized facilities already in place at the University of Vermont. The project will team with two Vermont companies and two other academic institutions to ensure a high degree of student and industry engagement.