Electric fields remove lunar and martian dust
The first human landing on the moon took place with Apollo 11 in the summer of 1969. Even these astronauts had to contend with a problem: Regolith, the moon dust, got into the astronauts' living space and caused problems with cameras, solar cells, seals and even lung problems. Regolith often has sharp edges, can react chemically with the environment and is electrically charged.
In preparation for further exploration, ESA has launched the DEAR (Dusty Environment Application and Research) project. It is investigating the interaction of Regolith with specific surfaces and the removal of these dusts. In addition to vibration methods, electric fields are also used.
The Fraunhofer Institute IST (Brunswick/Germany) tested the removing using inhomogeneous electric fields. Geometries, circuit layouts and applied signals were qualified using mathematical simulations, and Gusland Consulting (Norway) carried out systematic experimental tests to confirm the assumptions.
The result is a rectangular spiral on PET with a line spacing of 200 µm with a positive, a negative and a neutral conductor. The type and shape of the pulses also made a significant difference.
To structure the PET film, an oxide layer, a silver layer and an oxide top layer were applied. The LPKF ProtoLaser U4 structured the selected design in the silver layer and finally opened three contact surfaces in the oxide top layer. The use of a ProtoLaser R4 might have provided further processing options.
Different pulses, pulse shapes and superimposed voltages can be tested on the PET sample in order to achieve the best possible dust removal.
available for download here in the LPKF Knowledge Center.
