Triboelectric Properties of Martian Dust Simulants and Spacecraft Construction Materials

Martian dust > 1µm < 13 µm or crushed basalt. JSC MARS – 1A – Martian dust

NASA uses for tests.

Fig. 16 demonstrates how teflon reduced the charge on aluminum

Fig. 18 and Fig. 23 demonstrates the inability of epoxy sand as a static discharge

mitigate.

Fig 19 illustrates how Basalt sand used with Teflon resulted in the lowest

amount of Tribocharge.

To further research this experiment, trials would be conducted with different

materials from the Triboelectric Series and trials would also include the use of

JSC MARS – 1A

Perfecting the elimination of Tribocharge in the Spacecraft Materials will ensure

a safer environment for astronauts and other space crafts being sent to Mars.

Results

Discussion

Introduction

Results

Table x. Put table caption here.

Literature Cited:

•Difference in the Wind Speeds Required for Initiation versus Continuation of Sand Transport on Mars: Implications for Dunes and Dust Storms

Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 074502 – Published 19 February 2010

•Jasper F. Kok

•Electrostatic Discharge Phenomenon: A Potential Threat to Aircraft Safety

•Moupfouma, F., "Electrostatic Discharge Phenomenon: A Potential Threat to Aircraft Safety," SAE Technical Paper 2007-01-3833, 2007,

doi:10.4271/2007-01-3833.

•ESD Control Handbook, Static Control Measures; 3M Corporation.

Background:

• - http://www.hdwallpapersmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mars_fantasy_landscape_wallpaper_jpeg-normal.jpg

Goals and Hypothesis

Goal: to determine how triboelectric properties of materials utilized

on a mission to mars have the potential to create static charge and

how it could be reduced.

Hypothesis: the movement of silicate based sand particles (Martian

dust stimulant) will create an electrostatic charge build up when in

contact with aluminum (space craft hull material) and this charge

build up can be mitigated with a layer of Teflon. ESD Event.

Fig. 4. A representation of a

familiar example of

tribocharging. Electrostatic

Discharges (ESDs) are a

potential threat to aircraft

(Moupfouma 2007). As much

as 60% of electronic damage

may be caused by ESDs (3M

Corporation). Source:

http://esdsystems.descoindustries.com/Newsletters/v4issu

e3.html

Fig 7 Displays the triboelectric

series. Notice how Teflon is on

the negative side while

aluminum is on the positive end.

Methods

This experiment involves the dropping of dust stimulants

on an aluminum target attached to a test track passing

over a Faraday sensor. Static Discharges exist in today’s

world already but out take on this experiment was to

create another way or reducing or eliminating

turbocharging. Our approach to achieving this end goal

was to use Teflon which is located on the negative side of

the Triboelectric series and we tried to cancel out the

negative charge by using Aluminum, a typical space craft

material which is located on the positive end of the

Triboelectric series.

Fig. 13 Aluminum target on test track with

Faraday sensor

Fig. 10 shows 10 mL of

sand particles in test tube

over funnel and aluminum

target.

Fig.11 Sand particles moving over

the aluminum target imparting

positive charge through

tribocharging on the sand

particles.

Fig. 16 Data collected when quartz sand is poured on an

aluminum target coated in Teflon. Notice how the charge is

lower compared to just a plain aluminum target.

Fig. 5 Static dischargers

on an aircraft wing.

Fig 19 Data collected from basalt sand striking an aluminum

target. Minor charges are collected due to the fact that the

charge was so minor that it collected other minor charges.

Fig. 1. Martial soil as photographed by Curiosity. The low

humidity environment produces ideal conditions for

tribocharging. 4% SiO2. Feldspars (silicates)

Curiosity 's view of Martian soil and boulders after crossing

the "Dingo Gap" sand dune (February 9, 2014; raw color).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_surface_color -

Fig. 2. Dust devil as photographed by Spirit Rover . Because of

low gravity and low atmospheric pressure, sustained saltation of

Martian dust grains (3 µm) does not require high velocity winds

once the particles are in motion (Kok 2010).

Source: http://www.nasa.gov/vision/universe/solarsystem/2005_dust_devil.html - Spirit Rover Sol 486

Fig. 3. Tribocharge effect in volcanic ash.

Source: http://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.2180

Fig. 14 Charged

aluminum target moving

over the Faraday cup

portion of the sensor.

Fig. 12 Faraday cage and cup

situated on glass insulator on

ground plane.

Fig. 8 Diagram of experimental apparatus.

Fig. 22 Mean tribocharging of aluminum with

quartz sand.

Fig. 6 Structure of Teflon. Note the presence of

Fluorine, the most highly electronegative element.

Fig 23 A graph illustrating how the charge of epoxy was much

greater than the other three treatments. As seen the Teflon .

Methods

Fig. 9 Teflon spray is being

used to spray and coat the

aluminum targets that will be

used in the experiment.

Fig. 15 Data collected from quartz sand creating

tribocharge when striking an aluminum target.

Fig 21 Data collected from basalt sand striking an aluminum target coated in epoxy. Notice how

the charge is minimal yet still the highest when compared with other basalt trials.

Fig. 17 Data collected from quartz sand creating tribocharge

when striking an aluminum target that is coated in Teflon.

Notice how the set of charges created is very small when

compared to regular aluminum target.

Fig 20 Data collected from Basalt sand striking a Teflon sprayed

aluminum target. Notice how minimal charge is collected, also

shown in how minor charge at the rate or 0.05 nC is collected.

Fig. 18 Data collected from quartz sand being poured over

a coating of epoxy, although consistent results were being

produced, the amount of charge was unexpectedly high

compared to the other results of quartz sand.