Theoretical and experimental investigations in planetary dust adhesion

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of different planetary environmental conditions on mineral dust adhesion. In planetary exploration, dust contamination affects radiator, solar cell, optical lens, and mirror performance. An improved understanding of the fundamental mechanisms by which surfaces attract dust is important for the development of dust mitigation techniques that will increase the duration and success of future planetary science exploration initiatives. Dust mechanics and adhesion research also has applications in semiconductor, xerography, paint, air-pollution, pesticide, sand paper, oil recovery, and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

Since Mars and comet exploration is on the forefront of current NASA mission planning, a review of Martian and cometary dust properties is presented. The present state of knowledge regarding dust adhesion is summarized. A model for determining dust adhesion is derived that incorporates capillary, van der Waals, and electrostatic forces. The model accounts for elastic particle deformation and the potential of an adsorbed layer of gas separating the particles. Dust adhesion was measured in laboratory using a vibrating cantilever beam apparatus under different environmental conditions. Results from the experiments, as well as laboratory measurements previously taken by others, match model predictions relatively well. The model is extended to predict dust adhesion on Mars and comets.