Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Dec 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001dps....33.5810p&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS Meeting #33, #58.10; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 33, p.1561
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Adhesion is the force of attraction between a dust particle and a surface. The magnitude of dust adhesion is an important factor that affects the functioning of spacecraft and equipment during the planetary surface exploration. An improved understanding of the mechanisms that govern dust adhesion will allow for the development of dust mitigation strategies. Experimental and theoretical investigations are underway to better determine the effect of different planetary environments on dust adhesion. The mechanisms of dust adhesion include covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding, cementation, ice bridges, capillary forces, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic forces. All forces that contribute to dust adhesion are functions of the distance between a dust particle and a surface. When the energy of gas adsorption is greater than the adhesion energy, a dust particle will be separated from a surface by a layer of adsorbed gas. The thickness of adsorbed gas controls the spacing between the dust particle and the surface. Adsorbed gas thickness is a function of the ambient environmental conditions. Thus, planetary environment affects adhesion. Past experiments on powdered minerals in different environments have shown that adhesion is significantly affected by temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure. In Earth's environment, dust adhesion is most affected by capillary forces and humidity. In the lunar environment, ultrahigh vacuum produces strong adhesion. In Martian and cometary environments, ice condensation may control adhesion. A theoretical model is being developed by the investigators. The model is based on van der Waals and electrostatic forces acting across adsorbed gas. The model accounts for ice condensation and capillary tension and can be employed to explain the effects of environmental conditions on dust adhesion. Laboratory experiments are being conducted and results are being compared with the model.
Green John R.
Nelson Jack D.
Perko Howard A.
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