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.