NASA has selected a University of Central Florida (UCF) nanotechnology team as one of seven university groups tasked with developing solutions to mitigate the effects of lunar dust during missions. This initiative is part of NASA's Breakthrough, Innovative, and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge, which encourages the design of technologies that are dust-tolerant or can effectively mitigate dust.
The UCF team's proposal, titled Lunar Dust Mitigating Electrostatic micro-Textured Overlay (LETO), involves creating a new type of material for spacesuit exteriors. The design is inspired by the microstructure of bee hair, which efficiently captures and releases pollen. By mimicking this natural mechanism, the material aims to reduce the adhesion of lunar dust to spacesuit surfaces, thereby protecting astronauts and equipment during lunar missions.
Additionally, the team incorporates techniques from the Japanese art of origami to enhance the material's flexibility and durability. This approach seeks to address challenges related to repetitive movements and the harsh conditions of the lunar environment. The integration of origami principles is intended to increase the material's range of motion and longevity by reducing stress during repetitive movements.
The UCF team is collaborating with Morphotonics, a Dutch company specializing in nanoimprint and microreplication technology, to assist in producing the material and scaling it for industrial manufacturing. The project is supported by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development Program, which aims to advance innovative technologies for future missions.
As the Artemis lunar missions are expected to involve longer durations on the Moon, the development of effective dust mitigation strategies is crucial. The LETO material represents a promising advancement in addressing the challenges posed by lunar dust, contributing to the safety and success of future lunar exploration missions.