Electrostatic Power Generation from Negatively Charged, Simulated Lunar Regolith

摘要: Research was conducted to develop an electrostatic power generator for future lunar missions that facilitate the utilization of resources. The surface is known be negatively charged from constant bombardment electrons and protons solar wind. resulting negative charge on dust particles, in vacuum, causes them repel each other minimizing potential. result a layer suspended about one meter above surface. This phenomenon observed by both Clementine Surveyor spacecrafts. During Apollo 17 landing, major hindrance, as it attracted astronauts' spacesuits, equipment, buggies. accumulated spacesuits caused reduced visibility astronauts, unavoidably transported inside spacecraft where breathing irritation [1]. In maximum particles can extremely high. An article journal "Nature", titled "Moon too static astronauts?" (Feb 2, 2007) estimates with up several thousand volts [2]. devised alleviate hazardous effects soil neutralizing through capacitive coupling thereby simultaneously harnessing electric charging [3]. amount generated or collected dependent areal coverage device hovering speed over A thin-film array capacitors continuously sequentially discharged using time-differentiated trigger discharge process produce pulse train DC mode output. By controlling interval, modulated powering devices equipment. conjunction storage system, source rover systems. would also neutralized mitigating some adverse dust.