Mitigation of lunar dust adhered to mechanical parts of equipment used for lunar exploration

A unique cleaning system has been developed utilizing electrostatic force to remove lunar dust adhered to the mechanical parts of equipment used for lunar exploration. A single-phase voltage is applied to parallel electrodes printed on a flexible substrate to remove the dust. More than 90% of adhered dust was repelled from the surface of the slightly inclined device in a vacuum, and the cleaning performance of the system would be further improved in the low-gravity environment of the Moon. This technology is expected to increase the reliability of equipment used in long-term manned and unmanned activities on the lunar surface.

► A unique cleaning system of lunar dust was developed utilizing electrostatic force. ► Lunar dust adhered to the mechanical parts of equipment is removed. ► More than 90% of dust was repelled from the surface of the inclined device. ► The cleaning performance of the system would be further improved on the Moon.