Design and Analysis of Tungsten Carbide Ceramic Coating for Lunar Regolith Damage Mi
Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Miquela Smith: Junior Justin Astacio: Senior Maximus Mendez: Senior Zeba Momin: Junior Tristan Ahuna: Junior Kristen Sanchez-Ramirez: Junior Joanna Jose Fnu: Freshmen Avi Waghray: Freshmen
Lead Presenter's Name
Miquela Smith
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Seetha Raghavan
Abstract
Lunar regolith damage continues to be a relevant concern as NASA’s Artemis Program plans to send a Human Lander System (HLS) to the South Pole of the Moon with the hopes of establishing a permanent Moon base. This paper details key considerations including the material properties, processing methods, and surface microstructure modifications leading to the design of a coating configuration ideal for mitigating the damaging effects of lunar regolith to critical damage zones. The coating solution presented here incorporates Tungsten Carbide (WC) to enhance abrasion and scratch resistance and the Lotus Leaf effect to minimize dust adhesion by improving surface energy. The Lotus leaf effect refers to the properties of the Lotus leaf surface containing nano structures that allow the surface to mitigate dust accumulation by increasing its hydrophobic nature. This principle is replicated to engineered coatings to resist dust buildup on the surface. Based on the mission assumptions, the coating was analyzed to assess weight and cost impact and recommended for application to the lander’s ladder, undercarriage, and external airlock door. Testing methods and parameters were identified for the coating performance assessments to be pursued in future work. The coating proposed here will extend the life of a reusable human lander, mitigating the anticipated high concentration zones of lunar regolith damage on the undercarriage's surfaces and contributing to the successful development of a moonbase.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Design and Analysis of Tungsten Carbide Ceramic Coating for Lunar Regolith Damage Mi
Lunar regolith damage continues to be a relevant concern as NASA’s Artemis Program plans to send a Human Lander System (HLS) to the South Pole of the Moon with the hopes of establishing a permanent Moon base. This paper details key considerations including the material properties, processing methods, and surface microstructure modifications leading to the design of a coating configuration ideal for mitigating the damaging effects of lunar regolith to critical damage zones. The coating solution presented here incorporates Tungsten Carbide (WC) to enhance abrasion and scratch resistance and the Lotus Leaf effect to minimize dust adhesion by improving surface energy. The Lotus leaf effect refers to the properties of the Lotus leaf surface containing nano structures that allow the surface to mitigate dust accumulation by increasing its hydrophobic nature. This principle is replicated to engineered coatings to resist dust buildup on the surface. Based on the mission assumptions, the coating was analyzed to assess weight and cost impact and recommended for application to the lander’s ladder, undercarriage, and external airlock door. Testing methods and parameters were identified for the coating performance assessments to be pursued in future work. The coating proposed here will extend the life of a reusable human lander, mitigating the anticipated high concentration zones of lunar regolith damage on the undercarriage's surfaces and contributing to the successful development of a moonbase.