A significant challenge to returning to the surface of the moon exists in the form of lunar dust. Due to the lack of erosion due to water or wind, lunar dust particles are incredibly abrasive and cling to most surfaces. This results in greatly increased wear and altered thermal properties. The dust also poses a significant health risk if inhaled or ingested. To combat this, the IDREEM lab is coordinating with the REVEALS Team led by Dr. Thomas Orlando to investigate novel technologies that mitigate the hazards of lunar dust.
Current efforts are being directed to create a handheld device that astronauts can use to brush the dust off their spacesuits before re-entering habitable spaces. These efforts began as a part of the 2021 NASA BIG Idea Challenge, which tasked student teams across the US to propose designs for NASA to use in the upcoming Artemis mission. Research is also being conducted to develop dust mitigation surfaces that are flexible using a novel material developed by the REVEALS group.
