Masato ADACHI Assistant Professor
  • Period
    11th(Term; from Oct. 2020)
    部局連携型
  • Research Interests
    Precision Engineering, Powder Engineering, Space Exploration
  • Research Topic
    Electrostatic and Magnetic Handling Technologies of Lunar and Martian Regolith Particles
  • Host Department
    Graduate School of Engineering
  • Previous Affiliation
    German Aerospace Center

Handling of lunar and Martian regolith particles existing on the Moon and Mars is one challenge to realize In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) which is a concept to realize longterm space explorations by harnessing the regolith as natural resource at exploration sites to make propellant fuels and life support consumables for astronauts and prepare repair tools and parts for robotic equipment in situ. The regolith particles are small, cohesive, and abrasive, hampering their handling in manned and unmanned ISRU processes. Mechanical and pneumatic handling techniques have been deployed in exploration missions so far, and such means have encountered some challenges, since small regolith particles easily get into a gap of mechanical drives, causing the malfunction, and production and use of liquid and gas are involved in difficulty in space environments. Therefore, my research centers on a development of new regolith handling technology using electrostatic and magnetic forces. Such systems have indispensable advantages for the space application, such as simple, small, and light designs and no necessity of using mechanical drives and pneumatic materials. The accomplishment of my research will end up with providing tools to actualize deep-space explorations and migration of humans into space environments beyond space missions on the Moon and Mars.

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