3月15日13時に第15期公募情報を公開いたしました。
4月1日13時より応募者登録サイトへの登録が可能です。
Information on the 15th call for applications was opened at 13:00 on 15 March.
Applicants can register on the registration website from 1 April at 13:00.
The following 14 researchers are working at the Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University.
:Global Type
:Tenure-track Type
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.
Research activity status (external page)