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MAE Seminar: Engineering Dust-Mitigating Nanostructures for Space Applications
Title:
Dislocation Avalanching in the Thermally Activated Regime
Abstract:
Establishing a permanent base on the moon is a critical step in the exploration of deep space. One significant challenge observed during the Apollo missions was the adhesion of lunar dust, which can build up on vehicle, equipment, and space suit. Highly fine and abrasive, the dust particles can have adverse mechanical, electrical, and health effects. Many active dust mitigation approaches such as electrodynamic dust shield (EDS), electron/ion sources, and brushes have been proposed, however such techniques consume power and are not ideal for long-term deployment. Emulating nanoscale textures found on superhydrophobic lotus leaves, engineered nanostructures can be an effective method for passive dust mitigation. In this approach the surface structures reduce the contact forces and mitigate particle adhesion to the surface. I will discuss our efforts in understanding and controlling the various adhesion mechanisms (van der Waals, electrostatic, capillary, cohesion, etc.) by designing the structure geometry and material composition. I will also present recent experimental results and the current status in the development of anti-scratch, anti-dust surfaces.
Bio:
Chih-Hao Chang’s research focuses on developing 2D/3D multifunctional nanostructures with novel physical properties and novel scalable nanomanufacturing techniques based on both “top-down” and “bottom-up” principles. Dr. Chang received his B.S. (2002) from the Georgia Institute of Technology and his M.S. (2004) and Ph.D. (2008) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), all in Mechanical Engineering. From 2011 to 2019, he was a faculty at the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at North Carolina State University (NCSU). Dr. Chang received the Early Career Faculty Award from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 2012, the Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award from the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) in 2013, and the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2016. He also received the Outstanding Teacher Award from NCSU in 2015 and was named a University Faculty Scholar by NCSU in 2016. Dr. Chang is currently a Professor in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He currently holds the Earl N. & Margaret Brasfield Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Engineering and is a Topical Editor for the journal Applied Optics.