G191015 Electrostatic Particle-Size Classification of Lunar Regolith for In-Situ Resource Utilization

Abstract

To realize a long-term lunar exploration,classification of particle size is one of the most important technologies indispensable for the in-situ resource utilization(ISRU).Because conventional techniques that utilize air flow and need high power are not suitable for the operation on the Moon,the author has developed a unique technique on electrostatic particle-size classification utilizing the balance of the electrostatic and gravitational force.It was demonstrated that particles less than 20μm was efficiently separated from the bulk of the regolith through an electrostatic sieve that consisted of parallel wire electrodes.