{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":91446,"title":"A Novel Electrostatic/Microstructured Adhesive with Dust Mitigation Capabilities","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10625,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10623,"level":3,"code":"TX04.3.2","title":"Grappling Technologies","definition":"Grappling technologies capture, hold, and manipulate natural and human-made free-flying objects. Grappling systems that can operate in deep space environments enable capturing of orbiting sample caches for sample return missions, and increase vision and control system capabilities to handle larger structures for assembly of on-orbit spacecraft for future human exploration missions to near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and planetary bodies.","exampleTechnologies":"Robots that can grapple objects and free-flying spacecraft using surface features, then berth them to the robot’s spacecraft through a rigidized interface; advanced ground control techniques; advanced vision and control systems for enhancing situational awareness and control of large objects","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":2,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"
The increase in adhesion pressure will allow the Astrobee/SPHERES class of free-flying robots to dock or perch on smooth surfaces, rough surfaces, and even fabrics. Furthermore, the dust mitigation capabilities have the potential to transition gecko-like adhesives from laboratory experiments that require frequent cleaning by hand to flight-capable systems.
","description":"This work will develop a novel electrostatic/gecko-like adhesive that will demonstrate an order-of-magnitude improvement of electrostatic adhesion pressure coupled with the unique ability to shed dust particles. The increase in adhesion pressure will allow the Astrobee/SPHERES class of free-flying robots to dock or perch on smooth surfaces, rough surfaces, and even fabrics. Furthermore, the dust mitigation capabilities have the potential to transition gecko-like adhesives from laboratory experiments that require frequent cleaning by hand to flight-capable systems.
","startYear":2016,"startMonth":1,"endYear":2020,"endMonth":1,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":323709,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Matthew","lastName":"Spenko","fullName":"Matthew Spenko","fullNameInverted":"Spenko, Matthew","primaryEmail":"mspenko@iit.edu","publicEmail":false,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":84634,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Claudia","lastName":"Meyer","fullName":"Claudia M Meyer","fullNameInverted":"Meyer, Claudia M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"claudia.m.meyer@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":84634,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Claudia","lastName":"Meyer","fullName":"Claudia M Meyer","fullNameInverted":"Meyer, Claudia M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"claudia.m.meyer@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":183514,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Hung","lastName":"Nguyen","fullName":"Hung D Nguyen","fullNameInverted":"Nguyen, Hung D","middleInitial":"D","primaryEmail":"hung.d.nguyen@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":309825,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Marion","lastName":"Smith","fullName":"Marion F Smith","fullNameInverted":"Smith, Marion F","middleInitial":"F","primaryEmail":"trey.smith@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"https://www.nasa.gov/strg#.VQb6T0jJzyE","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":75867,"projectId":91446,"transitionDate":"2020-01-01","path":"Closed Out","details":"The objective of this research was to develop a novel electrostatic/micro-structured (gecko-like) adhesive with an order of magnitude improvement of electrostatic adhesion (compared to current designs) coupled with the unique ability to shed dust particles. We wanted to elevate electrostatic adhesion levels to be on par with microstructure adhesion levels and develop the first research on microstructured adhesive dust mitigation. The problem was tackled through multi-physics simulations, cycles of mechanical design, and experimentation. We focused both on improving the adhesives, understanding the material properties related to adhesion and dust mitigation, enabling dust mitigation and other cleaning techniques, and integrating the adhesives/dust mitigation technology into practical robotic grippers that could be evaluated in real-world environments. The results yield guidelines on materials for gecko-like adhesives to maximize both adhesion and dust mitigation capabilities, several designs of robotic grippers, and experimentally validated results of several dust mitigation technologies. The technology was successfully transitioned into an industrial gripper that is currently on the market
","infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"January 2020"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"STRG","active":true,"description":"\tThe Space Technology Research Grants Program will accelerate the development of "push" technologies to support the future space science and exploration needs of NASA, other government agencies and the commercial space sector. Innovative efforts with high risk and high payoff will be encouraged. The program is composed of two competitively awarded components.
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