Regolith vibro-fluidization in space environments

空间环境中的风化层振动流化

• 批准号: 2738565
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Strathclyde
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2022 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2738565
• 关键词: Regolith; vibro; fluidization; space; environments

Particle self-assembly mechanisms and particle or droplet-based technologies (such as 3D-printing) are receiving an increasing interest due to their potential use for the production of new materials and/or structures at both small and large scales with virtually any shape. In the field of space exploration, it is essential to assemble and transport particles for various applications, for example transporting lunar and Martian soil (typically regolith), for mining, to study geological aspects and establish habitats on the Moon or Mars. The ability to synthesize complex materials directly in space or build specific structures on the surface of other planets is one the main challenges to be addressed in such a context. However, the lunar and Martian soils are difficult to handle, because they are made of abrasive and reactive materials. In the present project, novel strategies to handle particles based on "vibrations" will be explored. In microgravity, vibrations can be used as an alternate means to control the dynamics of solid particles dispersed in a liquid forcing them to self-organize and form specific three-dimensional complex structures (which can be used as backbones for special alloys or other materials). In the presence of a gravitational field such as that on the surface of Moon, there is potential to use vibrations to force regolith (which is characterized by strong internal inter-particle friction) to behave as a 'fluid' thereby making its transportation and utilization in the context of several applications much easier (e.g., 3D printing of infrastructures, and/or regolith utilization as a solid-support substrates for plant growth or for the extraction of O2 and H2). These aspects will be explored by combining theoretical, experimental and numerical work, and studying the ability of vibrations with different amplitudes and frequency to induce self-organization and/or "liquefaction" of regolith-type particles (simulants). In addition to "dry" cases, experiments in terrestrial gravity conditions will be conducted using particles and fluids with density ratio such that conditions similar to those established on the moon are properly mimicked.

粒子自组装机制和基于粒子或液滴的技术（例如3D打印）由于其在几乎任何形状的小规模和大规模的新材料和/或结构的生产中的潜在用途而受到越来越多的关注。在空间探索领域，必须为各种应用收集和运输颗粒，例如运输月球和火星土壤（通常是风化层），用于采矿，研究地质方面，并在月球或火星上建立生境。在太空中直接合成复杂材料或在其他行星表面建造特定结构的能力是在这种情况下需要解决的主要挑战之一。然而，月球和火星的土壤很难处理，因为它们是由研磨和反应材料制成的。在本项目中，将探索基于“振动”处理粒子的新策略。在微重力条件下，振动可以作为一种替代手段，控制分散在液体中的固体颗粒的动力学，迫使它们自组织并形成特定的三维复杂结构（可用作特殊合金或其他材料的骨架）。在存在重力场的情况下，例如月球表面的重力场，有可能使用振动来迫使风化层（其特征在于强烈的内部粒子间摩擦）表现为“流体”，从而使其在几种应用中的运输和利用更加容易（例如，基础设施的3D打印，和/或风化层利用作为植物生长或提取O2和H2的固体支持基质）。这些方面将结合理论，实验和数值工作，并研究具有不同振幅和频率的振动诱导自组织和/或“液化”的风化物型颗粒（模拟物）的能力进行探索。除了“干”的情况外，还将使用密度比的粒子和流体进行地球重力条件下的实验，以便适当模拟类似于月球上建立的条件。