Silicon-Based Spacesuit Coating and Polyampholyte Hydrogel Beads for Lunar Dust Mitigation

Lunar dust has been an issue since the Apollo missions due to its detrimental effect on astronaut health and machine operability. A two-pronged approach consisting of a silicon-based spacesuit coating and a polyampholyte hydrogel bead wash system is employed to mitigate dust from spacesuits. Created using a sol-gel synthesis method, the TEOS-APTES/SiO2 coating is uniform and adheres strongly to fabric while passively repelling lunar dust. Polyampholyte hydrogels are gentle on fabrics and are fabricated to have electro-chemical properties that actively attract lunar dust. This solution differs from current technologies as it is cost effective, prevents spacesuit degradation, and reduces 99% of lunar dust adherence.