Measuring the electrostatic charges of a single particle in contact electrification

Taking regolith samples by unmanned equipment is a popular method to understand the outerspace in aerospace exploration. The electrostatic sampler can drive the charged particles to move or be transported by strong electric intensity, and its driving ability is extraordinarily powerful in the low gravity environment. The amount of charge acquired by a particle is vital to understand its dynamic behaviour in an electric field. In this study, the model of contact charging for a single particle is discussed to present its detailed behaviour during its charging process. Further, a suspension balancing method (SBM) is proposed for measuring the charges of a single particle. The experimental result fits well with the amended single-particle charging model. The experimental and simulation results prove that the charging source of a particle dynamically approaching the electrode can be attributed not only to the contact electrification but also to the air discharge. (c) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Collecting regolith samples with unmanned equipment is a popular method in aerospace exploration. The electrostatic sampler has powerful driving ability in low gravity environments. The study discusses a contact charging model for single particles and proposes a suspension balancing method for measuring their charges.