Electron-Beam Dust Mitigation (EBDM)

Dust charging and removal

EBDM is a patented technology developed based on our decades-long science studies of dust charging and lofting from the lunar surface.

EBDM emits a low-energy electron beam (100-200eV) onto dusty surfaces, generating secondary electrons to charge up microcavities between dust particles and between particles and substrate surfaces. Subsequently, large repulsive forces cause dust particles to be ejected off the surfaces to be removed.

Cleaning performance

EBDM demonstrates high efficiency (under ~1 minute) and high efficacy (up to ~92%) on cleaning non conductive surfaces, including spacesuits, solar panels, thermal radiator materials, and optical lenses

Non-contact by design

EBDM is non-contact, low power consumption, no consumables, and no prefabrication.

Cleaning natural surfaces

EBDM is demonstrated to remove dust from lunar rocks and other natural surfaces to enable/enhance science investigation of these objects.

Configuration options

Artist’s renderings

Various configuration options for different cleaning needs, including hand-held devices, mounted on a robotic arm for rastering, or “car wash” like large systems.