Electrostatics & Surface Physics Laboratory
Capabilities and Specialized Equipment
The following electrostatic testing, measurement, and analyses can be performed in high and low temperatures, pressures, humidity and at various atmospheric conditions:
- Surface resistivity measurements
- Charge decay measurements
- Triboelectric charge measurements
- Volume resistivity measurements of solids, liquids, and powders
- Adhesion coefficient determination
- Electric field measurements
- Surface charge distribution measurements
- Surface analysis techniques
- Embedded electrostatic sensors
- Plasma treatment of surfaces
- Electrospraying of liquids
- Hydrophobicity and contact angle measurements
- Electrical conductivity and grounding determination
- Dielectric breakdown strength determination
- Powder or liquid aerosol generation and measurement
- Radiofrequency (RF) emission detection from electrostatic discharge
- Charged grain detection and measurement
- Corona discharge, brush discharge, and Paschen breakdown measurements
- Liquid conductivity and powder resistivity measurements
- Laser Etching
- Susceptibility testing via Charged Device Model (CDM), Machine Model (MM), and Human Body Model (HBM)
- Lunar/Mars Vacuum Chamber
- Various vacuum systems (2 bell jars, 1 stainless-steel UHV-capable)
- Three environments chambers with stat-of-the-art electrostatic measuring equipment (static monitors, charge decay, coulomb meters)
- State-of-the-art Electrostatics Testing Equipment Atmospheric plasma
- Glow discharge sources
- Ultraviolet source and monochromator
- Optical emission spectrometer
- Sample preparation facilities
- Lunar and Mars dust simulants and 200 grams Apollo 14, 16, and 17 lunar regolith
- Vacuum electron/ion/ultraviolet sources for producing spacecraft charging environments
- High speed/low noise current amplifiers for monitoring small currents
Dr. Carlos Calle, lead scientist in the Electrostatics and Surface Physics Laboratory at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, prepares an Electrostatic Dust Shield for testing on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Scientists are developing the Electrostatic Dust Shield to help mitigate the problem of dust on equipment, astronauts’ space suits and helmet visors of astronauts exploring the Moon or Mars. The device is slated for analysis aboard International Space Station in the spring of 2019 to verify the effects of the space environment.
NASA/KSC
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