To The Moon and Back: How One UA Little Rock Professor’s Research is Out of This World

One University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor is taking his research to new heights with a plan to help NASA explore the moon by strengthening the legs of future moon landers.

Dr. Sujan Ghosh, assistant professor of engineering, and Dr. Robert Fleming, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Arkansas State University, have received a one year $50,000 grant, which is renewable up to three years, from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium to develop a multifunctional nickel-chromium nanocomposite coating to further NASA's space exploration.

As a researcher, Ghosh is focused on materials and surface engineering in tribology, which is the study of the science and technology of interacting surfaces in relative motion and the application of friction, wear, lubrication, and related design aspects. Right now, his research is focused on developing and testing new technologies for future space missions. Strong, lightweight, and flexible metals that can withstand extreme environments are in high demand in space applications because they improve fuel economy and protect the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

"Right now, we are working on strengthening the legs of the moon lander," Ghosh said. "The legs can crack when it travels from the warm side of the moon to the cold side of the moon. We are looking into creating a coating that can prevent those kinds of cracks from happening and ensure that the moon lander is poised for space exploration."

Ghosh said he was inspired to try to solve this problem after attending a conference where a NASA collaborator spoke about how conducting research on the dark side of the moon can impair the moon lander. The far side of the moon can experience extreme temperature changes with scientists estimating that the far side of the moon gets as hot as 260 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and as low as negative 297 degrees Fahrenheit during the lunar night.

"When they started this explanation of the far side, the colder side of the moon, they were having trouble with the lander," Ghosh said. "In my head, I immediately thought that we can probably eliminate the cracking in the leg of the moon lander if we create a coating to prevent the thermal shock between these materials."

The grant will fund two graduate student and two undergraduate student researchers to assist with the development of the project. As part of an educational effort to encourage students to pursue careers in science and technology, the grant will also fund a summer camp for junior high school students and demonstrations at local science fairs. Additionally, the STEM Education Center at UA Little Rock will hold visits from local high school students, exposing K-12 students to the research environment and creating enthusiasm in future scientists and engineering for space exploration.

"I think it would be great if one day the moon lander carried a coating I created," Ghosh said. "There are multiple people working to solve this problem, but I think we have a pretty decent chance. It would be a dream come true to know that a moon lander exploring the moon is using my technology."