Electrodynamic dust shields use a travelling electric field on a
transparent electrode grid to lift and sweep charged dust grains off a
surface before they can accumulate. Raising the shield voltage
increases the Coulomb force on each grain relative to Martian gravity
and adhesion, deflecting more of the storm before it settles.
F_electric = q·E(V) (E scales with shield voltage)
F_net = F_electric − (m·g_mars + F_adhesion)
deflected if F_electric > m·g_mars + F_adhesion
- Wind speed — how fast the dust storm carries grains past the habitat; higher speed means more particles arrive per second.
- Shield voltage — the electrodynamic field strength; each kV repels a larger fraction of incoming grains.
- Ambient dust density — background haze thickness from the storm, independent of wind speed.
- Storm surge — briefly spikes wind and density to stress-test the shield, the way a real Martian dust devil would.
Martian gravity is only 3.71 m/s², roughly 38% of Earth's, which is
exactly why a comparatively weak electric field is enough to keep fine
regolith dust airborne and moving away from sensitive surfaces.