# Enhanced Modeling for Analysis of Fine Particulate Interactions with Coated Surfaces
## 1 Introduction  
Surface dust on Mars has persistently posed a significant challenge to Martian exploration efforts, with observable effects including wear and tear on equipment, adsorption, and electromagnetic interference. The accumulation of fine dust particles on solar panels substantially reduces the energy provision for Mars exploration apparatus, posing a severe threat to the operational lifespan of rovers [1]. Consequently, dust management for Mars rovers remains a pressing priority. This holds true even for the meticulously designed solar panels of NASA's Mars rovers [2; 3], as well as China's Zhurong rover [4], all of which have had to contend with Martian dust. The advent of dust removal technology has become a necessary precursor to Mars exploration. A variety of such technologies have been developed [5], including the wind cleaning method [1], anti-dust coating method [6], mechanical wiping method [7], and electrodynamic screen method [8]. The anti-dust coating method [9] is usually chosen as one of the main dust removal strategies for Mars rovers due to its high reliability. [PERSON] et al. [6] advanced this field by developing nano-crystalline composite coatings that provide effective dust protection for solar panels. By employing an ultra-thin solar film in conjunction with a specialized anti-dust coating, the Zhurong rover managed to achieve dust removal efficiency exceeding 86% [10]. Laboratory testing for dust removal efficiency serves as the primary method of evaluating coatings. [PERSON] et al. [11] conducted performance tests on coatings with varying hydrolysate-silica sol mass ratios, but did not elaborate on the size distribution of the particles involved. [PERSON] et al. [12] examined the wetting behavior and transmittance of hydrophobic coatings prepared using zirconium nanoparticles and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). However, investigations into these coatings' effectiveness in removing specific dust types from the Martian surface remain unexplored. Conducting laboratory researchon the effectiveness of anti-dust coatings for Martian dust removal poses considerable challenges. Replicating the exact environment of the Martian surface within a lab setting is not only costly; the accuracy of simulating certain environmental parameters (e.g., gravitational conditions) also remains questionable. Furthermore, while dust removal tests on coatings have shown promising results with larger particles (e.g., those measuring millimeters in diameter [9]), their effectiveness on finer particles, particularly those with diameters in the tens of micrometers range, is yet to be definitively established. [PERSON] et al. [13] compiled insights from various research studies on Martian surface dust. As gleaned from the literature, dust particles typically found on surfaces are usually smaller than 100 \(\upmu\)m. Fine particles with sizes ranging from 5 \(\upmu\)m to 100 \(\upmu\)m can be swept up during dust storms, while particles smaller than 10 \(\upmu\)m might potentially remain suspended indefinitely within the Martian atmosphere. In the force analysis of such fine particles, van der Waals forces should not be overlooked as they may play a significant role in causing fine particles to adhere to surfaces [14]. Nevertheless, carrying out dust removal tests for these fine particles presents numerous challenges. Accurate measurement and observation stand as primary difficulties, while accurately simulating the environmental conditions and the behavior of fine particles poses another formidable hurdle. The discrete element method (DEM) [15] is an increasingly prominent particle simulation approach suitable for studies that are challenging to conduct within a laboratory setting. This technique breaks down the research object (be it particle or geometric) into independent units, conducts an analysis of interactions among these units, and proceeds to iteratively calculate force and displacement at each time step based on [PERSON]'s laws of motion.