Direct Measurement of Nanostructural Change During In-Situ Indentation Deformation in Lunar Glasses

Lunar glasses are formed under extreme extraterrestrial conditions and have undergone geological timescales’ weeathering and aging, resulting in unique atomic structures and exceptional mechanical properties. To date, precise regulation and in-depth understanding of the atomic-scale deformation mechanisms in lunar glasses remain significant challenges, which are crucial for unlocking their potential mechanical applications. This proposal aims to subject Chang’e-5 lunar glassy particles to different degrees of rejuvenation treatment and fabricate clamped cantilevers using focused ion beam (FIB) milling. By applying controlled indentation-based mechanical loading at millinewton-scale stress levels, combined with in-situ cross-sectional nano X-ray diffraction (nano-XRD) analysis, we will systematically track localized strain evolution, densification processes, and shear flow. This will enable a direct correlation between atomic-scale structural features and deformation mechanisms across d