Nano barrier adds layer of protection to spacecraft
A new nano barrier could help protect spacecraft from solar radiation while harvesting energy for future use in the craft's mission.
The research team from Surrey University and Airbus Defence and Space has shown that their Multifunctional Nanobarrier Structure (MFNS) can reduce the operating temperatures of space-qualified structures from 120°C to 60°C.
Thanks to its custom-built, room temperature application system, researchers were able to show that it is possible to use the MFNS alongside a craft's sensors and advanced composite materials. The team’s research is detailed in ACS Nano.
In a statement, Professor Ravi Silva, corresponding author of the study and director of the Advanced Technology Institute at Surrey University, said: "Space is a wondrous but dangerous place for us humans and other human-made structures. While solutions already on the market offer protection, they are bulky and can be restrictive when it comes to thermal control.
"Our new nano barrier is able to not only provide radiation and thermal protection but also harvest energy for use at a later date."
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