“Space exploration is a material-science saga, because independent of the electronics and so forth, materials are the enabling technology for the challenges that exist in space.”

That’s according to Carlo Iorio, director of the Center for Research and Engineering in Space Technologies at the University of Brussels. And the game-changers he’s most excited about: graphene and other 2D materials. “2D materials can be used and embedded for solving (many) different problems,” he tells the KUST Review.

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IMAGE: Anas Al Bounni/KUST Review

Graphene might be the granddaddy of 2D materials, but it is relatively new, discovered in 2004, winning Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov a Nobel Prize in 2010 for its isolation. The material is a single layer of carbon atoms in a hexagonal pattern. It is tough, flexible, light and offers high resistance.

“The properties of graphene are exceptional in many ways,” says Yarjan Abdul Samad, who earned his Ph.D. at Khalifa University, studied the properties of 2D materials as a postdoc at Cambridge University, and has recently returned to Khalifa as an assistant professor in aerospace engineering.

Samad says the discovery of graphene launched a tidal wave of 2D material research: “There are thousands of new 2D materials now under investigation because of the discovery of graphene. It’s as if a new periodic table has erupted,” he says.

“Every property can be utilized for an application not possible for traditional materials. That keeps me intrigued. For me, especially when I look at the challenges of space, whether it’s thermal management or radiation protection or long journeys, there are so many issues that need unconventional solutions. 2D materials are versatile and tunable to solve many problems,” Samad says.

Here’s a look at some of the issues of space travel and settlement Iorio and Samad say 2D materials might address:

Radiation protection

Space radiation is often considered the top limiting factor of long-term space travel, with astronauts likely facing risks of cardiovascular and degenerative disease and cancer.

“I may be biased on this, but top of the list (of 2D applications) is radiation protection. Everyone is concerned about radiation and there have been many radiation-related incidents. So, how can we protect against radiation?” Samad asks. “It’s a very complex phenomenon, and conventional materials won’t work against galactic cosmic radiation. We need to come up with an approach where we can have selective protection.”

Graphene and hybrid solutions might be the answer, he suggests.

Space radiation is also on the top of Iorio’s list of 2D applications for space – “first and foremost,” he says.

Space shields will allow human exploration over long distances, he says. “At present it’s fairly challenging to settle on Mars.”

Samad worked with the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center on the Rashid Rover project that was presumed lost when its lander apparently crashed in April 2023.

IMAGE: Anas Al Bounni/KUST Review

But plans are underway for Rashid 2, and Samad says studying radiation’s effects on 2D materials is under discussion. “(This) is one of the most pressing challenges, in my opinion,” he says.

Suits and habitats

Advanced materials are required for making temperature-resistant suits and structures for people to use on Mars or the moon, Iorio says. 2D material molybdenum disulfide will play a role in this specific challenge, he adds. 2D materials could also be useful in other construction applications.

Khalifa University is exploring rubber-based components with graphene to not only withstand the extreme temperatures but help the infrastructure sustain moonquakes, Iorio notes. “If it’s rigid (the structure) will break. Imagine if the cracks allowed the O2 out.”

Transporting materials from Earth into space is expensive. But 2D materials are light. And Samad sees potential for them to turn matter found on the moon or other worlds into building blocks for settlements. “There could be composites or hybrid materials,” he says. “There are many approaches that can be taken.”

IMAGE: Anas Al Bounni/KUST Review

And once the habitat is built, keeping it a healthy environment for human residents could also fall on 2D materials.

“Graphene and graphene oxide can play a role in materials that can prevent the spread of bacteria and foreign biological elements,” Iorio says. “Imagine in a sealed human base if an epidemic is spread. We’re at the level of a sci-fi scenario.”

Thermal regulation

“How can we stand the lunar nights and what kinds of materials can help with that?” Samad asks.

2D materials show promise: Not only can they resist the extreme temperatures of space, they are excellent candidates to transfer the heat from, for example, a sun-facing side of a craft to the side facing away, where the temperatures could vary by 200 Celsius. And because 2D materials are, well, 2D, they require little space, freeing up room for bigger habitats.

“In space you have a lot of heat that is lost. So (2D) materials like MXenes have been used because they have a low infrared signature,” Iorio says.

Propulsion systems

“Another application is the propulsion system for a rocket. 2D materials can easily be functionalized,” Iorio says.One possibility: sails made from graphene membranes powered by light from the sun or lasers, freeing spacecraft to travel farther and longer without having to carry fuel on board. The craft would also be lighter, nimbler and easier to launch. The European Space Agency says graphene has passed initial tests that show it is a viable candidate.

IMAGE: Anas Al Bounni/KUST Review

Earthside applications

What we learn from our space exploration attempts can be quite useful for us at home too, here on Earth. The problems graphene and other 2D materials solve in space can easily be transferred to Earthbound issues, Iorio says. “The problem of scarcity that we solve in space will be used to solve the problem of rising scarcity anywhere,” he says.

Filters and membranes developed for recycling water on a moon base, for example, can help conserve resources on Earth.

“The technology that we develop for space is capable of exploiting every single drop of water, which is the same goal of a sustainable economy,” Iorio says. “There is also a scarcity of power. That means that the concepts we develop for space are to use the least energy. Regardless of how far we get in space, this will possibly be used on the ground to reduce energy consumption.”

Samad sees advances in radiation protection eventually protecting data centers on Earth whose systems are vulnerable to cosmic radiation. Additionally, thermal management in spacecraft could eventually improve technology for trains and transportation in general.

“In the Emirates there is a growing interest in sustainability,” Iorio says. “Despite the luxury of the lifestyle, there is more attention to sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint and so forth. I have been in developing countries but one of the things that strictly relates space exploration with sustainable development is they share the need to tackle the scarcity of resources.”