Nizhni Novgorod scientists have created ceramics to protect spacecraft against radiation

Lobachevsky University scientists have developed ceramic materials capable of protecting spacecraft from the effects of high temperatures and radiation during interplanetary flights. The project has been supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation.  

Maxim Boldin, Head of the Laboratory of ceramics technology at UNN’s Physico-Technical Research Institute (PTRI) explains: "Our team has developed several high performance ceramic materials of different composition, one of them is highly resistant to radiation, another one is resistant to high temperatures.  Applications of these materials can range from space exploration to nuclear industry. These ceramics are 20% lighter and stronger than traditional materials, which are used to protect satellites and other spacecraft. Accordingly, they will make it possible to reduce the cost of launching objects into orbit and increase their service life". 

According to project leader, Professor Albina Orlova of the UNN Department of Solid State Chemistry, spacecraft and satellites equipped with this type of ceramic protection will withstand the extreme conditions of space travel. "For example, chip substrates made of such ceramics can withstand not only mechanical, but also extreme heat loads, which significantly increases the reliability of equipment operation in open space", - she noted.

New ceramic materials will also offer better protection against radiation, which is of great importance for outer space exploration. Currently, the University is discussing possible applications of these materials with leading Russian space industry enterprises.