Satellites Made From Metal-Halide Perovskites Could Self-Heal When Exposed to Space Radiation, Study Reveals

In a groundbreaking study, a team of scientists revealed that a type of semiconductor is capable of healing itself from radiation damage, making it an ideal material for space technology.

Future of Space Technology

During the 1960s, Cold War rivals - the United States and the Soviet Union - aimed to achieve superior spaceflight capability. Achievements in spaceflight demonstrated technological advantage which was not only considered an important component of national security, but has also become part of geopolitical conflict between the two nations.

The Space Race has led to pioneering launches of robotic space probes and artificial satellites. It has also brought human spaceflight in low Earth orbit and ultimately to the Moon.

After several decades, the Space Race is entering a dynamic new phase, as space has become an extension of our planet's geography more than ever. The modern Space Race has welcomed new players who aim to reach Mars and beyond.

There are currently 8,000 satellites in orbit, but scientists predict that this number could exceed 100,000 by the end of the decade. The success of these launches lies on the capability of the satellites to withstand the harsh space conditions, especially the effects of extreme radiation.

Next-Generation Material For Space Technology

In a recent study, a team of researchers has demonstrated that a next-generation material called metal-halide perovskite has the ability to recover and heal itself from radiation damage. They believe that this material can be uniquely helpful for satellites to survive the extreme conditions in outer space.

Led by Ahmad R. Kirmani, the team made perovskites in the form of inks. Then, these were coated onto glass plates or plastic to produce thin, filmlike devices that are lightweight and flexible.

The thin-film solar cells were found to perform well as effectively as conventional silicon solar cells, even if they are almost 100 times thinner. However, these films degrade upon exposure to moisture or oxygen, so the researchers work to address these stability issues.

Kirmani and colleagues developed a radiation experiment to test how the material may hold up in space. After exposing perovskite solar cells to protons at low and high energies, they found a unique and new property.

The damage caused by the low-energy protons was healed by the high-energy protons, enabling the device to recover and continue its function. Conventional semiconductor materials used for space electronics do not demonstrate this self-healing ability.

Discovered in 1839, metal-halide perovskites are a class of materials that can be abundantly found in Earth's crust. They are known to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity, making them ideal for space-based solar panels, which can power satellites or future space habitats.

Perovskite-based materials may be effective in withstanding the harsh cosmic rays, but radiation is not the only stress that they have to endure in space. The research authors are still clueless as to how perovskites will react when exposed to vacuum and extreme changes in temperature. The team plans to conduct more studies to understand the properties of self-healing.