Category: aerospace

Our Paper Among the Most Read Articles on ACS! đźš€

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We are excited to share that our recent perspective review, “The Legacy and the Future of Aluminum Alloys: Space Exploration and Extraterrestrial Settlement,” has been featured among the Top 20 Most Read Articles in the American Chemical Society (ACS) Materials Au! https://pubs.acs.org/action/showMostReadArticles?journalCode=amacgu Most Read Articles are refreshed daily and are based on full-text downloads (PDF … Continue reading Our Paper Among the Most Read Articles on ACS! đźš€

Possible Biosignatures of Life Detected on Distant Hycean World

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ 3 Comments

The discovery of hycean worlds – planets with global oceans and hydrogen-rich atmospheres – has reshaped our hunt for habitable environments beyond the solar system. One such world, K2-18 b, has now taken centre stage. Using the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists recently analysed its atmosphere and confirmed the presence of carbon-bearing molecules like … Continue reading Possible Biosignatures of Life Detected on Distant Hycean World

The last set of images taken by Voyager 1 spacecraft

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A fascinating research paper recently caught my attention: it documents the final images captured by the Voyager 1 spacecraft before its cameras were permanently shut down. While the images themselves are breathtaking, what truly stood out to me was the incredible effort behind protecting the spacecraft from radiation damage as it ventured farther from the … Continue reading The last set of images taken by Voyager 1 spacecraft

[X-MAT]’s Master Thesis of Sandra Gonzaga is now online!

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Exploring Alloys in the Al-Mg-Si System for Space Applications The Master Thesis of our postgraduate researcher Ms. Sandra Gonzaga is now online and available for download at: https://pureadmin.unileoben.ac.at/portal/en/publications/development-and-characterisation-of-an-ultrafinegrained-almgsi-alloy-for-space-applications(5be5ba38-321f-47bf-99e5-4f72ccebef4e).html?customType=theses In the race to conquer the cosmos, materials science plays a pivotal role in enabling the development of spacecraft and satellites capable of withstanding the harsh realities … Continue reading [X-MAT]’s Master Thesis of Sandra Gonzaga is now online!

Celebrating Sandra’s Successful Master’s Thesis Defense

~ Matheus A. Tunes ~ 1 Comment

On October 1, 2024, Sandra Gonzaga, our Master Student, reached an impressive milestone in her academic journey, successfully defending her Master's thesis with the highest grade of “Sehr gut” (1). Her remarkable research has broken new ground in the study of aluminium alloys within the Al–Mg–Si system, designed specifically for space applications. Prof. Pogatscher, Sandra, … Continue reading Celebrating Sandra’s Successful Master’s Thesis Defense

India, China, and Russia set to collaborate on lunar nuclear microreactor development

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India and China are set to collaborate with Russia on a pioneering lunar project to establish a nuclear power plant on the moon. Led by Russia’s Rosatom, this project aims to generate up to half a megawatt of energy to support a lunar base. Both India and China have expressed strong interest in joining this … Continue reading India, China, and Russia set to collaborate on lunar nuclear microreactor development

The material that could enable permanent human settlement on the moon

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Featured image credits: Galileo orbiter spacecraft, NASA/JPL. Nuclear engineering, a remarkable creation of the human mind, has brought essential technological advancements since the dawn of the modern era. Innovations like nuclear reactors, complex thermohydraulic machines that fully harness the power of the atom, provide humanity with electricity — direct benefits born from decades of research … Continue reading The material that could enable permanent human settlement on the moon

Radiation shielding for nuclear-fission powered human-based Mars missions

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As multinational space programs progress towards establishing permanent human settlements beyond Earth, radiation shielding and damage continue to pose significant challenges. A fascinating recent paper discussing radiation shielding in the context of future nuclear-fission-powered Mars missions has been published in Nuclear Science and Technology Open Research. Bendoyro AC, Thomas LD, Cassibry J and Emrich W. … Continue reading Radiation shielding for nuclear-fission powered human-based Mars missions

Microstructural Characterization of Nanostructured Aluminium Crossover Alloys under Thermal Loading

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We are happy to share the publication of our latest paper titled “Comparative analysis of experimental techniques for microstructural characterization of novel nanostructured aluminium alloys” on Materials Characterization. In this study, we delve into the intricacies of using various experimental techniques to analyze the microstructures of an ultrafine-grained AlMgZnCuAg crossover alloy under themal loading. Through … Continue reading Microstructural Characterization of Nanostructured Aluminium Crossover Alloys under Thermal Loading

Collaborative Efforts Aim for Lunar Nuclear Power Amidst Materials Challenges

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In a groundbreaking move that has sent ripples through the scientific press, Russia and China have announced plans to join forces for an ambitious collaborative space mission. The focal point of this partnership? The installation of nuclear-powered reactors on the surface of the moon by 2035, marking a significant leap forward in humanity's quest for … Continue reading Collaborative Efforts Aim for Lunar Nuclear Power Amidst Materials Challenges