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

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€

The last set of images taken by Voyager 1 spacecraft

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

Montanuniversität Leoben brings innovation into space

20.11.2024 - Press release from the Montanuniversität Leoben, Translated with DeepL. Access here in German: https://www.unileoben.ac.at/news/montanuniversitaet-leoben-bringt-innovation-ins-all/. A significant step for space research and the Montanuniversität Leoben: After long preparations, highly developed thin film coatings from Leoben have now arrived at the International Space Station (ISS). The innovative coatings, developed for future space applications, are part … Continue reading Montanuniversität Leoben brings innovation into space

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

Professor Pogatscher at the forefront of ESA’s Gateway lunar mission

Professor Stefan Pogatscher –– the head of the Department of Metallurgy in our University – is contributing to the "Gateway" lunar mission, an international project aiming to establish an outpost in lunar orbit in the coming years. This station, more distant from Earth than the International Space Station (ISS), will serve as a relay for … Continue reading Professor Pogatscher at the forefront of ESA’s Gateway lunar mission

Collaborative Efforts Aim for Lunar Nuclear Power Amidst Materials Challenges

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