CICATA Altamira Advances Space Technology with Graphene

Zenaida Alzaga / Photo: Courtesy of CICATA Altamira

Using this material, CICATA Altamira is developing protective systems for components sent into Low Earth Orbit

Researchers at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) are advancing the development of graphene-based materials to protect electronic components in the aerospace industry.

With physicochemical properties such as exceptional mechanical strength (over 200 times that of steel), flexibility, and superior electrical and thermal conductivity (exceeding those of copper), graphene stands out as a promising nanomaterial for safeguarding satellites against extreme conditions.

Dr. Felipe Caballero Briones, research professor at the Centro de Investigación en Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada (CICATA), Altamira Unit, explained that graphene and its derivatives also offer potential for the development of devices capable of withstanding high radiation levels and intense electromagnetic variations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), located between 80 and 500 kilometers above Earth’s surface.

For more than a decade, Caballero Briones—leader of the Materials and Technologies for Energy, Health, and Environment Group (GESMAT)—has worked with graphene and related materials in collaboration with national and international institutions to develop aerospace and aeronautical applications.

He noted that LEO, which extends from approximately 160 to 2,000 kilometers above Earth and hosts the International Space Station (ISS), as well as observation and communication satellites, is an environment where cosmic radiation levels are up to 47 times higher than at sea level. In this region, the ozone layer is virtually nonexistent, temperature fluctuations are extreme, and constant exposure to solar wind particles and cosmic rays can compromise the performance of onboard instruments and systems.

To address these challenges, the researcher—also a member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences—highlighted that graphene oxide has demonstrated its ability to protect tungsten, one of the hardest metals, from erosion.

He added that graphene oxide (GO) is also highly effective in shielding against ultraviolet radiation and can be easily deposited onto metallic surfaces. “These properties are particularly valuable for insulating sensitive electronic components and protecting structures operating in space,” he noted.

Caballero Briones emphasized the importance of conducting fundamental research to understand how materials interact with space conditions, as these interactions may alter their structural, mechanical, and electronic properties, ultimately affecting the performance of critical systems aboard the ISS or satellite communication with Earth.

Promising Results

The CICATA Altamira research team participated for the first time with the Centro de Desarrollo Aeroespacial (CDA), in collaboration with NASA, in the seventh stratospheric mission using the EMIDSS platform (Experimental Module for the Iterative Design for Satellite Subsystems).

The goal is to study the phenomena affecting materials in order to develop Mexican technology capable of operating under extreme space conditions, given that the stratosphere—located between 10 and 50 kilometers above Earth—is considered a near-space environment with conditions similar to LEO.

During the EMIDSS-7 mission, the team sent material samples, including graphene-based compounds and semiconductor films, for testing in the stratosphere.

After the suborbital mission, the materials were recovered and analyzed to compare the effects of exposure. These evaluations focused on graphene oxide coatings applied to aluminum sheets, electromagnetic shielding performance, and the electronic structure of zinc sulfoselenide (ZnSSe) films, used in photocatalytic hydrogen generation, against control samples that were not exposed.

Initial findings suggest that exposure-induced changes in the electronic structure of ZnSSe and possibly in the mechanical properties of modified carbon fiber samples were provided by a collaborator from Firat University in Türkiye.

Rare Earth Elements and Advanced Analysis

In parallel, Caballero Briones is leading a project focused on recovering critical elements—such as rare earths—from electronic waste. These materials are repurposed for energy storage and hydrogen generation through photocatalysis.

To understand the behavior of these recovered materials, the team employs atomic-resolution techniques such as X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES).

This method uses high-intensity X-ray beams to excite atoms and analyze their interactions, enabling researchers to determine nanoscale structural organization and correlate it with macroscopic properties such as hydrogen production efficiency, charge storage capacity, or electromagnetic shielding performance.

These X-ray beams are generated in large-scale facilities known as synchrotrons, located in several countries. In these facilities, electrons are accelerated to near-light speeds and, when deflected by powerful magnets, produce radiation ranging from infrared to hard X-rays.

Access to synchrotrons is granted through competitive research proposals reviewed by expert panels. Once approved, researchers are allocated time to conduct experiments with their teams.

The Instituto Politécnico Nacional has established agreements for access to such facilities, including the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in California, United States. Research conducted at these centers leads to scientific publications, graduate training, and the development of new technologies.

Toward Sustainable Aerospace Innovation

According to Caballero Briones, graphene-based materials hold significant technological potential for aerospace applications, including radiation-resistant coatings, thermal management systems, and electromagnetic shielding. They are also promising for use in solar cells, supercapacitors, and photoelectrochemical hydrogen production.

He noted that magnetic graphene can be used for electromagnetic shielding; reduced graphene oxide can function as a transparent electrode in electronics and thermal control systems; cesium-decorated graphene shows excellent performance as a photocatalyst for green hydrogen production; and graphene composites with cerium titanates enable the development of high-capacity, durable sodium-ion supercapacitors.

Additionally, graphene oxide has shown potential in applications such as fungal control through photodynamic therapy and enhancing seed germination.

The projects led by Caballero Briones and his team aim to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen scientific training, promote the internationalization of the IPN, and expand academic collaborations—particularly in the use of advanced infrastructure such as synchrotrons and participation in research initiatives supported by agencies like NASA.