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Radiation protection and structural stability of fungal melanin polylactic acid biocomposites in low Earth orbit

Summary

Scientists tested special materials made with fungal melanin and plastic in space to see if they could protect against radiation. After 6 months on the International Space Station, materials containing fungal melanin showed better resistance to damage than regular plastic. These bio-based materials could help protect astronauts and equipment during long space missions while being more sustainable than traditional synthetic materials.

Background

Materials in low Earth orbit face extreme conditions including radiation, atomic oxygen erosion, and temperature fluctuations that compromise structural integrity. Fungal melanin possesses unique properties including radiation protection, thermal regulation, and mechanical strength. This study evaluates biocomposites combining polylactic acid with fungal melanin for space applications.

Objective

To evaluate the structural stability and radiation shielding efficacy of polylactic acid (PLA) and melanin-containing PLA biocomposites after exposure to low Earth orbit conditions. The study tested PLA alone, PLA with fungal melanin, synthetic melanin, animal melanin, and compressed mycelium coated with PLA.

Results

Fungal melanin-containing composites demonstrated reduced mass loss (88.6% reduction in zenith orientation) and minimal surface wrinkle formation compared to pure PLA. All biocomposites effectively shielded underlying polyvinyl chloride layers from radiation damage, with melanin-containing samples providing superior UV-A and UV-C protection. Flight-exposed samples showed composition- and orientation-dependent changes in optical properties and surface morphology.

Conclusion

Fungal melanin enhances the structural stability and radiation shielding efficacy of PLA biocomposites under LEO conditions. These findings demonstrate that biologically-derived melanin-containing materials are promising for sustainable space exploration applications, protecting against radiation while maintaining structural integrity in extreme space environments.
  • Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1073/pnas.2427118122; PMID: 40294260
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