• Atom-thick layers of molybdenum disulfide are ideally suited for radiation-resistant spacecraft electronics, researchers in China have confirmed. • In a study published in Nature, Peng Zhou and colleagues at Fudan University put a communications system composed of the material through a gauntlet of rigorous tests-including the transmission of their university’s Anthem-confirming that its performance is barely affected in the harsh environment of outer space.

Article Summaries:

  • Chinese researchers have demonstrated that atom‑thin layers of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) can serve as highly radiation‑resistant electronics for spacecraft. A team led by Peng Zhou at Fudan University published their findings in Nature, reporting that a communications system built from MoS₂ was subjected to rigorous radiation tests, including a simulated transmission of the university’s anthem. The device’s performance remained virtually unchanged under conditions mimicking the harsh space environment. The results suggest that MoS₂‑based components could endure for centuries in orbit, offering a promising material for long‑duration space missions.

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