Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in AFM: Laser-Induced Graphene Smart Textiles for Future Space Suits and Telescopes

1. Overview of the Research

New materials with high electrical, optical, and thermal functionalities are essential for next-generation space missions. Astronauts require constant health monitoring, while stray light suppression and heat management are crucial for space telescopes. In this study, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) published research titled “Laser-Induced Graphene Smart Textiles for Future Space Suits and Telescopes” in Advanced Functional Materials. The study demonstrates that laser-induced graphene (LIG), patterned with femtosecond laser pulses, can serve as a multifunctional material for temperature and strain sensing, stray light absorption, and heat management in smart space suits and telescopes. LIG shows impressive properties, including a temperature coefficient of resistance (−0.068% °C⁻¹), a gauge factor of 454, light absorption (97.57%), and thermal diffusivity (6.376 mm²/s). Additionally, thermal vacuum tests confirm LIG’s reliability and readiness for space missions. Under vacuum (around 10⁻³ Torr) and repeated temperature cycles between -20 to 60 °C over approximately 40 hours, the temperature/strain sensors and light absorbers retained their functionality.

2. Visual Summary

• Figure 1: Schematic of the manufacturing process and space applications.

• Figure 2: Characterization of LIG.

• Figure 3: LIG-based temperature and strain sensors.

• Figure 4: LIG’s light absorption and thermal diffusivity.

• Figure 5: Thermal vacuum testing and post-test performance retention.

3. Summary

This study introduces a simple, cost-effective production method for LIG textiles, showcasing their versatile applicability in future space applications, especially for wearable space suits and smart space telescopes. LIG’s unique properties, including high conductivity, thermal conductivity, and light absorption, were validated through a series of experiments. The resulting LIG smart textiles exhibit excellent performance in monitoring astronauts’ vital signs and in suppressing unwanted stray light and dissipating heat within telescopes. Thermal vacuum tests evaluated the environmental durability of LIG-based sensors and light absorbers under space-like conditions. These promising results could accelerate the widespread application of LIG in future space missions.

Reference: https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202411257