POLImoon | Safer lunar space suits with self-healing materials

POLImoon

POLIMI EVENTS WITHIN THE 50^th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOON LANDING

Scientific Seminar with
Antonio Mattia Grande

Space suits were created to protect astronauts, whether while walking on the surface of the Moon or performing extravehicular activities. Their integrity is threatened by Micro Meteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) and punctures from accidental contact with sharp objects, that could lead to breaches in the bladder, with subsequent gas leakage and depressurization. At present, suits are not able of self-heal after events of this type. In this views, self-healing materials have become attractive since they could lead to space suits able to repair after collision with MMOD or punctures. This would result in higher protection and safety for astronauts, and longer missions in the perspective of lunar bases establishment.

Antonio Mattia Grande is an assistant professor at Politecnico di Milano, Department of Aerospace Science and Technology. His research focuses on advanced aerospace materials and technologies including multifunctional materials and additive manufacturing. He was a postdoctoral researcher at TU Delft, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Novel Aerospace Materials group (NovAM), working on self-healing materials within an EU-funded research project.
He has a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Science in Materials Engineering from Politecnico di Milano. He has authored 31 scientific publications.

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