In a landmark demonstration of material resilience, researchers at Tsinghua University's School of Materials Science and Engineering have confirmed that two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials can endure the extreme environment of space. The investigation, led by Professor Ruitao Lv, involved launching both 2D materials and field-effect transistors (FETs) into low Earth orbit aboard China's by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Apr 14, 2025
In a landmark demonstration of material resilience, researchers at Tsinghua University's School of Materials Science and Engineering have confirmed that two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor materials can endure the extreme environment of space. The investigation, led by Professor Ruitao Lv, involved launching both 2D materials and field-effect transistors (FETs) into low Earth orbit aboard China's reusable Shijian-19 satellite. After two weeks in space, the devices were successfully retrieved and analyzed, showing minimal degradation despite facing intense radiation, microgravity, and extreme thermal variations.
The team tested 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), focusing on tungsten diselenide (WSe2) and its niobium-doped counterpart. Both materials were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and used in the fabrication of FETs. Pre- and post-flight performance assessments revealed that the devices preserved their electronic characteristics, including stable switching behavior and high on/off current ratios between 10^6 and 10^7.
Remarkably, the materials stored in the satellite's interior exhibited increased photoluminescence (PL) intensity compared to control samples kept on Earth. This suggests that space exposure may actually enhance or help preserve certain optical properties of 2D materials, offering intriguing prospects for space-based optoelectronic applications.
This experiment was enabled by China's advanced satellite capabilities, particularly the Shijian-19 platform-the country's first reusable and recoverable satellite. The mission marks a major step in validating the use of 2D semiconductors in space-grade electronics, potentially paving the way for radiation-hardened sensors and ultra-sensitive optical detectors aboard future spacecraft.
Published in the National Science Review, the findings affirm the suitability of TMDC-based 2D materials for space electronics and support their further development for next-generation satellite technologies.
Research Report:Space environment adaptability of 2D semiconductor materials
Related Links
State Key Laboratory of New Ceramic Materials at Tsinghua University
Space Technology News - Applications and Research