A groundbreaking lightweight alternative to metal waveguides used in satellites has been developed by engineers from the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute, in collaboration with colleagues from the University of British Columbia. By coating 3D-printed polymer waveguides with MXene materials, they’ve created components that are eight times lighter than standard aluminum ones while maintaining high performance.
Waveguides, crucial for directing radio waves, are typically one of the heaviest components of telecommunications satellites. This innovation could significantly reduce satellite payload weight, potentially lowering launch costs and environmental impact.
The team tested various shapes of MXene-coated nylon waveguides, achieving up to 95% transmission efficiency. The coating process is simple, involving dipping the waveguide in a water-based MXene solution. The MXene coating adds minimal weight while providing excellent conductivity and electromagnetic shielding.
Yury Gogotsi, PhD, Distinguished University and Bach Professor, stated, “In spaceflight applications, every extra gram of weight counts. MXene materials provide one of the thinnest possible coatings that can create a conductive surface, so we see great potential in using MXenes to treat additive manufactured components made of polymers that have complex shapes.”
While further testing is needed before space deployment, this breakthrough could revolutionize satellite technology. The researchers believe MXene coatings could also be optimized for various frequencies and applied to other polymer components, offering lightweight, cost-effective alternatives to metals in both space and terrestrial applications.
