RED 4 MARS · Rubber & Elastomer Development for MArtian enviRonment applicationS

While imagining future Martian exploration and colonization one mustn’t forget about new materials assuring required performance and resistance to the harsh Martian conditions. One of the most unique materials used in engineering is rubber, providing both elastic and damping properties. Currently, the rubber used on Earth exhibit too low resistance against Martian environment. This project aims to overcome this issue by designing rubber withstanding harsh Martian conditions (presence of radiation and low operating temperature). This tailor-made rubber will have a low glass transition temperature (elasticity at low temperatures), contain functional and self-healing groups (radiation resistance) and reinforcing fillers for good mechanical properties (operational performance). For a sustainable approach, the use of local materials will be investigated by synthesizing reinforcing silica from Martian regolith, and the recyclability will be optimized to extend the utilization time of the materials. My background in designing versatile rubber materials for special applications and being familiar with extra-terrestrial conditions in the Solar system allows me to carry out successfully this MSCA IG Global Fellowship, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Anke Blume and Dr. Wilma Dierkes hosted at University of Twente (UT), in one of the leading rubber groups in the world: Elastomer Technology and Engineering (ETE). The outgoing phase will be done at the University of Akron (UA) for 24 months under supervision of Dr. Li Jia. UA has a long experience in rubber education (since 1909) and is cooperating with the Glenn Research Center of NASA. Short scientific visits are also planned to perform radiation resistance measurements and prototype rubber testing.