Hackmanite, a mineral that is extensively studied and developed at the University of Turku, will be taken to the International Space Station as part of a new research project between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the University of Turku. The study will investigate whether hackmanite can be used as a radiation detector for different materials in space.
Researchers at the University of Turku, Finland, have long studied the colour-changing properties of the natural mineral hackmanite upon exposure to UV radiation or X-rays. Now, the research group studied the reactions of synthetic hackmanite to nuclear radiation. The researchers discovered a one-of-a-kind and novel intelligent quality, gamma exposure memory, which allows the use of hackmanite as e.g. radiation detector.
While investigating hackmanite, a natural wonder material, researchers found that it, in addition to two other minerals, can change their colour upon exposure to UV radiation repeatedly without wearing out. The results show that the inexpensive hackmanite, which is easy to synthesise, is also an excellent material because of its high durability and applicability for different purposes.
Researchers from the University of Turku are developing a new hackmanite-based dosimeter and passive detectors for the International Space Station, intended to be used to measure the radiation dose uptake of materials during space flights. The year-long research project is funded by the European Space Agency, ESA.