Fabric that changes color in response to radiation sent into space

scottish Scientists plan to send a small sample of fabric into space to test a special dye that can detect radiation.

Fabrics dyed with specially designed dyes made from different types of bacteria will be launched aboard one of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets in February next year.

The sample will be placed on a small satellite called PocketCube, which will help test the dye’s performance in space.

The hope is that this dye could be used as a passive radiation detector on missions to the Moon or other forms of space exploration.

It can also be used Earth Monitoring exposure to sunlight or radiation in the clinical setting.

Dr Gilles Baillet, Lecturer in Space Technology University of GlasgowLeading the “Pigmented Space Pioneers” project.

He said: “Exposure to radiation breaks down pigments in bacteria, while similar exposure to radiation in humans breaks down our DNA.

“For bacteria, this means a reduction in their color saturation, but for us it means a greater risk of genetic mutations and cancer.

“Our goal is to use the bacteria’s highly visible response to create a foolproof early-warning system for radiation exposure.

“It doesn’t require electronics or batteries to work – you just need your eyes to see the response of colors to changes in ambient radiation.”

The team has developed fabrics that can display many different colors in response to radiation.

Fashion designer Katie Tubing, who helped create the fabric, said: “What we are developing is a fabric with a design that is interesting to look at but also easily readable, so that it will be easy to see at a glance when the dye fades in response to potentially dangerous radiation exposure in the future.

“It’s an exciting challenge, and it’s a unique blend of art and science.”

The PocketCube satellite has been built by Edinburgh-based start-up company Spinning Around.

Its chief executive Alistair Broome said: “We are thrilled to be working with Dr. Barlett and the team on this crossover between engineering, science, fashion and art.

“Our small and powerful technology demonstrator PocketCube satellite, SpinnyOne, will return photographs of the fabric during next year’s mission and show changes in the color of the pigments as the satellite is exposed to months of radiation in low Earth orbit.”