Wedoany.com Report on Mar 19th, Parag Patel, a PhD student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, is dedicated to developing advanced nanomaterials to enhance the safety of astronauts in space. Patel states, "My research fundamentally seeks to figure out how to keep astronauts safe in space." Her work focuses on utilizing boron nitride nanotubes to develop radiation-shielding composite materials, addressing the challenges of ionizing radiation during space travel.
Patel was first exposed to aerospace manufacturing during an internship at the Indian Space Research Organisation and later participated in satellite component production after graduation. Upon joining MIT, she entered the Brian Wardle Laboratory, focusing on nanotube synthesis and the manufacturing of multifunctional nanocomposites. She explains, "Incorporating carbon nanotubes into existing composites can improve their mechanical properties and add multifunctionality." After completing her master's studies, she shifted her focus to space applications, beginning to explore the radiation shielding properties of boron nitride nanotubes.
Boron nitride nanotubes offer a new pathway to address space radiation issues. Patel points out, "We cannot safely travel to Mars with current state-of-the-art materials." Through a breakthrough process developed in the lab, she successfully increased the synthesis concentration of nanotubes to 50% by weight, far exceeding the 5-10% levels in earlier composite materials. This research earned her a NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunities Fellowship, and her materials have been tested at multiple NASA sites.
In May 2025, Patel participated in a microgravity flight experiment to assess the feasibility of in-space manufacturing, and her nanotube samples have been sent to the International Space Station. She also took part in NASA's Space Exploration Challenge competition and the Swiss Asclepios III analog mission, accumulating diverse practical experience. Currently in the final phase of her doctorate, Patel is concentrating on developing new space materials, including improved thermal protection systems and solutions for lunar dust. She plans to continue working in the field of technical support for human spaceflight after graduation.
