Space radiation resistant hybrid and polymer materials for solar cells

The emergence of new radiation resistant organic-polymer and hybrid materials for potential extra-terrestrial and terrestrial application to photovoltaic solar cell technology is reported. New materials that exhibit resistance to induced effects caused by natural or even man-made ionizing radiation that could be encountered in aerospace, near-Earth orbits and in inter-planetary space missions is of vital importance to DOD, commercial and NASA space programs. Experimental data reflecting the relative stability of new polymer and hybrid polymer materials exposed to simulated total dose conditions that could be experienced in extraterrestrial regions such as within the Van Allen belts or on Lunar or Martian surfaces are the focus of this paper.