Symade
Systematic Materials Discovery Engine
Patented Materials Informatics process to discover and produce a generation of entirely new radiation shielding materials.
Systematic Materials Discovery Engine
Patented Materials Informatics process to discover and produce a generation of entirely new radiation shielding materials.
Technology Validation
Symade.ai is a Materials Innovation Platform verified and validated in cooperation with the European Space Agency.
Symade.ai is a fully ECSS Compliant AI Platform.
EmTDLab is a company vetted by the Luxembourg Space Agency.
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Core Technology
Symade.ai is a proprietary materials discovery engine that search for novel radiation shielding materials having also strong mechanical properties.
EmTDLab has developed a patented Materials Informatics process to discover and produce a generation of entirely new radiation shielding materials primarily aimed at satellites, spacecraft, and space vehicles.
The most critical capabilities are the systematic search and optimization for new radiation shielding materials using a proprietary evolutionary algorithm and its ability to accurately estimate materials’ density and stability and predict their radiation shielding properties.
The same algorithmic process can be tuned to fulfil the needs of other industries as the development of such novel materials with a pure algorithmic approach will result in an expansion of materials design capabilities. As of now, 21 new alloy materials have been discovered and are ready for testing and commercialization.
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Workflow
Symade.ai employs a natural selection-inspired approach to evolve the best material properties by accelerating the process of testing billions of material variations in hours.
Leverages Space Agency - compliant proprietary algorithms verified by a leading global space agency to produce materials with optimized mechanical properties that are fully compliant to industry requirements.
Representation of Symade.ai Computational Search Space – Radiation Dose Reduction, Density and Stability Optimisation
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Computational Search Space
Our technology, solutions and products are customized for efficient integration into existing design and assembly as it allows the use of commercial-off-the-shelf electronic and electromechanical parts. Powered by Symade.ai, our custom shielding solutions extend to healthcare, energy, security where EmTDLab already is developing products with its partners.
Introduction to SYMADE’s Optimization Capabilities
EmTDLab’s Systematic Materials Discovery Engine (SYMADE) is a cutting-edge tool designed to revolutionize material science by optimizing properties for diverse applications. Using advanced evolutionary algorithms, SYMADE explores vast material spaces to discover and refine compositions, ensuring tailored solutions for industries like aerospace, nuclear energy, and space exploration. Below, we detail how SYMADE addresses each listed property optimization, providing clarity for those new to computational materials science.
Detailed Property Optimizations
Multi-Layer Shielding with Existing Materials
SYMADE optimizes new combinations of existing shielding materials in multi-layer setups, crucial for enhanced radiation protection. For small datasets, it uses brute-force methods to test all combinations, while larger datasets leverage evolutionary algorithms to evolve shield configurations, ensuring efficiency and performance.
Combining Existing and New Materials in Multi-Layer Shields
SYMADE integrates both newly discovered and existing materials in multi-layer shielding, selecting top candidates each generation for evaluation. This hybrid approach refines combinations iteratively, balancing innovation with proven performance, ideal for adaptive shielding designs.
Secondary Neutron Shielding for Nuclear Applications
SYMADE integrates both newly discovered and existing materials in multi-layer shielding, selecting top candidates each generation for evaluation. This hybrid approach refines combinations iteratively, balancing innovation with proven performance, ideal for adaptive shielding designs.
Gamma Ray and EMI Shielding for Nuclear Industry
SYMADE addresses gamma ray shielding and potential EMI in nuclear settings, designing high-density materials like lead for gamma absorption and conductive layers for EMI protection. This dual optimization ensures comprehensive shielding for sensitive electronics, vital for nuclear industry reliability.
Thermal Properties Optimization
SYMADE tailors thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion, essential for heat management in electronics and structural stability. By simulating atomic structures, it generates materials with desired thermal properties, supporting applications from aerospace to energy storage.
Flexible Materials for Space Suits
For space suits, SYMADE develops flexible, durable polymers using its Polymer Seeder, optimizing for strength and resistance to space conditions like UV radiation. Multi-layer designs ensure protection while maintaining mobility, crucial for astronaut safety and performance.
Non-Galvanic Corrosion Prediction
SYMADE predicts and optimizes resistance to non-galvanic corrosion, using machine learning models trained on corrosion data to evaluate alloy compositions. This aids in designing corrosion-resistant materials for industries like oil and gas, reducing reliance on empirical testing.
Optically Transparent Materials for Space Solar Panels
SYMADE discovers optically transparent materials for space solar photovoltaics, ensuring high visible spectrum clarity and durability against space conditions. This supports advanced cover glasses, maximizing light transmission for efficient solar energy in harsh environments.
Combined EM and Particle Radiation Shielding for Patch Antennas
For patch antennas in space, SYMADE optimizes multi-layer or composite materials to shield against both EM interference and particle radiation. Balancing conductive layers for EM and dense layers for particles, it ensures reliable antenna performance in challenging space conditions.
SYMADE Use Case Scenarios
Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR)
GCRs are high-energy protons and heavy ions originating from outside the solar system, posing a severe challenge to spacecraft electronics. Prolonged exposure leads to single-event effects (SEEs), latch-ups, and data corruption in microelectronics, jeopardizing mission-critical systems. Materials in spacecraft degrade due to atomic displacement and ionization, further affecting long-term reliability. Innovative radiation shielding materials are essential for ensuring operational stability.
Solar Particle Events (SPE)
Intense bursts of high-energy protons and ions from the Sun can rapidly damage onboard electronics, causing logic errors, circuit failures, and increased noise in sensors. Satellites and spacecraft face severe risks, including surface charging and disruptions in communication and navigation systems. Without effective shielding, SPEs can compromise the integrity of vital instrumentation. Smart shielding technologies can significantly mitigate these risks, ensuring uninterrupted functionality.
Moon
With no atmosphere or magnetic field, the Moon’s surface is highly exposed to GCRs and SPEs, which pose a substantial risk to electronic systems. Radiation-induced upsets can impair lunar surface operations, from autonomous rovers to habitat life-support systems. Over time, semiconductor degradation threatens long-term functionality of mission-critical components. Similarly, lunar explorers are at significant risk of radiation exposure, necessitating robust shielding strategies. Advanced composite materials could provide sustainable protection for electronics in lunar environments.
Deep Space
In the deep-space environment, persistent exposure to GCRs and intermittent SPEs accelerates electronic failure rates, affecting everything from communication systems to propulsion controls. High-energy particles cause memory bit flips, transistor degradation, and cumulative damage to semiconductor structures. Spacecraft and habitats require radiation-hardened electronics and advanced shielding to maintain long-duration mission viability. Multifunctional shielding materials could revolutionize deep-space resilience.
Nuclear Reactors
The extreme radiation fields of nuclear reactors, including gamma rays and neutron flux, present a major challenge for electronics. Neutron activation and ionization effects can cause significant degradation in reactor control systems, sensors, and power electronics, leading to malfunctions or failures. Shielding must not only protect personnel but also ensure the integrity of reactor instrumentation. High-performance neutron-absorbing and radiation-resistant materials are crucial for long-term reactor safety and efficiency.
Accelerator Facilities
Particle accelerators generate high-energy radiation, including gamma rays and secondary neutron fluxes, which can disrupt sensitive instrumentation and control systems. Facility infrastructure must be designed to minimize long-term activation and electronic failures. Advanced shielding composites are key to sustaining operational performance in accelerator environments.