Ateneo Researchers Probe Mechanical Properties of Stardust for Durable Tech Materials

• Strength of Stardust: Ateneo researchers uncover how silicon carbide’s structure and resilience make it ideal for high-stress environments in space and technology.
• Carbon’s Role: The study highlights how precise carbon content in silicon carbide boosts durability, revealing a key balance for tougher materials.
• Space Tech Applications: This breakthrough on silicon carbide’s properties opens up possibilities for stronger components in advanced tech, from spacecraft to microchips.

Silicon carbide (SiC), a fascinating compound of silicon and carbon, has been making waves in both space research and tech industries. SiC, while rare on Earth, is abundant in space, particularly in meteorites and stardust around carbon-rich stars. 

This material's unique properties make it a key component in applications from computer chips to heat shields for space travel. Now, researchers from Ateneo de Manila University are diving into the mechanical properties of SiC, exploring how its carbon content influences its strength and flexibility.

A long-exposure shot of the night sky over Malita in Davao Occidental, Philippines, captures several meteors—potentially containing silicon carbide. PHOTO: Arman Alcordo Jr. / Pexels.com

Why Silicon Carbide Matters

SiC isn’t just another semiconductor; its ability to handle extreme conditions makes it highly valuable. This material is both a semiconductive and insulative powerhouse, allowing it to be used in transistors, microprocessors, and even heat shields in nuclear reactors. However, the durability of SiC depends on finding the right balance of silicon and carbon content. Too much or too little of either element can compromise the material’s performance.

Silicon carbide (SiC)—a compound made of silicon and carbon—is uncommon on Earth but frequently found in meteors and stardust. PHOTO: David Monniaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Clint Eldrick Petilla, Catherine Joy Dela Cruz, and Christian Lorenz Mahinay from Ateneo’s Department of Physics set out to pinpoint this ideal balance, focusing on SiC's mechanical properties—elastic modulus, tensile strength, yield strength, and toughness.

Testing SiC with Cutting-Edge Simulation

Using the Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS), the Ateneo research team ran simulations to test how varying carbon levels in SiC affect its structural integrity. These simulations revealed that increasing carbon content in SiC enhances its mechanical properties up to a point. Specifically, when carbon levels reach 25%, the material achieves optimal elasticity and tensile strength. Going beyond this, however, causes the material to weaken.

The four main properties analyzed were:

Elastic Modulus: SiC’s stiffness or resistance to bending.

Tensile Strength: How much pulling force SiC can withstand before breaking.

Yield Strength: The point where it starts to permanently deform.

Toughness: The energy absorption level before fracturing.

The results suggested that 25% carbon content was the sweet spot, boosting SiC’s resilience for demanding applications. This balance, the researchers believe, could pave the way for stronger and more durable versions of SiC, particularly in applications that require robust heat shields or resilient electronic components.

Potential Applications of Enhanced Silicon Carbide

This groundbreaking study may lead to the development of tougher, more reliable SiC materials that can perform well under extreme conditions. From high-performance computer chips to the exterior of spacecraft, improved SiC could enable technology to withstand more challenging environments.

“This study offered initial insights into the increase of carbon impurities in pure silicon,” the researchers explained. “We recommend conducting a separate study on the effects of other parameters such as the effects of mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.”

(Left) A free-body diagram illustrates a simulated stress test, with red arrows showing the force directions along the x-axis used in the experiment. (Right) A simulation displays the material undergoing tensile testing and fracturing. PHOTO: Petilla et al., Japanese Journal of Applied Physics.

These findings are particularly relevant in industries that rely on durable semiconductors. As technology advances and the demand for more resilient materials grows, SiC could be the key to next-generation tech applications. Its potential in creating high-strength, high-heat components is something both the space and tech industries are eager to explore further.

Looking Ahead: Real-World Testing

While computer simulations have provided valuable insights, the Ateneo team acknowledges the importance of real-world testing. They recommend additional studies using actual SiC samples, which will help verify and expand upon their simulation results. Given SiC’s natural occurrence in meteors, there’s much to learn from its behavior in outer space, which could lead to even more innovative uses for this “stardust” material.

The research paper, titled “Mechanical properties of Si(1−x)–C(x): strength and stiffness of materials using LAMMPS molecular dynamics simulation,” was published in the Japanese Journal of Applied Physics on August 22, 2024. [source]

For inquiries or interview requests, please contact media.research@ateneo.edu. Visit archium.ateneo.edu for more details on our latest research and innovations.

Ateneo’s research highlights how the mysteries of the cosmos can contribute to advances in everyday technology. As scientists continue to decode the properties of SiC, the path to more durable and efficient tech materials - crafted from the essence of stardust - seems more promising than ever.