Advanced material technologies for space and terrestrial medicine

Corrine Ying Xuan Chua, Miguel Jimenez, Maedeh Mozneb, Giovanni Traverso, Ray Lugo, Arun Sharma, Clive N. Svendsen, William R. Wagner, Robert Langer, Alessandro Grattoni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The medical risks of spaceflight are amplified as humans venture into longer-duration and greater-distance deep space voyages. During space missions, astronauts face the extremes of known health hazards, such as cosmic radiation and microgravity, as well as threats of the as-yet-unknown. For these missions to be productive and successful, ensuring the astronauts’ safety and well-being is of foremost priority, and this could be achieved through innovations in space medicine. This Perspective explores the use of material technologies for delivery of space medicine in the context of health maintenance and preventive care, as well as treatment for non-emergency and emergency needs. We highlight innovative drug delivery systems, living pharmacies, regenerative medicine, and 3D printing and bioprinting approaches for health-care provision, and we share our vision on their potential applications in space. Finally, we discuss the benefits of space medicine research and its implications for advancing terrestrial health care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)808-821
Number of pages14
JournalNature Reviews Materials
Volume9
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Energy (miscellaneous)
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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