ALBUQUERQUE, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. government scientists at Sandia National Laboratories say their work on performance of various piezoelectric polymer films will soon go into space.
The researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's laboratories have been investigating the performance of the films that might someday serve as ultra-light mirrors in space telescopes.
A Sandia experimental package of promising polymers will become part of a NASA experiment next year aboard the International Space Station.
"This will be the first time these polymers will be remotely operated in an actual space environment," said Sandia study leader Mat Celina. "We hope to learn which polymer materials will work best in space. The materials will boldly go where they have not been before."
To be successful as space mirrors, the polymer films -- covered with a metallic coating -- will have to be able to survive the rigors of space.
Sandia is a National Security Administration facility located in Albuquerque, N.M.
