China’s advancements in space technology are making waves on Earth, with spacecraft engineers repurposing a cutting-edge barrier film, originally designed for the orbital China Space Station (CSS), to enhance food preservation and maintain the freshness of daily meals.
The China Academy of Space Technology recently unveiled an innovative flexible film that can effectively block gases and germs, providing exceptional protection for food products. This high-barrier film draws inspiration from space coating technology used to protect the space station’s cables from the harsh conditions of low Earth orbit.
In a demonstration video, researchers showcased the film’s effectiveness by placing two pieces of tofu in separate packages—one using regular packaging and the other utilizing the new high-barrier film. After seven days, the tofu in the standard package showed signs of decay, while the piece sealed with the advanced film remained fresh.
“The new high-barrier film we developed draws inspiration from space coating technology,” said Cai Yuhong, a member of the research team. “It overcomes the limitations of traditional aluminized films, such as opacity and incompatibility with microwave processing, and it’s more environmentally friendly.”
The original coating technology was designed to shield the space station’s materials and components from atomic oxygen—a highly reactive form of oxygen created when sunlight breaks down oxygen molecules in low Earth orbit. This atomic oxygen can erode spacecraft surfaces, so engineers apply a protective barrier coating to prevent damage.
By adapting this advanced coating for use on Earth, the technology promises to revolutionize the food packaging industry, offering a more effective and sustainable solution for preserving food freshness. This development not only underscores China’s growing prowess in space exploration but also highlights the tangible benefits such technologies can bring to everyday life.
Reference(s):
China Space Station's coating tech enhances food preservation on Earth
cgtn.com
