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As the world prepares for long-term human missions to the Moon and Mars, researchers from Sunway University and Monash University Malaysia have unveiled an innovative material designed to protect pharmaceuticals from the harsh radiation of outer space. The new prototype, known as Cosmic Coat, is a flexible, natural rubber–based coating infused with tungsten carbide – a combination that offers effective shielding against high-energy cosmic radiation.

The Cosmic Coat project brings together expertise across materials science, pharmaceutical research, and aerospace engineering. It is jointly led by Prof. Goh Bey Hing from the Sunway Biofunctional Molecules Discovery Centre (SBMDC), Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University and Dr. Patrick Tang Siah Ying from the Colloids and Polymers Group, Monash University Malaysia. The multidisciplinary team also includes collaborators from IDDK, ATMOS Space Cargo, Nuclear Malaysia and Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Chemical & Bioengineering Technology.

Collaborative research team: (First row, from left to right) Dr. Patrick Tang Siah Ying, Dr. Fahmi Asyadi Md Yusof, Puan Norshafarina binti Ismail, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Ong Siew Kooi; (Second row, from left to right) Prof. Goh Bey Hing, Kohei Yoshioka-san, Mr. Alphonsus Tan Wen Chun, Dr. Darren Low Yi Sern; (Third row, from left to right) Ms. How Sher Wei, Dr. Janarthanan Supramaniam, Dr. Tan Ee Wern, Ms. Karen Ng Mei Pou

Protecting Medicines Beyond Earth

Medicines carried aboard spacecraft are directly exposed to cosmic radiation, which consists of streams of high-energy particles originating from the Sun and distant stars. Without the protection of Earth’s magnetic field, these particles can degrade pharmaceutical compounds, leading to reduced potency or the formation of toxic by-products. Maintaining drug stability is therefore critical to astronaut health and mission safety, especially on long-duration flights where resupply is impossible.
To address this challenge, the Malaysian research team developed the Cosmic Coat composite, a lightweight, non-toxic, and flexible protective material that can be applied as a coating on medicine containers, sample holders, or sensitive biological cargo. The innovation marks the first reported use of natural rubber as a base material for cosmic radiation shielding, harnessing Malaysia’s long-standing expertise in rubber technology.

From Lab to Space

To evaluate the performance of the coating, the research team fabricated 3D-printed medicine containers and coated them with the Cosmic Coat material using a precision dipping technique inspired by Malaysia’s glove manufacturing processes. The coated and uncoated samples were then integrated into IDDK’s Micro Bio Space Lab, which was loaded onto the ATMOS Phoenix Space Capsule.
The capsule was successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 21 April 2025, orbiting Earth for approximately two hours before re-entering the atmosphere. This flight marks Malaysia’s first space-based pharmaceutical materials experiment, placing the nation on the frontier of Astropharmacy research.

Next Phase: Post-Flight Analysis and Future Applications

Following its return, the research team will conduct comprehensive post-flight analyses to evaluate:
1. The chemical and physical stability of medicines stored in coated versus uncoated containers
2. The radiation shielding efficiency of the Cosmic Coat material against cosmic and secondary radiation
3. The structural and mechanical integrity of the coating after exposure to the vacuum, temperature, and radiation conditions of space
These findings will inform future improvements to the material and its potential use in long-term space missions, lunar habitats, and orbital research platforms. Beyond pharmaceuticals, the Cosmic Coat concept could be adapted to protect biological samples, delicate electronics, and radiation-sensitive equipment used in both space and terrestrial settings. A patent filing for the Cosmic Coat technology is currently in progress, underscoring the team’s commitment to translating this innovation into practical, real-world applications.

Recognition and Impact

The Cosmic Coat project has already gained significant national recognition for its scientific and technological contributions. The team received:
1. A Silver Medal in the 7th SIRIM Invention, Innovation and Technology Expo 2025
2. A Silver Medal in the Environment and Natural Resources category at the Malaysian National Nuclear Innovation Day 2025
3. A Gold Medal and Special Award for the Environment and Natural Resources category at the Malaysian National Nuclear Innovation Day 2024

These achievements underscore the innovation’s potential to bridge Malaysia’s strengths in materials science, pharmaceutical research, and space technology.

According to the project leaders, the Cosmic Coat initiative exemplifies how sustainable materials developed on Earth can play a vital role in supporting human health and safety beyond it. The collaboration between Sunway University and Monash University Malaysia and demonstrates the power of cross-disciplinary research — uniting expertise from molecular biology, polymer chemistry, and aerospace innovation to address one of space exploration’s most pressing challenges. The Cosmic Coat prototype represents an important milestone in establishing Malaysia’s presence in Astropharmacy, an emerging frontier that integrates pharmaceutical sciences, materials innovation, and space biotechnology.

Learn more about Cosmic Coat here: