Ginestium a new nanomaterial for space applications

EffiBLUE has been certified by several competitiveness clusters, and its approach is supported by the region and the France 2030 programme. Could you explain how the idea of developing this new material came about?

It all started from a very specific problem: finding an alternative to palladium, a rare and expensive metal that is particularly used in electrodes. Our research led us to develop a novel nanomaterial, the nature of which was confirmed through analysis by the CNRS. It is a pure, nano-structured carbon with some interesting properties: high electrical conductivity, strong adhesion, increased resistance to extreme temperatures and corrosion, as well as a surface that can offer a 'perfect mirror' effect.

These characteristics make it an ideal candidate to contribute to the decarbonisation of industry, particularly in hydrogen production and the development of clean energy. This breakthrough has earned us a double certification by two major competitiveness clusters: the Aktantis cluster, dedicated to deep tech, which recognises our contribution to microelectronics and telecommunications, and the Capenergies cluster, focused on greenhouse gas-free energy, based in Aix-en-Provence. The latter highlights our potential contribution to the energy transition towards decarbonised industry.

From research lab to industrial innovation...

How did you go about designing this material and making it an industrial reality?

Our approach is based on years of research and close collaboration between the academic and industrial worlds. We launched the M.A.G.I.C consortium, which stands for « Matériaux Avancés pour l’Innovation en Graphène et Cristallographie. » This is a project we are particularly passionate about and it brings together several major players: our company EffiBLUE as the leader, along with SYMES from the SYNOV Group (a Lyon-based designer and manufacturer of custom electronic and electrical equipment), Avantis Concept from the AVANTIS Group (a company based in Grasse that offers engineering services in the mechanical sector), as well as the PIIM-Aix-Marseille University Laboratories (Physics of Ionic and Molecular Interactions) and the CNRS.

The main goal is to precisely define our material, Ginestium and to develop a dedicated machine for R&D to optimise its production. Our work focuses on improving the material's growth processes, managing the manufacturing environments and establishing definition methods adapted to its anisotropic properties. By replacing rare metals, the environmental impact of mining is significantly reduced, thus contributing to the protection of biodiversity. The use of Ginestium helps save energy, from transformation to transportation. As a result, its potential lies in greatly improving the carbon footprint of several industrial sectors.

A key application involves the development of next-generation radio antennas, which exploit the unique properties of Ginestium. This ambitious project has received total funding of €2.89 million, with the State and the Sud Region contributing €1.76 million through the France 2030 programme, operated by Bpifrance. For EffiBLUE, this support allows for concrete progress in the industrial development of Ginestium, by adapting production methods and validating its performance for strategic applications.

What applications do you foresee in the space sector and how does your material stand out?

Ginestium offers promising prospects for the space industry. It could be used in the production of satellite structures, thermal protection elements, radio antennas, and electromagnetic shielding. Its major advantage lies in its exceptional stability under extreme conditions, lightness, and mechanical strength, qualities that are particularly sought after in aerospace applications.

With these properties, we aim to make Ginestium a point of reference for future space missions and orbital infrastructure. Our approach is based on a synergy between academic research and industrial expertise, with validations made in real-world conditions. Ultimately, we aim to become a key supplier of strategic materials for space exploration and aeronautics, thereby addressing contemporary technological and environmental challenges.