A fungus found in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, appears to thrive in high radiation environments, potentially harnessing ionizing radiation in a way similar to photosynthesis (radiosynthesis). While the exact mechanism remains a mystery, research suggests its melanin may play a key role in both energy conversion and radiation shielding.
The article discusses technologies to radiation-harden future spacecraft electronics, including silicon carbide semiconductors, advanced CMOS designs, photonics, and nonvolatile memory, to avoid issues like the ones that almost doomed the Europa Clipper mission.
