Dr Karthika Prasad is building smarter materials for space

Dr Karthika Prasad’s fascination with nanotechnology began with a YouTube video. 

“It was about two concept phones by Nokia: the Morph and the 888. These futuristic, flexible devices could change shape and stretch,” she recalls.  

Though the phones never made it to market, Prasad remembers that watching the video felt like “stepping into a science fiction film”. 

“What captivated me was learning that behind this ‘magic’ was real science,” she says.  

That initial spark of wonder has since evolved into a career spanning smart materials, aerospace engineering, plasma technologies and sustainable engineering. 

Today, Prasad – a senior research fellow at the ANU School of Engineering – develops advanced coatings to protect spacecraft from the harsh conditions of space. 

“Space is far from empty; it presents a range of harsh challenges,” she says.  

“On the moon, ultra-fine electrostatically charged dust clings to everything. It causes abrasion and interferes with mechanical and electronic systems.  

“My work uses smart nanomaterials to design coatings that can repel lunar dust, resist erosion and even self-heal.” 

Prasad’s goal is to make spacecraft more durable, resilient and intelligent in unforgiving environments. This will help to extend the vehicles’ operational life and reduce mission risks – a crucial factor for long-term missions to the moon or Mars. 

What excites Prasad most is working at the frontier of what’s possible, including technologies that don’t yet exist. 

“It’s deeply rewarding to know that a material or coating I help develop could one day protect a spacecraft landing on the moon, or help it survive in extreme environments,” she says.  

“Beyond the science itself, I’m driven by the idea that something I create might, even in a small way, contribute to a larger mission: advancing space exploration, supporting sustainability or building better technologies here on Earth.” 

She hopes her work can inspire others to pursue their own scientific journeys and see engineering as both a technical and creative discipline. 

“People often think engineering is just maths, coding or calculations – that it’s purely logical, with no creativity. In reality, it’s deeply creative,” Prasad says. 

“To me, engineering feels a lot like storytelling: you’re connecting ideas, exploring different angles and building something meaningful from scratch.”  

Prasad is also passionate about encouraging young people, especially women, to consider engineering. 

“I often meet young people, who say, ‘I’m not great at coding, so I don’t think I can be an engineer.’ But engineering isn’t a single skillset, it’s a way of thinking,” she says.  

“If you’re curious about how things work and want to improve them, there’s a place for you.”  

“Engineers today aren’t just building bridges and satellites. They’re developing systems that feed communities, clean the air, reduce waste and protect astronauts.”

Prasad understands the importance of representation and belonging because for a long time, she didn’t see anyone like her in the field. 

“I wasn’t sure what a ‘typical engineer’ was supposed to be – but I was fairly certain it wasn’t me,” she says.  

“There were times I felt overlooked or had to prove myself just to be taken seriously. You do feel it, especially when you’re the only woman in the room.” 

Support from mentors helped her navigate those moments, and now Prasad is committed to doing the same for others.   

“Engineering solutions need to be inclusive, thoughtful and grounded in the real world – and that requires diverse teams and ways of thinking,” she says. 

“Some of the most valuable insights I’ve encountered came not from the loudest voice, but from someone who offered a different perspective.”

Prasad firmly believes that engineers play a vital role in addressing the world’s biggest challenges – from climate change to food security and even clean water, healthcare and space exploration. 

“Today’s global problems demand practical, scalable solutions. Engineers are at the heart of creating these solutions,” she says. 

“Engineers today aren’t just building bridges and satellites. They’re developing systems that feed communities, clean the air, reduce waste and protect astronauts. 

“The world needs more engineers, and more kinds of engineers, who care not just about how things work, but why they matter.” 

A version of this article first appeared at ANU College of Systems and Society.