When engineers and material scientists discuss durability, the conversation typically focuses on a familiar set of challenges. Mechanical wear, chemical exposure, ultraviolet radiation, temperature fluctuations, corrosion, and fatigue have long been recognised as the primary forces that determine how materials perform over time. These degradation mechanisms are well understood, supported by decades of research, and embedded within the testing standards that guide material selection across countless industries.

As humanity prepares to return to deep space through missions like Artemis II, much of the attention is understandably focused on the visible engineering achievements, next-generation propulsion systems, advanced navigation capabilities, and the complex architecture required to safely transport humans beyond Earth’s orbit.

These are the technologies that capture headlines. They represent the cutting edge of aerospace innovation and define the ambition of modern space exploration.

Textiles shape the way we live. They define comfort, identity, safety, and performance in ways that often go unnoticed until they fail. For decades, textile development has been dominated by cycles of trend and consumption, with materials engineered primarily for appearance, cost and speed. But the world has changed. Consumers are asking new questions. Industries are raising expectations. Policymakers are pushing for accountability.

Plastics have long been celebrated for their versatility, lightness, and ability to be shaped into almost any form. For decades, this adaptability has defined their value and they were materials that could be engineered to be strong, transparent, flexible, rigid, heat-resistant, or lightweight depending on the need. Yet the criteria for what makes a “good” material are evolving.