Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2009
Laboratory measurements aimed at studying the properties of carbonaceous materials and their evolution under simulated space conditions support the idea that interstellar carbon dust evolves through exposure to UV and cosmic rays, gas and heat. After summarizing the principal aspects of the laboratory approach to the problem of cosmic carbon dust, we discuss recent laboratory results showing how carbon grains influence the properties and evolution of ices mantles and the formation of molecular hydrogen.