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Nanomaterials for radiation shielding

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2015

Sheila A. Thibeault ,
Jin Ho Kang ,
Godfrey Sauti ,
Cheol Park ,
Catharine C. Fay  and
Glen C. King
Sheila A. Thibeault
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center, USA; sheila.a.thibeault@nasa.gov
Jin Ho Kang
Affiliation:
National Institute of Aerospace, USA; jin.h.kang@nasa.gov
Godfrey Sauti
Affiliation:
National Institute of Aerospace, USA; godfrey.sauti-1@nasa.gov
Cheol Park
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center, USA; cheol.park-1@nasa.gov
Catharine C. Fay
Affiliation:
NASA Langley Research Center, USA; catharine.c.fay@nasa.gov
Glen C. King
Affiliation:
Advanced Materials and Processing Branch, NASA Langley Research Center, USA; glen.c.king@nasa.gov
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Abstract

This article reviews the application of nanomaterials for radiation shielding to protect humans from the hazards of radiation in space. The focus is on protection from space radiation, including galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), solar particle events (SPEs), and neutrons generated from the interactions of the GCR and SPEs with the intervening matter. Although the emphasis is on protecting humans, protection of electronics is also considered. There is a significant amount of work in the literature on materials for radiation shielding in terrestrial applications, such as for neutrons from nuclear reactors; however, the space environment poses additional and greater challenges because the incident particles can have high charges and extremely high energies. For materials to be considered for radiation shielding in space, they should perform more than just the radiation-shielding function; hence the emphasis is on multifunctional materials. In space, there is also the need for materials to be very lightweight and capable of surviving temperature extremes and withstanding mechanical loading. Nanomaterials could play a significant role as multifunctional radiation-shielding materials in space.

Keywords

compositeelectron irradiationnanostructureneutron irradiationradiation effects
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Bulletin , Volume 40 , Issue 10: Engineered Nanomaterials in Aerospace , October 2015 , pp. 836 - 841
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2015 

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