Protection against cosmic radiation with boron nitride nanotube fibers

Cosmic radiation is an obstacle to space travel... let's stop it with BNNT fibers! — Applications of BNNT-Based Functional Fabrics / BNNT-based composite fibers can be fabricated into fabrics of various shapes and sizes through weaving. The developed fabrics can be used in protective clothing for astronauts, crew members, soldiers, firefighters, health care workers, and power plant workers who may be exposed to radiation. The fabric can also be used in electronic device packaging to prevent soft errors. Source: Korea Institute of Science and Technology

With the successful launch of Nuri last year and the recent launch of the newly established Korea Aerospace Administration, interest in space has increased, and both the public and private sectors are actively investing in space-related industries such as space travel. However, exposure to cosmic radiation is inevitable during space travel.

A research team led by Dr. Dae-Yoon Kim from the Center for Functional Composite Materials at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has developed a new composite fiber that can effectively block neutrons in cosmic rays. The work was published in the journal Advanced Fiber Materials.

Neutrons in cosmic radiation negatively affect life activities and cause failure of electronic devices, which poses a serious threat to long-term space missions.

By controlling the interaction between one-dimensional nanomaterials, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and aramid polymers, the team developed a technique to perfectly mix two difficult-to-mix materials. From this stabilized mixed solution, they produced lightweight, flexible, continuous fibers that do not burn at temperatures up to 500°C.

BNNTs have a structure similar to carbon nanotubes (CNTs), but because they contain a large amount of boron in the lattice structure, their neutron absorption capacity is about 200,000 times greater than CNTs. Therefore, if the developed BNNT composite fibers are made into fabrics with the desired shape and size, they can be used as a good material that can effectively block the transmission of neutron radiation.

Development of BNNT Composite Functional Fibers for Shielding Space Radiation / If continuous composite fibers containing high BNNT content are used as functional fabrics, they can effectively shield neutrons in space radiation to reduce harmful effects on human health and prevent soft errors in electronic devices. These functional fabrics are expected to play an important role in the fields of aviation, space, and national defense. Source: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
Development of BNNT continuous composite fibers / By overcoming the low dispersion of BNNTs through interaction with aramid polymers, stable composite solutions can be prepared. This opens the way to the development of composite fibers that utilize the excellent properties of BNNTs and can be effectively used in various applications. Source: Korea Institute of Science and Technology

This means BNNT composite fibers can be used in the clothes we wear every day, effectively protecting flight crews, healthcare workers, power plant employees and others who may be exposed to radiation.

In addition, the ceramic nature of BNNTs makes them highly heat resistant, allowing them to be used in extreme conditions. Therefore, they can be used not only in space applications but also in defense and firefighting.

“By applying our functional textiles to the clothes we wear every day, we can easily create a minimal protective device against neutron exposure,” said Dr. Dae-Yoon Kim from KIST.

“As Korea is developing very rapidly in the fields of space and defense, we believe it will have great synergy.”

More information:
Ki-Hyun Ryu et al., Spacesuit Textiles Made of Extreme Materials: Aromatic Amide Polymer-Boron Nitride Nanotube Composite Fiber for Neutron Shielding and Thermal Management, Advanced Fiber Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s42765-024-00432-6

Provided by the National Council for Scientific Research and Technology

Quote: Space Travel: Protection from Cosmic Radiation with Boron Nitride Nanotube Fibers (2024, September 11) retrieved September 11, 2024, from https://phys.org/news/2024-09-space-cosmic-boron-nitride-nanotube.html

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