by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Apr 28, 2026s
Researchers on the Korea Institute of Science and Expertise (KIST) have developed a composite shielding materials that concurrently blocks each electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation inside a single ultra-thin movie thinner than a human hair. The fabric, created by combining carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) inside a polymer matrix, addresses a longstanding problem in spacecraft, nuclear amenities, semiconductor tools, and superior medical gadgets, the place each varieties of radiation are current however have traditionally required separate shielding layers.
CNTs are extremely conductive and performance by absorbing and reflecting electromagnetic waves, whereas BNNTs comprise boron atoms which might be efficient at capturing neutrons. When mixed, the 2 nanotube sorts spontaneously kind a shell construction by which they envelop each other, permitting a single movie to deal with each hazards directly. The composite is then built-in with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a versatile polymer, to supply a fabric that’s each light-weight and stretchable.
In testing, the fabric achieved electromagnetic wave blocking at a price of 99.999% and lowered neutron flux by roughly 72%, even at thicknesses beneath that of a human hair. The fabric additionally retains these shielding properties when stretched to greater than twice its authentic size, making it suitable with purposes requiring flexibility and conformal protection.
The analysis workforce additional demonstrated that the composite might be processed utilizing 3D printing, enabling fabrication into complicated geometries. A honeycomb construction produced by way of this technique was discovered to ship as much as 15% higher shielding efficiency than a flat sheet of equal thickness, highlighting the significance of structural design in maximizing materials effectivity.
Thermal sturdiness exams confirmed steady efficiency throughout a temperature vary of -196 levels C to 250 levels C, overlaying the intense thermal biking encountered in area operations.
Dr. Joo Yong-ho, who led the analysis at KIST’s Excessive Surroundings Shielding Supplies Analysis Middle, described the consequence as “a very new idea in shielding know-how – it’s as skinny as tape and as versatile as rubber, but concurrently blocks each electromagnetic waves and radiation.” He famous that the work is critical for establishing the home manufacturing infrastructure required for the area age, and that the workforce plans to additional optimize shielding efficiency by way of structural design refinement and pursue industrial purposes.
The analysis workforce recognized goal software areas together with satellites, area stations, nuclear energy amenities, most cancers therapy tools, and wearable protecting gear. The power to exchange a number of discrete shielding layers with a single multifunctional movie is predicted to cut back system mass and structural complexity in these domains.
Analysis Report:Ultrathin, Stretchable, and 3D-Printable Complementary Nanotubes-Polymer Composites for Multimodal Radiation Shielding in Excessive Environments
Associated Hyperlinks
Korea Institute of Science and Expertise
Nano Expertise Information From SpaceMart.com
Laptop Chip Structure, Expertise and Manufacture
