Multi-layered shielding materials for high energy space radiation

Gohel, Ankit; Makwana, R.

doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110131

Cited by 19 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The cost of aluminum shielding depends on several factors (e.g., market, method of production, and geometry configuration of spacecraft), and the decision on the shielding material and value would also include the reduction of absorbed doses and other engineering issues (Wilson et al 1998;Sager 1992;Adams et al 2005). It should also be noted that hydrogen-rich materials (polyethylene, lithium hydride, and water) may be more suitable than aluminum for radiation mitigation, as they have higher values of mass stopping power and are more efficient in stopping neutrons due to nuclear elastic scattering Durante 2014;Naito et al 2020;Gohel and Makwana 2022). The present, TDRA-based Q-values are in good agreement with both the ICRP Report 60 Recommendations and NASA's model (Tables 1 and 2) despite the quite different methodologies.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Space radiation quality factor for Galactic Cosmic Rays and typical space mission scenarios using a microdosimetric approach

Papadopoulos

Kyriakou

Incerti

et al. 2023

Radiat Environ Biophys

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Space radiation exposure from omnipresent Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) in interplanetary space poses a serious carcinogenic risk to astronauts due to the—limited or absent—protective effect of the Earth’s magnetosphere and, in particular, the terrestrial atmosphere. The radiation risk is directly influenced by the quality of the radiation, i.e., its pattern of energy deposition at the micron/DNA scale. For stochastic biological effects, radiation quality is described by the quality factor, $$Q$$ Q , which can be defined as a function of Linear Energy Transfer (LET) or the microdosimetric lineal energy ($$y$$ y ). In the present work, the average $$Q$$ Q of GCR for different mission scenarios was calculated using a modified version of the microdosimetric Theory of Dual Radiation Action (TDRA). NASA’s OLTARIS platform was utilized to generate the radiation environment behind different aluminum shielding (0–30 g/cm2) for a typical mission scenario in low-earth orbit (LEO) and in deep space. The microdosimetric lineal energy spectra of ions ($$Z\ge 1$$ Z ≥ 1 ) in 1 μm liquid water spheres were calculated by a generalized analytical model which considers energy-loss fluctuations and δ-ray transport inside the irradiated medium. The present TDRA-based $$Q$$ Q -values for the LEO and deep space missions were found to differ by up to 10% and 14% from the corresponding ICRP-based $$Q$$ Q -values and up to 3% and 6% from NASA’s $$Q$$ Q -model. In addition, they were found to be in good agreement with the $$Q$$ Q -values measured in the International Space Station (ISS) and by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) which represent, respectively, a LEO and deep space orbit.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Space radiation quality factor for Galactic Cosmic Rays and typical space mission scenarios using a microdosimetric approach

Papadopoulos

Kyriakou

Incerti

et al. 2023

Radiat Environ Biophys

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“…Although aluminum is commonly used in spacecraft, its exposure to GCR can lead to the production of highly penetrating secondary radiation, including neutrons and ions, which can cause electronic failures and adverse biological effects. Hydrogen, with a high charge-to-mass ratio and the absence of neutrons in its nucleus, proves effective in slowing down GCR through direct ionization [10]. Additional considerations could be taken into account.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, the use of low-Z boron compounds should be preferred to those based on gadolinium in order to avoid the generation of undesired secondary radiation, which has detrimental effects on structural materials and parasitic effects on electronic components. The neutron absorption cross-section for the isotope 10 B is 3835 barns, and enriching boron compounds with 10 B could enhance protection against neutrons [9]. Compounds like boron carbide (B 4 C) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) in nanomaterial form, particularly nano-B 4 C and nano-hBN dispersed in polymer matrix, have demonstrated enhanced thermal neutron attenuation [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances and Challenges in Polymer-Based Materials for Space Radiation Shielding

Toto,

Lambertini,

Laurenzi

et al. 2024

Polymers

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Space exploration requires the use of suitable materials to protect astronauts and structures from the hazardous effects of radiation, in particular, ionizing radiation, which is ubiquitous in the hostile space environment. In this scenario, polymer-based materials and composites play a crucial role in achieving effective radiation shielding while providing low-weight and tailored mechanical properties to spacecraft components. This work provides an overview of the latest developments and challenges in polymer-based materials designed for radiation-shielding applications in space. Recent advances in terms of both experimental and numerical studies are discussed. Different approaches to enhancing the radiation-shielding performance are reported, such as integrating various types of nanofillers within polymer matrices and optimizing the materials design. Furthermore, this review explores the challenges in developing multifunctional materials that are able to provide radiation protection. By summarizing the state-of-the-art research and identifying emerging trends, this review aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts to identify polymer materials and composites that are most useful to protect human health and spacecraft performance in the harsh radiation conditions that are typically found during missions in space.

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“…Due to its high ratio of atomic number to atomic mass, hydrogen is regarded as the most effective and fundamental component for radiation shielding. In order to fabricate polymer nanocomposites utilized for radiation shielding [ 11 , 12 , 13 ], the use of polymers with a high level of hydrogen becomes essential. In terms of shielding cosmic radiation, polyvinyl alcohol has numerous advantages, including its formability, high hydrogen content, and cost-effectiveness.…”

Section: Introductıonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cosmic radiation shielding property of boron reinforced continuous fiber nanocomposites produced by electrospinning

Özcan,

Kaya,

Kaya

2023

Discover Nano

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Electrospinning, a cutting-edge production technique, is used to create boron-reinforced continuous fiber nanocomposites that shield space missions from cosmic radiation, a significant hazard. By incorporating boron, which is known for its exceptional neutron shielding properties, into the polymer matrix, a composite material that is flexible, lightweight, and highly resistant to radiation is produced. The results indicate that continuous fiber nanocomposites reinforced with boron, boric acid, or both have a high shielding efficiency against cosmic radiation. The adaptability and low weight of the manufactured nanocomposites make them ideal for space applications. While boric acid combines with PVA at the molecular level and alters the molecular chain structure of PVA, it is believed that elemental boron is only incorporated as particulates into the PVA polymer. It is known that both boric acid and elemental boron doped nanocomposites provide samples with a thickness of 10 microns with 13.56% neutron shielding and superior photon blocking ability.

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Multi-layered shielding materials for high energy space radiation

Cited by 19 publications

References 21 publications

Space radiation quality factor for Galactic Cosmic Rays and typical space mission scenarios using a microdosimetric approach

Space radiation quality factor for Galactic Cosmic Rays and typical space mission scenarios using a microdosimetric approach

Recent Advances and Challenges in Polymer-Based Materials for Space Radiation Shielding

Cosmic radiation shielding property of boron reinforced continuous fiber nanocomposites produced by electrospinning

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