A team of researchers led by Dr. Dae-Yoon Kim from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has developed a new composite fiber that can effectively block neutrons in space radiation. This breakthrough could revolutionize space travel, as exposure to cosmic radiation poses a significant threat to long-term missions.
The team created lightweight, flexible fibers by controlling the interaction between boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and aramid polymers. BNNTs have an incredible neutron absorption capacity, about 200,000 times higher than that of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This makes them an ideal material for blocking radiation neutron transmission.
These fibers can be used in clothing to protect individuals from neutron exposure. This is particularly crucial for those working in high-radiation environments, such as flight crews, healthcare workers, and power plant employees. The ceramic nature of BNNTs also makes them highly heat-resistant, making them suitable for extreme environments.
The potential applications extend beyond space travel, with the fibers also being useful for defense and firefighting purposes. As Korea continues to rapidly develop in the space and defense fields, this technology is expected to have significant synergy.
According to Dr. Kim, “By applying our functional textiles to everyday clothing, we can easily create a minimum safety device for neutron exposure.” This innovation has far-reaching implications for the safety and success of future space missions.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2024-09-space-cosmic-boron-nitride-nanotube.html