Applications of BNNT-based functional fabrics / BNNT-based composite fibers can be made into fabrics of various shapes and sizes by weaving. The developed fabrics can be used in clothing to protect astronauts, crew members, soldiers, firefighters, health care workers, and power plant workers who are expected to be exposed to radiation. Fabric can also be applied to electronic device packaging to prevent soft errors. Credit: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
With the success of last year’s Nuri launch 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 unavoidable when traveling in space.
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 space radiation. The work was published in the journal Advanced Fiber Materials.
Neutrons in space radiation negatively affect life activities and cause electronic devices to malfunction, posing a major 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 method to perfectly combine the two difficult-to-mix materials. Based on this stabilized mixed solution, they produced light, flexible, continuous fibers that are non-combustible at temperatures up to 500°C.
BNNTs have a similar structure 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 higher than in CNTs. Therefore, if the generated BNNT composite fibers are made into fabrics of the desired shape and size, they can be applied as an efficient material that can effectively block radiation neutron transmission.
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Development of BNNT composite functional fibers for space radiation shielding / If continuous composite fibers containing high content of BNNTs are used as functional fabrics, they can effectively shield space radiation neutrons 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. Credit: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
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Development of BNNT composite continuous fibers / By overcoming the low dispersibility of BNNTs through interaction with aramid polymers, stable composite solutions can be prepared. This paves the way for the development of composite fibers that take advantage of the excellent properties of BNNTs and can be effectively used in various applications. Credit: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
This means that BNNT composite fibers can be applied to the clothing we wear every day, effectively protecting flight crews, health care workers, power plant workers, and others who are easily exposed to radiation.
In addition, the ceramic nature of BNNTs makes them highly resistant to heat, so they can be used in extreme environments. Therefore, it can be used not only for space applications but also for defense and fire fighting.
“By applying the functional fabrics we made to the clothing we wear every day, we can easily create a minimum safety device for neutron exposure,” said Dr. Dae-Yoon Kim of KIST.
“With Korea’s rapid development in the field of space and defense, we believe it will have great synergy.”
More information:
Ki-Hyun Ryu et al, Spacesuit Textiles from Extreme Fabric Materials: Aromatic Amide Polymer and 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 Research Council of Science and Technology
Quote: Space travel: Protection from cosmic radiation with boron nitride nanotube fibers (2024, September 11) retrieved September 12, 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-09-space-cosmic- boron-nitride-nanotube.html
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