SBIR-STTR Award

Radiation shielding is needed to protect personnel and equipment for extended stays beyond low earth orbit. Ideally, the shielding material would be of dual use, i.e., shielding and structural. Recently, a tailorable multifunctional composite with increased structural strength combined with efficient shielding against GCR and secondary neutrons was developed by this team. For these multifunctional composites to be seriously considered for such applications as crew vehicles and habitats, their durability against the overall space environment such as atomic oxygen, UV radiation, and temperature extremes have to be evaluated. During this effort, we aim to further improve the multifunctional radiation shielding material and use the MISSE-FF facility to test our composite against the combined space environment. To further improve the shielding and structural properties of the composite, incorporation of boron nitride as nanophase particles or tubes (BNNT) and enriched boron carbide will be evaluated. Aside from having large cross-section for neutron attenuation, significant enhancements in strength and stiffness can be expected from incorporating these phases in the composite architecture. In addition to radiation and mechanical testing, these advanced composites will ultimately have to be tested against the combined space environment, which will be conducted during Phase 2 and 3 efforts.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Potential NASA applications for this technology include structural radiation shielding for the protection of humans and electronics in aerospace transportation vehicles, space transportation vehicles, large space structures, such as space stations, orbiters, landing vehicles, rovers, habitats, and nuclear propulsion. Potential customers include Boeing, Orbital-ATK, Lockheed, and other NASA contractors.

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) In addition to NASA markets, this technology can be leveraged across the broader nuclear market. Both government and commercial entities in the following sectors use radiation shielding. Commercial applications include shielding for particle accelerators, nuclear reactors, radioactive waste containment, satellite hardware shielding, radiation protection for passengers/crew in high-altitude commercial and military airliners, and medical patient shielding.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Ceramics Coatings/Surface Treatments Composites Isolation/Protection/Radiation Shielding (see also Mechanical Systems) Nanomaterials Polymers Processing Methods Prototyping Smart/Multifunctional Materials Textiles

NASA’s vision for space exploration includes long duration human travel beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and sustained human presence on other planetary surfaces. For this vision to be a reality, one of the major challenges is to minimize radiation exposure to the crew and equipment. A material based solution typically results in paying a penalty due to additional weight. During this effort, a multifunctional composite is being developed as an integral part of a spacecraft or habitat to provide shielding against Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) and secondary particles, enhanced structural integrity, and durability against overall space environment. During Phase 1, innovative fabrication methods have been developed to produce the radiation shielding composite. Mechanical testing showed that compared to traditional aerospace aluminum alloys significant enhancements in specific strength and stiffness were obtained. During Phase 2, the composite will be optimized and samples will be produced for testing. A primary task will be to use the MISSE-FF facility to test the composite against the combined space environment. Samples tested on ground for mechanical and radiation properties will be compared to samples tested on LEO to unambiguously demonstrate the multifunctionality of the composite.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Potential NASA applications for this technology include structural radiation shielding for the protection of humans and electronics in aerospace and space vehicles, space structures, such as stations, orbiters, landing vehicles, rovers, habitats, and nuclear propulsion. Potential customers include Boeing, Orbital-ATK, Lockheed, SpaceX, Bigelow Aerospace, and other NASA contractors.



Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) In addition to NASA, the technologies can be leveraged across broad government and commercial applications including radiation shielding (particle accelerators, nuclear reactors, radioactive waste containment, satellite hardware, high-altitude airliners, medical patient shielding), electromagnetic pulse protection, sensors for neutron detection, and advanced nanoscale ceramic particles and tubes for composite reinforcement.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Ceramics Coatings/Surface Treatments Composites Isolation/Protection/Radiation Shielding (see also Mechanical Systems) Isolation/Protection/Shielding (Acoustic, Ballistic, Dust, Radiation, Thermal) Nanomaterials Polymers Smart/Multifunctional Materials Structures