Radiation shielding systems using nanotechnology

US7923709B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Bin Chen · Palo Alto, US
• Christoper P. McKay · Sunnyvale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 18, 2008
• Grant date: Apr 12, 2011
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G21F3/00
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A system for shielding personnel and/or equipment from radiation particles. In one embodiment, a first substrate is connected to a first array or perpendicularly oriented metal-like fingers, and a second, electrically conducting substrate has an array of carbon nanostructure (CNS) fingers, coated with an electro-active polymer extending toward, but spaced apart from, the first substrate fingers. An electric current and electric charge discharge and dissipation system, connected to the second substrate, receives a current and/or voltage pulse initially generated when the first substrate receives incident radiation. In another embodiment, an array of CNSs is immersed in a first layer of hydrogen-rich polymers and in a second layer of metal-like material. In another embodiment, a one- or two-dimensional assembly of fibers containing CNSs embedded in a metal-like matrix serves as a radiation-protective fabric or body covering.