Key Findings
A research team led by Kim Dae-yoon at the KIST Space Composite Materials Research Center has created the world’s first ceramic fiber capable of being tied in knots while maintaining high radiation-shielding performance. A fabric thickness of 1.62 millimeters blocks roughly 99 percent of thermal neutrons, which the researchers state is the best thermal-neutron shielding performance globally.
Technical Details
The fiber is based on boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), chosen for the exceptional neutron-absorbing properties of boron. To overcome the tendency of BNNTs to clump and fracture, the team developed a manufacturing technique that uniformly mixes BNNTs with carbon nanotubes and aligns them in a single direction via a narrow nozzle. This process achieved a BNNT content of approximately 80 percent.
The resulting material exhibits the following specifications:
- Tensile strength: Greater than 1 gigapascal
- Thermal stability: Above 1,000 degrees Celsius
- Thickness: 1.62 millimeters (for 99% thermal neutron blocking)
- Production scale: Over 3.5 kilometers of fiber produced using standard industrial weaving equipment for flat and cylindrical fabrics
Background and Context
Secondary neutrons, produced when high-energy radiation hits spacecraft hulls, pose significant risks to astronaut health and electronic equipment. Previous shielding materials were either too heavy or too rigid for use in flexible equipment. Because the KIST manufacturing process utilizes existing fiber equipment without requiring specialized machinery, it is positioned for large-area production and commercialization.
Significance and Outlook
The flexibility of the ceramic thread allows it to be applied to high-movement joints such as elbows and knees in spacesuits, with the option to stack multiple layers to increase shielding. Beyond lunar exploration and long-duration space missions, potential applications include spacecraft interiors, crewed habitats, nuclear facilities, and radiation treatment rooms. The team plans to verify long-term stability using CubeSats or space station external exposure platforms to accelerate the development of an independent Korean spacesuit.
Source: https://biz.heraldcorp.com/article/10923919
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