United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

National Institute of Aerospace Associates

Sheila Ann Thibeault

Cheol Park

Jin Ho Kang

Godfrey Sauti

Robert G Bryant

Sharon E Lowther

Catharine C Fay

Luke Gibbons

The invention consists of radiation shielding materials for shielding in the most structurally robust combination against galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), neutrons, and solar energetic particles (SEP). Materials for vehicles, space structures, habitats, landers, rovers, and spacesuits must possess functional characteristics of radiation shielding, thermal protection, pressure resistance, and mechanical durability. The materials are tailored to offer the greatest shielding against GCR, neutrons, and SEP in the most structurally robust combination, also capable of shielding against micrometeoriod impact. The boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) is composed entirely of low Z atoms (boron and nitrogen). Some of the materials included in this invention are: boron nitride (BN) platelets, hot pressed BN, BNNT, BN particle containing resins, BN nanofiber containing resins, carbon fiber reinforced BN containing resins, BNNT containing resins, and hydrogenated BN and BNNT, hydrogen stored BN and BNNT, high hydrogen containing polymer or ceramic matrices, and a combination of these.

Radiation shielding materials containing hydrogen, boron and nitrogen

A novel radiation hardened chip package technology protects microelectronic chips and systems in aviation/space or terrestrial devices against high energy radiation. The proposed technology of a radiation hardened chip package using rare earth elements and mulitlayered structure provides protection against radiation bombardment from alpha and beta particles to neutrons and high energy electromagnetic radiation.

Radiation hardened microelectronic chip packaging technology

Multifunctional Boron Nitride nanotube-Boron Nitride (BN&#x2014;BN) nanocomposites for energy transducers, thermal conductors, anti-penetrator/wear resistance coatings, and radiation hardened materials for harsh environments. An all boron-nitride structured BN&#x2014;BN composite is synthesized. A boron nitride containing precursor is synthesized, then mixed with boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) to produce a composite solution which is used to make green bodies of different forms including, for example, fibers, mats, films, and plates. The green bodies are pyrolized to facilitate transformation into BN&#x2014;BN composite ceramics. The pyrolysis temperature, pressure, atmosphere and time are controlled to produce a desired BN crystalline structure. The wholly BN structured materials exhibit excellent thermal stability, high thermal conductivity, piezoelectricity as well as enhanced toughness, hardness, and radiation shielding properties. By substituting with other elements into the original structure of the nanotubes and/or matrix, new nanocomposites (i.e., BCN, BCSiN ceramics) which possess excellent hardness, tailored photonic bandgap and photoluminescence, result.

Multi-functional BN&#x2014;BN composite

Methods for making a neutron converter layer are provided. The various embodiment methods enable the formation of a single layer neutron converter material. The single layer neutron converter material formed according to the various embodiments may have a high neutron absorption cross section, tailored resistivity providing a good electric field penetration with submicron particles, and a high secondary electron emission coefficient. In an embodiment method a neutron converter layer may be formed by sequential supercritical fluid metallization of a porous nanostructure aerogel or polyimide film. In another embodiment method a neutron converter layer may be formed by simultaneous supercritical fluid metallization of a porous nanostructure aerogel or polyimide film. In a further embodiment method a neutron converter layer may be formed by in-situ metalized aerogel nanostructure development.

Growing community of inventors

Hampton, VA, United States of America

Sheila Ann Thibeault