Hydrogen-Rich, Multifunctional Polymeric Nanocomposites for Radiation Shielding

NASA has identified the need for development of technologies to support Lunar Lander and Lunar Habitats programs and for transfer of relevant technology to Crew Exploration Vehicle and Crew Launch Vehicle programs, including revolutionary advances in shielding materials to protect humans from the hazards of space radiation. To address this need and in response to NASA Subtopic X6.03, International Scientific Technologies, Inc. in conjunction with the College of William and Mary, proposed in Phase I the development of hydrogen-rich monomers for high performance polymers, such as aromatic polyimides, and the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles into nanocomposite materials to achieve multifunctional properties. The Phase II Technical Objectives include synthesis and characterization of hydrogen-rich monomers, fabrication and tailoring of high performance nanocomposite materials, acquisition of test data to determine key parameters of hydrogen-rich, multifunctional nanocomposite materials, and optimization of prototype hydrogen-rich, multifunctional materials. The Phase I program demonstrated that hydrogen-rich monomers can be prepared and polymerized with metallic nanoparticles. The feasibility established in Phase I will be realized in Phase II through development of polymeric nanocomposite materials consisting of hydrogen-rich monomers and metallic nanoparticles. The nancomposite materials will have multifunctional properties, including radiation shielding against galactic cosmic radiation, neutrons and electromagnetic radiation, structural integrity for flexible and rigid structures and habitats, and electrical conductivity for electrostatic control for dust mitigation during lunar missions.