Hydrogen-Rich, Multifunctional Polymeric Nanocomposites for Radiation Shielding

NASA has identified the need for the development of lightweight structures technologies to support Lunar Lander and Lunar Habitats programs and for the transfer of relevant technology to Crew Exploration Vehicle and Crew Launch Vehicle programs. NASA further calls for revolutionary advances in radiation shielding materials and structures technologies to protect humans from the hazards of space radiation during NASA missions. 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, proposes the development of hydrogen-rich monomers for high performance polymers, such as polyimides, and the incorporation of metallic nanoparticles to form nanocomposite materials having multifunctional properties. The Phase I Technical Objectives include preparation of hydrogen-rich monomers, fabrication of polymeric nanocomposite films, and acquisition of test data to determine key parameters for optimal radiation-shielding materials. The anticipated result of the Phase I and Phase II programs is the development of polymeric nanocomposite materials consisting of hydrogen-rich monomers and metallic nanoparticles. The nanocomposite materials have multifunctional properties of radiation shielding against galactic cosmic radiation, neutrons and electromagnetic radiation, structural integrity to permit use in flexible and rigid structures and habitats, and electrical conductivity for electrostatic control to be used in dust mitigation during lunar missions.