Additive Manufacturing of Nanocomposite Radiation Shields

The proposed effort will refine a technology platform designed for additive manufacturing (AM) of tailored nanocomposite radiation shields, aimed at safeguarding space assets from the rigors of harsh radiation environments. Conventional shielding methods predominantly rely on heavy and unwieldy aluminum plates, which are not conducive to seamless integration with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) microelectronics. To meet the specific demands of space applications, scalable printing techniques employing a suite of nanomaterial nanocomposites will be harnessed to shield integrated circuits and printed circuit boards effectively. These nanocomposites, characterized by a matrix infused with nanoparticles, will undergo fine-tuning through advanced computational modeling, enabling precision in intercepting distinct radiation types while minimizing secondary emissions.á The platform capitalizes on AM fabrication methods, employing layer-by-layer deposition to synergistically amalgamate multiple nanocomposites into multi-layer, interdigitated, and gradient configurations.áá The project encompasses comprehensive radiation environment characterization, simulation of conditions, and the continual enhancement of shield designs. Performance validation will be undertaken through real-world testing, validating the viability of directly printing radiation shields onto critical components.áá