C55-11d A Flexible Lithium Neutron Shielding Material (FLiNS) Using a Novel 6Li-based Composite

C55-11d-270801Existing commercially available low energy neutron shielding is typically rigid and produces secondary gamma radiation. Rigid shielding is an inefficient use of very expensive isotopically rich material as it cannot be easily formed to meet specific needs of neutron scattering experiments, limiting the experimental performance, and producing waste during machining. Flexible neutron shielding is only available through commercial vendors which utilize Boron-10 as the neutron absorber which generates secondary gamma radiation that decreases measurement sensitivity through background contamination. Areas that require neutron radiation shielding for scientific research including development of new energy storage technologies, biomedical imaging, and deep space missions, are constantly striving for environments where measurements of higher sensitivity can be performed, which our shielding product will provide. A flexible neutron shielding material will be developed that produces minimal secondary gamma radiation. The material will utilize Lithium-6 as the neutron absorber in a polyethylene-based resin. The materials and quantities will be guided by detailed radiation simulation studies. Testing on a live neutron beam will be performed to gauge agreement with simulation and understanding of the underlying physical processes. During Phase I, a detailed simulation study will be performed of the neutron attenuation and secondary nuclear reactions induced from the neutron + Lithium-6 interaction within the composite material. Shielding prototype samples will be synthesized and prompt gamma- emission studies will then be carried out on the prototype materials. Resulting data will then be analyzed and compared with the simulated data to determine commercial feasibility. The resulting neutron shielding product will find applications in any facility utilizing neutron radiation. It will increase the signal to noise ratio at facilities which utilize neutrons for materials science research such as large-scale neutron scattering or research reactor facilities, allowing for a more sensitive generation of experimental studies as well as the enablement of new detector technologies previously prohibited due to background contamination, such as sensitive neutron scintillation detectors.