GTNANO Moldable Labyrinth Nanocomposite High-Energy Electromagnetic Shielding

Goodman Technologies (GT) in partnership with the University of Hawaii (UHM, a Minority Serving Institution, MSI) and supported by Lockheed Martin propose to demonstrate a Moldable Labyrinth Nanocomposite High-Energy Electromagnetic Shielding and perform Gamma-Ray validation testing with the USSF. In space ionizing Gamma rays are produced by neutron stars, pulsars, supernova explosions, and regions surrounding black holes. Manmade gamma ray sources are isotopes used in hospitals and medical diagnostic centers, radioactive materials used in sterilization of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and packaging, high-energy physics facilities such as cyclotrons and synchrotrons, fission in nuclear reactors, and nuclear weapons. Attenuation of Gamma rays is dependent upon the incident radiation energy, the thickness, density, and atomic number of the constituent elements of the irradiated material.  Large masses of concrete, lead, depleted uranium, steel plates, other high-Z materials, and water are uses as shielding.  Other shielding materials include specially formulated glass and glass ceramics, more compliant materials such as lead wool, and polymer composite materials with embedded metals.   Weapons effects shielding is a critical anti-denial and survivability technology for performing DoD missions in the Land, Air, Sea, and Space Domains, and DoDI 3150.09, CBRN Survivability Policy provides requirements. Likewise, the Department of Energy  has Order 458.1 for Radiation Protection of the Public and the Environment, and the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission  maintains standards for nuclear reactors, nuclear materials, radioactive waste, and nuclear security.  Thus, there are numerous government and commercial applications for g-ray shielding.  DARPA therefore seeks innovation in novel materials for shielding Gamma rays at MeV to GeV energies, capable of withstanding high fluences, that can be produced inexpensively and in large quantities, and ideally with flexible form factors, specifically, shielding for 1-100 MeV energy providing 2X or greater linear attenuation coefficient. The challenge for a flexible form factor composite solution is overcoming the principle of “mass in the path”.  GT solves this problem with a proprietary moldable nanotape which provides several mechanisms for EM attenuation to supplement the mechanism of “mass in the path”.  Confirming calculations were performed using a “RadHard by Design” approach with empirical data.  GT’s objective will be to design, analyze, and test several designs. The empirical test data from Cobalt-60 testing will be used to reverse calculate the linear attenuation.  GT has defined levels of Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) in terms of total ionizing dose (TID) received for different exposure levels.  Expounding upon manufacturing and scaling is a further objective. Our final objective defines a Phase II Plan and Transition opportunities.