Blocking Dangerous Radiation with Large-Area, Lightweight, and Flexible Materials

UNIST Professor Kwon Soon-yong's Team Develops Shielding Film Capable of Blocking Neutrons in Radiation

A method has been developed to more efficiently block neutrons, which are dangerous rays included in radiation. It can be applied cheaply to the surfaces of various materials, and is expected to contribute to the advancement of the neutron shielding industry.

The research team led by Professor Kwon Sun-yong from the Graduate School of Semiconductor Materials and Components and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UNIST (President Lee Yong-hoon) has developed a shielding film that can block neutrons contained in radiation. The developed shielding film can be used over large areas and is lightweight and flexible.

Neutrons included in radiation are essential in nuclear power generation, medical devices, and the aerospace industry. However, if leaked, they are very dangerous particles that cause unpredictable phenomena in electronic devices or living organisms due to interactions with other atoms.

The developed neutron shielding film has a dense structure with internal bubble pores measuring only tens of nanometers. In other words, compared to polymer-based composites previously used, it exhibits superior mechanical properties. Since no additional processes such as heat treatment are required, it is possible to manufacture a pure mixed structure without impurities.

Professor Kwon Sun-yong explained, “The developed MAX phase-boron carbide composite shielding film is over 1,000 times thinner than existing commercial materials at a thickness of tens of micrometers, and can be easily applied to various surfaces like painting.”

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