Скачать или смотреть Revolutionizing Space Exploration: How a Detergent Ingredient Solves Radiation Shielding

In the world of space exploration, material science is key. Researchers have been working tirelessly to overcome challenges like weight and radiation tolerance. Enter Dr. Young-Kyeong Kim and their team, who have made a groundbreaking discovery. They've successfully created a complete sheet of Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs), a material with immense potential for radiation shielding.
BNNTs have been on the radar for space applications due to their lightweight and effective neutron absorption properties. However, manufacturing these nanotubes has been a challenge since their discovery. The traditional vacuum filtration method resulted in 'bucky paper', which lacked the uniformity needed for effective radiation protection.
The new research introduces a game-changing surfactant, Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), commonly found in hand soap. This surfactant creates a unique bilayer that protects the BNNTs and prevents clumping. The resulting material, a Lyotropic Liquid Crystal, aligns the nanotubes in the same direction, making it ideal for radiation shielding.
Using the Doctor Blade coating technique, researchers were able to deposit the nanotubes uniformly, creating a sheet with no gaps. The simulation results were astonishing - the BNNT film provided the same radiation protection as aluminum, but with only 1/8th of the weight. This breakthrough could significantly reduce costs for sending radiation shielding into orbit.
While practical testing on spacecraft is yet to be done, this research brings us closer to a future where radiation protection is more efficient and cost-effective. Stay tuned as we explore the potential of BNNTs and their impact on space exploration!