Additive Manufacturing of Multimaterial Composites for Radiation Shielding and Thermal Management

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Aerospace Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Space radiation poses a significant threat to microelectronic systems, causing degradation and malfunction.
• Existing radiation shielding methods are often limited to single radiation types or require costly radiation-hardened components.
• There is a need for advanced shielding solutions that are adaptable and effective against diverse radiation environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel fabrication strategy for multimaterial radiation shielding.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of direct ink writing for creating custom radiation shielding composites.
• To explore the potential for enhanced thermal management in radiation shields.

Main Methods:

• Utilized direct ink writing (DIW) to manufacture composite materials.
• Fabricated custom composites using tungsten and boron nitride.
• Investigated shear-induced alignment of anisotropic boron nitride flakes during printing.

Main Results:

• The additively manufactured shields demonstrated the ability to attenuate multiple species of radiation.
• Tailoring the composition and architecture of the printed composites allowed for customized shielding properties.
• Boron nitride flake alignment during printing facilitated effective thermal management.

Conclusions:

• The developed generalized method offers a promising approach for protecting commercial microelectronic systems from radiation damage.
• This fabrication strategy can significantly enhance the capabilities and longevity of future satellites and space systems.
• The ability to tailor shielding properties and incorporate thermal management presents a versatile solution for space electronics protection.