Issued patent
High Atomic Number Coatings for Fabrics
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
NASA Langley Research Center has developed an innovation to promote the adhesion and improve the durability of high atomic number metal coatings on oxygen- or hydroxyl-rich surfaces. This new approach is useful for building radiation shields via the Z-grading method, the process of layering metal materials with different atomic numbers to provide radiation protection for protons, electrons, and x-rays. This invention enables Z-graded coatings to be applied to lower cost and lighter weight substrates, such as glass fiber fabrics, while maintaining the durability and flexibility needed for spacecraft electronics, radiation protective clothing, and other applications.