Patent — available for licensing
Flexible Lightweight Radiation Shielding
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Lead-filled aprons are currently used for atomic number (Z)-grade radiation shielding in the medical industry to protect personnel from hazardous gamma radiation. These apron garments are made with lead-filled elastomeric sheets encased in polymeric fabrics and are both heavy and bulky to meet necessary shielding requirements. In addition, there are environmental safety concerns surrounding disposal of these garments due to their lead content. An innovator at NASA Langley Research Center has developed a novel method for making thin, lightweight radiation shielding that can be sprayed or melted onto common textiles used in clothing such as cotton, nylon, polyester, Nomex and Kevlar. The lead-free shielding is more effective at blocking radiation as compared with similar thicknesses of lead while being up to 25% lighter. The shielding can also be formed into a variety of garments such as shirts, vests, jackets, and pants with significantly greater comfort and conformity than the aprons currently in use.