Blocking space radiation threats with nanotubes! 'Boron nitride nanotube space radiation shield' developed
Developing high-density neutron shielding material using surfactant-stabilized boron nitride nanotubes (BNNT)
image: In the left image, the conventional BNNT films-produced using randomly packed BNNTs-has a low density, making the film brittle and prone to breakage. In contrast, the developed BNNT liquid crystal-based film in the right image, where the nanotubes arealigned in an ordered structure, resulting in higher density and enabling the production of flexible, durable film.
Credit: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
High-energy cosmic radiation damages cells and DNA, causing cancer, and secondary neutrons- generated especially from the planetary surfaces,- can be up to 20 times more harmful than other radiations. Aluminum, the most widely used shielding material, has the drawback of generating additional secondary neutrons when below a certain thickness. Consequently, 'boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs)', which are lightweight, strong, and possess excellent neutron shielding capabilities, are emerging as a promising alternative. BNNTs are ultrafine tubular only about 5 nanometers in diameter-roughly 1/20,000 the thickness of a human hair-making them extremely light and strong, with excellent thermal neutron absorption capability. However, due to limitations in fabrication technology, they have so far only been produced into thin & brittle sheet, restricting their practical applications.
The research team led by Dr. Jang SeGyu at the Functional Composite Materials Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST, President Oh Sang-rok) and the research team led by Professor Choi Siyoung at the Department of Bio and Chemical Engineering of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST, President Lee Kwang-hyung) announced the development of a high-density BNNT protective shield. This shield, created by densely-packed BNNTs, is robust, efficiently conducts heat, and effectively blocks cosmic radiation.
The research team developed a technique that allows BNNTs to remain stably dispersed in water without agglomeration by utilizing a surfactant (dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid), a compound commonly found in soap. This enabled the team to produce BNNTs in a high-concentration liquid crystal, in which the nanotube strands naturally align in one direction. Using the BNNT liquid crystal, the team fabricated BNNT films with both high alignment and density. The resulting BNNT film exhibited over three times higher density and approximately 3.7 times improved neutron shielding performance compared to conventional brittle BNNT sheet. In addition, It was flexible yet strong, making it suitable for application in a variety of structural systems.
Joint simulations conducted with NASA showed that the BNNT film demonstrated approximately 15% higher radiation shielding efficiency than aluminum at the same mass thickness. In other words, its superiority as a space radiation shielding material has been indirectly verified. When applied at an appropriate thickness, the BNNT film can provide radiation protection for lunar astronauts comparable to the safety levels of the International Space Station (ISS). This achievement could extend mission durations by up to twofold, making it a key enabling technology for future long-term space exploration and the construction of lunar and Martian bases. Looking ahead, BNNT film could be utilized in lightweight spacecraft shielding structures, protective barriers for lunar and Martian bases, and high-performance spacesuit materials. These applications are expected to contribute significantly to the safety of human space activities and to strengthening technological competitiveness in the era of 'New Space'.
Dr. Jang Se Gyu of KIST stated, "This achievement marks a breakthrough in overcoming the manufacturing and processing limitations that have hindered the practical application of BNNT as a space radiation shield. It is particularly significant that we have greatly enhanced neutron shielding performance by maximizing the density and alignment of BNNTs. Given its mechanical strength and excellent thermal conductivity, BNNTs holds strong potential as a versatile, next-generation material for use not only in space applications, but also in aerospace, defense, and nuclear power facilities, as well as other advanced industries."
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This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Bae Kyung-hoon), the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (Minister Kim Jung-kwan), and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (Administrator Seok Jong-geon). It was conducted as part of KIST's Institutional Program, the Nuclear R&D Project (RS-2025-02315930), the Future Public Safety Challenge Technology Development Project (RS-2023-00238902), ITECH R&D Program (2410000736), and the Defense Technology Institute Core Technology R&D Project (KRIT-CT-21-014). The research findings were published in the latest issue of the international journal Advanced Functional Materials (IF 19.0, top 4.5% in JCR).