Scientists at Far Eastern Federal University have developed an innovative, low-cost material designed to protect space technology from the hidden dangers of thermal neutron radiation, a significant but often overlooked threat in space environments.
According to Oleg Shichalin, a researcher at the university’s Laboratory of Nuclear Technologies within the Institute of Applied and Theoretical Mechanics, the research team has proposed advanced metal-ceramic composites based on a LaB6–Al–Mg system.
The material is produced using pulsed electric current plasma sintering, a technique that enhances both performance and durability.
Shichalin explained that boron plays a crucial role due to its high efficiency in absorbing neutrons, while the metallic matrix provides mechanical strength and allows the material to be easily machined.
Comparable foreign solutions, he noted, are extremely expensive, prompting the team to focus on creating a material with similar or superior properties at a fraction of the cost.
Laboratory tests showed that a layer just two millimetres thick can reduce the flow of thermal neutrons by 50 percent. This level of protection makes the new composite highly promising for use in spacecraft design, as well as in medical nuclear equipment and atomic energy applications.
Thermal neutrons are a component of secondary radiation generated when galactic cosmic rays collide with the structural elements of spacecraft. These particles pose a serious risk to human health because they can penetrate living tissue, damaging cells and DNA.
Beyond biological hazards, thermal neutrons can also disrupt electronic systems. When they penetrate electronic materials, they may alter electrophysical properties, cause transient errors in processor memory, and lead to malfunctions in microcircuits. Over time, the accumulation of these particles can even render materials radioactive and unsuitable for further use.
The researchers believe this breakthrough material could play a key role in improving radiation shielding for future space missions, enhancing astronaut safety, and protecting sensitive onboard electronics, while significantly reducing costs compared with existing solutions.
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