Spend a single day outside our planet's protective atmosphere and magnetic fieldAnd you could be exposed to radiation levels equivalent to what you'd experience across a whole year back on Earth,
It's a risk astronauts face, and especially so during long trips. As such, finding methods to combat radiation exposure In space has long been on the minds of researchrs working on Technology for space Travel.
New Research Suggessts a Novel Solution: A Material Called “Hydrogel” – The Same Technology used for the 'Grow Monster' Toys – Could Space Travelers from Harmful Radiation.
A Research Team from the Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials GHENT University in Belgium Have Been Testing This Type of Superabsorbent Pollymer as an alternative radiation shield.
“The Superabsorbent Polymer That We Are Using Can Be Processed Using Multiple Different Techniques, which is a rare and advantageous quality among Niversaid, said in a statement. “Our method of choice is 3D printingWhich allows us to create a hydrogel in almost any shape we want. “
Hydrogels of Course are used in a range of consumer products. “The beauty of this project is that we are working with a well-known technology,” Ghent Researcher Lenny Van Daele Said, in the same statement. “Hydrogeles are found in many things we use every day, from contact lenses to diapers and sanitary products.”
Daele says the research group drew on their previous experience with medical hydroogel applications, like using them for “soft implant material to repair damaged tissues and organs.”
While water can create a good shield for radiation, according to the reserchers, Saps Could be even safer and more effective. Rather than using free-face water as radiation protection, hydrogel soaks up the water, creating equal distribution and protection-and if the protective layer is punther When Working Around Sensitive Electronics.
In addition to protecting astronauts, the European Space Agency (ESA) Foreses Further Uses for HydroGel in Space. “The Material Could also potentially be applied to uncreed missions – in radiation shields for spacecraft, or as water reservoirs on we have optimized the method of retrieving water for Gorzata Holynska of Esa's Materials, Environments and Contamination Control Section, In The statement.
This new study builds on Previous work where hydrogel was tested to make sure that it was safe to use in space conditions. “There is a constant search for lightweight radiation protection materials,” Project Lead Peter Dubruel Said, In the Statement. “We are applying different techniques to shape the material into a 3d structure and scale up the production process, so that we can come a step closer to industry to industry.”
