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A company has built a radiation suit that reduces x-ray
and gamma radiation! Apparently it uses nano-fabrication
technology to create materials that line up a mass of
electrons. This 'wall' of electrons mimics how metals
reflect high energy radiation but at a fraction of the mass.
This is very good news for space exploration. Low mass
radiation protection was pretty much unknown before this.
People talk about having a radiation storm cellar in the
center of a Mars ship. This allows the storm cellar to be
bigger and stop more radiation for a given mass. Likewise
we will have to ship Mars space suits on these missions.
Using this substance it will allow lighter suits.
It goes by the brand name Demron. A vest that stops
as much radiation as a lead vest (for dental x-rays for
example) masses 1/6th as much. Additionally the material
is flexible and allows heat to pass thru it so that it is cool
enough to wear.
// This is a 2 page article in this issue of Scientific American pg 34 & 35.
Scientific American Article
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn3050
// In this link it say that the Dept of Energy has confirmed
that it reduces x-ray and gamma rays.
http://www.saferamerica.com/productDeta … ductID=160
Warm regards, Rick.
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Hmm.
Demron is apparently a vinyl chloride-ethylene copolymer. This stuff might have some mechanical strength to it. I wonder if the crew quarters themselves can be constructed of it? That would kill two birds with one stone, providing both shielding and superstruture to the crew quarters.
"We go big, or we don't go." - GCNRevenger
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Hi C M Edwards, everyone.
The current material is flexible but walls could be lined with the stuff
and curtains could be made of it. Now that we know the trick, stiffer
materials could likely be created.
I think this marerial and others based on it will be a giant boon to
colonists on Mars.
Warm regards, Rick.
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