SBIR Phase I: Manufacturing Feasibility of New Radiation Shielding Fabrics

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是促进医疗辐射工作人员的安全。 这些工人中的许多人必须在工作日的大部分时间里佩戴辐射屏蔽作为个人防护装备。目前使用的屏蔽服装通常是不可消毒的，沉重和刚性，难以检查裂缝或撕裂;这些问题增加了医疗保健的风险和成本。拟议的辐射屏蔽材料将使工作人员能够在使用之间轻松地对服装进行消毒，降低手术室中传播感染的风险。由这种材料制成的服装预计更符合人体工程学，可以长时间穿着，并且更容易检查和维护。该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将确定可消毒和无毒辐射屏蔽织物的可行性，并将展示辐射屏蔽功效和可操作性。从新型复合材料中开发的微粒材料。该项目将评估和筛选潜在的聚合物和加工条件。测试和评价计划将从强度、抗断裂性和耐化学性方面表征材料。该项目将使用X射线能量和临床环境中预期的条件评估辐射屏蔽效果。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to facilitate safety for medical radiation workers. Many of these workers must wear radiation shielding as personal protective equipment for much of their workday. Currently used shielding garments are often unsterilizable, heavy and rigid, and difficult to inspect for cracks or tears; these issues add risk and cost to health care. The proposed radiation shielding materials will enable personnel to easily sterilize garments between uses, decreasing the risk of transmitting infections in operating rooms. Garments made from this material are expected to be more ergonomic to wear for long periods of time as well as easier to inspect and maintain. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will establish feasibility of a sterilizable and non-toxic radiation shielding fabric and will demonstrate radiation shielding efficacy and workability. Microparticle materials developed from a novel manufactured composite. This project will evaluate and screen potential polymers and processing conditions. The testing and evaluation plan will characterize materials in terms of strength, resistance to breakage, and chemical resistance. The project will assess radiation shielding efficacy using X-ray energies and conditions expected in a clinical setting. The fabric will also be evaluated for plasticity and its capability to be implemented in a garment that can be cleaned and sterilized.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.