I-Corps Teams: Commercial evaluation of bismuth microparticle composites for radiation shielding applications

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是用无毒的铋复合材料取代有毒的铅基辐射屏蔽材料，这种材料重量更轻，具有同等或更好的辐射屏蔽保护。这些铋复合材料可以灵活地塑造成各种形状，包括围裙、手套、帽子和窗帘，为医疗和其他辐射暴露工人提供定制保护。由于与铅相比，铋复合材料的重量负担减轻，灵活性提高，我们预计我们的产品将显著减少穿着这些服装的人员的身体压力，同时在生物和环境方面也更安全。这个I-Corps项目将评估辐射屏蔽铋复合材料的商业潜力，这些材料是使用我们的专利技术生产的，在几个不同的市场领域，包括医疗、牙科、兽医、电子和军事部门。根据最初的原型和x射线衰减的测量，我们计算出我们将能够生产出一种柔性辐射防护屏障，比传统的铅基屏障轻50%，具有相同或更好的屏蔽保护。生产x射线不透明材料的专利方法具有高度可扩展性，所提出的工作将确定该技术的有效商业化策略。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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 I-Corps project will be replacement of toxic, lead-based radiation shielding materials with non-toxic bismuth composites that are lighter weight and have equivalent or better radiation shielding protection. These bismuth composites can be flexibly fashioned into a variety of shapes, including aprons, gloves, hats and drapes, to provide custom protection for medical and other radiation-exposed workers. Because of the reduced weight burden and increased flexibility of the bismuth composites relative to lead, we expect that our product will significantly reduce physical strain on personnel who wear these garments, while also being biologically and environmentally safer.This I-Corps project will evaluate the commercial potential of radiation shielding bismuth composite materials, which are produced using our patented technology, in several different market spaces, including medical, dental, veterinary, electronics, and military sectors. Based on initial prototypes and measurements of X-ray attenuation, we calculate that we will be able to produce a flexible radiation protective barrier that is 50% lighter than traditional lead-based barriers, with the same or better shielding protection. The patented method to produce the X-ray opaque material is highly scalable, and the proposed work will determine effective commercialization strategies for this technology.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.