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者的安全。这些工人中的许多人在工作日的大部分时间都必须佩戴辐射屏蔽作为个人防护装备。目前使用的防护服往往无法消毒，笨重僵硬，很难检查是否有裂缝或撕裂；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人员能够在使用之间轻松地对衣服进行消毒，从而降低在手术室传播感染的风险。用这种材料制成的服装预计会更符合人体工程学，更适合长时间穿着，也更容易检查和维护。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目将确定一种可消毒和无毒的辐射屏蔽面料的可行性，并将展示辐射屏蔽功效和工作性能。从一种新型制造的复合材料发展而来的微粒材料。该项目将评估和筛选潜在的聚合物和加工条件。测试和评估计划将从强度、抗破碎性和耐化学性方面对材料进行表征。该项目将使用临床环境中预期的X射线能量和条件来评估辐射屏蔽效果。此外，还将评估这种面料的可塑性及其在可清洗和消毒的服装中的实施能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.