Computational Radiation Shielding Composition Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for developing radiation shielding materials are costly and time-consuming, particularly due to the excessive use of lead, which is toxic and difficult to dispose of, and experimental procedures for testing alternative materials are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A computational method for developing radiation shielding compositions by selecting polymers and metals, calculating attenuation coefficients using XCOM and XuMuDat programs, and identifying optimal polymer:metal ratios to create lightweight, flexible, and non-toxic shielding materials without experimental procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If lead is used for radiation blocking, then radiation shielding effectiveness is improved, but toxicity and disposal difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by replacing lead with alternative metals (gadolinium, bismuth, tungsten) that have different atomic numbers, densities, and toxicity profiles. This substitution maintains radiation shielding effectiveness while reducing toxicity and improving disposability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials by combining polymers with metal particles or oxides. These composite compositions achieve radiation shielding properties through the synergistic effect of the polymer matrix and metal components, providing both protection and reduced toxicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If lead is used for radiation blocking, then radiation shielding effectiveness is improved, but density increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoiddensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the density parameter by selecting metals with lower density than lead (gadolinium: 7.9 g/cm³, bismuth: 9.78 g/cm³, tungsten: 19.25 g/cm³) while maintaining adequate radiation shielding through their high atomic numbers and appropriate composition ratios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If experimental procedures are used to test alternative materials, then material performance is evaluated, but time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial performance evaluationVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary computational analysis using attenuation coefficient calculations to evaluate and rank multiple metal candidates before conducting any physical experiments. This preliminary screening identifies the most promising compositions, reducing the number of required experiments and associated time losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/experimental testing system with computational analysis methods. By using attenuation coefficient calculations and computer-based evaluation, the patent eliminates the need for extensive physical experimentation, thereby reducing time and resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reduces the cost and resource consumption of experimentation by identifying suitable radiation shielding compositions prior to actual testing, offering alternatives to lead that are less toxic and have lower density, such as gadolinium and bismuth, while achieving high attenuation coefficients.

Implementation Method 1

performing computational analysis to calculate an attenuation coefficient for each composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAttenuation coefficient: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11621095B2Method for developing radiation shielding compositions

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 KING SAUD UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A computational method for development of radiation shielding compositions, as described herein, can include selecting at least one polymer and at least one metal for each of a plurality of radiation shielding compositions, selecting a polymer:metal ratio for each composition, performing computational analysis to calculate an attenuation coefficient associated with a given radiation dose for each composition, identifying a best candidate composition for radiation shielding based on the calculated attenuation coefficients, and preparing a radiation shielding material including the at least one polymer, the at least one metal, and the polymer metal ratio associated with the best candidate composition.