Fine-Particle Boride Shielding for Low-Energy Neutron Attenuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neutron radiation shielding technologies require large amounts of material to achieve sufficient shielding, leading to inefficiencies and potential delays in communication and autonomous systems due to error correction times.
Innovation Solution
A neutron radiation shielding material composed of boride with an average particle diameter of 500 µm or less, which includes boron and hydrogen, efficiently attenuates neutron radiation by decomposing it into lithium and alpha particles, thereby inhibiting soft errors in semiconductor devices and shielding neutron radiation in low energy regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional neutron shielding materials (epoxy resin with gadolinium oxide or cement/concrete slabs with paraffin layer) are used, then neutron radiation can be shielded, but a large amount of material is required and thickness must be increased to achieve sufficient shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of boride from conventional large particles to fine particles with average diameter of 500 μm or less. This parameter change increases the surface area and reactivity of the boride, enhancing neutron capture efficiency per unit mass, thereby reducing the total quantity of material needed for effective shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by dispersing fine boride particles within a resin matrix. This composite structure combines the neutron-absorbing capability of boride with the binding and structural properties of resin, achieving effective shielding with reduced material quantity compared to conventional homogeneous shielding materials.
2Reliability
If conventional neutron shielding materials are used, then neutron radiation can be shielded, but the thickness of the shielding member must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the particle size parameter of boride to 500 μm or less, the patent increases the specific surface area and neutron capture cross-section per unit volume. This allows achieving the same shielding effectiveness with reduced thickness, as the fine particles provide more interaction sites for neutron absorption within a smaller volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by concentrating neutron-absorbing fine boride particles throughout the resin matrix, creating regions of high neutron capture probability distributed throughout the material. This localized enhancement of shielding capability allows thinner overall structure while maintaining effective protection.
3Reliability
If error correction techniques (ECC circuits or control programs) are used to handle soft errors, then soft errors can be corrected, but the time required for checking errors causes fatal delay in communication devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful neutron radiation into a beneficial effect by using boride's neutron capture capability to prevent soft errors in the first place. This preventive approach eliminates the need for time-consuming error correction processes, as neutrons are absorbed before they can cause bit flips in semiconductor memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by placing neutron-absorbing boride particles in the resin encapsulating the semiconductor device before neutron radiation can reach the sensitive components. This pre-positioned shielding prevents soft errors from occurring, eliminating the need for subsequent error checking and correction operations that would cause delays.
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
The boride-based shielding material effectively shields neutron radiation in low energy regions without increasing thickness, reducing soft errors and secondary radiation generation, allowing for compact semiconductor devices and safer nuclear environments.
Implementation Method 1
boride having an average particle diameter of 500 μm or less, and shields neutron radiation... decomposing it into lithium and alpha particles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A neutron radiation shielding material includes a boride having an average particle diameter of 500 µm or less. The neutron radiation shielding material shields neutron radiation.