Hydrogen Boride Neutron Shielding for Thin Semiconductor Packages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neutron radiation shielding technologies require large amounts of material to achieve sufficient shielding, leading to inefficiencies and potential thickness-related delays in communication and autonomous systems.

Innovation Solution

A neutron radiation shielding material composed of hydrogen boride, which includes a hydride compound of boron, effectively attenuates neutron radiation through collisions with boron and hydrogen atoms, allowing for efficient shielding without increasing thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional materials (epoxy resin with inorganic fillers, cement mortar slabs, concrete slabs) are used for neutron radiation shielding, then neutron radiation can be shielded, but a large amount of material is required and thickness must be increased to achieve sufficient shielding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutron radiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoidamount of shielding material
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the shielding material by incorporating hydrogen boride (a compound containing both hydrogen and boron atoms) into the epoxy resin matrix. This compositional parameter change enables the material to achieve superior neutron shielding performance per unit volume compared to conventional inorganic filler-based materials, thereby reducing the total quantity of material required while maintaining or improving shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system where hydrogen boride is integrated into an epoxy resin matrix. This composite structure combines the advantages of both components: the epoxy resin provides structural integrity and binding, while the hydrogen boride provides enhanced neutron interaction capabilities through its unique molecular structure containing both hydrogen (for neutron scattering) and boron (for neutron absorption). This composite approach achieves superior shielding performance with reduced material quantity compared to conventional homogeneous inorganic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the thickness of shielding material is increased to achieve sufficient neutron radiation shielding, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but the area and volume of the device must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutron radiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoiddevice area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the chemical composition parameters to include hydrogen boride in the epoxy resin, the material achieves higher neutron shielding efficiency per unit thickness. This parameter change allows the shielding function to be maintained or improved while reducing the required thickness, thereby minimizing the area occupied by the shielding structure in the final device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies the hydrogen boride-containing epoxy resin specifically in regions where neutron shielding is required, creating a localized high-performance shielding layer. This local quality enhancement ensures that the shielding function is concentrated where most needed, maximizing protection while minimizing the overall area and volume of the shielding structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If conventional shielding materials are used, then neutron radiation can be attenuated, but a large volume and mass of material are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutron radiation shielding effectivenessVSAvoidshielding material volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the volumetric shielding efficiency by incorporating hydrogen boride into the epoxy resin matrix. The unique molecular structure of hydrogen boride, containing both hydrogen atoms (effective for neutron scattering) and boron atoms (effective for neutron absorption), enables the material to achieve superior neutron attenuation per unit volume. This parameter change in composition directly reduces the volume of shielding material required while maintaining or improving shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure of hydrogen boride within epoxy resin creates a volumetrically efficient shielding material. The epoxy resin matrix provides a dense, space-efficient medium that holds the hydrogen boride compounds in close proximity, maximizing the neutron interaction density per unit volume. This composite approach achieves higher volumetric shielding efficiency compared to conventional inorganic filler materials, thereby reducing the total volume required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 hydrogen boride-based material efficiently shields neutron radiation in the energy region of 100 MeV or less, inhibiting soft errors in semiconductor devices and protecting against neutron radiation in environments like nuclear reactors and nuclear fusion reactors with reduced material usage.

Implementation Method 1

shields neutron radiation... through collisions with boron and hydrogen atoms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNeutron collision and absorption: Nuclear Fission

Data Source

PatentEP4712131A1Neutron radiation shielding material, shielding material for semiconductor device, package for semiconductor device, shielding material for nuclear reactor, nuclear reactor containment vessel, nuclear reactor building, shielding material for nuclear fusion reactor, nuclear fusion reactor, and nuclear fusion reactor building
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 DEXERIALS CORP
  • EP4712131A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4712131A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4712131A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A neutron radiation shielding material is a neutron radiation shielding material that shields neutron radiation. The neutron radiation shielding material includes hydrogen boride.