Multifunctional radiation shielding was identified as the top technical challenge in the Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems and Manufacturing (MSMM) draft Roadmap (Technical Area 12), and the technology proposed herein offers a solution. The composites proposed herein should be a key components of the structural materials used in extraterrestrial human habits, whether they are in space, on the moon, on Mars, or any other location subject to high energy galactic cosmic rays and/or solar particle events. The lightweight and high strength of the proposed materials will enable their use in efficient structures, providing true multifunctionality from a radiation shield and minimizing the parasitic weight of the shielding. The Cf/UHMWPEm composites should be commercially usefu; in other wear-resistant structures, including mining equipment and ballistic threat protection. Self-reinforced UHMWPE composites dominate the market for lightweight armor, and the composited proposed herein should provide a complementary but similarly outstanding set of properties for mitigating a broad spectrum of ballistic threats. UHMWPE is widely used in the bed liners of mining equipment, and the composite materials proposed herein should extend the use of UHWMPE into other hard rock handling structures.
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