Project Idea- Astronaut shielding

[deleted-613046]

So on Mars, astronauts are going to be exposed to a lot more radiation than on Earth. Would this work: make a cloud chamber. Gather a radiation source. Wrap around the radiation source: nylon tricot, mylar film, urethane coated nylon, etc to mimic a space suit. Count the tracks. Then add different materials around the "space suit" and see what contributes the most to minimizing radiation?

would this work? Please add suggestions

[deleted-593898]

Hello,

I did some research and as of now, a lot of the EVA space suits don't actually protect from most forms of radiation based on this link (or at least not well):
https://space.stackexchange.com/questio ... the-wearer

Currently, NASA is trying to find ways to protect from radiation on the spacecraft instead of the actual suit
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/re ... on-on-mars
as they most likely schedule missions outside of the craft when radiation is low.

However, you could try finding what material collects and contains the most radiation as that is how most radiation suits work. Just make sure to be careful when handling radioactive materials!

I hope this helps!

-Regina

[deleted-613046]

Hi, thanks for the links. What I was trying to say (the question wasn't quite clear) was to use those the materials (whichever are accessible) used in space suits and wrap it around the radiation needle. This would mimic a space suit and how it barely prevents radiation. Then I would wrap further materials that are hydrogen rich as these are good at blocking radiation. My main question is:would wrapping materials that are used in space suits around the radiation needle be a good way of imitating a space suit? If not, are there any suggestions as how I would go about doing this?

The point of my project is to experiment with materials that will help space suits block radiation

[deleted-593898]

Hello,

My mistake, I'm sorry for not getting the initial question. But to answer, I would say that wrapping the material(s) around the radioactive needle or even just putting it inside the chamber itself (and letting the radiation go through air first as it would act as somewhat of an "atmosphere"; just like radiation going through Mars' atmosphere) sounds good. And then when adding on materials, if you are mimicking putting something around a space suit, then use a new set of materials plus the one you want to test as you always want to start with a clean trial.

Good luck! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

-Regina

[deleted-613046]

Ok thanks so much. One last question: Do you or anyone else reading this have suggestions on how to make a mini space suit using the materials available like nylon, spandex, urethane, Dacron, Neoprene, Mylar, Gortex, Kevlar, and Nomex- or would just stacking these materials be enough for the sake of mimicing a space suit for this project?

[deleted-593898]

Hello,

I found a link http://www.madehow.com/Volume-5/Spacesuit.html that lists the materials in order from innermost to the outer as well has a picture of the layers a bit down.

So if you decide to wrap the materials around the needle, I would put the outermost layer first as that would be the first layer in contact with the radiation and then layer on the other materials. If you are just leaving it in the chamber itself, make sure that the inner layer isn't exposed to the radiation as much as the outer layer (so prop it up against a wall or something).

Good luck on the project!

-Regina

[deleted-613046]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the answers. They've been really helpful.

Now just to confirm what you said: by wrapping the outer layer as the first layer, it is to mimic the radiation hitting the outer layer first. So that means if I'm testing certain materials, I would be wrapping that material first. As a result, the less tracks there are in the cloud chamber, the more efficient the material is.

Anyways thanks alot! Once again I really appreciate the time you took to answer these questions.

[deleted-593898]

Exactly! And honestly, it’s no problem, we’re always here to help.

Have fun and good luck!
-Regina

[deleted-613046]

Polyethylene could be a potential solution to combating cosmic radiation in space and on Mars due to its abundance in hydrogen. What density of polyethylene would work best, and why? Give sources.

[deleted-613046]

Polyethylene could be a potential solution to combating cosmic radiation in space and on Mars due to its abundance in hydrogen. What density of polyethylene would work best, and why? Give sources.

[MadelineB]

Hello Fuzzy Yellow,
You will see that I have meerged this post with the previous posts on the same topic.

The Science Buddies guidelines ask that you keep all of your posts in the same thread. This makes it easier for the expert who has been helping you see that you have a follow-up question.

Thank you.
Moderator

[deleted-613046]

Hi, I was wondering, is there a process for creating simulant martian bricks out of regolith? I was thinking of buying this regolith simulant, but I'm not sure how to make it into a brick form.

https://www.themartiangarden.com/

Lastly, I want to add polymers as a binder to this regolith during the brick process as I want to test different binders. If anyone has ideas, please let me know.

Main question: I would like to make martian regolith into bricks with different polymer binders. How can I do this?

Thanks

[deleted-593898]

Hello,

I had an engineering project where some people made bridges with concrete so I assume it would be the same process.

They made a mold of what shape they wanted the bridge to be with wood (that can be easily taken off later), and I think they put a coating so that the wood won't stick to the concrete (however, I do not know what the coating is called, sorry). To make it stronger, they also put chicken wire within the mold so that it would be inside the concrete, however, I believe that part isn't as necessary.

So for the bricks, I would first test the regolith with the different polymer binders in disposable bowls and see which one is the strongest and works with the least amount of it. Then, I would create a reusable mold out of wood or a silicon one (if you can find one) and pour the mixture to create the bricks. Finally, it should would be easy to take out it out of the mold and make more if needed.

I hope this helps!
-Regina

[deleted-613046]

okay so the regolith simulant from the martian garden should be good? In addition would I wait for the mold to dry or would I put it in an oven or such. As for the polymer binder, I was thinking polyester resin- any good suggestions?

Once again, thanks-- I'm using all this information in one science fair project

[deleted-593898]

Hello,

Since you want a brick partially made of martian materials, using the regolith would be your best bet. I found a link:
https://www.resinobsession.com/resin-fr ... ould-i-use
with some types of resin used for casting and a polyester resin would be a good idea because it sets "hard". There's some pros and cons as well as safety tips to each the types of resins listed so make sure to read it through. And as for the mold, I would either put it on low temperature or just let it air dry (both would most likely take at least a day to dry).

If you are talking about the brand of polyester resin and which ones would be good, I found two:

• https://www.michaels.com/castin-craft-c ... 58114.html
  https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Casting-Re ... B0018N9E3M

(However, I don't use resins myself, so these are just recommendations)

Once again, good luck on this project!
-Regina

[deleted-613046]

So based on the link that you gave, epoxy resin would be the best as it forms the strongest bonds out of the other three resins. As a result, if you added this resin into the brick it would shield radiation the most effectively due to its stronger bonds?

[deleted-593898]

Hello,

According to this link:
http://jhealthscope.com/en/articles/20140.html
it seems that epoxy resin is actually a good radiation shield, so with this information, I would assume that the epoxy resin and the other material would be an effective shield (however, this is on the condition that the material does not chemically react with the resin itself and change it completely).

Good luck!
-Regina

[deleted-613046]

what do you think would work better: polyester vinyl ester or epoxy resin for shielding radiation? Does it have something to do with their bonds, or the number of hydrogen atoms?

By the way thanks for the link. I'm going to be adding into my literature review

[deleted-593898]

Hello,

Using this article:
https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/cust ... -materials

the density (greater density), thickness, and the atomic number (the lower, the better-- therefore hydrogen-based materials are good) all matter when choosing a material that will block out radiation. Therefore, whichever resin is more dense and has more hydrogen will work the best.

Good luck!
-Regina

[deleted-633055]

Nice topic. Thanks for the link guys.