boron nitride nanotubes applications – Science

Revolutionary Ultra-Thin Shield Blocks Cosmic Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation

SCIENMAG — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:21:26 +0000

In a groundbreaking advancement poised to revolutionize shielding technologies for extreme environments, researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have unveiled an innovative ultra-lightweight composite material capable of simultaneously blocking electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge in industries such as aerospace, nuclear energy, medical devices, and semiconductor manufacturing, where dual radiation protection is critical yet traditionally achieved through heavy, rigid, and structurally complex materials.

The emerging space age, spearheaded by ambitious missions like Artemis 2, demands shielding solutions that not only provide comprehensive protection but also minimize weight and maximize flexibility—parameters essential for spaceflight and other high-stakes applications. Existing shielding materials falter due to their inability to efficiently counteract both electromagnetic and neutron radiation within a single, thin, adaptable layer. KIST’s research team, led by Dr. Joo Yong-ho, has overcome these limitations by engineering a composite film thinner than a human hair yet capable of delivering unprecedented multifunctional radiation defense.

At the heart of the material’s design lies the clever integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). Carbon nanotubes, renowned for their exceptional conductivity and mechanical strength, serve as effective barriers that absorb and reflect electromagnetic waves, thereby mitigating electromagnetic interference. Meanwhile, boron nitride nanotubes, enriched with neutron-absorbing boron atoms, provide robust neutron attenuation. The synergy between CNTs and BNNTs is further enhanced by their innate propensity to form a “shell structure,” in which one type naturally envelops the other, enabling a composite film that simultaneously counters diverse forms of radiation within a single ultrathin interface.

This material’s prowess is underscored by its remarkable shielding performance. It can block an astonishing 99.999% of electromagnetic waves while reducing neutron radiation by approximately 72%. Achieving such dual protection at an almost microscopic thickness signals a paradigm shift in materials science, particularly for applications demanding minimal mass and maximal durability. In addition to these protective qualities, the composite exhibits extraordinary elasticity, retaining its functional properties even when stretched to more than twice its original length—a feat that opens new avenues for flexible and wearable radiation shields.

Another hallmark of this composite is its adaptability to advanced manufacturing techniques, especially 3D printing. The research team has demonstrated the feasibility of fabricating honeycomb structures from this material, which offer up to 15% stronger shielding capabilities compared to equivalent flat films. The structural versatility afforded by 3D printing facilitates the creation of bespoke shielding geometries optimized for specific use cases, ranging from intricate satellite components to next-generation medical devices with integrated radiation protection.

Thermal resilience is equally impressive. The material maintains integrity and functionality across an expansive temperature range—from the cryogenic lows of -196°C to extreme heat conditions up to 250°C. This thermal endurance is critical for space missions, nuclear reactors, and medical environments where operational temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. By outperforming traditional shielding materials in these respects, KIST’s composite heralds a new era of durable, multifunctional radiation protection.

Beyond the technical merits, this technology promises sweeping impacts across multiple sectors. For space exploration, the lightweight and flexible shielding can significantly reduce payload weight and complexity, improving mission efficiency and safety. In the nuclear industry, this innovation enables more compact and reliable protective barriers, enhancing operational safety without compromising reactor performance. Medical applications stand to benefit from improved shielding in cancer treatment equipment and wearable protective gear, affording better patient and personnel safety through more ergonomic designs.

The composite’s multifunctionality and manufacturability also pave the way for integrated structural and protective materials. This convergence simplifies design paradigms and streamlines production workflows in aerospace, energy, and medical industries alike. As Dr. Joo Yong-ho notes, the material represents a “completely new concept in shielding technology,” combining unprecedented thinness and flexibility with powerful bimodal radiation blocking capabilities. Its scalability and customization potential strengthen South Korea’s position in the competitive global arena of advanced materials.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to enhance the material’s performance further by optimizing its internal structural design. Improvements in nanomaterial arrangement and polymer integration could yield even higher radiation attenuation, greater mechanical robustness, and expanded application scopes. Practical demonstrations and industrial collaborations are underway to transition this lab-scale innovation into commercial products and standardized shielding solutions suitable for the harshest operational settings.

This breakthrough research was supported by several key national programs, including the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Education, and the National Research Foundation of Korea, reflecting the strategic importance of next-generation shielding materials in national science policy. The findings have been published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials, underscoring their scientific rigor and potential for significant impact.

KIST’s pioneering work opens exciting possibilities for a future where protective materials transcend existing limitations, offering unmatched multifunctionality, structural adaptability, and environmental resilience. As space missions grow increasingly ambitious, nuclear and medical technologies advance, and electronic systems become ever more sensitive, such sophisticated shielding materials will prove indispensable. This ultrathin, stretchable, and 3D-printable composite marks a milestone that could redefine how we envision and engineer radiation protection in extreme environments.

Subject of Research: Development of advanced ultra-lightweight composite materials for simultaneous electromagnetic and neutron radiation shielding in extreme environments.

Article Title: Ultrathin, Stretchable, and 3D-Printable Complementary Nanotubes-Polymer Composites for Multimodal Radiation Shielding in Extreme Environments

News Publication Date: March 4, 2026

Web References: DOI link

References: Published in Advanced Materials, Impact Factor 27.4, top 2.0% in JCR field.

Image Credits: Korea Institute of Science and Technology

Keywords

Radiation Shielding, Carbon Nanotubes, Boron Nitride Nanotubes, Composite Materials, Electromagnetic Wave Blocking, Neutron Radiation Absorption, Extreme Environment Materials, 3D-Printing, Flexible Electronics, Space Technology, Nuclear Safety, Medical Device Engineering

Breaking New Ground: The Remarkable Versatility of Boron Nitride Nanotubes in Art and Science

SCIENMAG — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:53:32 +0000

In a remarkable convergence of scientific discovery and visual artistry, researchers at Rice University have broken new ground in the field of nanomaterials engineering by elucidating how boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) can spontaneously organize into ordered liquid crystalline phases within aqueous environments. This revelation not only advances the fundamental understanding of nanorod-based lyotropic liquid crystals but also introduces a versatile and scalable methodology for aligning BNNTs in water using the bile-salt surfactant sodium deoxycholate (SDC). Their findings, published in the prestigious journal Langmuir, represent a significant leap towards the development of next-generation materials tailored for demanding applications ranging from aerospace engineering to cutting-edge electronics.

Among the myriad attributes that make BNNTs compelling for scientific and industrial exploration are their extraordinary mechanical strength, high thermal stability, and electrical insulating properties. Unlike their well-studied carbon nanotube counterparts, BNNTs possess relative optical transparency, a feature that opens new avenues for investigation through visible light microscopy techniques previously inhibited by the darkness and opacity of carbon nanotube dispersions. Professor Matteo Pasquali, the study’s lead investigator and esteemed A.J. Hartsook Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice, emphasizes this advantage, describing BNNTs as ideal model systems for probing the dynamics and phase behaviors of nanorod liquid crystals.

This breakthrough originated from the sharp observational acumen of first author Joe Khoury, whose unique transition from architecture to chemical engineering endowed him with an unconventional perspective on nanomaterial phenomena. During a purification step involving filtration of BNNT dispersions, Khoury noticed the material’s viscosity increased and that it exhibited birefringence under polarized light—a classic indicator of liquid crystalline structure. Motivated by this unexpected visual cue, the research team postulated that manipulating the concentration of sodium deoxycholate could coax BNNTs toward nematic order, a liquid crystalline phase marked by aligned yet fluid rod-like particles.

To validate this hypothesis, the researchers meticulously prepared a comprehensive series of BNNT-SDC dispersions across a wide range of concentration ratios. Utilizing polarized light microscopy, they tracked the evolution from isotropic, disordered suspensions to arrays exhibiting partial alignment, culminating in strongly ordered nematic phases. Complementary cryogenic electron microscopy offered nanoscale resolution, concisely confirming the orientation and positional arrangement of BNNTs within these structured phases. This multi-modal experimental approach provided unequivocal evidence of liquid crystal formation, a phenomenon that had eluded prior studies constrained by limited concentrations or insufficient surfactant presence.

Notably, the team succeeded in constructing the first detailed phase diagram for BNNTs dispersed in surfactant solutions, a predictive map that correlates the concentration of nanotubes and surfactant to resultant ordering states. This roadmap offers researchers a critical tool to anticipate and control the self-assembly behavior of BNNTs, enabling precision tailoring of materials with bespoke properties without resorting to harsh chemical treatments or complex processing methods. Such an advance addresses long-standing challenges in the scalable fabrication of nanostructured films and composites.

The implications of this work extend well beyond academic inquiry. The scientists refined a facile, reproducible shear-coating technique in which BNNT-SDC dispersions were spread uniformly over glass substrates using a calibrated blade, aligning nanotubes into transparent, mechanically robust films. These films exhibit attributes promising for thermal management and structural reinforcement, particularly vital in high-performance industries such as aerospace and electronics where weight, strength, and thermal conductivity critically impact functionality and efficiency. Structural analyses via X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy verified that nematic alignment observed in solution translated directly to the solid state, a pivotal accomplishment for practical applications.

Khoury elucidates that the capacity to lock in solution-phase order into durable thin films transforms the BNNT platform into a scalable manufacturing avenue suitable for diverse high-tech applications. This method paves the way for producing lighter, stronger components with enhanced thermal resistance, potentially revolutionizing material selections in devices ranging from portable electronics to aircraft structures. The benign synthesis conditions — free from strong acids or aggressive solvents — democratize access to this technology, positioning it for widespread adaptation across academic and industrial laboratories globally.

Scientific intrigue coexists with aesthetic allure in this research. The striking polarized-light micrographs, evocative of surrealist paintings, have captured imaginations beyond the chemistry community. According to Pasquali, the images recall masterpieces reminiscent of Dalí or Van Gogh and invite parallels to iconic cultural imagery such as the towering spires of Barad-dûr from “The Lord of the Rings.” This fusion of beauty and function exemplifies the elegance inherent in nanoscience, where visual phenomena reflect intricate molecular organization.

Collaboration and mentorship were instrumental in this achievement. Aside from Pasquali and Khoury, the team included Ángel Martí, chair of chemistry and professor of bioengineering and materials science at Rice University; Cheol Park from NASA Langley Research Center; Lyndsey Scammell of BNNT LLC; and Yeshayahu Talmon of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Their combined expertise bridged synthesizing, characterizing, and interpreting complex nanomaterials to realize a cohesive understanding of BNNT phase behavior.

The study was generously supported by the Welch Foundation, BNNT LLC, the Technion Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, and Rice University’s Electron Microscopy Center and Shared Equipment Authority. Such institutional backing underscores the significance of the findings and fosters continued exploration into the physics and engineering of nanomaterials.

Looking forward, Pasquali emphasizes that their work is merely a foundation for deeper investigations into nanorod lyotropic liquid crystals. With a comprehensive phase diagram and scalable alignment protocol established, future research can concentrate on fine-tuning nanotube orientation, exploring different surfactants or functionalization strategies, and expanding the functionality of BNNT films for niche technological applications. Understanding these fundamental aspects may unlock new classes of materials possessing unique optical, mechanical, or thermal profiles.

In sum, this pioneering research not only demystifies the self-assembly processes of boron nitride nanotubes in aqueous environments but also offers a pragmatic pathway to harness their ordered phases in manufacturable, high-performance films. By bridging fundamental colloidal physics with materials engineering innovation, the study sets an inspiring precedent for creating next-generation nanomaterials that combine form and function at the smallest scales.

Subject of Research: Boron nitride nanotubes liquid crystalline behavior and alignment in aqueous surfactant dispersions

Article Title: Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Phase Behavior of Boron Nitride Nanotube Aqueous Dispersions

News Publication Date: 5-May-2025

Web References:
– https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c00563
– https://profiles.rice.edu/faculty/matteo-pasquali
– https://pasquali.rice.edu/group-members/

Image Credits: Rice University

Keywords

Materials science; Material properties; Materials engineering; Crystallography; Liquid crystals; Colloidal crystals