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Lightweight Radiation-proof Fabric?
kramer writes "New Scientist is reporting the creation of a lighweight radiation-proof fabric called Demron. Demron is being touted by its inventors as comparable to lead shielding at a fraction of the weight. Could be very useful for any future interplanetary space missions where the amount of radiation absorbed by the crew is a significant concern."
Low-energy alpha & beta are easily blocked with century-old technology. Their explanation of how they block X and gamma sounds like smoke & mirrors to me.
BTW, '0.00% of gamma gets through' may be worse than nothing, since the secondary shower (from whatever the gamma ray hit) is often worse than the gamma.
It's easy to make up & spread cool- and credible-sounding stuff. Finding & checking hard facts is hard work.
Weight may not be an issue in space, but mass still is. This fabric would also have less mass then a lead coat. Easier to start it moving (by the wearer) and, more importantly, easier to stop it moving.
Weight might not be a big issue once you are actually in space, however, it is a huge issue when it comes to getting there.
And once you're in orbit weight doesn't matter, but mass still does.
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If you're that concerned about having kids, then why are you still wearing tighty-whiteys? Your body heat is doing more to drop yer counts than that power plant!
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