New Flexible Shielding Material Could Transform Spacecraft Design

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology have created a composite film thinner than a human hair that blocks both electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation.

Built from carbon and boron nitride nanotubes in a polymer matrix, the material remains elastic across extreme temperatures and can be shaped via 3D printing.

By reducing weight and structural complexity, it offers a scalable solution for aerospace, medical, and nuclear applications—pointing toward flexible shielding for next-generation spacecraft and wearable protection.

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