Medical-Radiation-Shielding Film Fabricated by Imitating the Layered Structure Pattern of Abalone Shell and Verification of Its Shielding Effect

Abstract

Radiation-shielding clothing for medical workers must be light and thin, thus ensuring flexibility. However, controlling the thickness and weight is limited by shielding performance requirements. This study aims to improve shielding performance by considering a shielding structure that mimics the internal structure of an abalone shell. Two shields were produced: a sheet made with a carrier process using a liquid polymer and tungsten mixture, and a fillet made by compounding the same material and laminated using a heat-treatment press after the injection process. The tungsten content and thickness were the same at 85 wt% and 0.3 mm, respectively. In the high-energy region, the shielding film based on the laminated structure of abalone shells showed a shielding rate that was higher by more than 7%. Compared to that of a 0.3 mm lead plate, the shielding ratio of the shielding film was approximately 16% lower at 120 kVp, thereby confirming the radiation-shielding effect of the layered-structure shielding film. Therefore, it is concluded that the laminated structure of the shielding film, which is identical to the internal laminated structure of the abalone shell, expands the impact area of incident radiation and attenuates the energy intensity, thereby improving the medical-radiation-shielding performance.

The utilization of chlorophyll and micro-lead in bio-silicon as a foundation for shielding against X-ray radiation in the medical field

“…The shielding film demonstrated a 16 % lower shielding ratio at 120 kVp compared to a 0,3 mm lead plate, thus verifying the radiation-shielding effectiveness of the layered-structure shielding film. (14) The present work employed microlead containing chlorophyll as an alternative to conventional lead sheets in order to fabricate a radiation shielding sheet that is more environmentally sustainable. Additionally, various components were incorporated into the microlead-chlorophyll mixture to enhance its limited miscibility.…”