Radiation shielding materials are essential for protecting humans and sensitive equipment across industries such as space exploration, medicine, and nuclear energy. Materials destined for space environments must be lightweight, mechanically robust, thermally stable, and inherently multifunctional. Boron nitride (BN) nanomaterials (boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheets) are promising candidates that intrinsically meet these criteria. The presence of boron, an element with an exceptionally high neutron absorption cross-section, imparts significant neutron shielding capabilities. Furthermore, these nanomaterials are renowned for their highly anisotropic thermal conductivity. Consequently, boron-containing nanomaterials serve as excellent nanofillers for advanced composites engineered for simultaneous thermal and radiation mitigation.

This research aims to synthesize novel BN-polymer nanocomposites and fundamentally investigate the interfacial interactions between the nanomaterial fillers and the polymer matrix. To optimize these critical phase boundaries, design and synthesis of polymers, as well as target functionalization of both the polymer backbone and the BN surfaces will be explored. The resulting composites will be comprehensively characterized using spectroscopy, electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and advanced X-ray techniques. Coupling these structural insights with performance evaluations, including mechanical testing, thermal conductivity, and radiation shielding will establish robust structure-property relationships. Additionally, the synthesis of advanced hybrid materials via the direct growth of carbon nanostructures onto BN templates will be investigated to further expand material multifunctionality.

nanomaterials, nanocomposites, thermal transport, radiation shielding, boron-nitride nanomaterials, boron-nitride nanotubes, polymeric materials, carbon nanomaterial synthesis

citizenship

Open to U.S. citizens

level

Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants

Additional Benefits

relocation

Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.

health insurance

A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.