Date Thesis Awarded

4-2014

Access Type

Honors Thesis -- Access Restricted On-Campus Only

Degree Name

Bachelors of Science (BS)

Department

Chemistry

Advisor

Robert Orwoll

Committee Members

Richard Kiefer

Kristin Wustholz

Abstract

One of the significant problems facing space exploration is the presence of high energy radiation in this non-terrestrial environment. Significant exposure to this radiation poses a serious hazard to both the personnel and equipment during extended flights or extra-terrestrial habitation. Traditional methods used for shielding high energy radiation on Earth are not practical due to the conditions necessary for space flight. Polymers present a feasible alternative to the traditional radiation shielding methods, providing a material that can serve as both a lightweight structural component and at least one component in a shielding system that protects the crew from the deadly radiation flux in the hostile environments of space. This research focuses on two approaches to the development of a hydrogen-rich polymeric system in order to increase the hydrogen content in previously synthesized polyimides.

Recommended Citation

Geberth, Geoffrey T., "Increasing the Hydrogen Content of Aromatic Polyimides for Radiation Shielding" (2014). Undergraduate Honors Theses. William & Mary. Paper 21.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/honorstheses/21