On 3 November 2026, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), led by Kim Dae-yun, reported a flexible neutron-shielding fiber made from boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) blended with aramid polymers. The team continuously produced more than 3.5 kilometres of fiber and converted it into flat woven and cylindrical knitted textiles using existing industrial equipment. A fabric approximately 1.62 millimetres thick blocked about 99% of thermal neutrons.[1][2]
The result demonstrates manufacturable, conformable neutron protection rather than a laboratory-only coating. BNNTs reportedly provide neutron-absorption capacity approximately 200,000 times greater than carbon nanotubes, while the composite remains flexible and non-combustible up to 500°C.[3] For lunar operations, textile integration could protect crew, biological repositories, electronics, and stored materials from secondary neutron exposure generated when cosmic rays strike regolith or structural metals; it does not by itself solve high-energy galactic-cosmic-ray or solar-particle shielding.[2][3]
The Ark team should obtain independently validated radiation spectra, areal-density data, attenuation across neutron energies, secondary-radiation measurements, durability results, and BNNT production-energy requirements. Prioritise tests in simulated lunar regolith environments and space exposure, then evaluate multilayer integration with hydrogen-rich polymers, water, polyethylene, and regolith-derived shielding; track KIST licensing, qualification, and the reported NASA space-environment exposure programme.[8]