Recycling Against Radiation

A Comparison between Recycled and Non-Recycled HDPE for Radiation Shielding

Safety is the key to successful space exploration. Away from the protection of the Earth’s magnetosphere, astronauts require artificial shields, either physical or electromagnetic, to
protect them from harmful forms of radiation present in the cosmos. Current methods of radiation shielding are only effective when still somewhat within the Earth’s magnetosphere and
some are not cost effective. Should astronauts attempt to venture farther from the protective magnetosphere of their home planet, they would be bombarded by high-energy forms of
Abstract radiation called gamma rays. This radiation can increase the risk of cancer and, under prolonged exposure, cause radiation sickness. However, simple household objects comprised of a
certain hydrogen-rich plastic, known as polyethylene, can be recycled to ensure astronauts’ safety against radiation, as well as a cleaner, non-polluted environment to welcome them
home. The experiment requires five 6 inch by 6 inch, 0.5 inch thick sheets of recycled high density polyethylene (r-HDPE) and five non-recycled, or virgin, high density polyethylene (v-HDPE)
sheets of the same dimensions. In the procedure, a geiger counter was used to test the dosage of the radiation that penetrates a horizontal stack of 1 to 5 sheets of two types of HDPE:
r-HDPE and v-HDPE. The outcome of this experiment was that r-HDPE had a lower transmissivity, or radiation permeability, compared to v-HDPE, indicating better performance as a
radiation shield.

Documentation
Problem Data Analysis
Initial procedure and expected results
Astronauts embarking on ● Graphing the raw data (rate of
change)
deep-space missions will be exposed to
● Independent variable T-test
life-threatening radiation dosages that (similarity)
current shielding cannot prevent. ● Shapiro-Wilk’s Test (normality)
● Levene’s Test (variance)

Hypothesis

If radiation shields are made out of

recycled HDPE, then they will perform
better or worse than radiation shields
Research and preparation
made out of virgin HDPE.

Graph 1. This graph Graph 2. This graph shows

shows the reduction in the reduction in radiation
Procedures radiation dosage with an dosage with an increase in
increase in recycled HDPE non-recycled HDPE shield
shield thickness. thickness.
Molding Recycled Plastic
1. ≠ Cut up reclaimed plastic
2. Heat the shredded plastic
3. Mold to proper dimensions
4. Apply uniform pressure while cooling

Testing Plastic with X-ray Machine Making the shields

1. Take the control measurement (no
shield)
2. Measure radiation through first
shield
3. Repeat step #2 with an additional
shield each time, keep start position
constant
Collecting the data

Conclusion
Image taken from www.cyberphysics.co.uk/topics/light/emspect.htm
● Difference in rate of change: Recycled
performed roughly 7 times better than
References non-recycled
● Shapiro-Wilk’s Test: Data is normally
Frazier, S. (2015). How to Protect Astronauts from Space Radiation on
Mars. Retrieved on November 29, 2018 from:
distributed
www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/real-martians-how-to-protect-astron ● Levene’s Test: Data sets have large
auts-from-space-radiation-on-mars
. variance
Narici, L., Casolino, M., Di Fino, L., Larosa, M., Picozza, P., Rizzo, A., &
Zaconte, V. (2017, May 10). Performances of Kevlar and Polyethylene as
● T-Test: Assuming unequal variance,
radiation shielding on-board the International Space Station in high recycled performs better than
latitude radiation environment. Retrieved on October 4, 2018 from:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5432003/. non-recycled HDPE
Extended Research
Alzerreca, M. et al. (2015, Sept.). Mechanical properties and molecular
structures of virgin and recycled HDPE polymers used in gravity sewer Our hypothesis is supported by our
systems. Retrieved on Sept. 9, 2019 from:
doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2015.06.012. results. The data shows that the recycled
Photographs taken by George French, John French, Juan Rivas, and shields performed much better than
Zane Vandivere.
expected!