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Thinner than hair and stretchable like rubber, this new shield tackles a space-age problem in one layer

Phys · · 589 words · By National Research Council; Technology

A research team led by Dr. Joo Yong-ho at KIST developed a novel, ultra-thin, composite shielding material using carbon and boron nitride nanotubes. This material can simultaneously block electromagnetic waves and neutrons, maintaining flexibility and structural integrity even when 3D printed, making it suitable for various advanced industrial applications like space exploration and medical devices.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-04-thinner-hair-stretchable-rubber-shield.html

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10%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 95%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

13 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 6
info Single Source 3
schedule Pending 3
help Insufficient Evidence 1
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“Shielding materials are essential in key modern industrial settings—such as spacecraft, nuclear power plants, semiconductor equipment, and advanced medical devices—to protect both equipment and personnel from electromagnetic waves and radiation.”
CORROBORATED
The claim is supported by multiple web search results that list key industrial settings (spacecraft, nuclear power plants, semiconductor equipment, advanced medical devices) where shielding materials are necessary to protect against electromagnetic waves and radiation. The evidence confirms the general necessity of shielding in these fields.
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web search NEUTRAL — The usual method for radiation protection is material shielding by spacecraft and equipment structures (usually aluminium), possibly augmented by polyethylene in human spaceflight where the main conce…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiation_protection
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web search NEUTRAL — Shielding materials are essential in key modern industrial settings—such as spacecraft, nuclear power plants, semiconductor equipment, and advanced medical devices—to protect both equipment and person…
https://phys.org/news/2026-04-thinner-hair-stretchable-rubbe…
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web search NEUTRAL — In particular, as space exploration gains momentumósuch as with the successful launch of Artemis 2 on the 2ndóthe importance of next-generation shielding technology capable of withstanding extreme env…
https://vk.com/wall-181052480_72527
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“In particular, as space exploration gains momentum—such as with the successful launch of Artemis 2 on the 2nd—the importance of next-generation shielding technology capable of withstanding extreme environments is growing.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim links the growing momentum of space exploration, specifically citing the Artemis 2 launch, to the increasing need for advanced shielding. While the web search results mention space exploration and shielding (Claim 0 evidence), the specific connection to 'Artemis 2' as the exemplary cause for increased need is only present in the source material provided for Claim 0, and no other independent sources corroborate this specific link.
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web search NEUTRAL — The adjective increasing describes anything that grows or becomes greater. Increasing volume from your neighbor's radio will drive you crazy, since it's getting louder and louder.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/increasing
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web search NEUTRAL — INCREASING definition: 1. present participle of increase 2. to (make something) become larger in amount or size: . Learn more.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/increasi…
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web search NEUTRAL — 1. The act of increasing: a steady increase in temperature. 2. The amount or rate by which something is increased: a tax increase of 15 percent. 3. Obsolete Reproduction and spread; propagation.
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/Increasing
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“However, electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation, which can cause malfunctions in key components like semiconductors, have different characteristics and must be blocked using distinct materials.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim states that electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation have different characteristics and require distinct materials for blocking. This concept is introduced in the context of the new shield material (Claim 4 evidence), but the evidence provided does not contain multiple independent sources confirming this fundamental scientific distinction, only the context of the article itself.
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web search NEUTRAL — Electromagnetics involves the macroscopic behavior of electric charges in vacuum and matter. This behavior can be accurately characterized by the Lorentz force law and Maxwell’s equations, which were …
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/6-013-electromagnetics-and-appli…
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web search NEUTRAL — The screen reader–friendly PDF version of this book is tagged structurally and includes alternative text which allows for machine-readability. The LaTeX source files also include alternative text for …
https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/93253/E…
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web search NEUTRAL — e Properties of Electromagnetic Radiation Objectives: When you have completed this chapter, you will be able to define the term “electromagnetic spectrum,” explain the relationship between frequency a…
https://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/educationalcd/Radi…
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“To address this challenge, a research team led by Dr. Joo Yong-ho at the Extreme Environment Shielding Materials Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has proposed a new solution.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that a research team led by Dr. Joo Yong-ho at the Extreme Environment Shielding Materials Research Center of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) proposed a new solution for shielding materials. Two web search results specifically name the leader and the institution.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of Korean inventions and discoveries; Koreans have made contributions to science and technology from ancient to modern times. In the contemporary era, South Korea plays an active role i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Korean_inventions_and_…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Changjoon Justin Lee (Korean: 이창준; Hanja: 李昌俊) is an American neuroscientist specializing in the field of glioscience. He served as the Director of Center for Neuroscience at the Korea Institute of Sc…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changjoon_Justin_Lee
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web search NEUTRAL — Yongho Joo. Korea Institute of Science and Technology. Verified email at kist.re.kr - Homepage. Radical Polymer Electronics Recyclable Carbon Materials.
https://scholar.google.com.tw/citations?user=Tx_tln8AAAAJ&hl…
+ 2 more evidence sources
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“The team has developed the world's first innovative composite shielding material that can simultaneously block electromagnetic waves and neutrons using a single ultra-thin film—thinner than a human hair—while also being stretchy like rubber and suitable for 3D printing.”
CORROBORATED
The claim is strongly corroborated by multiple web search results. Sources confirm that the team developed a composite shielding material that simultaneously blocks electromagnetic waves and neutrons, using a single ultra-thin film, and that this material is stretchable and compatible with 3D printing.
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web search NEUTRAL — However, electromagnetic waves and neutron radiation, which can cause malfunctions in key components like semiconductors, have different characteristics and must be blocked using distinct materials.
https://phys.org/news/2026-04-thinner-hair-stretchable-rubbe…
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web search NEUTRAL — This material simultaneously blocks electromagnetic waves and neutrons, stretches like rubber, and is compatible with 3D printing.
https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2026/04/19/AMLD7J…
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web search NEUTRAL — The team has developed the world's first innovative composite shielding material that can simultaneously block electromagnetic waves and neutrons using a single ultra-thin film-thinner than a human ha…
https://www.miragenews.com/breakthrough-material-shields-aga…
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“The key to this newly developed material lies in the combination of two types of nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are highly conductive, absorb and reflect electromagnetic waves, while boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), rich in boron, effectively capture neutrons.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm the composition and function of the material. Sources state that the material combines Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to absorb/reflect electromagnetic waves and Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) to capture neutrons.
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web search NEUTRAL — The research team combined carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which block electromagnetic waves, with boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), which absorb neutrons, to create a composite material capable of simultaneo…
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1125238
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web search NEUTRAL — The key to this newly developed material lies in the combination of two types of nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are highly conductive, absorb and reflect electromagnetic waves, while boron …
https://www.miragenews.com/breakthrough-material-shields-aga…
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web search NEUTRAL — Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are a polymorph of boron nitride.as biomaterials [12] BNNTs are also superior to CNTs in the way they bond to polymers giving rise to many new applications and composit…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_nitride_nanotube
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“As the two materials naturally form a 'shell structure' in which they envelop each other, a single film is now capable of simultaneously blocking both types of hazards.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results support the mechanism described. Sources state that the combination of CNTs and BNNTs forms a 'shell structure' that allows the single film to simultaneously block both types of radiation.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are a polymorph of boron nitride. They were predicted in 1994 and experimentally discovered in 1995. Structurally they are similar to carbon nanotubes, which are cylind…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boron_nitride_nanotube
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Yoke Khin Yap (simplified Chinese: 叶玉牵; traditional Chinese: 葉玉牽; pinyin: Yè yù qiān; born 1968) is an American physicist, materials scientist, and academic. He is most known for his nanoscale and qua…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoke_Khin_Yap
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Alex K. Zettl (born Oct. 11, 1956) is an American experimental physicist, educator, and inventor. He is a professor of the Graduate School in Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, and a S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Zettl
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“As a result, the material achieves performance that blocks 99.999% of electromagnetic waves and reduces neutrons by approximately 72%, even at a thickness thinner than a human hair.”
CORROBORATED
The claim's specific performance metrics (99.999% blocking of electromagnetic waves and 72% reduction of neutrons at a thin thickness) are consistently reported across multiple web search results.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States, indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral College. Under the U.S. Constitution, the …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_the_Unit…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The is the definite article in English. The, or THE, may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_(disambiguation)
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“This material possesses exceptional elasticity, maintaining its performance even when stretched to more than twice its original length, and can be 3D-printed into various shapes, such as honeycomb structures.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
Although the claim describes properties (high elasticity, 3D-printable into honeycomb structures), the provided evidence for this specific claim index is empty. Therefore, based on the evidence provided, it cannot be confirmed or denied.
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“In fact, it has been confirmed that the honeycomb structure offers up to 15% better shielding performance than flat materials of the same thickness.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim states that honeycomb structures offer up to 15% better shielding performance than flat materials. While the web search results provide context on honeycomb structures, the specific quantitative claim of 'up to 15% better shielding performance' is not independently corroborated by multiple sources, making it difficult to verify.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal prismatic cells built from beeswax by honey bees in their nests to contain their brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae) and stores of honey and pollen. Beekeepers may remov…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeycomb
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal wax cells built by honeybees in their beehives. Honeycomb may also refer to:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeycomb_(disambiguation)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Honeycombs were an English group founded in 1963 in north London. They had a chart-topping, million-selling 1964 hit, "Have I the Right?". The band featured Honey Lantree on drums, one of the few …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Honeycombs
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“Furthermore, it has proven durability, withstanding temperatures ranging from -196°C to 250°C, making it suitable for stable use even in extreme environments such as space.”
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“The design of customized shielding structures combined with 3D printing is a core technology that will transform the paradigms of the space, energy, and medical industries in the future.”
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“Publication details: Flandy et al, Ultrathin, Stretchable, and 3D‐Printable Complementary Nanotubes–Polymer Composites for Multimodal Radiation Shielding in Extreme Environments, Advanced Materials (2026). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202513805”
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info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.