Research Projects

In the growing technological applications, every day we are surrounded by various types of radiation which are harmful to the living organisms, so protecting these radiations is the main concern for research community throughout the world. In case of industries, agriculture, medicines, and nuclear energy sectors has intensified the need for effective radiological protection. In case of space mission, there are also various types of harmful radiations such as ionizing (galactic cosmic radiation, trapped radiation and solar energetic particles) and non-ionizing (ultraviolet) radiations effect the lifespan of space craft, satellites and space habitat, etc. Ionizing radiation also effects the human being, even at low doses, can cause genetic mutations and increase cancer risk, while high-dose exposure may result in acute radiation syndrome, affecting the hematopoietic system, skin, and gastrointestinal tract, and can be fatal. Therefore, responsible handling of radiation sources or radiation shielding is essential to minimize risks and maximize societal benefits. Lead (Pb) has traditionally been the material of choice for radiation shielding due to its high density and shielding efficiency. It is used extensively in nuclear reactors, medical imaging equipment, defense systems and many space missions. However, lead based shielding materials have serious drawbacks, such as environmental toxicity, health hazards, and chemical instability. This has prompted the search for safer, more sustainable alternatives. Thus, the proposed research project focuses on the designing of a new-generation innovative radiation shielding light weight composite material by incorporating liquid metal (LM) droplets within a flexible elastomeric matrix. LM based on Gallium (Ga) and Indium (In), with electronic configurations of Ga is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹ and In is [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p¹, possess partially filled p-orbitals and densely packed d-electrons in their inner shells, which contributes to their high atomic numbers (Z). A higher Z value enhances photoelectric absorption, making these elements particularly effective in attenuating X-rays and gamma radiation. Gallium-based alloys such as eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) and Galinstan (EGaInSn) offer several advantages. Their high atomic number supports efficient radiation shielding, and their fluid nature at or near room temperature enables excellent conformability to complex surfaces. Elastomeric materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), ethylene-based thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) offer a unique combination of mechanical resilience. The proposed LM based elastomeric material can be precisely engineered to serve multiple functionalities, including radiation protection, self-healing, thermal regulation, and strain sensing. This makes them promising candidates for Indian space mission to developed next-generation radiation protective systems in diverse applications.