Sewable soft shields for the γ-ray radiation

Abstract Soft shields are required to protect the human body during a radioactive accident. However, the modulus of most soft shields, such as HDPE and epoxy, is high, thereby making it difficult to process them in wearable forms like gloves and clothes. We synthesized a soft shield based on a hydrogel that is very compliant, stretchable, and biocompatible. The shields were fabricated by integrating γ-ray-shield particles into hydrogels with an interpenetrating network. The soft shields containing 3.33 M of PbO2 exhibited a high attenuation coefficient (0.284 cm−1) and were stretched to 400% without a rupture. Furthermore, the fabricated soft shield can be sewn without a fabric support due to its high energy-dispersion ability. A wearable arm shield for the γ-ray radiation was demonstrated using a direct sewing of the soft-shield materials.