Russia develops new boron-containing ceramic building materials to enhance the safety of lunar base construction

Researchers at the Far Eastern Federal University in Russia are developing a building material manufacturing technology aimed at improving the neutron absorption of ceramic building materials for future lunar bases, thereby reducing the potential neutron radiation hazards to personnel within the base. Recently, RIA Novosti reported, citing experts from the university, that the Moon lacks an atmosphere and magnetic field, and when cosmic rays strike the lunar soil, they release high-intensity neutrons. The release of neutrons is harmful to the human body and can affect the operation of equipment. Researchers conducting related protective studies have found that adding certain borides to ceramic building materials can enhance their neutron absorption capacity, potentially lowering the radiation levels within lunar base structures. Russian experts stated that if subsequent tests confirm the feasibility of the related technology, astronauts may be able to add borides to the surface soil and rock debris on the lunar surface, and then through sintering, obtain ceramic building materials suitable for constructing lunar base buildings. This would significantly reduce the costs of transporting certain building materials from Earth to the Moon and enhance the safety of executing long-term missions on the lunar surface