The effects of ionizing radiation on a series of solid-state materials: from organics to actinides

Every day we are exposed to various kinds of radiation, from radio waves to ultra-violet light; however, people are also exposed to higher energy radiation in order to secure carbon-neutral energy (nuclear energy), explore our vast galaxy, or be treated for cancer. Scientists have provided profound fundamental research to understand phenomena in our daily lives, yet, when high energy radiation is present these fundamental chemical and physical phenomena are perturbed. Ionizing radiation rips apart molecules, creating unstable species which can interact and cascade into the breakdown of neighboring molecules—ultimately destroying everyday materials such as glass, polymers, and human cells/tissue. Many of these changes in materials upon exposure to ionizing radiation remain unknown, which poses challenges in areas of developing nuclear energy, safe space travel, and efficient cancer treatments. Thus, the goal of my thesis is to investigate various solid materials that can be used for radiation shielding/detection (organics) and others that can be present in nuclear energy processes (actinides) to understand what reactive species form and the underlying chemistry which can aid us in the development of better radiation shielding/detection and the changes in nuclear fuel overtime.