Demron
Encyclopedia
Demron is a radiation
-blocking fabric
made by Radiation Shield Technologies. The material is said to have radiation protection similar to lead shielding
, while being lightweight and flexible. The composition of Demron is proprietary, but is described as a non-toxic polymer. According to its manufacturer, while Demron shields the wearer from radiation alone, it can be coupled with different protective materials to block chemical and biological
threats as well. Demron is roughly three to four times more expensive than a conventional lead apron, but can be treated like a normal fabric for cleaning, storage and disposal. More recent uses for Demron include certified first responder
hazmat suits as well as tactical vests. Demron is proven by the United States Department of Energy
to significantly reduce high energy alpha
and beta
radiation, and reduce low energy gamma radiation
. When several sheets of Demron are laminated together the result is a much more powerful shield, though Demron cannot completely block all gamma radiation
.
Radiation
In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing...
-blocking fabric
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
made by Radiation Shield Technologies. The material is said to have radiation protection similar to lead shielding
Lead shielding
Lead shielding refers to the use of lead as a form of radiation protection to shield people or objects from radiation. Lead can effectively attenuate certain kinds of radiation because of its high density and high atomic number; principally, it is effective at stopping alpha rays, gamma rays, and...
, while being lightweight and flexible. The composition of Demron is proprietary, but is described as a non-toxic polymer. According to its manufacturer, while Demron shields the wearer from radiation alone, it can be coupled with different protective materials to block chemical and biological
Biological agent
A biological agent — also called bio-agent or biological threat agent — is a bacterium, virus, prion, or fungus which may cause infection, allergy, toxicity or otherwise create a hazard to human health. They can be used as a biological weapon in bioterrorism or biological warfare...
threats as well. Demron is roughly three to four times more expensive than a conventional lead apron, but can be treated like a normal fabric for cleaning, storage and disposal. More recent uses for Demron include certified first responder
Certified first responder
A certified first responder is a person who has completed a course and received certification in providing pre-hospital care for medical emergencies. They have more skill than someone who is trained in basic first aid but they are not a substitute for advanced medical care rendered by emergency...
hazmat suits as well as tactical vests. Demron is proven by the United States Department of Energy
United States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
to significantly reduce high energy alpha
Alpha decay
Alpha decay is a type of radioactive decay in which an atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle and thereby transforms into an atom with a mass number 4 less and atomic number 2 less...
and beta
Beta decay
In nuclear physics, beta decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a beta particle is emitted from an atom. There are two types of beta decay: beta minus and beta plus. In the case of beta decay that produces an electron emission, it is referred to as beta minus , while in the case of a...
radiation, and reduce low energy gamma radiation
Gamma ray
Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays or hyphenated as gamma-rays and denoted as γ, is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency . Gamma rays are usually naturally produced on Earth by decay of high energy states in atomic nuclei...
. When several sheets of Demron are laminated together the result is a much more powerful shield, though Demron cannot completely block all gamma radiation
Gamma ray
Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays or hyphenated as gamma-rays and denoted as γ, is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency . Gamma rays are usually naturally produced on Earth by decay of high energy states in atomic nuclei...
.