Researchers in the Philippines have discovered that Taal volcanic ash, rich in iron-rich minerals, can be used to create effective shielding against harmful radiation. This finding offers a sustainable and lightweight alternative to conventional radiation shielding, particularly beneficial in a country with high volcanic activity and a need for safe waste disposal.
Blocks of geopolymer mortar made from Taal volcanic ash freshly removed from their molds after they were left to cure for 24 hours. It was found that the natural presence of iron-rich minerals in TVA give it strong radiation attenuation properties.
Researchers from the Ateneo de Manila University and the National University-Mall of Asia Campus have found that volcanic ash—particularly from Taal Volcano as one of the most active in the Philippines—can be used to make effective shielding against harmful radiation. The discovery offers a potential solution since the Philippines is one of the most tectonically active regions in the world and has an abundance of volcanic ash that is difficult to dispose of.Furthermore, conventional radiation shielding can be expensive and environmentally hazardous despite being necessary in places like hospitals, industrial sites, and nuclear facilities. Construction materials made from volcanic ash offer a potentially sustainable and lightweight alternative, according to researchers Floyd Rey P. Plando, Myris V. Supnad, and Joel T. Maquiling. When Taal Volcano erupted in 2020, it covered large areas of Luzon with ash and posed serious disposal challenges. The aforementioned researchers then investigated the potential use of Taal volcanic ash in construction applications rather than simply treating the pyroclastic material as waste. Specifically, they tested the physical and chemical properties of TVA-based geopolymer mortar and discovered that the natural presence of iron-rich minerals gave it strong radiation attenuation properties. “Iron has greater interaction power because it contains more electrons. In addition, it is a dense metal due to its heavy and tightly packed structure. High-electron and denser material, such as TVA, has stronger efficiency in blocking hazardous X-rays and gamma rays,” Plando said. “Moreover, the optimal blend of volcanic ash and aggregates result in effective photon attenuation because of the resulting disorder in granular matter microstructures,” Maquiling added. Although further studies are still needed to refine the material’s durability and optimize its shielding performance, this breakthrough research demonstrates that “even byproducts of cataclysmic natural events can lead to meaningful and life-saving innovation.”
Radiation Shielding Volcanic Ash Taal Volcano Sustainable Materials Construction
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