A recent study published in *Scientific Reports* has introduced innovative concrete compositions aimed at improving radiation shielding for nuclear, medical, and defense facilities. By combining machine learning with genetic algorithms, researchers optimized these compositions for enhanced protection against gamma and neutron radiation across diverse energy ranges. The study identified six novel compositions, with concrete_5 and concrete_6 showing superior shielding performance, particularly due to their incorporation of iron, boron, nickel, and tungsten. Significantly, the concrete_6 composition demonstrated a reduction of 65.89% in Global Warming Potential (GWP) compared to traditional concrete, addressing both safety and environmental sustainability requirements in context to nuclear energy's rising importance amid climate change concerns. The implications of these findings extend beyond just structural resilience; they support sustainable building practices aligning with global development goals. Future research is suggested to validate these concrete mixes in real-world applications and explore efficient disposal methods for heavy metal-infused materials.
Mon, 17 Feb 2025 23:48:57 GMT | Nature.com