Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method for producing a polymeric article containing radiopaque nano-materials comprising the steps of:mixing a radiopaque nano-material with a polymer to create a polymeric mixture, wherein said radiopaque nano-material is surface modified to enhance its dispersion within said polymeric mixture;heating said polymeric mixture until it assumes a liquid form; and,forming said polymeric mixture into an article. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said polymeric mixture is mixed and heated in an extruder and then deposited on an endless conveyor. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said liquid polymeric mixture is applied to a sheet of fabric or other pliable material before it solidifies into a film. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said radiopaque nano-material is combined in said polymeric mixture with larger sized radiopaque materials. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said radiopaque nano-material is selected from the group of nano-sized lead, tin, tungsten, barium, boron, tantalum, bismuth, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, copper, depleted uranium, barium, cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2 O3), lanthanum oxide (La2O3) and neodymium oxide (Nd2 O3). 6. A method for producing a hazard protective article comprising the steps of:mixing a nano-material which provides radiation, chemical, biological, fire and/or projectile protection with a polymer to create a polymeric mixture, wherein said nano-material is surface modified to enhance its dispersion within said polymeric mixture;heating said polymeric mixture until it assumes a liquid form;applying said liquid polymeric mixture to a sheet of fabric or other pliable material; and,constructing an article from said fabric or other pliable material composite. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said polymeric mixture is mixed and heated in an extruder before being applied to said sheet of fabric or other pliable material. 8. The method claim 6 wherein said polymeric mixture is sprayed in a liquid form onto said sheet of fabric or other pliable material. 9. A method for producing a radiation protective article of clothing comprising the steps of:mixing a radiation protective nano-material with a polymer to create a polymeric mixture, wherein said radiation protective nano-material is surface modified to enhance its dispersion within said polymeric mixture;heating said polymeric mixture until it assumes a liquid form;applying said liquid polymeric mixture to a sheet of fabric or other pliable material; and,constructing an article of clothing from said fabric or other pliable material composite. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said radiation protective nano-material is selected from the group of nano-sized lead, tin, tungsten, barium, boron, tantalum, bismuth, silver, gold, platinum, aluminum, copper, depleted uranium, barium, cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2 O3), lanthanum oxide (La2O3) and neodymium oxide (Nd2 O3). 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said radiation protective nano-material is selected from the group of nano-clays, nano-spheres, nano-hemispheres and nano-parabolas. 12. The method of claim 1 wherein said surface modification is done through compatibilization. 13. The method claim 12 wherein said nano-material is a nanoclay and said compatibilization method is either onium ion modification or ion-dipole interaction. 14. The method of claim 6 wherein said surface modification is done through compatibilization. 15. The method claim 14 wherein said nano-material is a nanoclay and said compatibilization method is either onium ion modification or ion-dipole interaction. 16. The method of claim 9 wherein said surface modification is done through compatibilization. 17. The method claim 16 wherein said nano-material is a nanoclay and said compatibilization method is either onium ion modification or ion-dipole interaction.