There are many kinds of research going on the topic of radiation shielding for sustainable Human habitat in space. This is one of the important factors for the sustainable human life in space. So I have a doubt on choosing a suitable material for radiation shielding in outer space habitat which should protect human from both solar and cosmic radiation.
Link: http://www.science20.com/news_articles/high_z_metal_foams_shield_xrays_gamma_rays_and_neutron_radiation-156579
Detailed information on such materials are available at:
http://www.osti.gov/scitech/biblio/1239280
According to the last reports on scientific meetings the fuel itself.
Metals are dubious for space radiation shielding. The radiation environment of space is high energy (GeV/nucleon), fully ionized particles and ions from Hydrogen up the whole periodic table. No neutrons in the primary environment and X-rays are not an issue inside a vehicle. This primary environment induces a secondary environment within the material (which includes neutrons). The problem with metals is that the primary ions create a large number of secondary particles when they interact with the larger, more complex nuclei of metals. Typically, the lower on the periodic table you go, the better for space radiation shielding (so, hydrogen-rich materials perform better). I did not read the paper cited in the original - but my guess is they were not looking at neutron energies that are consistent with neutrons produced by cosmic rays (probably only very low energy, possibly only thermal).
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