Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Pierson

Bruce D. Pierson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Nuclear reactor target assemblies, nuclear reactor configurations, and methods for producing isotopes, modifying materials within target material, and/or characterizing material within a target material
    Patent number: 9997267
    Abstract: Target assemblies are provided that can include a uranium-comprising annulus. The assemblies can include target material consisting essentially of non-uranium material within the volume of the annulus. Reactors are disclosed that can include one or more discrete zones configured to receive target material. At least one uranium-comprising annulus can be within one or more of the zones. Methods for producing isotopes within target material are also disclosed, with the methods including providing neutrons to target material within a uranium-comprising annulus. Methods for modifying materials within target material are disclosed as well as are methods for characterizing material within a target material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: Battelle Memorial Institute, Washington State University
    Inventors: James J. Toth, Donald Wall, Richard S. Wittman, Bruce D. Pierson, Lawrence R. Greenwood
  • Nuclear Reactor Target Assemblies, Nuclear Reactor Configurations, and Methods for Producing Isotopes, Modifying Materials Within Target Material, and/or Characterizing Material Within a Target Material
    Publication number: 20140226773
    Abstract: Target assemblies are provided that can include a uranium-comprising annulus. The assemblies can include target material consisting essentially of non-uranium material within the volume of the annulus. Reactors are disclosed that can include one or more discrete zones configured to receive target material. At least one uranium-comprising annulus can be within one or more of the zones. Methods for producing isotopes within target material are also disclosed, with the methods including providing neutrons to target material within a uranium-comprising annulus. Methods for modifying materials within target material are disclosed as well as are methods for characterizing material within a target material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY, BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: James J. Toth, Donald Wall, Richard S. Wittman, Bruce D. Pierson, Lawrence R. Greenwood