Abstract: An instrument that will directly image the fast fission neutrons from a special nuclear material source wherein the neutron detection efficiency is increased has been described. Instead of the previous technique that uses a time-of-flight (TOF) between 2 widely spaced fixed planes of neutron detectors to measure scatter neutron kinetic energy, we now use the recoil proton energy deposited in the second of the 2 scatter planes which can now be repositioned either much closer together or further apart. However, by doubling the separation distance between the 2 planes from 20 cm to a distance of 40 cm we improved the angular resolution of the detector from about 12° to about 10°. A further doubling of the separation distance to 80 cm provided an addition improvement in angular resolution of the detector to about 6° without adding additional detectors or ancillary electronics.

Abstract: An absorbant animal bedding made from ground, bleached, and dried corn stalks. A method for making the animal bedding using a tub grinder for grinding raw corn stalks to ground corn stalk pieces, a spray nozzle for spraying a bleach and sanitizing solution on the ground corn stalk pieces, a dryer system for drying the ground corn stalk pieces, a fire detection and extinguishment system for detecting and extinguishing any sparks or fire in the dried corn stalks after leaving the dryer system, a cyclonic separator for separating moist air from the dried corn stalk pieces, and mechanism for removing dust before the ground stalk pieces are conveyed to a packaging location.