Patents Assigned to Nova Scientific, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9941438
    Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include at least one of hafnium (Hf), samarium (Sm), erbium (Er), neodymium (Nd), tantalum (Ta), lutetium (Lu), europium (Eu), dysposium (Dy), or thulium (Tm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 9651688
    Abstract: A method for detecting a neutron includes providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate, providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage, measuring a signal on the output electrode, and detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
  • Patent number: 9297914
    Abstract: A method for detecting a neutron includes providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate, providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage, measuring a signal on the output electrode, and detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon. H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
  • Patent number: 9082907
    Abstract: A device includes a neutron-sensitive composition. The composition includes, in weight percent, a non-zero amount of aluminum oxide (e.g., approximately 1% to approximately 3.5% aluminum oxide), greater than 12% (e.g., approximately 12% to approximately 17%) boron oxide, greater than approximately 60% silicon oxide (e.g., approximately 62% to approximately 68% silicon oxide), and a non-zero amount of sodium oxide (e.g., approximately 10% to approximately 14% sodium oxide). The device is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J. S. Zhong
  • Patent number: 9006672
    Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 8884237
    Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, an apparatus, includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the first channel having a first side having a center, and a second polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the second channel having a second side contacting the first side, the second side having a center, wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are non-collinear in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first side, and wherein the first and second channels do not have square cross sections perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Gregory Downing, Bruce Feller
  • Publication number: 20140299780
    Abstract: A device includes a neutron-sensitive composition. The composition includes, in weight percent, a non-zero amount of aluminum oxide (e.g., approximately 1% to approximately 3.5% aluminum oxide), greater than 12% (e.g., approximately 12% to approximately 17%) boron oxide, greater than approximately 60% silicon oxide (e.g., approximately 62% to approximately 68% silicon oxide), and a non-zero amount of sodium oxide (e.g., approximately 10% to approximately 14% sodium oxide). The device is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J.S. Zhong
  • Patent number: 8766206
    Abstract: A neutron detector includes a coincidence detector to detect coincidence events in which each coincidence event indicates proximity in time of a first signal and a second signal. The first signal indicates detection of at least one of a neutron or a gamma ray, and the second signal indicates detection of a gamma ray by a gamma ray detector. A data processor identifies detection of neutron radiation based on characteristics of an energy spectrum of the gamma rays associated with the second signals that correspond to the coincidence signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
  • Publication number: 20140077088
    Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 8507872
    Abstract: A neutron detector includes a microchannel plate having a structure that defines a plurality of microchannels, and layers of materials disposed on walls of the microchannels. The layers include a layer of neutron sensitive material, a layer of semiconducting material, and a layer of electron emissive material. For example, the layer of neutron sensitive material can include boron-10, lithium-6, or gadolinium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 8445861
    Abstract: Neutrons can be detected using first information derived from a first charge induced on an input electrode of a microchannel plate and second information derived from a second charge induced on an output electrode of the microchannel plate. For example, a ratio between the first charge and the second charge is calculated, a sum of the first and second charges is calculated, and whether a neutron has been detected can be determined based on the ratio and the sum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 8445858
    Abstract: A device includes a neutron-sensitive composition. The composition includes, in weight percent, a non-zero amount of aluminum oxide (e.g., approximately 1% to approximately 3.5% aluminum oxide), greater than 12% (e.g., approximately 12% to approximately 17%) boron oxide, greater than approximately 60% silicon oxide (e.g., approximately 62% to approximately 68% silicon oxide), and a non-zero amount of sodium oxide (e.g., approximately 10% to approximately 14% sodium oxide). The device is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J. S. Zhong
  • Patent number: 8221181
    Abstract: An electron multiplier can be fabricated by depositing an electron emissive material on a reticulated substrate, and forming the reticulated substrate into the electron multiplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Gregory Downing, W. Bruce Feller, P. Brian White, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 8207506
    Abstract: An electron multiplier includes a neutron-sensitive composition having silicon oxide, lead oxide, boron-10 enriched boron oxide, and yttrium oxide. The composition is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade. The electron multiplier can be in the form of a microchannel plate, a microfiber plate, or a microsphere plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. S. Zhong, Jack C. Chou
  • Patent number: 8173967
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a neutron based on a time proximity of a first signal and a second signal. The first signal indicates detection of at least one of a neutron and a gamma ray. The second signal indicates detection of a gamma ray. The method further includes measuring an amount of detected gamma rays, for example, an amount different from an amount detected and associated with the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Namdoo Moon, P. Brian White, Paul L. White
  • Publication number: 20110226958
    Abstract: Neutrons can be detected using first information derived from a first charge induced on an input electrode of a microchannel plate and second information derived from a second charge induced on an output electrode of the microchannel plate. For example, a ratio between the first charge and the second charge is calculated, a sum of the first and second charges is calculated, and whether a neutron has been detected can be determined based on the ratio and the sum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: NOVA SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 7990032
    Abstract: An electron multiplier can be fabricated by depositing an electron emissive material on a reticulated substrate, and forming the reticulated substrate into the electron multiplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Gregory Downing, W. Bruce Feller, P. Brian White, Paul L. White
  • Patent number: 7791038
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electron multiplier includes a neutron-sensitive composition having, in weight percent, approximately 30% to approximately 60% silicon oxide, approximately 20% to approximately 60% lead oxide, and approximately 1% to approximately 15% boron-10 enriched boron oxide. The composition is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade. The electron multiplier can be in the form of a microchannel plate, a microfiber plate, or a microsphere plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. S. Zhong, Jack C. Chou
  • Publication number: 20100123085
    Abstract: A device includes a neutron-sensitive composition. The composition includes, in weight percent, a non-zero amount of aluminum oxide (e.g., approximately 1% to approximately 3.5% aluminum oxide), greater than 12% (e.g., approximately 12% to approximately 17%) boron oxide, greater than approximately 60% silicon oxide (e.g., approximately 62% to approximately 68% silicon oxide), and a non-zero amount of sodium oxide (e.g., approximately 10% to approximately 14% sodium oxide). The device is capable of interacting with neutrons to form an electron cascade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: NOVA SCIENTIFIC, INC.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J.S. Zhong
  • Publication number: 20100001193
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a neutron based on a time proximity of a first signal and a second signal. The first signal indicates detection of at least one of a neutron and a gamma ray. The second signal indicates detection of a gamma ray. The method further includes measuring an amount of detected gamma rays, for example, an amount different from an amount detected and associated with the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: NOVA Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Namdoo Moon, P. Brian White, Paul L. White