Patents Assigned to Nova Scientific, Inc.
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Patent number: 9941438Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 9651688Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Jon H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
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Patent number: 9297914Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: Jon. H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
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Patent number: 9082907Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J. S. Zhong
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Patent number: 9006672Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8884237Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: R. Gregory Downing, Bruce Feller
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Publication number: 20140299780Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J.S. Zhong
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Patent number: 8766206Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Publication number: 20140077088Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8507872Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8445861Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8445858Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J. S. Zhong
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Patent number: 8221181Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: R. Gregory Downing, W. Bruce Feller, P. Brian White, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 8207506Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: William J. S. Zhong, Jack C. Chou
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Patent number: 8173967Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Namdoo Moon, P. Brian White, Paul L. White
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Publication number: 20110226958Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: NOVA SCIENTIFIC, INC.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 7990032Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: R. Gregory Downing, W. Bruce Feller, P. Brian White, Paul L. White
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Patent number: 7791038Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Nova Scientific, Inc.Inventors: William J. S. Zhong, Jack C. Chou
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Publication number: 20100123085Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: NOVA SCIENTIFIC, INC.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Paul L. White, William J.S. Zhong
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Publication number: 20100001193Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: NOVA Scientific, Inc.Inventors: W. Bruce Feller, Namdoo Moon, P. Brian White, Paul L. White