Patents by Inventor Brent Allen Clothier
Brent Allen Clothier 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).
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Publication number: 20110024685Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Alok Srivastava, Stanley John Stoklosa, Steven Jude Duclos, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani
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Publication number: 20100327170Abstract: A neutron sensing material detector includes an anode; a cathode; and a semiconductor material disposed between the anode and the cathode. An electric field is applied between the anode and cathode. The semiconductor material is composed of a ternary composition of stoichiometry LiM2+GV and exhibits an antifluorite-type ordering, where the stoichiometric fractions are Li=1, M2+=1, and GV=1. Electron-hole pairs are created by absorption of radiation, and the electron-hole pairs are detected by the current they generate between the anode and the cathode. The anode may include an array of pixels to provide improved spatial and energy resolution over the face of the anode. The signal value for each pixel can be mapped to a color or grey scale normalized to all the other pixel signal values for a particular moment in time. A guard ring or guard grid may be provided to reduce leakage current.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Adrian Ivan, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, Brent Allen Clothier
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Publication number: 20100276602Abstract: A radiation detector includes a neutron sensing element comprising a neutron scintillating composite material that emits a first photon having a first wavelength and an optical waveguide material having a wavelength-shifting dopant dispersed therein that absorbs the first photon emitted by the neutron scintillating composite material and emits a second photon having a second, different wavelength, and a functionalized reflective layer at an interface between the neutron scintillating composite material and the optical waveguide material. The functionalized reflective layer allows the first photon emitted by the neutron scintillating composite material to pass through and into the optical waveguide material, but prevents the second photon emitted by the optical waveguide material from passing through and into the neutron scintillating composite material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Adrian Ivan, Chulmin Joo, Daniel Bruno McDevitt
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Patent number: 7800073Abstract: Moldable neutron sensitive compositions containing an inorganic scintillating component, and neutron capture component, and a moldable resin component, are described. They are prepared with optimized compositions for maximized thermal neutron sensitivity. Methods for preparing such compositions, and articles and radiation detectors made from them are described as well.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Adrian Ivan
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Publication number: 20100230603Abstract: A radiation detector includes a neutron sensing element having a neutron scintillating material at least partially surrounded by an optical waveguide material; and a photosensing element optically coupled to the neutron sensing element. The photons emitted from the neutron sensing element are collected and channeled through the optical waveguide material and into the photosensing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, Adrian Ivan
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Patent number: 7741612Abstract: An integrated neutron-gamma radiation detector includes a gamma sensing element, a neutron sensing element comprising a neutron scintillating material at least partially surrounded by an optical waveguide material, and a photosensing element optically coupled to both the gamma sensing element and the neutron sensing element. A portion of the gamma sensing element is capable of being disposed within a central aperture of the neutron sensing element. In one aspect, the neutron sensing element comprises a plurality of cylindrical, concentric shells forming the central aperture for receiving the gamma sensing element. In another aspect, the neutron sensing element comprises a plurality of strands forming a multi-layered structure and forming the central aperture for receiving the gamma sensing element.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, Adrian Ivan
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Nano-scale metal oxide, oxyhalide and oxysulfide scintillation materials and methods for making same
Patent number: 7708968Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles. The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Alok Srivastava, Stanley John Stoklosa, Steven Jude Duclos, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani -
Publication number: 20100065791Abstract: A semiconductor material for radiation absorption and detection comprising a composition of stoichiometry Li(M12+, M22+, M32+, . . . )(G1V, G2V, G3V, . . . ) and exhibiting an antifluorite-type order, where Li=1, (M12++M22++M32++ . . . )=1, and (G1V+G2V+G3V+ . . . )=1. The material provides two useful characteristics: [1] a high Li-site density, which when enriched in 6Li, produces exceptional neutron-absorbing capabilities and [2] a semiconducting band-gap for the efficient conversion of absorbed photon and neutron energies into electrical currents. These characteristics can be exploited in applications for power generation or the spectroscopic detection of gamma and neutron radiation. The material can be tailored so as to detect only gamma photons, detect only neutron particles, or simultaneously detect gamma photons and neutron particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Adrian Ivan, Daniel Bruno McDevitt
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Patent number: 7626178Abstract: An integrated radiation detector having a pulse-mode operating photosensor optically coupled to a gamma sensing element and a neutron sensing element is disclosed. The detector includes pulse shape and processing electronics package that uses an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a charge to digital converter (QDC) to determine scintillation decay times and classify radiation interactions by radiation type. The pulse shape and processing electronics package determines a maximum gamma energy from the spectrum associated with gamma rays detected by the gamma sensing element to adaptively select a gamma threshold for the neutron sensing element. A light pulse attributed to the neutron sensing element is a valid neutron event when the amplitude of the light pulse is above the gamma threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adrian Ivan, Steven Jude Duclos, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, James Richard Williams, Brent Allen Clothier, Jeffrey Seymour Gordon
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Patent number: 7625502Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal halides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In these methods, ionic liquids are used in place of water to allow precipitation of the final product. In one method, the metal precursors and halide salts are dissolved in separate ionic liquids to form solutions, which are then combined to form the nano-crystalline end product. In the other methods, micro-emulsions are formed using ionic liquids to control particle size.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Alok Srivastava, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani
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Patent number: 7608829Abstract: A scintillation detector comprising nano-scale particles of a scintillation compound embedded in a plastic matrix is provided. The nano-scale particles may be made from metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, or metal halides. Methods are provided for preparing the nano-scale particles. The particles may be coated with organic compounds or polymers prior to incorporation in the plastic matrix. A technique for matching the refractive index of the plastic matrix with the nano-scale particles by incorporating nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide is also provided. The scintillator may be coupled with one or more photodetectors to form a scintillation detection system. The scintillation detection system may be adapted for use in X-ray and radiation imaging devices, such as digital X-ray imaging, mammography, CT, PET, or SPECT, or may be used in radiation security detectors or subterranean radiation detectors.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, James Scott Vartuli, Brent Allen Clothier, Steven Jude Duclos, Mohan Manoharan, Patrick Roland Lucien Malenfant, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Clifford Bueno
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Publication number: 20090200480Abstract: An integrated neutron-gamma radiation detector includes a gamma sensing element, a neutron sensing element comprising a neutron scintillating material at least partially surrounded by an optical waveguide material, and a photosensing element optically coupled to both the gamma sensing element and the neutron sensing element. A portion of the gamma sensing element is capable of being disposed within a central aperture of the neutron sensing element. In one aspect, the neutron sensing element comprises a plurality of cylindrical, concentric shells forming the central aperture for receiving the gamma sensing element. In another aspect, the neutron sensing element comprises a plurality of strands forming a multi-layered structure and forming the central aperture for receiving the gamma sensing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, Adrian Ivan
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Patent number: 7572392Abstract: Solid-state scintillating compositions for detecting neutrons comprise a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice. Methods of making scintillating compositions comprise: dissolving a lithium-6 precursor and a zinc precursor in a solvent to form a solution; combining phosphoric acid with the solution; combining a base with the solution to form a precipitate; and heating the precipitate to form a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Alok Mani Srivastava
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Publication number: 20090140158Abstract: Moldable neutron sensitive compositions containing an inorganic scintillating component, and neutron capture component, and a moldable resin component, are described. They are prepared with optimized compositions for maximized thermal neutron sensitivity. Methods for preparing such compositions, and articles and radiation detectors made from them are described as well.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Adrian Ivan
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Publication number: 20090140150Abstract: An integrated radiation detector having a pulse-mode operating photosensor optically coupled to a gamma sensing element and a neutron sensing element is disclosed. The detector includes pulse shape and processing electronics package that uses an analog to digital converter (ADC) and a charge to digital converter (QDC) to determine scintillation decay times and classify radiation interactions by radiation type. The pulse shape and processing electronics package determines a maximum gamma energy from the spectrum associated with gamma rays detected by the gamma sensing element to adaptively select a gamma threshold for the neutron sensing element. A light pulse attributed to the neutron sensing element is a valid neutron event when the amplitude of the light pulse is above the gamma threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Adrian Ivan, Steven Jude Duclos, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, James Richard Williams, Brent Allen Clothier, Jeffrey Seymour Gordon
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Publication number: 20080237470Abstract: A scintillation detector comprising nano-scale particles of a scintillation compound embedded in a plastic matrix is provided. The nano-scale particles may be made from metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, or metal halides. Methods are provided for preparing the nano-scale particles. The particles may be coated with organic compounds or polymers prior to incorporation in the plastic matrix. A technique for matching the refractive index of the plastic matrix with the nano-scale particles by incorporating nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide is also provided. The scintillator may be coupled with one or more photodetectors to form a scintillation detection system. The scintillation detection system may be adapted for use in X-ray and radiation imaging devices, such as digital X-ray imaging, mammography, CT, PET, or SPECT, or may be used in radiation security detectors or subterranean radiation detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, James Scott Vartuli, Brent Allen Clothier, Steven Jude Duclos, Mohan Manoharan, Patrick Roland Lucien Malenfant, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Clifford Bueno
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Publication number: 20080241041Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles. The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Alok Srivastava, Stanley John Stoklosa, Steven Jude Duclos, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani
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Publication number: 20080241040Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal halides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In these methods, ionic liquids are used in place of water to allow precipitation of the final product. In one method, the metal precursors and halide salts are dissolved in separate ionic liquids to form solutions, which are then combined to form the nano-crystalline end product. In the other methods, micro-emulsions are formed using ionic liquids to control particle size.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Alok Srivastava, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani
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Publication number: 20080166286Abstract: Solid-state scintillating compositions for detecting neutrons comprise a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice. Methods of making scintillating compositions comprise: dissolving a lithium-6 precursor and a zinc precursor in a solvent to form a solution; combining phosphoric acid with the solution; combining a base with the solution to form a precipitate; and heating the precipitate to form a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro, Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Alok Mani Srivastava