Abstract: A heterogeneous scintillator material is provided comprising core/shell nanoparticles having a highly hygroscopic or deliquescent halide-based core activated with trivalent Ln3+ or divalent Ln2+ lanthanide ions (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) and a stable non-hygroscopic shell thereon. The heterogeneous nanoparticles can comprise highly hygroscopic lanthanide halide (LaBr3, LuI3) cores protected with stable non-hygroscopic LaF3 shells. The heterogeneous nanoparticles can comprise deliquescent alkaline earth halide (SrI2, BaI2) cores protected with stable non-hygroscopic (SrF2, BaF2) shells.

Abstract: A thermal neutron detector and method employ Gd-containing nanoscintillators. Thermal neutron radiation is detected by observing scintillation events from the nanoscintillators.

Abstract: A heterogeneous scintillator material is provided comprising core/shell nanoparticles having a highly hygroscopic or deliquescent halide-based core activated with trivalent Ln3+ or divalent Ln2+ lanthanide ions (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) and a stable non-hygroscopic shell thereon. The heterogeneous nanoparticles can comprise highly hygroscopic lanthanide halide (LaBr3, LuI3) cores protected with stable non-hygroscopic LaF3 shells. The heterogeneous nanoparticles can comprise deliquescent alkaline earth halide (SrI2, BaI2) cores protected with stable non-hygroscopic (SrF2, BaF2) shells.

Abstract: Scintillator material comprising nanoparticles (nanocrystals) comprising lead (Pb), iodine (I), and optionally one or both of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) wherein the nanoparticles exhibit room-temperature scintillation under gamma irradiation. The scintillator nanoparticles can comprise Pb3O2I2. The scintillator nanoparticles can comprise PbIOH in generally equiatomic proportions or non-equiatomic variants thereof that exhibit scintillation under gamma irradiation. The scintillator nanoparticles have a particle dimension in the range of about 5 to about 100 nm. Microparticles (microcrystals) also are provided comprising lead (Pb), iodine (I), and optionally one or both of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) grown in a nanoparticle colloidal solution over time to a particle dimension greater than 0.1 ?m, such as about 2 microns.

Abstract: A thermal neutron detector and method employ Gd-containing nanoscintillators. Thermal neutron radiation is detected by observing scintillation events from the nanoscintillators.

Abstract: Scintillator material comprising nanoparticles (nanocrystals) comprising lead (Pb), iodine (I), and optionally one or both of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) wherein the nanoparticles exhibit room-temperature scintillation under gamma irradiation. The scintillator nanoparticles can comprise Pb3O2I2. The scintillator nanoparticles can comprise PbIOH in generally equiatomic proportions or non-equiatomic variants thereof that exhibit scintillation under gamma irradiation. The scintillator nanoparticles have a particle dimension in the range of about 5 to about 100 nm. Microparticles (microcrystals) also are provided comprising lead (Pb), iodine (I), and optionally one or both of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) grown in a nanoparticle colloidal solution over time to a particle dimension greater than 0.1 ?m, such as about 2 microns.

Abstract: Scintillator material comprising nanoparticles (nanocrystals) comprising lead (Pb), iodine (I), and optionally one or both of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) wherein the nanoparticles exhibit room-temperature scintillation under gamma irradiation. The scintillator nanoparticles can comprise Pb3O2I2. The scintillator nanoparticles can comprise PbIOH in generally equiatomic proportions or non-equiatomic variants thereof that exhibit scintillation under gamma irradiation. The scintillator nanoparticles have a particle dimension in the range of about 5 to about 100 nm. Microparticles (microcrystals) also are provided comprising lead (Pb), iodine (I), and optionally one or both of oxygen (O) and hydrogen (H) grown in a nanoparticle colloidal solution over time to a particle dimension greater than 0.1 ?m, such as about 2 microns.

Abstract: A saddle blanket rack specifically designed for storing and drying a plurality of saddle blankets in a minimal amount of space including a substantially elongated rectangular frame component for attachment to a vertical wall. The frame component includes lateral upper and lower arms with a pair of opposing elongated side arms perpendicularly disposed therebetween. Disposed between the side arms is an elongated intermediate arm. A plurality of rack members are removably attached to the elongated frame component each including an upper beam member having first and second ends with a V-shaped portion perpendicularly extending from a first end thereof. Extending from each terminal end of the V-shaped portion is a side support. The free ends of the rack beam and side supports are removably received within apertures on the frame component side and intermediate arms. Accordingly, a plurality of saddle blankets or similar items may be vertically supported on the device for storage and drying.