Patents by Inventor Douglas W. Akers
Douglas W. Akers 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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Patent number: 10703968Abstract: Scintillation compositions comprising a gadolinium compound and a scintillation compound in a polymer matrix precursor. The scintillation compound comprises strontium diiodide, fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir(ppy)3), a quinine compound, or combinations thereof, or 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5 phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-phenylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (b-PBD), 2,5-diphenyl oxazole (PPO), 1,4-bis(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl) benzene (POPOP), or combinations thereof. Hydrogels comprising the gadolinium compound and scintillation compound in a polymer matrix are also disclosed, as are related systems and methods.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Catherine Lynn Riddle, Douglas W. Akers, Dawn M. Scates, Rick L. Demmer
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Publication number: 20180223183Abstract: Scintillation compositions comprising a gadolinium coordination compound and a scintillation compound in a polymer matrix material. The scintillation compound comprises strontium diiodide, fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir(ppy)3), a quinine compound, or combinations thereof, or 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5 phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-phenylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (b-PBD), 2,5-diphenyl oxazole (PPO), 1,4-bis(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl) benzene (POPOP), or combinations thereof. Hydrogels comprising the gadolinium coordination compound and scintillation compound in a polymer matrix are also disclosed, as are related systems and methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Catherine Lynn Riddle, Douglas W. Akers, Dawn M. Scates, Rick L. Demmer
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Patent number: 9018586Abstract: Apparatuses and a related method relating to radiation detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first scintillator and a second scintillator adjacent to the first scintillator, with each of the first scintillator and second scintillator being structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interacting with incident radiation. The first scintillator is further structured to experience full energy deposition of a first low-energy radiation, and permit a second higher-energy radiation to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The apparatus further includes a plurality of light-to-electrical converters operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Batelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
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Publication number: 20140001365Abstract: Apparatuses and a related method relating to radiation detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first scintillator and a second scintillator adjacent to the first scintillator, with each of the first scintillator and second scintillator being structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interacting with incident radiation. The first scintillator is further structured to experience full energy deposition of a first low-energy radiation, and permit a second higher-energy radiation to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The apparatus furthers include a plurality of light-to-electrical converters operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
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Patent number: 8274056Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system relating to radiation detection of low-energy beta particles are disclosed. An embodiment includes a radiation detector with a first scintillator and a second scintillator operably coupled to each other. The first scintillator and the second scintillator are each structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interaction with beta particles. The first scintillator is structured to experience full energy deposition of low-energy beta particles, and permit a higher-energy beta particle to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The radiation detector further includes a light-to-electrical converter operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
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Patent number: 8260566Abstract: An apparatus and method relating to screening radioactive waste are disclosed for ensuring that at least one calculated parameter for the measurement data of a sample falls within a range between an upper limit and a lower limit prior to the sample being packaged for disposal. The apparatus includes a radiation detector configured for detecting radioactivity and radionuclide content of the of the sample of radioactive waste and generating measurement data in response thereto, and a collimator including at least one aperture to direct a field of view of the radiation detector. The method includes measuring a radioactive content of a sample, and calculating one or more parameters from the radioactive content of the sample.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the United States Deparment of EnergyInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Lyle G. Roybal, Hopi Salomon, Charles Leroy Williams
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Patent number: 8031825Abstract: Non-destructive testing apparatus may comprise a photon source and a source material that emits positrons in response to bombardment of the source material with photons. The source material is positionable adjacent the photon source and a specimen so that when the source material is positioned adjacent the photon source it is exposed to photons produced thereby. When the source material is positioned adjacent the specimen, the specimen is exposed to at least some of the positrons emitted by the source material. A detector system positioned adjacent the specimen detects annihilation gamma rays emitted by the specimen. Another embodiment comprises a neutron source and a source material that emits positrons in response to neutron bombardment.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Patent number: 8009787Abstract: Non-destructive testing method may include providing a source material that emits positrons in response to bombardment of the source material with photons. The source material is exposed to photons. The source material is positioned adjacent the specimen, the specimen being exposed to at least some of the positrons emitted by the source material. Annihilation gamma rays emitted by the specimen are detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Publication number: 20110163237Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system relating to radiation detection of low-energy beta particles are disclosed. An embodiment a radiation detector with a first scintillator and a second scintillator operably coupled to each other. The first scintillator and the second scintillator are each structured to generate a light pulse responsive to interaction with beta particles. The first scintillator is structured to experience full energy deposition of low-energy beta particles, and permit a higher-energy beta particle to pass therethrough and interact with the second scintillator. The radiation detector further includes a light-to-electrical converter operably coupled to the second scintillator and configured to convert light pulses generated by the first scintillator and the second scintillator into electrical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Mark W. Drigert
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Patent number: 7750325Abstract: Apparatus for producing and storing positrons may include a trap that defines an interior chamber therein and that contains an electric field and a magnetic field. The trap may further include a source material that includes atoms that, when activated by photon bombardment, become positron emitters to produce positrons. The trap may also include a moderator positioned adjacent the source material. A photon source is positioned adjacent the trap so that photons produced by the photon source bombard the source material to produce the positron emitters. Positrons from the positron emitters and moderated positrons from the moderator are confined within the interior chamber of the trap by the electric and magnetic fields. Apparatus for producing and storing protons are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of EnergyInventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Patent number: 7630469Abstract: A method for evaluating a material specimen comprises: Mounting a neutron source and a detector adjacent the material specimen; bombarding the material specimen with neutrons from the neutron source to create prompt gamma rays within the material specimen, some of the prompt gamma rays being emitted from the material specimen, some of the prompt gamma rays resulting in the formation of positrons within the material specimen by pair production; collecting positron annihilation data by detecting with the detector at least one emitted annihilation gamma ray resulting from the annihilation of a positron; storing the positron annihilation data on a data storage system for later retrieval and processing; and continuing to collect and store positron annihilation data, the continued collected and stored positron annihilation data being indicative of an accumulation of lattice damage over time.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Patent number: 7231011Abstract: Non-destructive testing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a photon source. The photon source produces photons having predetermined energies and directs the photons toward a specimen being tested. The photons from the photon source result in the creation of positrons within the specimen being tested. A detector positioned adjacent the specimen being tested detects gamma rays produced by annihilation of positrons with electrons. A data processing system operatively associated with the detector produces output data indicative of a lattice characteristic of the specimen being tested.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Patent number: 7058153Abstract: A non-destructive testing method comprises providing a specimen having at least one positron emitter therein; determining a threshold energy for activating the positron emitter; and determining whether a half-life of the positron emitter is less than a selected half-life. If the half-life of the positron emitter is greater than or equal to the selected half-life, then activating the positron emitter by bombarding the specimen with photons having energies greater than the threshold energy and detecting gamma rays produced by annihilation of positrons in the specimen. If the half-life of the positron emitter is less then the selected half-life, then alternately activating the positron emitter by bombarding the specimen with photons having energies greater then the threshold energy and detecting gamma rays produced by positron annihilation within the specimen.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Publication number: 20030161431Abstract: A method for evaluating a material specimen according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: Bombarding the material specimen with neutrons to create prompt gamma rays within the material specimen, some of the prompt gamma rays being emitted from the material specimen, some of the prompt gamma rays resulting in the formation of positrons within the material specimen by pair production; detecting at least one emitted prompt gamma ray; detecting at least one emitted annihilation gamma ray resulting from the annihilation of a positron; and calculating positron lifetime data based on the detected emitted prompt gamma ray and the detected emitted annihilation gamma ray.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Publication number: 20030048864Abstract: Non-destructive testing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a photon source. The photon source produces photons having predetermined energies and directs the photons toward a specimen being tested. The photons from the photon source result in the creation of positrons within the specimen being tested. A detector positioned adjacent the specimen being tested detects gamma rays produced by annihilation of positrons with electrons which are indicative of a material characteristic of the specimen being tested.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Publication number: 20030043951Abstract: Non-destructive testing apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a photon source. The photon source produces photons having predetermined energies and directs the photons toward a specimen being tested. The photons from the photon source result in the creation of positrons within the specimen being tested. A detector positioned adjacent the specimen being tested detects gamma rays produced by annihilation of positrons with electrons which are indicative of a material characteristic of the specimen being tested.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: Bechtel BWTX Idaho, LLCInventor: Douglas W. Akers
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Patent number: 6178218Abstract: A method is provided for performing nondestructive examination of a metal specimen using neutron activated positron annihilation wherein the positron emitter source is formed within the metal specimen. The method permits in situ nondestructive examination and has the advantage of being capable of performing bulk analysis to determine embrittlement, fatigue and dislocation within a metal specimen.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLCInventors: Douglas W. Akers, Arthur B. Denison