Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for the delivery of a multi-component olefin polymerization catalyst to a polymerization reactor. The components soluble in a first solvent are delivered under pressure along with that solvent in a first delivery conduit. The components that are insoluble in the first solvent but are soluble in a second solvent are delivered under pressure in a second delivery conduit which is arranged coaxially with and disposed within the first conduit, such that the inner conduit and outer conduit terminate at a common catalyst component mixing conduit which extends into the polymerization reactor and in which the catalyst components mix to form an active polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for the delivery of a multi-component olefin polymerization catalyst to a polymerization reactor.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for the delivery of a multi-component olefin polymerization catalyst to a polymerization reactor. The components soluble in a first solvent are delivered under pressure along with that solvent in a first delivery conduit. The components that are insoluble in the first solvent but are soluble in a second solvent are delivered under pressure in a second delivery conduit which is arranged coaxially with and disposed within the first conduit, such that the inner conduit and outer conduit terminate at a common catalyst component mixing conduit which extends into the polymerization reactor and in which the catalyst components mix to form an active polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for the delivery of a multi-component olefin polymerization catalyst to a polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of handling a container includes performing a first scan of the container. The container includes objects therein. The scan includes irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays with a first x-ray scanning system at a first geographic location and generating a first scan record using a processing device. The method also includes moving the container from the first geographic location to a second geographic location. The method further includes performing a second scan of the container including irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays with a second x-ray scanning system at the second geographic location and generating a second scan record using a processing device. The method also includes comparing the first scan record and the second scan record. The method further includes determining the second scan record is substantially indistinguishable or distinguishable from the first scan record.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of handling a container includes performing a first scan of the container. The container includes objects therein. The scan includes irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays with a first x-ray scanning system at a first geographic location and generating a first scan record using a processing device. The method also includes moving the container from the first geographic location to a second geographic location. The method further includes performing a second scan of the container including irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays with a second x-ray scanning system at the second geographic location and generating a second scan record using a processing device. The method also includes comparing the first scan record and the second scan record. The method further includes determining the second scan record is substantially indistinguishable or distinguishable from the first scan record.

Abstract: A method of performing a security inspection of a container including a plurality of objects includes irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays, reconstructing a 4-D voxelized representation defining a momentum transfer spectrum, and generating a 3-D image by determining a single value at each voxel as a function of the momentum transfer spectrum. The method further includes segmenting the voxels into segments of contiguous voxels that map onto at least one object. The method also includes computing an aggregated momentum transfer spectrum over at least a portion of the contiguous voxels through at least one of aggregating the spectra of the contiguous voxels for each segment and defining a supervoxel that includes voxels with the object exclusively and voxels in a neighborhood, regardless of association with the object. The method further includes classifying the object as one of a threat and a non-threat based on the aggregated momentum transfer spectrum.

Abstract: A method of performing a security inspection of a container including a plurality of objects includes irradiating the container with polychromatic x-rays. The method also includes reconstructing a 4-D voxelized representation defining a momentum transfer spectrum and generating a 3-D image by determining a single value at each voxel as a function of the momentum transfer spectrum. The method further includes segmenting the voxels into segments of contiguous voxels. Each segment includes a plurality of contiguous voxels that at least partially map onto at least one object. The method also includes computing an aggregated momentum transfer spectrum over at least a portion of the plurality of contiguous voxels. The method further includes classifying the aggregated momentum transfer spectrum as one of threat and non-threat and distinguishing the at least one object as one of a threat segment and a non-threat segment based on the aggregated momentum transfer spectrum.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) system includes a plurality of x-ray sources configured to generate x-rays directed toward an object. The XDI system also includes a primary collimator positioned a distance from the plurality of x-ray sources. A plurality of nodes are defined within the primary collimator at a plurality of node distances from the plurality of x-ray sources. Each node of the plurality of nodes defines an x-ray intersection region. The XDI system further includes a supermirror assembly including a plurality of mounting rails positioned adjacent the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) system having a system axis includes at least one x-ray source configured to generate x-rays directed toward an object that includes at least one substance. The at least one x-ray source is further configured to irradiate at least one voxel defined within the object with x-rays arriving from a plurality of directions, each direction defined by an angle of incidence with respect to the system axis. The system also includes at least one detector configured to detect scattered x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The system further includes at least one processor coupled to the at least one detector. The processor is programmed to generate a plurality of XDI profiles of the object voxel. Each XDI profile is a function of an associated angle of incidence.

Abstract: A multi-stage screening system for screening a container includes a pre-screening stage including a transmission X-ray device. The pre-screening stage is configured to generate constraint data associated with the contents of the container. The system also includes a screening stage including an X-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) device. The screening stage is configured to generate image data associated with the contents of the container. The system further includes a communication system coupled to the pre-screening stage and the screening stage. The communication system is configured to receive and transmit the constraint data and reconstruct at least one image of the container at least partially as a function of the constraint data and the image data.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) system includes a plurality of x-ray sources configured to generate x-rays directed toward an object. The XDI system also includes a primary collimator positioned a distance from the plurality of x-ray sources. A plurality of nodes are defined within the primary collimator at a plurality of node distances from the plurality of x-ray sources. Each node of the plurality of nodes defines an x-ray intersection region. The XDI system further includes a supermirror assembly including a plurality of mounting rails positioned adjacent the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) system having a system axis includes at least one x-ray source configured to generate x-rays directed toward an object that includes at least one substance. The at least one x-ray source is further configured to irradiate at least one voxel defined within the object with x-rays arriving from a plurality of directions, each direction defined by an angle of incidence with respect to the system axis. The system also includes at least one detector configured to detect scattered x-rays after the x-rays have passed through the object. The system further includes at least one processor coupled to the at least one detector. The processor is programmed to generate a plurality of XDI profiles of the object voxel. Each XDI profile is a function of an associated angle of incidence.

Abstract: A device for generating X-rays includes at least one electron source for the emission of an electron beam that defines a plane having a predetermined width value in a width dimension and a predetermined length value in a length dimension. The width dimension is substantially perpendicular to the length dimension. The device also includes at least one window frame at least partially defining at least one liquid metal flow path. The device further includes at least one electron window coupled to the at least one window frame. The at least one electron window is positioned within the at least one liquid metal flow path and is configured to receive the electron beam. The at least one electron window emits X-rays in response to an incidence of electrons thereon. The at least one electron window includes a surface curved in at least one of the width dimension and the length dimension.

Abstract: A multi-stage screening system for screening a container includes a pre-screening stage including a transmission X-ray device. The pre-screening stage is configured to generate constraint data associated with the contents of the container. The system also includes a screening stage including an X-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) device. The screening stage is configured to generate image data associated with the contents of the container. The system further includes a communication system coupled to the pre-screening stage and the screening stage. The communication system is configured to receive and transmit the constraint data and reconstruct at least one image of the container at least partially as a function of the constraint data and the image data.

Abstract: A method for correcting an X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile measured by an X-ray diffraction imaging (XDi) system is provided. The XDi system includes an anode, a detector, and a control system. The method includes obtaining an emission spectrum of the anode using the control system. The emission spectrum includes spectral structures. The method further includes calculating a piecewise spectral-correction function using the spectral structures in the emission spectrum, obtaining a measured spectrum of an object, and applying the spectral-correction function to the measured spectrum to generate a spectrally-corrected measured spectrum.

Abstract: A method for identifying a substance includes determining a first molecular interference function (MIF) for a first substance. The method also includes determining a second MIF for a second substance. The method further includes generating a residual MIF at least partially based on a comparison of the second MIF to the first MIF. The method also includes identifying the type of substance based on the residual MIF.

Abstract: A method for correcting an X-ray diffraction (XRD) profile measured by an X-ray diffraction imaging (XDi) system is provided. The XDi system includes an anode, a detector, and a control system. The method includes obtaining an emission spectrum of the anode using the control system. The emission spectrum includes spectral structures. The method further includes calculating a piecewise spectral-correction function using the spectral structures in the emission spectrum, obtaining a measured spectrum of an object, and applying the spectral-correction function to the measured spectrum to generate a spectrally-corrected measured spectrum.

Abstract: An x-ray diffraction imaging (XDI) device includes at least one x-ray source configured to emit an x-ray fan-beam. The XDI device also includes a primary collimator positioned downstream of the at least one x-ray source. The primary collimator defines a plurality of rows of slits. Each slit and each row of slits is separated by an x-ray absorbing material. Each of the rows of slits oriented to transmit at least one x-ray slit-beam in a plane substantially orthogonal to the primary collimator.

Abstract: A method for identifying a substance includes determining a first molecular interference function (MIF) for a first substance. The method also includes determining a second MIF for a second substance. The method further includes generating a residual MIF at least partially based on a comparison of the second MIF to the first MIF. The method also includes identifying the type of substance based on the residual MIF.