Abstract: Methods are provided for characterizing samples containing chemical elements such as rare earth elements, actinides, and heavy transition metals by treating the samples to form volatile complexes of the elements (e.g., ?-diketonate complexes or other organic ligand complexes of the elements) and then analyzing the complexes, for example, via gas-phase thermochromatography. Also provided are methods for separating and/or recovering such chemical elements. The methods produce less waste and can be performed more rapidly than conventional liquid extraction methods and can provide separated elements of high purity (e.g., 99.9999% purity).

Abstract: Methods are provided for characterizing samples containing chemical elements such as rare earth elements, actinides, and heavy transition metals by treating the samples to form volatile complexes of the elements (e.g., ?-diketonate complexes or other organic ligand complexes of the elements) and then analyzing the complexes, for example, via gas-phase thermochromatography. Also provided are methods for separating and/or recovering such chemical elements. The methods produce less waste and can be performed more rapidly than conventional liquid extraction methods and can provide separated elements of high purity (e.g., 99.9999% purity).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for the detection and positioning of a radioactive source. In an exemplary embodiment, a detector array is placed in a four-quadrant formation to allow for self-shielding of the individual detectors from the radiation emitted by a radiation source. A further embodiment utilizes a fuzzy logic system and method to analyze the gross count response of each individual detector with respect to the other three to thereby determine a generalized location and direction of a radioactive source.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for the detection and positioning of a radioactive source. In an exemplary embodiment, a detector array is placed in a four-quadrant formation to allow for self-shielding of the individual detectors from the radiation emitted by a radiation source. A further embodiment utilizes a fuzzy logic system and method to analyze the gross count response of each individual detector with respect to the other three to thereby determine a generalized location and direction of a radioactive source.