Abstract: An airship may include a geodesic frame and a material at least substantially enclosing the geodesic frame and configured to contain a gas within a volume enclosed by the material. A vent may be configured to selectively open and close, wherein when the vent is open, the volume enclosed by the material is in fluid communication with an exterior of the material, and when the vent is closed, the volume enclosed by the material is impeded from passing to the exterior of the material. The material may be configured to absorb solar radiation to heat the gas within the volume enclosed by the material. The vent may be configured to selectively open or close to maintain a pressure within the volume enclosed by the material at least substantially equal to an atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An airship may include a plurality of struts and a plurality of hubs joined to form a geodesic frame. A material may at least substantially enclose the frame. The material may be configured to contain a gas within a volume enclosed by the material, and may also be configured to absorb solar radiation for heating the gas. The airship may include a vent configured to selectively open and close to regulate one or more of a temperature and a pressure of the gas. When the vent is open, the volume enclosed by the material may be in fluid communication with an exterior of the material. When the vent is closed, the volume enclosed by the material may be at least substantially hermetically sealed from the exterior of the material. Also disclosed are methods of carrying a payload with the airship.

Abstract: An airship may include a plurality of struts and a plurality of hubs joined to form a geodesic frame. A material may at least substantially enclose the frame. The material may be configured to contain a gas within a volume enclosed by the material, and may also be configured to absorb solar radiation for heating the gas. The airship may include a vent configured to selectively open and close to regulate one or more of a temperature and a pressure of the gas. When the vent is open, the volume enclosed by the material may be in fluid communication with an exterior of the material. When the vent is closed, the volume enclosed by the material may be at least substantially hermetically sealed from the exterior of the material. Also disclosed are methods of carrying a payload with the airship.

Abstract: A gamma-ray analysis system is described for analyzing gamma-ray emitting radionuclides. The gamma-ray analysis system includes an analytical apparatus having a gamma-ray detector in operative communication with a modular and scalable shield assembly that encases a sample container having a sample to be tested. The detector communicates data to an electronic interface device that converts the data from an analog format to a digital format before a controller transmits the data to a central laboratory for further data processing, analysis and conclusion by qualified laboratory analysts. The controller runs an application software package on a graphic user interface that allows simple steps for conducting testing and data acquisition by the end user, while permitting real time data transmission between the field site and the central location. Functions were implemented for ensuring laboratory quality results while removing knowledge and experience requirements of an end user.

Abstract: A gamma-ray analysis system is described for analyzing gamma-ray emitting radionuclides. The gamma-ray analysis system includes an analytical apparatus having a gamma-ray detector in operative communication with a modular and scalable shield assembly that encases a sample container having a sample to be tested. The detector communicates data to an electronic interface device that converts the data from an analog format to a digital format before a controller transmits the data to a central laboratory for further data processing, analysis and conclusion by qualified laboratory analysts. The controller runs an application software package on a graphic user interface that allows simple steps for conducting testing and data acquisition by the end user, while permitting real time data transmission between the field site and the central location. Functions were implemented for ensuring laboratory quality results while removing knowledge and experience requirements of an end user.