Patents by Inventor James K. Walker
James K. Walker 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: 10662373Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to high efficiency plastic scintillators that emit intense light when exposed to ionizing radiation. Specific embodiments of the subject invention pertain to material compositions for providing high-intensity, scintillation light output in the presence of ions, which can be used for making scintillators more sensitive to the presence of ionizing radiation.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: James K. Walker, Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley
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Patent number: 9897706Abstract: Embodiments include a scintillator material, a scintillator system, and/or a method of detecting incident radiation using a scintillator material, or scintillator system, comprising a polymer material that comprises chromophores. Additional embodiments provide a scintillator material, scintillator system, and/or a method of detecting incident radiation using a sctintillator material, or scintillator system, comprising a polymer material having one, two, three, or more, organic dyes dissolved therein wherein the polymer material having the one, two, three, or more dyes dissolved therein comprises chromophores. At least one of the dyes, termed the base dye, has a concentration in the range 0.5 to 3.5 mol/L. In an embodiment, the base dye has a concentration in the range 1.0 to 3.0 mol/L. This base dye concentration is high enough to achieve a substantial triplet-triplet state annihilation rate despite the negligible diffusion of the dye in the rigid polymer matrix.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: James K. Walker, Richard T. Farley, Youngwook Noh
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Patent number: 9885793Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a fast and thermal neutron detector material composition for Special Nuclear Material (SNM) detection. Specific embodiments of the material composition result in two excimer scintillation light production mechanisms that provide two corresponding independent techniques for gamma discrimination; namely Pulse Shape Discrimination and Pulse Height Discrimination. A dual discrimination method, Pulse Shape and Pulse Height Discrimination (PSHD), can be implemented relying on both pulse height discrimination and pulse shape discrimination, and can allow the operation of large area, fast and thermal neutron detectors.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: James K. Walker, Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley
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Patent number: 9772411Abstract: Embodiments relate to an advanced fast and thermal neutron detector material composition with the properties useful for Special Nuclear Material (SNM) detection. Specific embodiments of the material composition result in two excimer scintillation light production mechanisms that provide two corresponding independent techniques for gamma discrimination; namely Pulse Shape Discrimination and Pulse Height Discrimination. A dual discrimination method, Pulse Shape and Pulse Height Discrimination (PSHD), can be implemented relying on both pulse height discrimination and pulse shape discrimination, and can allow the operation of large area, fast and thermal neutron detectors.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: James K. Walker, Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley
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Patent number: 9759821Abstract: Method and apparatus for detection of radiation, including: a method and apparatus for detection of fast and/or thermal neutrons; a method and apparatus for detection of neutrons in high backgrounds of gamma rays; a method and apparatus having high sensitivity and/or high gamma discrimination; a method and apparatus including a given single material that can detect fast neutrons and simultaneously detect gamma rays with moderate energy resolution. Liquid, viscous liquid, gel, and/or solid scintillating materials. A scintillating matrix, such as a liquid, having a highly polar matrix, such as a liquid solvent, dissolved dyes, and a high concentration of a dissolved organo metallic compound. The use of a single material for a large area detector of fast neutrons and gamma rays can provide material and cost benefits.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley, James K. Walker
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Patent number: 9657220Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to high efficiency plastic scintillators that emit intense light when exposed to ionizing radiation. Specific embodiments of the subject invention pertain to material compositions for providing high-intensity, scintillation light output in the presence of ions, which can be used for making scintillators more sensitive to the presence of ionizing radiation.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: James K. Walker, Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley
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Patent number: 9360567Abstract: Embodiments incorporate a method and apparatus for detection of radiation. Embodiments detect fast and/or thermal neutrons. Embodiments detect neutrons in high backgrounds of gamma rays. Embodiments can have high sensitivity and/or high gamma discrimination. Embodiments include a given single material that detects fast neutrons and simultaneously detect gamma rays with moderate energy resolution. Embodiments utilize liquid, viscous liquid, gel, and/or solid scintillating materials. Embodiments incorporate a scintillating matrix, such as a liquid, having a highly polar matrix, such as a liquid solvent, dissolved dyes, and a high concentration of a dissolved organo metallic compound. The use of a single material for a large area detector of fast neutrons and gamma rays can provide material and cost benefits.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley, James K. Walker
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Publication number: 20160154122Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a method and apparatus for detection of radiation. Embodiments relate to the detection of fast and/or thermal neutrons. Embodiments are directed to detection of neutrons in high backgrounds of gamma rays. Embodiments can have high sensitivity and/or high gamma discrimination. Embodiments can include a given single material that can detect fast neutrons and simultaneously detect gamma rays with moderate energy resolution. Embodiments pertain to liquid, viscous liquid, gel, and/or solid scintillating materials. Embodiments relate to a scintillating matrix, such as a liquid, having a highly polar matrix, such as a liquid solvent, dissolved dyes, and a high concentration of a dissolved organo metallic compound. The use of a single material for a large area detector of fast neutrons and gamma rays can provide material and cost benefits.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Youngwook NOH, Richard T. FARLEY, James K. WALKER
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Patent number: 9091766Abstract: Embodiments relate to an advanced fast and thermal neutron detector material composition with the properties useful for Special Nuclear Material (SNM) detection. Specific embodiments of the material composition result in two excimer scintillation light production mechanisms that provide two corresponding independent techniques for gamma discrimination; namely Pulse Shape Discrimination and Pulse Height Discrimination. A dual discrimination method, Pulse Shape and Pulse Height Discrimination (PSHD), can be implemented relying on both pulse height discrimination and pulse shape discrimination, and can allow the operation of large area, fast and thermal neutron detectors.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: James K. Walker, Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley
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Patent number: 8993968Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a scintillator material, a scintillator system, and/or a method of detecting incident radiation using a scintillator material, or scintillator system, comprising a polymer material that comprises chromophores. Additional embodiments provide a scintillator material, scintillator system, and/or a method of detecting incident radiation using a scintillator material, or scintillator system, comprising a polymer material having one, two, three, or more, organic dyes dissolved therein wherein the polymer material having the one, two, three, or more dyes dissolved therein comprises chromophores. At least one of the dyes, termed the base dye, has a concentration in the range 0.5 to 3.5 mol/L. In a specific embodiment, the base dye has a concentration in the range 1.0 to 3.0 mol/L. This base dye concentration is high enough to achieve a substantial triplet-triplet state annihilation rate despite the negligible diffusion of the dye in the rigid polymer matrix.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Nanoptics, IncorporatedInventors: James K. Walker, Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley
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Publication number: 20140224993Abstract: Embodiments pertain to a method and apparatus for detection of radiation. Embodiments relate to the detection of fast and/or thermal neutrons. Embodiments are directed to detection of neutrons in high backgrounds of gamma rays. Embodiments can have high sensitivity and/or high gamma discrimination. Embodiments can include a given single material that can detect fast neutrons and simultaneously detect gamma rays with moderate energy resolution. Embodiments pertain to liquid, viscous liquid, gel, and/or solid scintillating materials. Embodiments relate to a scintillating matrix, such as a liquid, having a highly polar matrix, such as a liquid solvent, dissolved dyes, and a high concentration of a dissolved organo metallic compound. The use of a single material for a large area detector of fast neutrons and gamma rays can provide material and cost benefits.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley, James K. Walker
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Publication number: 20140093690Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to microfabrication of three dimensional polymeric structures incorporating a large number of identical elements each having one or more materials. In specific embodiments, the structures are large area fiber optic plates and associated structures, wherein the fibers are precisely located relative to each other and can serve as optical readout, such as optical readout for high density microarrays of biomaterial and other chemicals or pharmaceuticals. A three-dimensional fiber optic plate can be fabricated by a lithographic process in which a 2D solid slice is produced by exposing a 2D layer of photocurable liquid to ultraviolet light. The cured layer is lowered and the process is repeated to build the plate layer by layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: NANOPTICS, INCORPORATEDInventors: Youngwook Noh, Richard T. Farley, James K. Walker
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Patent number: 7135133Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing plastic optical transmission medium. The subject method and apparatus can produce a variety of optical transmission medium, including for example, graded refractive index polymer optical fiber, graded refractive index rod lens, and step index polymer optical fiber. The subject optical transmission medium have improved characteristics and efficiency, due, at least in part, to better control of the profile of the refractive index distribution and stable high temperature operation of the medium. High efficiency of manufacturing can be achieved by the subject method and apparatus which can permit continuous extrusion at high speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Nanoptics, Inc.Inventors: James K. Walker, Jacob Ralph Tymianski, Bongsoo Lee, Stephan A. Tuchman, Won Young Choi
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Patent number: 6892011Abstract: This invention concerns a method and apparatus for manufacturing a sheet and a two-dimensional matrix of plastic optical fibers. The fibers may be of the step-index or graded-index type. Co-extrusion through a specially designed die is used to produce a sheet composed of a fiber array. The fiber sheet (ribbon) can be used for transmitting optical signals. These arrays may also be stacked and fused at high temperatures to form the two-dimensional matrix required for many applications such as large area image transfer. In addition, a high-speed, continuous manufacturing method is disclosed to produce a massive two-dimensional matrix of fibers. The method of manufacture permits high quality image transfer at low manufacturing cost in a wide array of geometries.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Inventors: James K. Walker, Jacob R. Tymianski, Yongcheng Li, Bongsoo Lee, Jonathan Couch
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Publication number: 20040179798Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing plastic optical transmission medium. The subject method and apparatus can produce a variety of optical transmission medium, including for example, graded refractive index polymer optical fiber, graded refractive index rod lens, and step index polymer optical fiber. The subject optical transmission medium have improved characteristics and efficiency, due, at least in part, to better control of the profile of the refractive index distribution and stable high temperature operation of the medium. High efficiency of manufacturing can be achieved by the subject method and apparatus which can permit continuous extrusion at high speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: James K. Walker, Jacob Ralph Tymianski, Bongsoo Lee, Stephan A. Tuchman, Won Young Choi
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Publication number: 20030016856Abstract: An apparatus and method for acquiring and processing digital images obtained and displayed through an electrically operated device. Image data may be processed in real time to include features of magnification, contrast brightness, image inversion, edge enhancement, quantitative measurement, image equalization, computer assisted diagnosis, voice recognition, and a high resolution display. The apparatus includes a power zoom lens, imaging chip, digital signal processing, LCD display, and rechargeable battery pack.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: James K. Walker, Stephan A. Tuchman, William E. Loeffler, Kelvin D. Walker, Fredric F. Derwitsch
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Publication number: 20020168157Abstract: This invention concerns a method and apparatus for manufacturing a sheet and a two-dimensional matrix of plastic optical fibers. The fibers may be of the step-index or graded-index type. Co-extrusion through a specially designed die is used to produce a sheet composed of a fiber array. The fiber sheet (ribbon) can be used for transmitting optical signals. These arrays may also be stacked and fused at high temperatures to form the two-dimensional matrix required for many applications such as large area image transfer. In addition, a high-speed, continuous manufacturing method is disclosed to produce a massive two-dimensional matrix of fibers. The method of manufacture permits high quality image transfer at low manufacturing cost in a wide array of geometries.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2001Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: James K. Walker, Jacob R. Tymianski, Yongcheng Li, Bongsoo Lee, Jonathan Couch
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Publication number: 20020041042Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing plastic optical transmission medium. The subject method and apparatus can produce a variety of optical transmission medium, including for example, graded refractive index polymer optical fiber, graded refractive index rod lens, and step index polymer optical fiber. The subject optical transmission medium have improved characteristics and efficiency, due, at least in part, to better control of the profile of the refractive index distribution and stable high temperature operation of the medium. High efficiency of manufacturing can be achieved by the subject method and apparatus which can permit continuous extrusion at high speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: James K. Walker, Jacob Ralph Tymianski, Bongsoo Lee, Stephan A. Tuchman, Won Young Choi
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Publication number: 20020041043Abstract: The present invention is a continuous process of producing an object with radially-varying material properties. These objects can be cylindrical forms made from polymeric materials. This process requires a novel device. The device can be used to produce high bandwidth gradient-index plastic optical fiber (GRIN-POF). This fiber is highly advantageous for use in high speed local area networks (LANs) as well as other short-range optical communication applications. The device can also be used to produce GRIN lenses which can be used in the focusing and transmission of images.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Chang-Won Park, James K. Walker
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Patent number: 6267915Abstract: The present invention is a continuous process of producing an object with radially-varying material properties. These objects can be cylindrical forms made from polymeric materials. This process requires a novel device. The device can be used to produce high bandwidth gradient-index plastic optical fiber (GRIN-POF). This fiber is highly advantageous for use in high speed local area networks (LANs) as well as other short-range optical communication applications. The device can also be used to produce GRIN lenses which can be used in the focusing and transmission of images.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1997Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: University of FloridaInventors: Chang-Won Park, James K. Walker