Abstract: Sol-gel particles comprising a reaction product of a sol-gel precursor, the reaction product comprising networked polymeric chains including silicon or a metal and at least one dopant substantially homogeneously dispersed in the reaction product of the sol-gel precursor. A method and system for producing the sol-gel particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A structure—for use in simulating radioactive contamination environments—comprises fragments encapsulated within a substrate material. The fragments comprise radioactive isotopes with moderate half-lives. To form such structures, the fragments are encapsulated within the at least one substrate material. In a method of simulating a radioactive contamination environment, multiple removable structures, such as the aforementioned structures, are selectively placed in a facility, and may be subsequently removed, stored, and reused.

Abstract: A modular particle collection system includes a hollow lower member, a hollow upper member separably attached to the hollow lower member, a collection container separably attached to a longitudinal end of the hollow lower member opposite the hollow upper member, an inlet portion extending radially from the hollow lower member and configured to be fitted to a first portion of a vacuum system, a particulate filter, and an outlet portion extending radially outward from the hollow upper member and configured to be fitted to a second portion of vacuum system. Additional modular particle collection systems and a method of making a modular collection system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Surrogate materials are in the form of solid particles that include surrogate isotopes, namely, short-lived isotopes selected and formed to serve as surrogates for the radioactive materials of a nuclear fallout without including isotopes that are, or that decay to, biologically or environmentally deleterious and persistent isotopes. The surrogate material may be formed using high-purity reactant material and irradiation and separation techniques that enable tailoring of the isotopes and ratios thereof included in the surrogate material, and the surrogate material may be dispersed, e.g., in a training environment, in solid form.

Abstract: Surrogate materials are in the form of solid particles that include surrogate isotopes, namely, short-lived isotopes selected and formed to serve as surrogates for the radioactive materials of a nuclear fallout without including isotopes that are, or that decay to, biologically or environmentally deleterious and persistent isotopes. The surrogate material may be formed using high-purity reactant material and irradiation and separation techniques that enable tailoring of the isotopes and ratios thereof included in the surrogate material, and the surrogate material may be dispersed, e.g., in a training environment, in solid form.