Patents by Inventor Patrick L. Feng

Patrick L. Feng 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).

  • Patent number: 12105231
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a photodetector and a scintillator coupled thereto. The scintillator is formed of a scintillator material comprising an organic glass scintillator (OGS) material and at least one of a polymer additive or a plasticizer additive. The scintillator emits light when radiation is received at the scintillator, and the light is received by the photodetector. The radiation detector can further include a frame that has an interior cavity that holds the scintillator in position with respect to the photodetector, such that the light emitted by the scintillator is transmitted to the photodetector. The scintillator can be formed by casting amorphous scintillator material in the interior cavity of the frame. The frame can then be coupled to the photodetector to form the radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Carlson, Patrick L. Feng, Nicholas Myllenbeck, Huu Tran, Lucas Nguyen, Melinda Sweany, Peter Marleau
  • Patent number: 11795388
    Abstract: A plastic scintillator includes a polymeric matrix comprising a primary fluorophore capable of forming an amorphous glass in its pure form. The primary fluorophore is also capable of generating luminescence in the presence of ionizing radiation and includes: a central species including silicon; a luminescent organic group bonded to the central species or to an optional organic linker group, the luminescent organic group including fluorene or an analog thereof; and the optional organic linker group, if present, is bonded to the central species and the luminescent organic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Myllenbeck, Patrick L. Feng, Joseph Carlson
  • Publication number: 20230314634
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a photodetector and a scintillator coupled thereto. The scintillator is formed of a scintillator material comprising an organic glass scintillator (OGS) material and at least one of a polymer additive or a plasticizer additive. The scintillator emits light when radiation is received at the scintillator, and the light is received by the photodetector. The radiation detector can further include a frame that has an interior cavity that holds the scintillator in position with respect to the photodetector, such that the light emitted by the scintillator is transmitted to the photodetector. The scintillator can be formed by casting amorphous scintillator material in the interior cavity of the frame. The frame can then be coupled to the photodetector to form the radiation detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph Carlson, Patrick L. Feng, Nicholas Myllenbeck, Huu Tran, Lucas Nguyen, Melinda Sweany, Peter Marleau
  • Patent number: 11681055
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a photodetector and a scintillator coupled thereto. The scintillator is formed of a scintillator material comprising an organic glass scintillator (OGS) material and at least one of a polymer additive or a plasticizer additive. The scintillator emits light when radiation is received at the scintillator, and the light is received by the photodetector. The radiation detector can further include a frame that has an interior cavity that holds the scintillator in position with respect to the photodetector, such that the light emitted by the scintillator is transmitted to the photodetector. The scintillator can be formed by casting amorphous scintillator material in the interior cavity of the frame. The frame can then be coupled to the photodetector to form the radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Carlson, Patrick L. Feng, Nicholas Myllenbeck, Huu Tran, Lucas Nguyen, Melinda Sweany, Peter Marleau
  • Patent number: 11680202
    Abstract: An article that includes a fluorescent composition having at least one of a fluorescent sensor compound and organic reporter molecules encapsulated in a microsphere structure. When encapsulated, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are distributed in a liquid organic matrix. When non-encapsulated, the remaining one of the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules reside in the matrix. In response to a force applied to the composition sufficient to break at least a portion of the microsphere structure, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are transformed into a non-reversible fluorescent state exhibiting a quantum yield greater than 0.2. The fluorescent state is objectively visually verifiable without physically contacting the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Heidi A. Smartt, Dianna S. Blair, Juan A. Romero, Patrick L. Feng
  • Publication number: 20220403235
    Abstract: A plastic scintillator includes a polymeric matrix comprising a primary fluorophore capable of forming an amorphous glass in its pure form. The primary fluorophore is also capable of generating luminescence in the presence of ionizing radiation and includes: a central species including silicon; a luminescent organic group bonded to the central species or to an optional organic linker group, the luminescent organic group including fluorene or an analog thereof; and the optional organic linker group, if present, is bonded to the central species and the luminescent organic group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas Myllenbeck, Patrick L. Feng, Joseph Carlson
  • Patent number: 11479717
    Abstract: A plastic scintillator includes a polymeric matrix comprising a primary fluorophore capable of forming an amorphous glass in its pure form. The primary fluorophore is also capable of generating luminescence in the presence of ionizing radiation and includes: a central species including silicon; a luminescent organic group bonded to the central species or to an optional organic linker group, the luminescent organic group including fluorene or an analog thereof; and the optional organic linker group, if present, is bonded to the central species and the luminescent organic group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Myllenbeck, Patrick L. Feng, Joseph Carlson
  • Publication number: 20210348054
    Abstract: An article that includes a fluorescent composition having at least one of a fluorescent sensor compound and organic reporter molecules encapsulated in a microsphere structure. When encapsulated, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are distributed in a liquid organic matrix. When non-encapsulated, the remaining one of the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules reside in the matrix. In response to a force applied to the composition sufficient to break at least a portion of the microsphere structure, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are transformed into a non-reversible fluorescent state exhibiting a quantum yield greater than 0.2. The fluorescent state is objectively visually verifiable without physically contacting the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Heidi A. Smartt, Dianna S. Blair, Juan A. Romero, Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 11084978
    Abstract: An article that includes a fluorescent composition having at least one of a fluorescent sensor compound and organic reporter molecules encapsulated in a microsphere structure. When encapsulated, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are distributed in a liquid organic matrix. When non-encapsulated, the remaining one of the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules reside in the matrix. In response to a force applied to the composition sufficient to break at least a portion of the microsphere structure, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are transformed into a non-reversible fluorescent state exhibiting a quantum yield greater than 0.2. The fluorescent state is objectively visually verifiable without physically contacting the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Heidi A. Smartt, Dianna S. Blair, Juan A. Romero, Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 10732304
    Abstract: A plastic scintillator includes an anti-fog additive or comonomer. The plastic scintillator is formulated to resist the development of hydrothermally-induced aging defects (e.g. discoloration and “fogging”) while maintaining scintillation light output and other desirable physical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Myllenbeck, Patrick L. Feng, Rakia Dhaoui
  • Publication number: 20200148946
    Abstract: An article that includes a fluorescent composition having at least one of a fluorescent sensor compound and organic reporter molecules encapsulated in a microsphere structure. When encapsulated, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are distributed in a liquid organic matrix. When non-encapsulated, the remaining one of the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules reside in the matrix. In response to a force applied to the composition sufficient to break at least a portion of the microsphere structure, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are transformed into a non-reversible fluorescent state exhibiting a quantum yield greater than 0.2. The fluorescent state is objectively visually verifiable without physically contacting the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Heidi A. Smartt, Dianna S. Blair, Juan A. Romero, Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 10538701
    Abstract: A fluorescent composition includes at least one of a fluorescent sensor compound and organic reporter molecules encapsulated in a microsphere structure. When encapsulated, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are distributed in a liquid organic matrix. When non-encapsulated, the remaining one of the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules reside in the matrix. In response to a force applied to the composition sufficient to break at least a portion of the microsphere structure, the fluorescent sensor compound and the organic reporter molecules are transformed into a non-reversible fluorescent state exhibiting a quantum yield greater than 0.2. The fluorescent state is objectively visually verifiable without physically contacting the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Heidi A. Smartt, Dianna S. Blair, Juan A. Romero, Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 10508233
    Abstract: A mixed compound glass scintillator includes a first compound and a second compound. The first compound has a Tg greater than 25° C., is organic, is capable of generating luminescence in the presence of ionizing radiation. The first compound includes a central species and a luminescent organic group bonded to the central species or to an optional organic linker group. The central species is selected from the group consisting of: carbon, silicon, and tin. The optional organic linker group, if present, is bonded to the central species and the luminescent organic group. The second compound also has a Tg greater than 25° C. The first and second compound are mixed and melted to form a glass material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Feng, Joseph Carlson
  • Patent number: 10024983
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of several new metal-loaded plastic scintillators are reported herein, comprising sterically and electronically isolated organotin additive complexes. Distance-dependent quenching relationships have been used as design criteria for the selection and synthesis of these organometallic additives, resulting in increased light yields and improved gamma-ray energy resolution values relative to previously reported PS/PVT examples. Fast scintillation decay properties have also been characterized in the prepared scintillators, rivaling the kinetics of stilbene-doped bibenzyl and BC-422Q-1% while providing higher light yields than these reference materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Feng, Joseph Gabriel Cordaro, Wondwosen Mengesha, Nicolas Richard Myllenbeck
  • Patent number: 9915740
    Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector or scintillator system includes a scintillating material comprising an organic crystalline compound selected to generate photons in response to the passage of ionizing radiation. The organic compound has a crystalline symmetry of higher order than monoclinic, for example an orthorhombic, trigonal, tetragonal, hexagonal, or cubic symmetry. A photodetector is optically coupled to the scintillating material, and configured to generate electronic signals having pulse shapes based on the photons generated in the scintillating material. A discriminator is coupled to the photon detector, and configured to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays in the ionizing radiation based on the pulse shapes of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 9885792
    Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector or scintillator system includes a scintillating material comprising an organic crystalline compound selected to generate photons in response to the passage of ionizing radiation. The organic compound has a crystalline symmetry of higher order than monoclinic, for example an orthorhombic, trigonal, tetragonal, hexagonal, or cubic symmetry. A photodetector is optically coupled to the scintillating material, and configured to generate electronic signals having pulse shapes based on the photons generated in the scintillating material. A discriminator is coupled to the photon detector, and configured to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays in the ionizing radiation based on the pulse shapes of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 9845334
    Abstract: A new family of neutron/gamma discriminating scintillators is disclosed that comprises stable organic glasses that may be melt-cast into transparent monoliths. These materials have been shown to provide light yields greater than solution-grown trans-stilbene crystals and efficient PSD capabilities when combined with 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of the total composition of a wavelength-shifting fluorophore. Photoluminescence measurements reveal fluorescence quantum yields that are 2 to 5 times greater than conventional plastic or liquid scintillator matrices, which accounts for the superior light yield of these glasses. The unique combination of high scintillation light-yields, efficient neutron/gamma PSD, and straightforward scale-up via melt-casting distinguishes the developed organic glasses from existing scintillators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Feng, Joseph S. Carlson
  • Patent number: 9753155
    Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector or scintillator system includes a scintillating material comprising an organic crystalline compound selected to generate photons in response to the passage of ionizing radiation. The organic compound has a crystalline symmetry of higher order than monoclinic, for example an orthorhombic, trigonal, tetragonal, hexagonal, or cubic symmetry. A photodetector is optically coupled to the scintillating material, and configured to generate electronic signals having pulse shapes based on the photons generated in the scintillating material. A discriminator is coupled to the photon detector, and configured to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays in the ionizing radiation based on the pulse shapes of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 9709685
    Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector or scintillator system includes a scintillating material comprising an organic crystalline compound selected to generate photons in response to the passage of ionizing radiation. The organic compound has a crystalline symmetry of higher order than monoclinic, for example an orthorhombic, trigonal, tetragonal, hexagonal, or cubic symmetry. A photodetector is optically coupled to the scintillating material, and configured to generate electronic signals having pulse shapes based on the photons generated in the scintillating material. A discriminator is coupled to the photon detector, and configured to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays in the ionizing radiation based on the pulse shapes of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick L. Feng
  • Patent number: 9678225
    Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector or scintillator system includes a scintillating material comprising an organic crystalline compound selected to generate photons in response to the passage of ionizing radiation. The organic compound has a crystalline symmetry of higher order than monoclinic, for example an orthorhombic, trigonal, tetragonal, hexagonal, or cubic symmetry. A photodetector is optically coupled to the scintillating material, and configured to generate electronic signals having pulse shapes based on the photons generated in the scintillating material. A discriminator is coupled to the photon detector, and configured to discriminate between neutrons and gamma rays in the ionizing radiation based on the pulse shapes of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick L. Feng