Abstract: A scintillation detector comprising nano-scale particles of a scintillation compound embedded in a plastic matrix is provided. The nano-scale particles may be made from metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, or metal halides. Methods are provided for preparing the nano-scale particles. The particles may be coated with organic compounds or polymers prior to incorporation in the plastic matrix. A technique for matching the refractive index of the plastic matrix with the nano-scale particles by incorporating nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide is also provided. The scintillator may be coupled with one or more photodetectors to form a scintillation detection system. The scintillation detection system may be adapted for use in X-ray and radiation imaging devices, such as digital X-ray imaging, mammography, CT, PET, or SPECT, or may be used in radiation security detectors or subterranean radiation detectors.

Abstract: Solid-state scintillating compositions for detecting neutrons comprise a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice. Methods of making scintillating compositions comprise: dissolving a lithium-6 precursor and a zinc precursor in a solvent to form a solution; combining phosphoric acid with the solution; combining a base with the solution to form a precipitate; and heating the precipitate to form a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice.

Abstract: Gallium oxide films for sensing gas comprise Ga2O3 and have a porosity of at least about 30%. Such films can be formed by coating a substrate with a solution comprising: a gallium salt and a porogen comprising an organic compound comprising a hydrophilic chain and a hydrophobic chain; and heating the substrate to a temperature in the range from about 400° C. to about 600° C. while exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing source to convert the gallium salt to a gallium oxide.

Abstract: Moldable neutron sensitive compositions containing an inorganic scintillating component, and neutron capture component, and a moldable resin component, are described. They are prepared with optimized compositions for maximized thermal neutron sensitivity. Methods for preparing such compositions, and articles and radiation detectors made from them are described as well.

Abstract: A method for making a doped magnesium diboride powder is provided. The method includes coating a polymeric precursor on at least one of a plurality of particles of a first phase, where the first phase includes a magnesium diboride powder, where the polymeric precursor includes chemical elements yielding a second phase. The second phase includes one or more of a boride, a nitride, a carbide, an oxide, an oxy-boride, an oxy-nitride, an oxy-carbide, or combinations thereof. The method further includes forming a second phase coating onto at least one of the plurality of particles of the magnesium diboride powder.

Abstract: A nanomaterial comprising a plurality of nanoparticles. The plurality of nanoparticles includes at least one dopant and at least one of a metal oxide, a metal phosphate, a metal silicate, a metal hafnate, a metal aluminate, and combinations thereof. The metal is one of an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide, and a transition metal. The plurality of nanoparticles is formed by forming a homogenized precursor solution of at least one metal precursor and at least one dopant precursor, adding a fuel and optionally at least one of a phosphate source, a silicate source, a hafnate source, and an aluminate source to the precursor solution, removing water from the precursor solution to leave a reaction concentrate, and igniting the reaction concentrate to form a powder comprising the nanomaterial. In one embodiment, the nanomaterial is a scintillator material.

Abstract: A nanomaterial comprising a plurality of nanoparticles. The plurality of nanoparticles includes at least one dopant and at least one of a metal oxide, a metal phosphate, a metal silicate, a metal hafnate, a metal aluminate, and combinations thereof. The metal is one of an alkali earth metal, a lanthanide, and a transition metal. The plurality of nanoparticles is formed by forming a homogenized precursor solution of at least one metal precursor and at least one dopant precursor, adding a fuel and optionally at least one of a phosphate source, a silicate source, a hafnate source, and an aluminate source to the precursor solution, removing water from the precursor solution to leave a reaction concentrate, and igniting the reaction concentrate to form a powder comprising the nanomaterial. In one embodiment, the nanomaterial is a scintillator material.

Abstract: A scintillation detector comprising nano-scale particles of a scintillation compound embedded in a plastic matrix is provided. The nano-scale particles may be made from metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, or metal halides. Methods are provided for preparing the nano-scale particles. The particles may be coated with organic compounds or polymers prior to incorporation in the plastic matrix. A technique for matching the refractive index of the plastic matrix with the nano-scale particles by incorporating nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide is also provided. The scintillator may be coupled with one or more photodetectors to form a scintillation detection system. The scintillation detection system may be adapted for use in X-ray and radiation imaging devices, such as digital X-ray imaging, mammography, CT, PET, or SPECT, or may be used in radiation security detectors or subterranean radiation detectors.

Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides and metal oxysulfides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In one method, used to form oxyhalides and oxysulfides, metal salts are dissolved in water, and then precipitated out as fine particles using an aqueous base. After the particles are separated from the solution, they are annealed under a flow of a water saturated hydrogen anion gas, such as HCl or H2S, to form the crystalline scintillator particles. The other methods take advantage of the characteristics of microemulsion solutions to control droplet size, and, thus, the particle size of the final nano-particles. For example, in one method, a first micro-emulsion containing metal salts if formed. The first micro-emulsion is mixed with an aqueous base in a second micro-emulsion to form the final nano-scale particles.

Abstract: Method for joining wires using low resistivity joints is provided. More specifically, methods of joining one or more wires having superconductive filaments, such as magnesium diboride filaments, are provided. The wires are joined by a low resistivity joint to form wires of a desired length for applications, such in medical imaging applications.

Abstract: Crystalline scintillator materials comprising nano-scale particles of metal halides are provided. The nano-scale particles are less than 100 nm in size. Methods are provided for preparing the particles. In these methods, ionic liquids are used in place of water to allow precipitation of the final product. In one method, the metal precursors and halide salts are dissolved in separate ionic liquids to form solutions, which are then combined to form the nano-crystalline end product. In the other methods, micro-emulsions are formed using ionic liquids to control particle size.

Abstract: Gallium oxide films for sensing gas comprise Ga2O3 and have a porosity of at least about 30%. Such films can be formed by coating a substrate with a solution comprising: a gallium salt and a porogen comprising an organic compound comprising a hydrophilic chain and a hydrophobic chain; and heating the substrate to a temperature in the range from about 400° C. to about 600° C. while exposing the substrate to an oxygen-containing source to convert the gallium salt to a gallium oxide.

Abstract: Solid-state scintillating compositions for detecting neutrons comprise a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice. Methods of making scintillating compositions comprise: dissolving a lithium-6 precursor and a zinc precursor in a solvent to form a solution; combining phosphoric acid with the solution; combining a base with the solution to form a precipitate; and heating the precipitate to form a Li4Zn(PO4)2 host lattice.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a solid solution of cerium halides and barium, strontium, and/or calcium halides. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a composition comprising mixing a cerium halide with a barium, strontium, and/or calcium halide; and firing the cerium halide and the barium halide to form a solid solution of the cerium halide and the barium, strontium, and/or calcium halide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are scintillator compositions that comprise pre-scintillator compositions that are mixed with cerium and/or praseodymium halides. The scintillator compositions comprise solid solutions of the pre-scintillator compositions that are mixed with cerium and/or praseodymium halides and are eventually fired. Disclosed herein too are methods of manufacturing the scintillator compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are scintillating materials, methods for their manufacture, and method for their use. In one embodiment, a scintillator comprises the formula A2LnBX6, wherein A comprises thallium (Tl), a Group IA element, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing, Ln comprises cerium, B comprises a Group IA element, and X comprises iodine (I) or an iodine compound, wherein the iodine compound comprises iodine (I) and an element selected from the group consisting of fluoride (F), chloride (Cl), bromide (Br), and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. Also disclosed are radiation detectors and methods for their use.

Abstract: Multiphase ceramic nanocomposites having at least three phases are disclosed. Each of the at least three phases has an average grain size less than about 100 nm. In one embodiment, the ceramic nanocomposite is substantially free of glassy grain boundary phases. In another embodiment, the multiphase ceramic nanocomposite is thermally stable up to a temperature of at least about 1500° C. Methods of making such multiphase ceramic nanocomposites are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mesoporous material is described. It includes a network of interconnected pores within an L3 phase structure. The pores include pore walls of a silicate material functionalized with at least one metal cation—usually a transition metal. Articles which include the mesoporous material are also disclosed, along with methods for making the mesoporous material.

Abstract: A sensing element or detector activated by radiation comprising a first scintillator activated by gamma radiation; and a neutron sensing layer comprising a second scintillator activated by neutron radiation.

Abstract: A wire having a metal matrix is provided. The wire further includes a plurality of filaments disposed in the metal matrix, where at least one of the plurality of filaments includes doped magnesium diboride powder. The doped magnesium diboride powder includes a first phase having a plurality of magnesium diboride particles having a chemical formula MgB2-xSx, where x represents an atomic percentage, and wherein S represents carbon, boron, nitrogen, oxygen, or combinations thereof. The powder further includes a second phase surrounding each of the plurality of magnesium diboride particles, where the second phase includes a carbide, a nitride, an oxide, a boride, an oxy-nitride, an oxy-boride, an oxy-carbide, or combinations thereof.