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: A method of making a rare earth halide single crystal material is provided. The method includes providing a polycrystalline material having a plurality of grains. The method further includes adding a seed crystal to the polycrystalline material to define a plane of growth for the polycrystalline material. Further, the polycrystalline material having the seed crystal may be subjected to heat-treating, where the heat-treating does not include melting the polycrystalline material.

Abstract: A sintered, annealed scintillator composition, which, prior to annealing, has a formula of A3B2C3O12, where A is at least one member of the group consisting of Tb, Ce, and Lu, or combinations thereof, B is an octahedral site (Al), and C is a tetrahedral site (also Al). One or more substitutions are included. The substitutions may may be partial or, in some cases, complete, and can include Al with Sc at B, up to two atoms of oxygen with fluorine and the same number of Ca atoms at A, replacement at B with Mg and the same number of atoms of oxygen with fluorine, replacement at B with a combination of Mg/Si Mg/Zr, Mg/Ti, and/or Mg/Hf, replacement at B with a combination of Li/Nb and/or Li/Ta, and at A with Ca and replacement of an equal number of B or C with silicon.

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: Ceramic HID lamps with improved thermal management having an adherent infrared reflective coating layer located on the outer surface of the vessel are described. They include a coating of a nonmetallic material proximate the first and second end portions of the vessel. Such coatings can minimize temperature gradients during lamp operation. Methods for preparing such lamps with improved thermal management are described as well.

Abstract: An etchant including a halogenated salt, such as Cryolite (Na3AlF6) or potassium tetrafluoro borate (KBF4), is provided. The salt may be present in the etchant in an amount sufficient to etch a substrate and may have a melt temperature of greater than about 200 degrees Celsius. A method of wet etching may include contacting an etchant to at least one surface of a support layer of a multi-layer laminate, wherein the support layer may include aluminum oxide; or contacting an etchant to at least one surface of a support layer of a multi-layer laminate, wherein the etchant may include Cryolite (Na3AlF6), potassium tetrafluoro borate (KBF4), or both; and etching at least a portion of the support layer. The method may provide a laminate produced by growing a crystal onto an aluminum oxide support layer, and chemically removing at least a portion of the support layer by wet etch. An electronic device, optical device or combined device including the laminate is provided.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystal material is provided. The method includes providing a polycrystalline material having a plurality of grains. The method further includes adding a seed crystal to the polycrystalline material to define a plane of growth for the polycrystalline material. Further, the polycrystalline material having the seed crystal may be subjected to heat-treating, where the heat-treating does not include melting the polycrystalline material.

Abstract: A method of processing a ceramic layer is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a ceramic layer comprising a plurality of microcracks; infiltrating at least some of the plurality of microcracks with a liquid precursor comprising at least one oxidizable metal ion; and exposing the ceramic layer to a base having a pH value of at least about 9, so as to chemically convert the oxidizable metal ion into an oxide, thereby decreasing the porosity of the ceramic layer. A solid oxide fuel cell is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell comprises an anode; a cathode; and a ceramic electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode.

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 nonlinear composition comprises a polymeric material and at least one ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, or paraelectric particle, wherein the composition has a permittivity greater than or equal to about 5. A method of making a nonlinear composition comprises combining a polymeric material, and at least one ferroelectric, antiferroelectric, or paraelectric particle. The composition has a permittivity greater than or equal to about 5.

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: 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: 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: Zirconia-containing ceramic compositions that are capable of providing thermal barrier coatings wherein the zirconia is stabilized in the cubic crystalline phase. These compositions comprise at least about 50 mole % zirconia and a stabilizing amount up to about 49 mole % of a stabilizer component comprising: (1) a first metal oxide selected from the group consisting of ytterbia, neodymia, mixtures of ytterbia and neodymia, mixtures of ytterbia and lanthana, mixtures of neodymia and lanthana, and mixtures of ytterbia, neodymia and lanthana in an amount of from about 5 to about 49 mole % of the composition; and (2) a second metal oxide selected from the group consisting of yttria, calcia, ceria, scandia, magnesia, india and mixtures thereof in an amount of about 4 mole % or less of the composition. The ceramic composition further comprises one or more of a third metal oxide selected from the group consisting of: (a) hafnia in an amount from about 0.

Abstract: A method of making a rare earth halide single crystal material is provided. The method includes providing a polycrystalline material having a plurality of grains. The method further includes adding a seed crystal to the polycrystalline material to define a plane of growth for the polycrystalline material. Further, the polycrystalline material having the seed crystal may be subjected to heat-treating, where the heat-treating does not include melting the polycrystalline material.

Abstract: A method of making a single crystal material is provided. The method includes providing a polycrystalline material having a plurality of grains. The method further includes adding a seed crystal to the polycrystalline material to define a plane of growth for the polycrystalline material. Further, the polycrystalline material having the seed crystal may be subjected to heat-treating, where the heat-treating does not include melting the polycrystalline material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a detector array for an imaging system, the method comprising providing a pixelated scintillator having a plurality of lost molded pixels comprising a scintillator material adapted to detect 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.

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.