SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Neutron Radiation Detection using Solution Grown Organic Scintillators
- Notice Date
- 3/11/2011
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 238990
— All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (DOE Contractor), Industrial Partnerships & Commercialization, 7000 East Avenue, L-795, Livermore, California, 94550
- ZIP Code
- 94550
- Solicitation Number
- FBO234-11
- Archive Date
- 4/12/2011
- Point of Contact
- Connie L Pitcock, Phone: 925-422-1072
- E-Mail Address
-
pitcock1@llnl.gov
(pitcock1@llnl.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Neutron Radiation Detection using Solution Grown Organic Scintillators Opportunity : Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to license intellectual property rights covering this technology for commercialization. Background : The ability to detect gamma rays and/or neutrons is a vital tool for many areas of research. Gamma-ray/neutron detectors allow scientists to study celestial phenomena and diagnose medical diseases, and they have been used to determine the yield in an underground nuclear test. Today, these detectors are important tools for homeland security, helping the nation confront new security challenges. One particularly useful type of radiation detection, pulse shape discrimination (PSD), which is exhibited by some organic scintillators, involves subtle physical phenomena which give rise to the delayed luminescence characteristic of neutrons, providing a means of distinguishing neutrons from the preponderance of prompt luminescence arising from background gamma interactions. Stilbene has been found to be the most effective organic scintillator in terms of PSD, size, and optical quality compared to other organic scintillators including liquids. However, single-crystal stilbene, has a very limited availability because of difficulties in its crystal growth from melt. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to grow organic scintillator crystals, including stilbene and other types of crystals, using solution growth, which should thereby increase access to such materials as well as significantly reduce their cost. Description : LLNL has identified solution-grown organic crystals having scintillation efficiency not only close to, but even exceeding that of stilbene.. LLNL’s invention relates to a new class of neutron detectors based on scintillation response of organic single crystals. More specifically, the use of organic molecules grown from solution and to molecules including the basic benzene or phenyl structure. Advantages : · Reduced cost of solution growth · Fast neutron detection in the presence of a strong gamma ray background · Good luminescence properties, with emission in a wavelength range well matched with standard PMT photocathodes and light yield close to that of anthracene and stilbene Potential Applications : Potential applications include: · detection of illicit nuclear weapons at ports of entry, at security checkpoints, at sensitive city installations, in scanning equipment for wide area sweeping, at off shore facilities, on ships and/or boats, etc. · monitoring of nuclear power plants for dangerous and/or unhealthy levels of radiation or leakage detection. · scientific measurements of neutron emitters, such as in laboratory or classroom settings. Development Status: LLNL has filed two patent applications for this invention. Refer to the published patent applications and scientific publications listed below for more information. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0256923 Compounds for Neutron Radiation Detectors and Systems Thereof (IL11668) U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0252741 Solution-Grown Crystals for Neutron Radiation Detectors and Methods of Solution Growth (IL11950) Zaitseva, N. et al. (2009) ”Growth and Properties of Lithium Salicylate Single Crystals,” Crystal Growth & Design, Vol. 9, No. 8, 3799-3802. ( http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/cg9005289 ) Hull, G. et. al. (2009) “New Organic Crystals for Pulse Shape Discrimination,” IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science, Vol. 56, No. 3., 899-903. ( http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/search/srchabstract.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5075983&queryText%3Dcherepy%26openedRefinements%3D*%26searchField%3DSearch+All ) Zaitseva, N. et al. (2009) “Neutron detection with single crystal organic scintillators,” Proceedings of SPIE, Vol 7449, 744911. ( http://scitation.aip.org/getpdf/servlet/GetPDFServlet?filetype=pdf&id=PSISDG007449000001744911000001&idtype=cvips&prog=normal ) LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/?q=resources-industry-working_with_us for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Solution-Grown Crystals technology should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following: 1. Company Name and address. 2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 3. A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Industrial Partnerships Office P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO 234-11 Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Solution-Growth Crystals technology.
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- SN02399059-W 20110313/110311234452-c66dd70c6fdcb32d4cb4ac75d0fac3a8 (fbodaily.com)
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