Radiation Detection Systems


Book Description

The advances in semiconductor detectors, scintillators, photodetectors such as silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), and readout electronics have experienced tremendous growth in recent years in terms of basic technologies and a variety of applications. The second edition of Radiation Detection Systems presents variety of radiation detection systems, giving readers a broad view of the state-of-the-art in the design of detectors, front-end electronics, and systems offering optimized choices of the detection tools for a particular application. The new edition has been divided into two volumes. This volume on Medical Imaging, Industrial Testing, and Security Applications presents specific applications of the detection systems in medical imaging, industrial testing, and security applications. These newely developed technologies play a vital role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of major human diseases. Featuring contributions from leading experts and pioneers in their respective fields, this book: Describes new advances in development of detection systems based on CdZnTe (CZT) and CdTe detectors utilizing a direct conversion of radiation to electric signals Reports a recent progress in technologies and performance of SiPM used for reading the light from scintillators Explores exciting new application opportunities created by development of the cutting-edge detection technologies in X-ray spectroscopy, computed tomography (CT), bone dosimetry, and nuclear medicine (PET, SPECT) Considers the future use of photon-counting detectors in clinical CT scanners providing K-edge imaging to reduce the amount of contrast agents and ultimately offering both an anatomical and a functional information Describes, uses of radiation detection systems in security applications such as luggage scanning, dirty bomb detection, and border control With its combined coverage of new materials and innovative new system approaches, as well as a succinct overview of recent developments, this book is an invaluable tool for any engineer, professional, or student working in electronics or an associated field. Readers can refer to the other volume, Sensor Materials, Systems, Technology, and Characterization Measurements, which puts emphasis on sensor materials, detector structures, front electronics technology, and their designs and system optimization for different applications.




Active Interrogation in Nuclear Security


Book Description

This volume constitutes the state-of-the-art in active interrogation, widely recognized as indispensable methods for addressing current and future nuclear security needs. Written by a leading group of science and technology experts, this comprehensive reference presents technologies and systems in the context of the fundamental physics challenges and practical requirements. It compares the features, limitations, technologies, and impact of passive and active measurement techniques; describes radiation sources for active interrogation including electron and ion accelerators, intense lasers, and radioisotope-based sources; and it describes radiation detectors used for active interrogation. Entire chapters are devoted to data acquisition and processing systems, modeling and simulation, data interpretation and algorithms, and a survey of working active measurement systems. Active Interrogation in Nuclear Security is structured to appeal to a range of audiences, including graduate students, active researchers in the field, and policy analysts. The first book devoted entirely to active interrogation Presents a focused review of the relevant physics Surveys available technology Analyzes scientific and technology trends Provides historical and policy context Igor Jovanovic is a Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences at the University of Michigan and has previously also taught at Penn State University and Purdue University. He received his Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley and worked as physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dr. Jovanovic has made numerous contributions to the science and technology of radiation detection, as well as the radiation sources for use in active interrogation in nuclear security. He has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses in areas that include radiation detection, nuclear physics, and nuclear security. At University of Michigan Dr. Jovanovic is the director of Neutron Science Laboratory and is also associated with the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science. Anna Erickson is an Assistant Professor in the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering Program of the G.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. Previously, she was a postdoctoral researcher in the Advanced Detectors Group at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dr. Erickson received her PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a focus on radiation detection for active interrogation applications. Her research interests focus on nuclear non-proliferation including antineutrino analysis and non-traditional detector design and characterization. She teaches courses in advanced experimental detection for reactor and nuclear nonproliferation applications, radiation dosimetry and fast reactor analysis.




Biologically Inspired Design


Book Description

From simple cases such as hook and latch attachments found in Velcro to articulated-wing flying vehicles, biology often has been used to inspire many creative design ideas. The scientific challenge now is to transform the paradigm into a repeatable and scalable methodology. Biologically Inspired Design explores computational techniques and tools that can help integrate the method into design practice. With an inspiring foreword from Janine Benyus, Biologically Inspired Design contains a dozen chapters written by some of the leading scholars in the transdisciplinary field of bioinspired design, such as Frank Fish, Julian Vincent and Jeannette Yen from biology, and Amaresk Chakrabarti, Satyandra Gupta and Li Shu from engineering. Based in part on discussions at two workshops sponsored by the United States National Science Foundation, this volume introduces and develops several methods and tools for bioinspired design including: Information-processing theories, Natural language techniques, Knowledge-based tools, and Functional approaches and Pedagogical techniques. By exploring these fundamental theories, techniques and tools for supporting biologically inspired design, this volume provides a comprehensive resource for design practitioners wishing to explore the paradigm, an invaluable guide to design educators interested in teaching the method, and a preliminary reading for design researchers wanting to investigate bioinspired design.




A Compact Fast-neutron Producing Target for High Resolution Crosss Section Measurements


Book Description

A proper knowledge of neutron cross sections is very important for the operation safety of various nuclear facilities. Reducing uncertainties in the neutron cross sections can lead to an enhanced safety of present and future nuclear power systems. It is essential to have a tool to measure the neutron cross sections at required resolution. The Geel electron linear accelerator (GELINA) is the one with the best energy resolution. The main goal of this publication is to investigate the possibilities to improve even further the capabilities of this neutron data measurement facility. The present GELINA capabilities will be improved by designing a new high-power neutron producing target. The new target designed will substantially enhance the obtainable energy resolution, while not compromising the neutron flux. The first step was to optimize the target in size and material. The second step was to optimize a block-shaped geometry, instead of the cylindrical geometry.




Inorganic Scintillators for Detector Systems


Book Description

The development of new scintillators as components of modern detector systems is increasingly defined by the end user's needs. This book provides an introduction to this emerging topic at the interface of physics and materials sciences, with emphasis on bulk inorganic scintillators. After surveying the end user's needs in a vast range of applications, ranging from astrophysics to industrial R and D, the authors move on to review scintillating mechanisms and the properties of the most important materials used. A chapter on crystal engineering and examples of recent developments in the field of high-energy physics and medical imaging introduce the reader to the practical aspects. This book will benefit researchers and scientists working in academic and industrial R and D related to the development of scintillators.




Reactor Dosimetry


Book Description

Proceedings of the 8th ASTM-Euratom Symposium, held in Vail, Colorado, Aug.-Sept. 1993, to provide a forum for experts to discuss their latest results under the broad theme of dosimetry for the correlation of radiation effects. Preceded by a summary of the keynote presentations and followed by summa




Statistical Analysis of Proteomics, Metabolomics, and Lipidomics Data Using Mass Spectrometry


Book Description

This book presents an overview of computational and statistical design and analysis of mass spectrometry-based proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics data. This contributed volume provides an introduction to the special aspects of statistical design and analysis with mass spectrometry data for the new omic sciences. The text discusses common aspects of design and analysis between and across all (or most) forms of mass spectrometry, while also providing special examples of application with the most common forms of mass spectrometry. Also covered are applications of computational mass spectrometry not only in clinical study but also in the interpretation of omics data in plant biology studies. Omics research fields are expected to revolutionize biomolecular research by the ability to simultaneously profile many compounds within either patient blood, urine, tissue, or other biological samples. Mass spectrometry is one of the key analytical techniques used in these new omic sciences. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, time-of-flight data, and Fourier transform mass spectrometry are but a selection of the measurement platforms available to the modern analyst. Thus in practical proteomics or metabolomics, researchers will not only be confronted with new high dimensional data types—as opposed to the familiar data structures in more classical genomics—but also with great variation between distinct types of mass spectral measurements derived from different platforms, which may complicate analyses, comparison, and interpretation of results.




Fertilizer Policy in Tropical Africa


Book Description

Fertilizer in selected sub-saharan countries; fertilizer policy in Benin; principal constrains to fertilizer use in Cameroon; the fertilizer sector in cote D'Ivoire; the place of fertilizer in Ghana's quest for increased agricultural productivity; fertilizer policy in Kenya; fertilizer supply and demand in Malawi; fertilizer policy and programs: Nigeria's experience; fertilizer use in Senegal and perspectives; problems related to the use of fertilizers in Togo; fertilizer policy in Zambia; fertilizer use in Zimbabwe: supply, demand, policy and related problems; fertilizer consumption in sub-saharan Africa: an analysis of growth and profile of use; fertilizer supply in sub-saharan Africa - an analysis; fertilizer use in Asia: lessons from selected countryexperiences; agronomic aspects of mineral and organic fertilizer use in sub-saharan Africa; micro-socio economic research on constrains to fertilizer use in sub-saharan Africa for policy development; strategiesto enhance the dissemination of fertilizer information in the sub-saharan region.




Plastic Scintillators


Book Description

This book introduces the physics and chemistry of plastic scintillators (fluorescent polymers) that are able to emit light when exposed to ionizing radiation, discussing their chemical modification in the early 1950s and 1960s, as well as the renewed upsurge in interest in the 21st century. The book presents contributions from various researchers on broad aspects of plastic scintillators, from physics, chemistry, materials science and applications, covering topics such as the chemical nature of the polymer and/or the fluorophores, modification of the photophysical properties (decay time, emission wavelength) and loading of additives to make the material more sensitive to, e.g., fast neutrons, thermal neutrons or gamma rays. It also describes the benefits of recent technological advances for plastic scintillators, such as nanomaterials and quantum dots, which allow features that were previously not achievable with regular organic molecules or organometallics.




Powder Technology Handbook


Book Description

The Powder Technology Handbook, Third Edition provides a comprehensive guide to powder technology while examining the fundamental engineering processes of particulate technology. The book offers a well-rounded perspective on powder technologies that extends from particle to powder and from basic problems to actual applications. Pro