A Compact Monitor for Ethylene and Other Plant-Produced Volatile Organic Compounds for NASA Space Missions.

In this work, we discuss the development of a compact analytical instrument for monitoring ethylene in compact greenhouses utilized by NASA to grow fresh vegetables in space. Traditionally, ethylene measurements are conducted by GC-MS systems. However, in space, they are not applicable due to their bulky size, heavy weight, special carrier gas requirement and high maintenance.

Fusion-Based Neutron Generator Production of Tc-99m and Tc-101: A Prospective Avenue to Technetium Theranostics.

Presented are the results of Tc and Tc production via neutron irradiation of natural isotopic molybdenum (Mo) with epithermal/resonance neutrons. Neutrons were produced using a deuterium-deuterium (D-D) neutron generator with an output of 2 × 10 n/s. The separation of Tc from an irradiated source of bulk, low-specific activity (LSA) Mo on activated carbon (AC) was demonstrated.

A Fast Neutron Radiography System Using a High Yield Portable DT Neutron Source.

Resolution measurements were made using 14.1 MeV neutrons from a high-yield, portable DT neutron generator and a neutron camera based on a scintillation screen viewed by a digital camera. Resolution measurements were made using a custom-built, plastic, USAF-1951 resolution chart, of dimensions 125 × 98 × 25.

Development of a new deuterium-deuterium (D-D) neutron generator for prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis.

A new deuterium-deuterium (D-D) neutron generator has been developed by Adelphi Technology for prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA), neutron activation analysis (NAA), and fast neutron radiography. The generator makes an excellent fast, intermediate, and thermal neutron source for laboratories and industrial applications that require the safe production of neutrons, a small footprint, low cost, and small regulatory burden. The generator has three major components: a Radio Frequency Induction Ion Source, a Secondary Electron Shroud, and a Diode Accelerator Structure and Target.

Monte Carlo simulation of explosive detection system based on a Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) neutron generator.

An explosive detection system based on a Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) neutron generator has been simulated using the Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNP5). Nuclear-based explosive detection methods can detect explosives by identifying their elemental components, especially nitrogen. Thermal neutron capture reactions have been used for detecting prompt gamma emission (10.

Periodic magnetic field as a polarized and focusing thermal neutron spectrometer and monochromator.

A novel periodic magnetic field (PMF) optic is shown to act as a prism, lens, and polarizer for neutrons and particles with a magnetic dipole moment. The PMF has a two-dimensional field in the axial direction of neutron propagation. The PMF alternating magnetic field polarity provides strong gradients that cause separation of neutrons by wavelength axially and by spin state transversely.

Refractive lenses for coherent x-ray sources.

Incoherent x rays in the wavelength interval from approximately 0.5-2 A have been focused with refractive lenses. A single lens would have a long focal length because the refractive index of any material is close to unity; but with a stack of N lens elements the focal length is reduced by the factor N, and such a lens is termed a compound refractive lens (CRL).

X-ray focusing with compound lenses made from beryllium.

We have measured the intensity profile and transmission of x rays focused by a series of biconcave spherical unit lenses fabricated from beryllium. The use of beryllium extends the range of operation of compound refractive lenses, improving transmission, aperture size, and gain. The compound refractive lens was composed of 160 biconcave unit lenses, each with a radius of curvature of 1.

X rays from relativistic electrons in a multilayer structure.

A dynamic diffraction theory of x-ray emission by relativistic electrons crossing a finite-thickness multilayer mirror (e.g., alternating layers of W and B4C) is developed, taking into account both diffracted transition and parametric radiation mechanisms.

Characteristics of the thick, compound refractive lens.

A compound refractive lens (CRL), consisting of a series of N closely spaced lens elements each of which contributes a small fraction of the total focusing, can be used to focus x rays or neutrons. The thickness of a CRL can be comparable to its focal length, whereupon a thick-lens analysis must be performed. In contrast with the conventional optical lens, where the ray inside the lens follows a straight line, the ray inside the CRL is continually changing direction because of the multiple refracting surfaces.

Noninvasive digital energy subtraction angiography with a channeling-radiation x-ray source.

Channeling radiation could provide a viable source for digital energy subtraction angiography (DESA). A signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 6.2 for a resolution of 0.

Matrix-vector multiplication using digital partitioning for more accurate optical computing.

Digital partitioning offers a flexible means of increasing the accuracy of an optical matrix-vector processor. This algorithm can be implemented with the same architecture required for a purely analog processor, which gives optical matrix-vector processors the ability to perform high-accuracy calculations at speeds comparable with or greater than electronic computers as well as the ability to perform analog operations at a much greater speed. Digital partitioning is compared with digital multiplication by analog convolution, residue number systems, and redundant number representation in terms of the size and the speed required for an equivalent throughput as well as in terms of the hardware requirements.