SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Water Cerenkov-based Neutron and High Energy Gamma-Ray Detector - Journal Technical Article
- Notice Date
- 2/9/2010
- 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
- FBO219-10
- Archive Date
- 2/10/2010
- 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
- Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 607 (2009) 616-619 "Observation of neutrons with a Gadolinium doped water Cherenkov detector" TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Water Cerenkov-based Neutron and High Energy Gamma-Ray Detector 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 : This technology addresses two important technical problems associated with Special Nuclear Material (SNM) detection. The first is that SNM detectors are generally sensitive to cosmogenic and ambient background gamma-rays and neutrons in addition to any potential real SNM source. This has the effect of reducing the sensitivity to real SNM. Real SNM tends to emit small numbers of neutrons simultaneously. Since background sources of simultaneous neutrons are relatively rare, high multiplicity neutron events become a key signature for the presence of SNM. The second problem is ease of operation in the field--environmental and physical safety. Currently, few options satisfy all these requirements. Presently, most detectors require materials that are either expensive, hazardous or need to be operated at cryogenic temperatures. Plastic scintillator detectors have recently been employed to overcome safety issues and enable large detectors. However, plastic scintillators are expensive to approach 4 π coverage of a cargo container; hence are unlikely to be sensitive to neutron multiplicity. Description : LLNL has developed a water Cerenkov-based neutron detector as an efficient and cost effective way to detect multiple simultaneous fission neutrons and high energy gammas from SNM hidden in a cargo luggage or elsewhere. LLNL's detector is equipped with fast timing capability so that the time correlations between seccessive events can be measured. These time correlations are characteristic of SNM and greatly aid with background rejection, provided sufficient solid angle coverage is available to ensure an appreciable probability for interception of multiple neutrons. The LLNL detectors can be built from the 0.25 cubic meter scale to the many ton scale, guaranteeing large solid angle coverage. For additional technical information see the attached Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A 607 (2009) 616-619 "Observation of neutrons with a Gadolinium doped water Cherenkov detector". Advantages : LLNL's water Cerenkov-based neutron detector is simple, cost effective, scalable and safe. LLNL's detector constituent being primarily water, is scalable and permits large solid angle coverage at a reasonable cost. The large solid angle coverage and high intrinsic efficiency provides robust and low cost neutron and gamma-ray detection with a single detector. Potential Applications : LLNL's water Cerenkov-based neutron detector system can be used for special nuclear material detection, stationary portal monitoring to potentially replace systems using He-3, and nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation. Development Status: LLNL has built, tested and deployed a 1/4-ton prototype water Cerenkov detector in the field, published results in peer reviwed journals demonstrating neutron detection capability with this detector, and secured a provisional patent on the technolgy. LLNL has built three (3) ton-scale prototype systems and has collected experimental data with these systems. 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 Water Cerenkov-based Neutron and High Energy Gamma-Ray Detector 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 219-10 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 Water Cerenkov-based Neutron and High Energy Gamma-Ray Detector technology.
- Web Link
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- Record
- SN02060992-W 20100211/100209234323-ab21967b5bf319543351ccb1697e45f3 (fbodaily.com)
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