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Licensing Opportunities in Electronics and Instrumentation

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Electronics

Technology Description

Title

 

Clockless Analog-to-Digital Conversion

 

 Summary Describes a procedure to perform analog-to-digital conversion without using a clock signal.
Competitive Advantage The method provides peak detection and analog-to-digital conversion of shaped analog pulses caused by an ionizing event in a radiation detection system without requiring a clock signal and using very little power.  In addition, since analog-to-digital conversion occurs during a rising edge of the shaped pulse and conversion is complete when the peak occurs, the method minimizes the processing time of the shaped pulse and, as a consequence, the loss of data.
Applications Include development of radiation detection systems in which the front-end and processing electronics per channel is highly integrated
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

7,187,316

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Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 06-01 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Measurement of Depth of Interaction Using Co-Planar Electrodes

 

 Summary Describes a device for measuring the depth of interaction in co-planar grid sensors for gamma-ray detection to increase resolution of detection.
Competitive Advantage Describes an efficient detection system without the addition of complex and bulky electronics.
Applications Include an efficient high spectral resolution device for use in detecting ionizing radiation, which can be used at room-temperature.
Technical Details Technical Brief
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Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

7,271,395

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BSA # 05-11 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Offset-Free Rail-to-Rail Derandomizing Peak Detect-and-Hold Circuit

 

 Summary Describes a peak detect-and-hold circuit, which includes an amplifier, three switches, a transistor, and a capacitor.  The circuit eliminates errors introduced by conventional amplifiers, such as common-mode rejection and input voltage offset.
Competitive Advantage The method allows the peak detect-and-hold circuit that is able to substantially cancel offset voltage and common-mode rejection error.
Applications Include electronics particularly in peak detect-and-hold circuits.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number

6,512,399

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BSA # 01-28 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Fabricating a High Aspect Ratio Micro-Structure

 

 Summary Describes a method of fabricating a High Aspect Ratio, freestanding three-dimensional microstructure.  The fabrication method modifies the exposure process for SU-8, an ultraviolet-sensitive photoresist used for microfabrication.  A UV-absorbent glass substrate, chosen for complete absorption of UV radiation at 380 nanometers or less, is coated with a negative photoresist, exposed and developed according to standard practice.  This UV absorbent glass enables the fabrication of cylindrical cavities in less than 100 microns in diameter in SU-8 microstructures with aspect ratios of 8:1.
Competitive Advantage   The method requires only UV radiation and UV transparent masks, it and does not require access to a synchrotron, making it much more economical than Lithography, Plastic Forming, and Galvanoforming (LIGA) process.
Applications The method can be used to develop microstructures fabricated with negative photoresists for as electron multipliers, and microchannel plates.
Technical Details Technical Brief
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Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 6,558,868 View Patent
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BSA # 00-24 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Monolithic Amplifier with Stable, High Resistance Feedback Element

 

 Summary Describes a monolithic amplifier with a stable, high resistance feedback circuit and a dynamic bias circuit.
Competitive Advantage The Monolithic Amplifier described here has low sensitivity to variations in both manufacturing process parameters such as threshold voltage and operating parameters such as supply voltage and temperature.
Applications Include charge sensitive amplifiers used in a variety of commercial, industrial, medical, and scientific instrumentation applications where a signal from a sensor takes the form of a small current charge which needs amplification prior to further signal processing or conditioning.  These sensors may include low-capacitance silicon detectors such as those used in particle position sensing, X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray imaging, as well as those sensors used to detect gamma rays emitted in mammography systems, and other such low charge output sensing devices.
Technical Details Technical Brief
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Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 5,793,254 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 96-23 Contact L-A Neiger

Lasers/Optics

Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Surface Preparation of Niobium

 

 Summary Describes a method of the preparation for high quantum efficiency niobium surface.
Competitive Advantage This method of surface preparation increases the photoelectron yield by three orders of magnitude.
Applications Include use as efficient superconducting electron source.  RF injectors that incorporate a photocathode made of niobium can become "mini-light sources".  In addition, photocathodes made of niobium can be used in photomultiplier tubes, optical detectors, and camera tubes.
Technical Details Technical Brief
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Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 6,542,170 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 01-04 Contact L-A Neiger

Detectors/Amplifiers

Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Radiation Detectors

 

 Summary Describes a sensitive radiation detection device to monitor, locate and identify illicit nuclear and radiological material.
Competitive Advantage These radiation detectors can be used at room temperature, which makes them more practical and cost-effective than existing detectors with similar performance, which must be operated at very cold temperatures using expensive liquid nitrogen.  They can also more accurately detect the X-rays and gamma rays emitted by radiological sources such as dirty bombs and other illicit materials.  Due to their significantly improved efficiency and accuracy, the new sensors are able to differentiate radiological and nuclear threats from a variety of harmless materials that emit radiations.
Applications Include lost cost, practical radiation detection device that can be used to screen cargo at U.S. sea ports, airports and border crossing check points.
Technical Details Technical Brief
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Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 12/056,655 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 07-22 Contact K. Elcess
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Real-Time Self-Networking Radiation Detector

 

 Summary Describes a real-time self-networking ultra-sensitive neutron detector system for integrating the neutron flux inside a transport container over the duration of a voyage to a United States port.
Competitive Advantage If the cargo containers of the approaching ships are equipped with this apparatus, then radiation measurements can be recorded relative to the position on the ship.  With real-time communications and analysis of data, scans could be repeated to confirm findings and reduce false alarms. In addition, if cargo manifest is available, the readings can be used to distinguish contraband from legitimate cargo that contains traces of radioactive materials.
Applications Include radiation detector apparatus for use with cargo shipments.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 7,230,250 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 04-22 Contact L-A Neiger

General Instrumentation

Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Monolithic low-noise charge amplifiers with linear low-frequency feedback circuit

 

 Summary Describes a charge sensitive amplifier for use on monolithic substrates, which includes a low-noise, active feedback element that exhibits improved linearity and dynamic range.
Competitive Advantage The charge sensitive amplifier is stable, high-resistance feedback circuit, which has a low sensitivity to variations in both manufacturing process parameters, such as threshold voltage, and operating parameters, such as supply voltage and temperature.  In addition the high-resistance feedback circuit minimizes noise contributions and non-linearity disadvantages seen in other conventional charge sensitive amplifier configurations.
Applications Include charge sensitive amplifiers for use in a variety of commercial, industrial, medical, and scientific instrumentation applications.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 6,998,913 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 04-13 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Photon Generator

 

 Summary Describes a photon generator comprising of an electron gun for emitting an electron beam, and a laser for emitting a laser bam.  The laser beam repetitively collides with the electron beam for emitting a high energy photon beam.
Competitive Advantage This compact photon generator produces high energy photons with high brightness.
Applications Include source of x-rays for applications in medicine, industry, biological science, and materials science.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 6,459,766 View Patent
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BSA # 99-39 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Accelerator Target

 

 Summary Describes a target for irradiation of a sample by an accelerated particle beam to produce the radiosotope.
Competitive Advantage Provides an improved target specifically configured for use with low energy, high current particle beams for effectively producing radiosotopes.
Applications The target described can be used for irradiating a material sample to produce radioactive isotope for use in medical applications including Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
Technical Details Technical Brief
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Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 5,917,874 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 97-16 Contact L-A Neiger

 

Medical Instrumentation

Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Treatment of Brain and Spinal Cord using Arrays of X-ray Microplanar Beams

 

 Summary Describes method for assisting recovery of damaged spinal cord and brain using arrays of x-ray microplanar beams.
Competitive Advantage This method inhibits the formation of a scar tissue at the site of injury, and simultaneously promotes the regeneration of the damaged microvasculature and glial system to produce substantial functional recovery.
Applications Include medical treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 7,158,607,

US-2007-0165778, 11/867,233

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Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 04-16, 05-10, 07-02, 07-33 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Small Animal PET Tomograph - RatCAP

 

 Summary Describes a small Positron Emission Tomography (PET) that can be used with a conscious moving animal to acquire brain images.  The detector can be mounted to the head of the animal and suspended from a mechanical support that will counterbalance the weight and dampen the inertial motion of the detector as the animal moves.
Competitive Advantage The RadCAP is a light self-contained portable PET imaging system.  In addition, the tomography is compatible with Magnetic Resonance Imaging, opening up the possibility of simultaneous PET and MR imaging.
Applications Include imaging equipment for studying functional neurophysiological activity in awake laboratory animals
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 7,126,126 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 03-14 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Combined PET/MRI Scanner

 

 Summary Describes a simultaneous dual modality PET/MRI scanner which includes a magnet for producing a magnetic field suitable for magnetic resonance imaging, a radiofrequency coil and a ring tomorgraph disposed within the magnetic field produced by the magnet.  The ring tomograph contains a scintillator layer which is coupled to a detection array, which in turn is coupled to a front-end electronic array, which has a preamplifier and a shaper network for conditioning the detection signal.
Competitive Advantage The technology provides a MRI scanner combined with a PET scanner whose output is not detrimentally affected by the magnetic fields produced by the MRI scanner.  The technology allows one to simultaneously realize the diagnostic benefits of using PET the MRI imaging techniques.
Applications A dual modality PET/MRI scanner will be extremely useful in studies such as in vivo analysis of complex metabolic systems, validation of functional MRI techniques for brain mapping and in development of new pharmaceuticals such as psycho-active drugs.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 7,286,867 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 04-25 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Positron Emission Tomography Wrist Detector

 

 Summary Describes a low-noise, low power, compact positron emission tomography (PET) wrist detector which non-invasively measures the radioactivity in the blood and mathematically corrects the results of this measurement to accurately represent an arterial input function.  The detector can be used to image additional parts of the human body including; the head, neck, arm and leg.
Competitive Advantage The detector separates arterial information from venous and surrounding information to maximize detector efficiency and spatial resolution.  In addition, the apparatus utilizes improved timing resolution and selective shielding techniques to effectively reduce coincidence during PET scanning.
Applications The equipment can be used in combination with PET scan to monitor the blood to accurately quantify metabolic activity
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 7,091,489 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 03-15 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Wireless Monitoring of Subjects within a Magnetic Field

 

 Summary Describes a wireless monitoring system consisting of a sensor and a transmitter capable of measuring and transmitting to a computer the physiological parameters of a conscious subject in a strong magnetic field such as that generated by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.
Competitive Advantage A non-invasive, self contained system that can be used to monitor the vital signs of a conscious subject, such as a human or a small animal placed in a magnetic field.
Applications Include medical equipment for monitoring vital signs of conscious subjects during procedures such as MRI.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number US-2006-0241392 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 05-03 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Gantry for a Particle Therapy Facility

 

 Summary Describes a compact particle therapy gantry design for delivering a particle beam to a patient.  The gantry includes a curved beam tube with a number of alternating fixed field magnets sequentially arranged along the beam tube for guiding the particle beam along the particle path.
Competitive Advantage The gantry accepts particles and transports through the gantry magnets with very small orbit offsets.  The gantry magnets are at the fixed-constant magnetic field, which allows the use of smaller gantry magnets.  These features make the gantry made using this design to be simple, less expensive and compact.
Applications Include particle therapy gantry for medical particle delivery system found in medical cancer therapy facilities.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number US-2007-0262269 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 06-06 Contact L-A Neiger
Technology Description
 

Title

 

  

Methods of Implementing Microbeam Radiation Therapy

 

 Summary Describes a method of performing radiation therapy using microbeams/microplanar beams.  Contrast agents are administered to preferentially increase the target dose relative to the dose in normal tissue. Lighter elements are used as scattering agents in conjunction with non-interleaving geometries of array(s) to generate a broad beam effect only within the target by preferentially increasing the valley dose within the tumor.
Competitive Advantage Microbeams spare normal tissues, and when interlaced at a tumor, form a broad-beam for tumor ablation.
Applications This method of using microbeam arrays to produce a broad beam effect only within the tumor increases the therapeutic effect of microbeam radiation therapy.
Technical Details Technical Brief
Press Release
Publication
Citations
Patent Publication/Serial Number 7,194,063 View Patent
Licensing Exclusive and non-exclusive
BSA # 04-17 Contact L-A Neiger

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Last Modified: September 24, 2008
Please forward all questions about this site to: Lori-Anne Neiger
 


DOE, Office of ScienceOne of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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