10B Enriched Plastic Scintillators for Thermal Neutron Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The demand for 3He gas for neutron radiation detection exceeds supply, leading to rationing, and traditional plastic scintillators, despite being cost-effective, provide limited spectroscopic information and are sensitive to fast neutron radiation, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective alternative for thermal neutron detection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating 10B enriched 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-phenyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (MBB) into plastic scintillators, produced through a three-step high-yield process, to enhance thermal neutron detection capabilities while maintaining mechanical integrity and reducing material loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional plastic scintillators are used, then cost-effectiveness and large volume detection are achieved, but thermal neutron detection sensitivity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal neutron detection sensitivityVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by incorporating 10B-enriched carborane molecules into the plastic scintillator matrix. This parameter change increases the thermal neutron detection sensitivity by providing a higher boron content (up to 20 wt%) while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of 10B-enriched boric acid as a precursor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material by combining 10B-enriched carborane molecules with plastic scintillator base materials. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously exhibit the cost-effectiveness and large volume capabilities of plastic scintillators while gaining enhanced thermal neutron detection sensitivity from the boron-containing carborane molecules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If 10B enriched precursors are used to increase boron content, then thermal neutron detection sensitivity is enhanced, but material loading requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal neutron detection sensitivityVSAvoidmaterial loading

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular structure parameter by using carborane molecules which have high boron content by weight. This allows achieving high 10B content (up to 20 wt% in the final scintillator) with lower overall material loading, as the carborane molecules are highly efficient at providing boron atoms per unit mass compared to traditional boron additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses 10B-enriched boric acid as a cost-effective precursor that can be converted into 10B-enriched carborane molecules. This approach replaces expensive commercial 10B-enriched carborane precursors, reducing the cost of material loading while maintaining high thermal neutron detection sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If boron content is increased in plastic scintillators, then thermal neutron detection capability is improved, but mechanical integrity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal neutron detection capabilityVSAvoidmechanical integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by incorporating 10B-enriched carborane molecules which have specific molecular structures that are compatible with the plastic scintillator matrix. This allows increasing boron content to enhance thermal neutron detection capability while the molecular structure of carboranes maintains compatibility with the polymer matrix, preserving mechanical integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The 10B enriched plastic scintillators achieve improved neutron detection sensitivity with increased 10B content, up to 20 wt.%, and maintain stability and mechanical integrity, offering a cost-effective solution to the 3He gas shortage and limitations of traditional scintillators.

Implementation Method 1

The natural abundance of 10B (~20%) in boron chemicals, organic chemistry methods, and the nuclear properties of the capture reaction (shown in Equation 1) allow for the development of new detector materials.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutron capture: Reaction (physics)

Implementation Method 2

Plastic scintillators are traditionally utilized in radiation detection systems as a first line detection method.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Implementation Method 3

Due to their large hydrogen content, plastic scintillators are sensitive to fast neutron radiation via proton collisions that in turn have a thermalizing effect on the incident neutrons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton collisions: Reaction (physics)

Data Source

PatentUS10698121B210B enriched plastic scintillators for application in thermal neutron detection, methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2020.06.30 SELLINGER ALAN

AI summary

The present invention relates to a 10B enriched plastic scintillators, methods of making the same and methods of using the same. Neither carboranes nor 3He are required to be included in the plastic scintillators, which can be used in neutron detection.