Radioisotope Target Container With Variable Wall Thickness

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radioisotope production methods face challenges with fragile and difficult-to-assemble target assemblies, inefficient energy transmission due to thick windows, and high energy losses, which complicate the production of radioisotopes like 18F, requiring aggressive cooling and higher proton energies.

Innovation Solution

A container with a thin metal jacket of varying thickness, fabricated using electroforming techniques, providing improved beam transparency and mechanical resistance, integrated with a target assembly that allows for easy assembly, rotation, and efficient cooling, minimizing energy loss and production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a thin window is used to allow beam passage, then beam transparency is improved, but mechanical strength and thermal resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam energy lossVSAvoidwindow mechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall is segmented into two distinct zones: a thin fraction (5-100 μm) for beam transparency and a thick fraction (>100 μm) for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the container wall have different thicknesses tailored to their specific functions. The thin fraction is positioned where beam passage is required, while the thick fraction is positioned where mechanical support and thermal resistance are needed, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a thick window is used to withstand mechanical and thermal stresses, then structural reliability is improved, but beam transparency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow reliability under stressVSAvoidbeam energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall is segmented into two distinct zones: a thin fraction (5-100 μm) for beam transparency and a thick fraction (>100 μm) for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each zone to fulfill its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the container wall have different thicknesses tailored to their specific functions. The thin fraction is positioned where beam passage is required, while the thick fraction is positioned where mechanical support and thermal resistance are needed, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If a fragile assembly is used to achieve thin wall structure, then beam transparency is improved, but ease of assembly and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam energy lossVSAvoidassembly reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thin wall fraction and thick wall fraction are merged into a single integral container structure produced by electroforming. This eliminates the need for fragile assemblies of multiple thin components, while maintaining beam transparency and structural reliability through the monolithic construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electroforming process parameters are controlled to produce the desired thickness gradient from thin to thick fraction within a single piece, transforming the container from a fragile multi-component assembly to a reliable integral structure with optimized thickness distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If aggressive cooling is applied to handle high power dissipation, then thermal management is improved, but device complexity and energy loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget cooling efficiencyVSAvoidcooling energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall thickness is optimized locally to minimize beam energy loss while maintaining sufficient structural integrity for cooling. The thin fraction reduces unnecessary energy absorption in the wall itself, decreasing the cooling load and associated energy losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables reliable, efficient, and cost-effective production of radioisotopes by reducing energy loss, simplifying assembly, and allowing for internal or external target use, while minimizing material waste and operator exposure to radiation.

Implementation Method 1

the wall of said jacket having a thin fraction, of a thickness comprised between 5 and 100 μm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam transparency:

Implementation Method 2

fabricated using electroforming techniques

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroforming: Electrodeposition

Implementation Method 3

integrated with a target assembly that allows for easy assembly, rotation, and efficient cooling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 4

efficient cooling, minimizing energy loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS10854349B2Container, method for obtaining same and target assembly for the production of radioisotopes using such a container

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 NANOMARKER SPRL

AI summary

The invention relates to a container (100, 901, 902, 903, 904, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, 910) for the production of radioisotopes by irradiation of a precursor material formed by a one-piece metal casing, the wall of said casing including one thin portion (130) having a thickness of between 5 and 100 μm, the remainder having a thickness greater than 100 μm. The invention also relates to a method for obtaining the container and to a target assembly using same.