Engineering topics

Weisenberger, Andrew

Publications and source records attributed to Weisenberger, Andrew.

12 records

DOE OSTI2024

The United States Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health Collaboration: Medical Care Advances by Discovery in Radiation Detection

A National Institutes of Health (NIH) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science virtual workshop on shared general topics was held in July of 2021 and reported on in this publication in January of 2023. Following the inaugural 2021 joint meeting representatives from the DOE Office of Science and NIH met to discuss organizing a second joint workshop that would concentrate on radiation detection to bring together teams from both agencies and their grantee populations to stimulate collaboration and efficiency. To meet this scientific mission within the NIH and DOE radiation detection space, the organizers assembled workshop sessions covering the state–of–the–art in cameras, detectors, and sensors for radiation external and internal (diagnostic and therapeutic) to human, data acquisition and electronics, image reconstruction and processing, and the application of artificial intelligence. NIH and DOE are committed to continuing the process of convening a joint workshop every 12–24 months. This Special Report recaps the findings of this second workshop. Beyond showing only the innovations and areas of success, important gaps in our knowledge were defined and presented. Finally, we summarize by defining four areas of greatest opportunity and need that emerged from the unique, dynamic dialogue the in–person workshop provided the attendees.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Performance of a triple-GEM detector with capacitive-sharing 3-coordinate (X–Y–U)-strip anode readout

The concept of capacitive-sharing readout, described in detail in a previous study, offers the possibility for the development of high-performance three-coordinates (X--Y--U)-strip readout for Micro Pattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGDs) using simple standard PCB fabrication techniques. Capacitive-sharing (X--Y--U)-strip readout allows simultaneous measurement of the Cartesian coordinates x and y of the position of the particles together with a third coordinate u along the diagonal axis in a single readout PCB. This provides a powerful tool to address multiple-hit ambiguity and enable pattern recognition capabilities in moderate particle flux environment of collider or fixed target experiments in high energy physics HEP) and nuclear physics (NP). We present in this paper the performance of a 10 cm × 10 cm triple-GEM detector with capacitive-sharing (X--Y--U)-strip anode readout. Spatial resolutions of the order of $\sigma_{x}^{res}$ = 71.6 $\pm$ 0.8 $\mu$m for X-strips, $\sigma_{y}^{res}$ = 56.2 $\pm$ 0.9 $\mu$m for Y-strips and $\sigma_{u}^{res}$ = 75.2 $\pm$ 0.9 $\mu$m for U-strips have been obtained at a beam test at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). Modifications of the readout design of future prototypes to improve the spatial resolution and challenges in scaling to large-area MPGDs are discussed.

(X-Y-U) strip↗

DOE OSTI2023

µRWELL-PICOSEC: The Development of Fast Timing Resistive Micro-WELL Detector Technology.

We present the development of a new concept of fast timing gaseous detector, the ?RWELL-PICOSEC detector based on Resistive Micro-Well (?RWELL) technology to provide timing resolution in the tens of picosecond range for application as time-of-flight (TOF) technology in the particle physics and medical instrumentation fields. The ?RWELL-PICOSEC technology combined a Cerenkov radiator for the generation of Cerenkov photons from high energy charged particles, a photocathode for the conversion of the produced photons into primary electrons and the ?RWELL foil for the multiplication of the electron to produce large signal on pad segmentation readout. The proof of concept of ?RWELL-PICOSEC is demonstrated with a small single-channel prototype and preliminary timing performance of 90 ps has been measured. Optimization study the amplification structure of ?RWELL-PICOSEC for the improvement of timing resolution is discussed and results on timing performance studies in beam at CERN are presented. The development of large area (100 mm × 100 mm) ?RWELL-PICOSEC and associated multichannel fast readout electronics and data acquisition system are also reported

Weisenberger, Andrew↗

DOE OSTI2023

The United States Department of Energy and National Institutes of Health Collaboration: Medical Care Advances via Discovery in Physical Sciences

Over several months, representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science and National Institutes of Health (NIH) had a number of meetings that lead to the conclusion that innovations in the Nation's health care could be realized by more directed interactions between NIH and DOE. It became clear that the expertise amassed and instrumentation advances developed at the DOE physical science laboratories to enable cutting-edge research in particle physics could also feed innovation in medical healthcare. To meet their scientific mission, the DOE laboratories created advances in such technologies as particle beam generation, radioisotope production, high-energy particle detection and imaging, superconducting particle accelerators, superconducting magnets, cryogenics, high-speed electronics, artificial intelligence, and big data. To move forward, NIH and DOE initiated the process of convening a joint work- shop which occurred on July 12th and 13th, 2021. Here, this Special Report presents a summary of the findings of the collaborative workshop and introduces the goals of the next one.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2019

Radiation monitor based on wavelength-dependent optical absorption in fused silica optical fibers

A radiation monitor apparatus and method based on wavelength-dependent optical absorption in fused silica optical fibers. The radiation monitor uses the radiation induced optical changes in fused silica optical fibers as a way to quantify and differentiate the large doses of radiation from high energy photons and neutrons as well as providing a method to extend the sensitivity over a large dynamic range of doses from 103 to beyond 106 rads. The radiation monitor enables dynamic monitoring of highly ionizing radiation environments. The radiation monitor reduces sensitivity saturation at high dose levels, provides increased sensitivity over a large dynamic range of doses, and enables differentiation between high energy photon and neutron contributions or poor signal to noise.

Zorn, Carl↗

DOE OSTI2019

Compact and Handheld Radioisotope Imaging Systems for Bio-medicine*

Author: Andrew Weisenberger (Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility) Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is a U.S. Department of Energy federally funded research and development center whose mission is to study quark gluon physics. The laboratory capitalizes on its unique technologies and expertise to explore ways of applying nuclear physics principles and technologies to societal needs. The Radiation Detector and Imaging Group, in collaboration with universities, industry and other government laboratories, has for several years been applying advances in nuclear physics detector technology to several applications, particularly in the development of compact and handheld nuclear imaging systems. I will provide a brief overview of Jefferson Lab and provide examples of how the group has leveraged nuclear physics to bring advances to nuclear medicine, medical research and plant biology. The group continues to develop medical devices based on both single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), making use of technology originally developed for basic nuclear physics research. *Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is operated by Jefferson Science Associates, LLC under U.S. DOE Contract No. DE-AC05-06OR23177.

Weisenberger, Andrew↗

DOE OSTI2018

Method and apparatus to digitize pulse shapes from radiation detectors

A field programmable gate array based multi-channel flash ADC unit combined with a high speed multi-lane data communications channel/Ethernet-like modular intercommunication providing a complete but easily expandable high-speed data acquisition system. This apparatus and method permits high-speed pulse-shape digitalization allowing position resolution imaging of particles having a range of energies and is scalable to achieve the efficient capture of coincident data from large electromagnetic detector arrays.

Weisenberger, Andrew↗

DOE OSTI2017

Radiation detector based on a matrix of crossed wavelength-shifting fibers

A radiation detection system comprising a detection grid of wavelength shifting fibers with a volume of scintillating material at the intersecting points of the fibers. Light detectors, preferably Silicon Photomultipliers, are positioned at the ends of the fibers. The position of radiation is determined from data obtained from the detection grid. The system is easily scalable, customizable, and also suitable for use in soil and underground applications. An alternate embodiment employs a fiber grid sheet or layer which is comprised of multiple fibers secured to one another within the same plane. This embodiment further includes shielding in order to prevent radiation cross-talk within the grid layer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2015

Method and apparatus to image biological interactions in plants

A method to dynamically image the actual translocation of molecular compounds of interest in a plant root, root system, and rhizosphere without disturbing the root or the soil. The technique makes use of radioactive isotopes as tracers to label molecules of interest and to image their distribution in the plant and/or soil. The method allows for the study and imaging of various biological and biochemical interactions in the rhizosphere of a plant, including, but not limited to, mycorrhizal associations in such regions.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2014

PhytoPET, PhytoBeta and PhytoSPECT: Radioisotope Imaging Systems Being Developed for Plant Biology Research

The Radiation Detector and Imaging Group at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is developing radioisotope imaging systems designed and constructed to facilitate plant biology studies at the Duke University Phytotron. The imaging systems utilize nuclear medicine imaging methodologies used in positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) but designed specifically for plant biology. The range of plant shapes and the environmental conditions in plant growth chambers pose a technological challenge. Description: Jefferson Lab is collaborating with the Duke University Phytotron and the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) in the construction and operation of PhytoPET and PhytoBeta (for direct beta particle detection) for plant and/or microbe imaging. The TUNL tandem Van de Graaff accelerator (maximum terminal voltage of 10 MV) has been used to generate 11C and 13N for plant biology research. The PhytoPET and PhytoBeta have been used with 11C as a 11CO2 tracer for plant ecophysiology imaging with corn, poplar, oak and barley utilizing technologies developed for nuclear physics research and nuclear medicine. The imaging detectors are based on position sensitive photomultiplier tubes coupled to scintillators. Additionally, the collaboration is investigating a methodology using single photon emitting radioisotope tracers for imaging the distribution of molecular compounds of interest in the rhizosphere, the interface between root and soil, without disturbing the root or soil habitat. Plans are underway to develop a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system (PhytoSPECT) to image the bio-distribution of fungi in association with a host plant's roots. In addition to a description of the technology an overview will be given of the application of PhytoPET, PhytBeta and PhytoSPECT to plant biology research at Duke University. Conclusions: We have developed and used radioisotope imaging technologies based on PET and SPECT to visualize plant function in changing environments. There are many opportunities to provide radioisotope based imaging tools for plant ecophysiology imaging. Keywords: radioisotope detection, plant biology, carbon-11, accelerator produced isotopes

Weisenberger, Andrew↗

DOE OSTI2013

Upconverting nanoparticles for optimizing scintillator based detection systems

An upconverting device for a scintillation detection system is provided. The detection system comprises a scintillator material, a sensor, a light transmission path between the scintillator material and the sensor, and a plurality of upconverting nanoparticles particles positioned in the light transmission path.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2013

Bio-Medical and Plant Biology Imaging Tools Derived from Nuclear Physics Detector Development

Basic nuclear physics research requires continuing advances in detector technology. Often, new detection technology can have applications outside basic nuclear physics research. For over 80 years various sciences have been using radioactive isotopes as tracers for increasing our understanding of biological processes in living systems. New nuclear physics detection technologies using scintillators and photo multipliers have been used to develop imaging tools for radioisotope detection and imaging in bio-medical and plant biology applications. Nuclear imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) benefit greatly from advances in nuclear physics detector technology. Bio-medical research utilizing animals as in pre-clinical research and in clinical applications such as cancer detection and treatment have benefited much from nuclear physics detector advances. New imaging tools are being developed for plant biology research to enhance our understanding of metabolic processes necessary for efficient biofuel production in a changing environment and of best bioassays for environmental remediation. The Radiation Detector and Imaging Group at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility has been applying detector technology to these applications. The examples of detector systems for medical and plant biology applications as well as scientific motivations driving use of radioisotope tracers in these applications will be presented.

Weisenberger, Andrew↗