US5137659A
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US
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Solid-state radiation-emitting compositions and devices
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1990-03-20
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Granted: 1992-08-11
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Expires: 2010-03-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a composition for the volumetric generation of radiation, wherein a first substance functions as a source of exciting radiation, and a second substance interacts with the exciting radiation to provide a second radiation. The compositions comprise a porous substrate which is loaded with: a source of exciting radiation, a component capable of emitting radiation upon interaction with the exciting radiation, or both. Preferably, the composition is an aerogel substrate loaded with both a source of exciting radiation, such as tritium, and a component capable of interacting with the exciting radiation, e.g., a phosphor, to produce radiation of a second energy.
Inventors
- 👤 Carol S. Ashley
- 👤 C. Jeffrey Brinker
- 👤 Scott Reed
- 👤 Robert J. Walko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:45
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A composition comprising: an aerogel substrate loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy, and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate and said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A composition comprising: an aerogel substrate loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy, and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate and said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
A composition comprising: an aerogel substrate loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy, and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate, said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy and said substrate transmits said radiation of said second energy to a substantial degree.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
A composition comprising: an aerogel substrate loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy, and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate, said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy and said substrate transmits said radiation of said second energy to a substantial degree.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said substrate is a silica aerogel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said substrate has a pore volume of at least about 95 vol. %.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said substrate has a pore size distribution in the range of about 1 nm-500 nm and a surface area of at least about 300 m 2 /g.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said source of exciting radiation of a first energy is present in said substrate in an amount of at least about 4.5×10 -6 moles/cm 3 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said exciting radiation is electromagnetic, nuclear, or an electron beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composition according to claim 7, wherein said exciting radiation is beta particles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said source of exciting radiation of a first energy is tritium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A composition according to claim 9, wherein the amount of tritium present is at least about 0.002 curies/mg of substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said radiation of a second energy comprises a wavelength within the visible light range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said component is present in said substrate in the amount of at least about 5.1×10 -3 moles/cm 3 .
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said component is a phosphor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said substrate is a silica aerogel which has been exposed to T 2 or T 2 O gas whereby Si--O--Si bonds have been changed to Si--OT and/or Si--T bonds.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A composition according to claim 14, further comprising T 2 O molecules bound to said aerogel by hydrogen-type bonding.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said component is a luminescent ionic species contained in the aerogel composition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A radiation-emitting device comprising a container having contained therein a composition according to claim 1 and wherein said container transmits said radiation of a second energy to a substantial degree.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A radiation-emitting device according to claim 17, wherein said component is a phosphor and said radiation of a second energy comprises a wavelength in the visible light range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
A composition comprising: a porous substrate having a porosity of at least about 30 vol. % loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy; and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of said first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate, said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy, with the proviso that said porous substrate is not and does not contain a zeolite crystalline material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A composition comprising: a porous substrate having a porosity of at least about 30 vol. % loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy; and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of said first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate, said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy, with the proviso that said porous substrate is not and does not contain a zeolite crystalline material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
A composition according to claim 19, wherein said substrate is inorganic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composition according to claim 19, wherein said substrate is a xerogel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
A composition comprising: an aerogel substrate loaded with a radioactive source of exciting radiation of a first energy, and a luminescently doped ZnS waveguide which interacts with said exciting radiation of a first energy to form an emitting radiation of a second energy, wherein said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
57 words
A composition comprising: an aerogel substrate loaded with a radioactive source of exciting radiation of a first energy, and a luminescently doped ZnS waveguide which interacts with said exciting radiation of a first energy to form an emitting radiation of a second energy, wherein said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
89 words
A composition comprising: a porous substrate; a source of exciting radiation of a first energy covalently bonded to said porous substrate; and said porous substrate being loaded with a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of said first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate and said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy, with the proviso that said porous substrate is not and does not contain a zeolite crystalline material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
89 words
A composition comprising: a porous substrate; a source of exciting radiation of a first energy covalently bonded to said porous substrate; and said porous substrate being loaded with a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of said first energy, wherein said source is loaded within said substrate and said composition is a volumetric source of said radiation of said second energy, with the proviso that said porous substrate is not and does not contain a zeolite crystalline material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composition according to claim 23, wherein said porous substrate is an aerogel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
A composition according to claim 23, wherein said porous substrate is a xerogel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a radiation-emitting composition comprising tritium and a component which emits non-β radiation upon interaction with β-radiation emanating from said tritium, wherein the improved composition comprises a xerogel or aerogel substrate internally loaded with tritium and said component and wherein said composition volumetrically emits said non-β radiation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
In a radiation-emitting composition comprising tritium and a component which emits non-β radiation upon interaction with β-radiation emanating from said tritium, wherein the improved composition comprises a xerogel or aerogel substrate internally loaded with tritium and said component and wherein said composition volumetrically emits said non-β radiation.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of generating radiation comprising prepared an aerogel substrate loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of generating radiation comprising prepared an aerogel substrate loaded with (a) a source of exciting radiation of a first energy and (b) a component capable of emitting radiation of a second energy upon interaction of said component with said radiation of a first energy.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
A composition according to claim 2, wherein said source of exciting radiation of a first energy comprises tritium-containing gas within the pores of said aerogel substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composition according to claim 9, wherein said component is a phosphor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
A composition according to claim 28, wherein said component is a phosphor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
A radiation-emitting device comprising a container having contained therein a composition according to claim 2 and wherein said container transmits said radiation of a second energy to a substantial degree.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
A radiation-emitting device according to claim 31, wherein said component is a phosphor and said radiation of a second energy comprises a wavelength in the visible light range.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-11 | 1996-02-10 | 1996-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-11 | 2000-02-10 | 2000-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-11 | 2004-02-10 | 2004-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |