University of California

Jonathan Hird

Carlos G Camara

Seth J Putterman

Juan V Escobar

An x-ray source includes an enclosing vessel, a first roller arranged at least partially within the enclosing vessel, a second roller arranged at least partially within the enclosing vessel and to be in rolling contact with the first roller, and a drive assembly operatively connected to at least one of the first and second rollers. The drive assembly causes the first and second rollers to rotate while in contact to bring portions of the first and second rollers into and out of contact within the enclosing vessel as the first and second rollers rotate. The first roller has a surface at least partially of a first triboelectric material and the second roller has a surface at least partially of a second triboelectric material, the first triboelectric material having a negative triboelectric potential relative to the second triboelectric material. The enclosing vessel is structured to provide a controlled atmospheric environment, and the first triboelectric material, the second triboelectric material and the controlled atmospheric environment are selected such that rolling contact between the first and second rollers produces x-rays.

Apparatus and method to generate X-rays by contact electrification

A device for generating x-rays has an enclosing vessel having a structure suitable to provide an enclosed space at a predetermined fluid pressure, wherein the enclosing vessel has a window portion and a shielding portion in which the shielding portion is more optically dense to x-rays than the window portion; a mechanoluminescent component disposed at least partially within the enclosing vessel; and a mechanical assembly connected to the mechanoluminescent component. The mechanical assembly provides mechanical energy to the mechanoluminescent component while in operation, and at least some of the mechanical energy when provided to the mechanoluminescent component by the mechanical assembly is converted to x-rays.

Growing community of inventors

Ottawa, Canada

Jonathan Hird