Nanocrystal Imaging Corporation

Nanocrystals Technology LP

Vishal Chhabra

Rameshwar N Bhargava

Nikhil R Taskar

John V Veliadis

Bharati S Kulkarni

Aleksey Yekimov

Dennis Gallagher

Samuel P Herko

Neeta Pandit

Roger Delano

Bharail Kulkarni

The present application is directed to the preparation and use of a class of nanoparticles called Quantum Confined Atoms or QCA's. A QCA is a particle of material comprising a plurality of host atoms in a nanoparticle of a size of less than 10 nm with a single atom of a dopant (or activator) confined within. The QCA's have unique luminescent and optical properties and thus can act as a very efficient nanophosphor which generate polarized light and can operate as a laser and a nanomagnet. An anti-agglomeration coating surrounding the nanoparticles can prevent clumping and loss of the enhanced properties.

Self-aligning QCA based nanomaterials

A microchannel phosphor screen for converting radiation, such as X-rays, into visible light. The screen includes a planar surface, which can be formed from glass, silicon or metal, which has etched therein a multiplicity of closely spaced microchannels having diameters of the order of 40 microns or less. Deposited within each of the microchannels is a multiplicity of phosphors which emit light when acted upon by radiation. The dimensions of the microchannel and the phosphors and the relationship between the microchannels and the phosphors is optimized so that the light output compares favorably with lower resolution non microchannel based scintillation screens. A photomultiplier can be integrated with the X-ray detector so as to provide an enhanced output for use with low level X-ray of for cine or fluoroscopy applications.

High resolution high output microchannel based radiation sensor

A composite phosphor screen for converting radiation, such as X-rays, into visible light. The screen includes a planar surface, which can be formed from glass, silicon or metal, which has etched therein a multiplicity of closely spaced microchannels having diameters of the order of 10 microns or less. Deposited within each of the microchannels is a multiplicity of phosphors which emit light when acted upon by radiation. A photomultiplier, which may be microchannel based, is integrated with the X-ray detector so as to provide an enhanced output for use with low level X-ray of for cine or fluoroscopy applications. The walls of the microchannels and/or the substrate surfaces include dielectric stack based light reflective coatings.

Microchannel high resolution x-ray sensor having an integrated photomultiplier

Methodology for providing a smooth, thin, highly reflective coating to the walls of microchannels disposed in a plate or substrate. Such plates are commonly used in image intensifiers and have more recently been used to provide high resolution X-ray imaging screens. In the process silver nitrate solution is reacted so as to provide a silver amine complex. In a first embodiment of the process, the microchannel plates are disposed vertically in a beaker and immersed, without stirring, in a solution including the silver amine complex and a reducing agent. In a second embodiment of the process, a fluid flow of filtered reactant is directed through the microchannels. In each embodiment the walls of the microchannels become plated with a highly reflective (> %), thin ( nm) and smooth coating of metallic silver.

Process for providing a highly reflective coating to the interior walls of microchannels

A composite phosphor screen for converting radiation, such as X-rays, into visible light. The screen includes a planar surface, which can be formed from glass, silicon or metal, which has etched therein a multiplicity of closely spaced microchannels having diameters of the order of 10 microns or less. Deposited within each of the microchannels is a multiplicity of phosphors which emit light when acted upon by radiation. The walls of the microchannels and/or the substrate surfaces include light reflective coatings so as to reflect the light emitted by the phosphors to the light collecting devices, such as film or an electronic detector. The coatings can be either radiation transparent or filtering/attenuating depending on the particular application.

Composite nanophosphor screen for detecting radiation having optically reflective coatings

A process for the production of metal oxide nanocrystals activated with a rare earth element, which are useful as phosphors. The nanocrystal oxides are produced by a micellar microemulsion process. In the process an aqueous solutions of the host and activator is prepared and added to a mixture of oil and a micelle forming surfactant and cosurfactant to form a first water in oil microemulsion. An aqueous solution of a hydroxide containing compound is added to a second mixture of oil and a micelle forming surfactant and cosurfactant to form a second water in oil microemulsion. The two microemulsions are added together which cause the micelle units to coalesce and decoalesce and to form a nanocrystalline hydroxide compound of the host and activator. The solution is washed and treated so as to remove byproducts. Thereafter the hydroxide compound is converted to an nanocrystalline activated oxide.

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Ossining, NY, United States of America

Vishal Chhabra