Nanoscintillation systems for aqueous-based liquid scintillation counting
AssigneeUniversity of Kentucky Research Foundation
InventorsRussell J. Mumper, Michael Jay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of nanoscintillation systems, or nanoparticles containing fluor molecules, that can be used to detect an electron-emitting or alpha-particle-emitting radioisotope in the absence of organic-solvents commonly used in organic-based liquid scintillation cocktails. The invention also relates to compositions and use of three oil-in-water microemulsion precursors that can be engineered rapidly, reproducibly, and cost-effectively to produce useful nanoparticles less than 100 nanometers.
Claims40
A nanoscintillation system comprising nanoparticles suspended in an aqueous vehicle, the nanoparticles comprising:
- at least one nanoparticle matrix material
- at least one surfactant or co-surfactant or a mixture thereof, and
- at least one primary or secondary fluor molecule or a mixture thereof.
A nanoparticle comprising:
- at least one nanoparticle matrix material;
- at least one surfactant or co-surfactant or a mixture thereof, and
- at least one primary or secondary fluor molecule or a mixture thereof;
- wherein the nanoparticle is made from an oil-in-water microemulsion precursor.
A method of making a nanoscintillation system, comprising:
- dispersing a liquid nanoparticle matrix material with a fluor molecule in an aqueous continuous phase to form a surfactant stabilized microemulsion;
- and
- cooling the surfactant stabilized microemulsion to room temperature while stirring.
A method of making a nanoparticle useful for scintillation, comprising:
- obtaining a nanoparticle matrix material;
- melting the nanoparticle matrix material to form a liquid dispersed phase;
- dispersing a fluor molecule into the liquid dispersed phase;
- dispersing the liquid dispersed phase, including the fluor molecule, in an aqueous continuous phase to form a surfactant stabilized microemulsion;
- and
- cooling the microemulsion while stirring to form a solid stable nanoparticle having a diameter of less than about 300 nanometers, which includes the fluor molecule either entrapped in or adsorbed to the nanoparticle.
A method of making a nanoscintillation system, comprising:
- dispersing a liquid nanoparticle matrix material with a fluor molecule in an aqueous continuous phase to form a surfactant stabilized microemulsion;
- and
- polymerizing the liquid nanoparticle matrix material by free-radical polymerization.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.