X-ray detectors for generating digital images are disclosed. An example digital X-ray detector includes: a scintillation screen; a reflector configured to reflect light generated by the scintillation screen; and a digital imaging sensor configured to generate a digital image of the light reflected by the reflector.

Systems and methods for digital X-ray imaging are disclosed. An example portable X-ray scanner includes: an X-ray detector configured to generate digital images based on incident X-ray radiation; an X-ray tube configured to output X-ray radiation; a computing device configured to control the X-ray tube, receive the digital images from the X-ray detector, and output the digital images to a display device; a power supply configured to provide power to the X-ray tube, the X-ray detector, and the computing device; and a frame configured to: hold the X-ray detector, the computing device, and the power supply; and hold the X-ray tube such that the X-ray tube directs the X-ray radiation to the X-ray detector.

The present invention relates to rigid structures and composite materials thereof for providing radiation attenuation/shielding. Some embodiments pertain to a radiation shielding apparatus including: a plurality of positionable radiation-shielding stacks of tiles. The stacks are subsequently and adjacently arranged in a contiguous configuration. A tile positioning mechanism allows movement of tiles within a stack between a stacked (retracted) position and an extended position. In the extended position, the tiles of each of the plurality of radiation shielding stacks at least partially overlap tiles of subsequent and adjacent tile stack at corresponding opposing side-margins thereof.

A packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, the lateral body of which has a thickness change zone defining a transition surface, and including a portion of reduced thickness extending from the transition surface towards a first axial end of the lateral body, this portion of reduced thickness including an inner surface laterally delimiting a recessed zone of the lateral body, also delimited axially by the transition surface. Moreover, the packaging includes a portion reconstituting the lateral body extending around the longitudinal axis, arranged removably in the recessed zone, and having an inner surface that laterally delimits a portion of the housing cavity intended to receive the mass of radioactive materials.

The invention relates to a combination of containers intended to discharge radioactive substances into the earth's magma by pouring them into lava lakes, and to a method for using these containers. The radioactive substances are preferably placed in ovoid waste containers that are loaded into a transport container and discharged therewith into a lava lake. The transport container decomposes by melting following a first immersion at a given depth and releases the waste containers, which continue to move downwards.

The present invention is capable of determining the location(s) of waste (e.g. nuclear fuel debris, obstacles, contaminated or otherwise radioactive materials), monitoring and inspecting their surroundings, and transporting them, as well as use in repair, construction, and reactor decommissioning work in high radiation environment. Ultrasound (or sound) waves are not subject to interference from radiation. This modality is utilized in the present invention to detect and image waste and/or objects of interest. The system combines the resulting ultrasound (or sound) wave images for detecting waste and/or objects of interest with radiation information acquired by a radiation detector, to generate and adjust new composite images to display. For example, the image in the direction of strong radiation is red and the image in the direction of weak radiation is blue. Additionally, the constituent imaging apparatus may be fitted on a drone or robotic system for repair and construction work.

A radiation shielded vault structure includes a rigid outer structure comprising a plurality of rigid structural components that are interconnected at elongated joints to define an interior space. The structural components include a layer of lower atomic number (Z) material such as aluminum alloy and one or more layers of higher atomic number (Z) material titanium and/or tantalum. The vault structure may include radiation shield members extending along the elongated joints to provide radiation shielding at the elongated joints. The shield members comprise a higher atomic number (Z) material such as titanium or tantalum. The rigid structural components may comprise plate members that are interconnected along side edges thereof. End plates may be attached to the plate members to close off the interior space.

Various methods and systems are provided for a radiation shielding component including a plurality of parts fused together by metal infiltrated through junctions between adjacent, interconnected parts. In one embodiment, members on a side of a panel may be interlocked with indentations on a side of another and then metal may be infiltrated through a junction between the two panels to fuse the adjacent panels.

A magnetic shielding material includes a material comprising manganese bismuth (MnBi) and tungsten (W), where a ratio of MnBi:W is in a range of 50:50 to about 70:30. A radiation shielding product includes a part including manganese bismuth (MnBi) and tungsten (W), and a plurality of layers having a defined thickness in a z-direction, wherein each layer extends along an x-y plane perpendicular to the z-direction. At least some of the plurality of layers form a functional gradient in the z-direction and/or along the x-y plane, and the functional gradient is defined by a first layer comprising a ratio of MnBi:W being less than 100:0 and an nth layer above the first layer comprising a ratio of MnBi:W greater than 0:100.

Various methods and systems are provided for a radiation shielding component including a plurality of parts fused together by metal infiltrated through junctions between adjacent, interconnected parts. In one embodiment, members on a side of a panel may be interlocked with indentations on a side of another and then metal may be infiltrated through a junction between the two panels to fuse the adjacent panels.