1. OFFICE FOR COMMERCIALIZATION AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
July 2015, pg.1
Available
Technology:
Engineering
Advantage – Impact
Solid-State Scintillator for
Radiation Detection
radiation detection instruments typically contain a scintillation crystal and a photomultiplier
tube (PMT). Inside of the PMT is a photocathode that is designed to absorb low energy photons
created from interaction between incident radiation and a scintillation crystal, and in-turn
generate electrons. The electron multiplication structure within the PMT consists of multiple
stages of dynodes that amplify the number of photoelectrons requires amplification to the
number of photoelectrons generated form the photocathode because of the low signal. This
configuration creates disadvantages in needing a high bias voltage, fragility of the dynodes, and
magnetic field effects that alter electron trajectories. Researchers at OSU have developed a novel
approach to combine scintillation-based detectors with thin-film materials instead of a PMT.
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
This device replaces the PMT of a scintillation-based detector with thin-film materials. The
photovoltaic and photo-thermoelectric properties of these materials, allow it to collect
Please Contact:
David Dickson
IP & Licensing Manager
541.737.3450
David.dickson@oregonstate.edu
Technology Ref. #
OSU-14-02
photoelectrons directly instead of relying
on the PMT. Thin-films will generate
photoelectrons upon absorbing photons
emitted from the scintillation crystal
that has absorbed radiation. The result
is a light-harvesting device that is more
robust, small, and inexpensive without
using a photomultiplier. This device could
also require an extremely small external
bias needed to collect an electronic signal
for passive detection of radiation, making
it ideal for situations requiring passive
detection and indication. A variety of
scintillation crystal materials, as well as
a combination of monolayer/multilayer
molecules used either independently,
or as a hetero-structure, can be used in
the device architecture, allowing some
customization for manufacturability and
type of radiation detection.
STATUS
US Utility Patent Application No. 14/742,380.
oregonstate.edu/research/occd
Applications
• Radiation detection and monitoring
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Low current energy generation
• Medical Imaging Devices
Features & Benefits
• Small and compact
• Cheap materials
• Simple function and high sensitivitySTATUS
Patent Pending -
US Utility Patent Application
No. 14/742,380. Technology is
available for licensing.

2. July 2015, pg.2
Advantage – Impact
OFFICE FOR COMMERCIALIZATION AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
About the Inventors
STEVE REESE, DIRECTOR, RADIATION CENTER
Dr. Reese earned his Ph.D. in Radiological Health Sciences from Colorado State University in 1997
after earning a B.S. in General Science at Oregon State University in 1991. Dr. Reese has been at
OSU since 1997 and Director of the Radiation Center since 2005.
Dr. Reese’s fields of interest: radiation protection, activation analysis, radiation shielding, neutron
radiography and dosimetry.
Prior to OSU, Dr. Reese served in the External dosimetry section (1991-1993), Battelle Pacific
Northwest Laboratory; OSU Radiation Safety Office (1997-1998). Reactor Administrator (1998
-2005), OSU Radiation Center. He is a member of the Health Physics Society, American Board of
Health Physicists, and American Nuclear Society.
KENDON SHIRLEY, HEALTH PHYSICIST, ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICES, AND CO-FOUNDER OF
GENX DETECTORS LLC.
Kendon Shirley graduated with a B.S. in Radiation Health Physics from Oregon State University in
2013. Since then he has Co-founded a radiation detection company called GenX Detectors LLC.,
and currently works as a Health Physicist at Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station for Arizona
Public Services.
Kendon Shirley’s field of interest: Development of novel radiation detectors and dosimeters,
natural-passive devices for low current power generation, nanotechnology, and material science.
Prior to OSU, Kendon was as a consultant for several companies, where he acted as Chief
Technology Officer for residential and commercial granite fabrication facilities. He also worked
as a lead technician for the world’s leader in robotic equipment for granite fabrication (Glaston
North America). More recently, he worked as a Health Physicist for Oregon Health Authorities:
Radiation Protection Services. Kendon is a member of the Health Physics Society.
ABDULSALAM M. ALHAWSAWI, PH.D. CANDIDATE, COFOUNDER, GENX DETECTORS
Abdulsalam is a Ph.D. candidate in the Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics
Department (NERHP) at Oregon state university (OSU). He earned his masters in radiation health
physics (detection track) from OSU in 2011. Abdulsalam earned his B.S. in electrical engineering
(biomedical engineering track) from King Abdulaziz university (KAU) in 2007.
Abdulsalam is an active member of the Health Physics Society (HPS) and the Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). His research interests include: development of new generation
radiation detectors, development of digital pulse processors, and digital signal processing.
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Visit oregonstate.technologypublisher.com to view technologies available for commercialization.
oregonstate.edu/research/occd