Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2024 - 20

source of gamma rays by pinpointing differences
down to a few percentage points.
In addition, using even slightly impure
materials typically makes detectors less
efficient or nonfunctional, and producers
of devices must seek ultrapure CZT
to produce effective readings. To the researchers'
surprise, their own material
could have 5-10 times more impurities
than CZT and still perform, making it
easier and cheaper to produce. Resolution
is also critical to medical imaging like
SPECT scans.
Kanatzidis said there's a great deal of
interest in the field, especially given the
cost and safety implications of malfunctioning
equipment. But progress in this
realm, he said, has been slow primarily
because research groups focus either on
materials synthesis or on x-ray and gamma
ray detectors - his group does both.
Kanatzidis' lab looked at more than 60
promising compounds before landing on
cesium lead bromide.
Even with advancements enabled by
the new material, Kanatzidis said his work
with collaborators at Northwestern and
Argonne doesn't end.
" Our shelf is full of new possibilities
we have yet to investigate more deeply, "
Kanatzidis said. " My research group is a
rare combination of the engineering side
and the crystal growth side of things. "
Yihui He is a research assistant professor
in the Kanatzidis lab and the first author
of the paper.
" The new device fabrication protocols
we report with our collaborators at the
University of Michigan could lead to mass
production of cesium lead bromide detectors
in the near future, " he said.
Professor Zhong He's group at the
University of Michigan participated in
detector characterization and analysis.
Argonne scientist Duck Young Chung was
a lead collaborator in the effort.
Kanatzidis and colleagues have founded
a new company, Actinia, to commercialize
cesium lead bromide detectors
for gamma and x-ray detection and identification.
These new detectors will have
wide-reaching implications in medical
diagnostics, homeland security, and nuclear
safety.
For more information, contact Win
Reynolds at win.reynolds@northwestern.
edu; 413-461-6314.
Portable Laser-Guided Robotic Metrology (PLGRM)
Rather than moving an aircraft to an expensive test facility, PLGRM can be shipped to an
aircraft location saving much time, money, and hassle.
Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH
T
esting aircraft antennas is challenging
since optimal tests are made after
antenna installation. Aircraft are often
taken to anechoic antenna test facilities
which create long lead times, transportation
hassle, and very high costs. Portable
alternatives exist but often have compromised
testing fidelity. Innovators at
the NASA Glenn Research Center have
developed the PLGRM system, which allows
an installed antenna to be characterized
in an aircraft hangar. All PLGRM
components can be packed onto pallets,
shipped, and easily operated.
The PLGRM system is designed for in-situ
antenna measurements at a remote site.
Components include a collaborative robot
arm mounted on a vertical lift and a laser
tracker, each on a mobile base. These components
enable scanning of a surface larger
than the reach of the robot. To accomplish
this, the robot first collects all points within
its reach, then the system is moved and the
laser tracker is used to relocate the robot
before additional points are captured.
Safety, collision avoidance, and planning
aspects are combined to effectively
characterize such antennas. Software-defined
triggering is also a feature for flexible
integration of network analyzers and
antenna controllers. Laser tracking
is
used over photogrammetry to provide
position feedback with higher speed and
lower latency that facilitates online control
of the robotic arm.
Image showing the PLGRM technology in action. The system includes a laser tracker (left), portable
network analyzer, mobile base and lift kit, and collaborative robot with probe (center). Less anechoic
foam (black) is required based on system design. (Image: NASA)
20
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While collecting the antenna radiation
data, the system uses pulsed measurements
and time gating to remove unwanted reflections.
This lowers the requirement for
fully surrounding the test area in anechoic
foam. The system also accommodates the
possibility of " dirty power " that may be
found at any given host facility.
The flexibility and portability of this system
while maintaining precision and accuracy
are what make PLGRM unique. It can
be deployed by only two people and can
be powered by standard 110-volt wall outlets
making it simple to implement. While
developed for aerospace, PLGRM can
be used to characterize antenna systems
across a range of applications. Extending
applications beyond just antenna analysis
may also be possible.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to
commercialize this technology. Please
contact NASA's Licensing Concierge at
Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov
or call at 202-358-7432 to initiate licensing
discussions. For more information,
visit https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/
LEW-TOPS-165.
Tech Briefs, May 2024

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Tech Briefs Magazine - May 2024

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