Frank Cave

The design, build and test of a digital analyzer for mixed radiation fields

The design, build and test of a digital analyzer for mixed radiation fields is described. This instrument has been developed to provide portable, real-time discrimination of hard mixed fields comprising both neutrons and γ rays with energies typically above 0.5 MeV. The instrument in its standard form comprises a sensor head and a system unit, and affords the flexibility to provide processed data in the form of the traditional scatter-plot representation separating neutron and γ-ray components, or the full, sampled pulse data itself. The instrument has been tested with an americium-beryllium source in three different shielding arrangements to replicate the case in which there are only neutrons, only γ rays and where both neutrons and γ-rays are present. The instrument is observed to return consistent results.

The influence of co-location in higher education institutions on small firms’ perspectives of knowledge transfer

Knowledge transfer (KT) has been identified as an essential element of innovation that drives competitive advantage in increasingly knowledge-driven economies and in which small firms have an important part to play. A number of recent UK Government reports have sought to increase awareness of the importance of KT within higher education institutions (HEIs). In light of this, there is an urgent need for relevant empirical research that examines how KT policy is translated into practice, particularly in the area of small firms. This paper responds to this need by reporting on in-depth longitudinal case studies of small firms co-located in a high profile HEI ‘centre of excellence’ for research and development (R&D) and commercialization of information and communications technologies (ICT) in the Northwest of England. The paper seeks to explore what is it that the SMEs are getting out of this co-location and more specifically the research asks, how do the views of entrepreneurs change over time? Five main themes are identified, namely: (1) increased strategic focus; (2) awareness of core competences; (3) enhanced R&D activities; (4) importance of both technical and business support; (5) the need for a knowledge database to facilitate KT. The study concludes by highlighting the need for more structured yet flexible approaches to KT activities in order to meet the needs of entrepreneurs for different kinds of support at different times in the development of their businesses.

How Do Entrepreneurs View Opportunities: Rose Tinted Spectacles or the Real Options Lens?

This study addressed the extent of real option thinking in opportunity selection by entrepreneurs. Business founders were interviewed about their opportunity selection processes in the period close to making the decision. The group were subsequently categorized as entrepreneurs or administrators. The research explored whether the opportunity selection processes used can be mapped onto a real option thinking framework and whether the processes differ for entrepreneurs and administrators. Results suggest that the framework maps the process to a large extent but that entrepreneurs make little attempt to formally quantify the opportunity though administrators seem to do so. This would imply that opportunity selection in the former is not totally rationalized but is justified in some other, non-rational way.

Real-Time, Fast Neutron Coincidence Assay of Plutonium With a 4-Channel Multiplexed Analyzer and Organic Scintillators

The design, principle of operation and the results of measurements made with a four-channel organic scintillator system are described. The system comprises four detectors and a multiplexed analyzer for the real-time parallel processing of fast neutron events. The function of the real-time, digital multiple-channel pulse-shape discrimination analyzer is described together with the results of laboratory-based measurements with 252Cf, 241Am-Li and plutonium. The analyzer is based on a single-board solution with integrated high-voltage supplies and graphical user interface. It has been developed to meet the requirements of nuclear materials assay of relevance to safeguards and security. Data are presented for the real-time coincidence assay of plutonium in terms of doubles count rate versus mass. This includes an assessment of the limiting mass uncertainty for coincidence assay based on a 100 s measurement period and samples in the range 0-50 g. Measurements of count rate versus order of multiplicity for 252Cf and 241Am-Li and combinations of both are also presented.

A 4-channel multiplex analyzer for real-time, parallel processing of fast scintillators

The design, principle of operation and the results of the first measurements made with a 4-channel multiplexed analyzer for real-time parallel processing of fast scintillation detectors is described. Recent advancements in the performance of organic scintillation media for the detection of fast neutrons, not least the reduction in hazard and the recent advent of plastic scintillation materials exhibiting Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD), has highlighted the possibility of using multiple detectors in systems based on detectors exploiting these media. In this paper a real-time, digital multiple-channel PSD analyzer is described based on a single-board solution with an integrated high-voltage supply and graphical user interface. It has been developed to meet the requirements of nuclear materials assay of relevance to safeguards and security, and tested in a variety of related laboratory-based environments.

A Monte Carlo model for neutron coincidence counting with fast organic liquid scintillation detectors

Neutron coincidence counting is an established, non-destructive method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of nuclear materials. Several even-numbered nuclei of the actinide isotopes, and especially even-numbered plutonium isotopes, undergo spontaneous fission, resulting in the emission of neutrons which are correlated in time. The characteristics of this i.e. the multiplicity can be used to identify each isotope in question. Similarly, the corresponding characteristics of isotopes that are susceptible to stimulated fission are somewhat isotope-related, and also dependent on the energy of the incident neutron that stimulates the fission event, and this can hence be used to identify and quantify isotopes also. Most of the neutron coincidence counters currently used are based on 3He gas tubes. In the 3He-filled gas proportional-counter, the (n,p) reaction is largely responsible for the detection of slow neutrons and hence neutrons have to be slowed down to thermal energies. As a result, moderator and shielding materials are essential components of many systems designed to assess quantities of fissile materials. The use of a moderator, however, extends the die-away time of the detector necessitating a larger coincidence window and, further, 3He is now in short supply and expensive. In this paper, a simulation based on the Monte Carlo method is described which has been performed using MCNPX 2.6.0, to model the geometry of a sector-shaped liquid scintillation detector in response to coincident neutron events. The detection of neutrons from a mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel pellet using an organic liquid scintillator has been simulated for different thicknesses of scintillators. In this new neutron detector, a layer of lead has been used to reduce the gamma-ray fluence reaching the scintillator. The effect of lead for neutron detection has also been estimated by considering different thicknesses of lead layers.

Universities and Economic Development Activities: A UK Regional Comparison.

A number of UK universities prioritize economic development or regeneration activities and for some of these universities such activities are the main focus of their knowledge transfer work. This study compares two regions of the UK – the North West and the South East of England – which have very different levels of economic performance. Quantitative data from the UK governments Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey are used to track economic development funding and activity from universities in these two regions. Strategy documents prepared for the fourth round of the governments Higher Education Innovation Fund are analysed to aid interpretations. Elements of evolutionary theory are used to explore the reasons for the differences and a case study of one university programme, Leading Enterprise and Development, is provided as an illustrative example.

Sector-shaped fast organic liquid scintillation detectors based neutron coincidence counter

A simulation based on the Monte Carlo method is described which has been performed using MCNPX 2.6.0, to model the geometry of a sector-shaped liquid scintillation detector in response to coincident neutron events. The detection of neutrons from a mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel pellet has been simulated for different thicknesses of scintillators. A layer of lead has been used to reduce the gamma-ray fluence reaching the scintillator and, the effect of lead for neutron detection has also been estimated by considering different thicknesses of lead layers.

How Industrial Experience Affects Entrepreneurial Intent and Self-Efficacy in UK Engineering Undergraduates

The last three decades have witnessed a fundamental shift in the structure of many western economies, which have seen a decline in the number of large enterprises and a marked increase in the number of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (Cooper, 1998). In1999 there were 3.7 million enterprises in the UK, of which 24,000 were medium sized (50–249 employees) and there were only 7,000 large firms (250 or more); SMEs accounted for 38% of national turnover (Hawkins, 2001). There is growing recognition that the future of work for many will lie in SMEs, as small firms play an increasingly important role in economic development and growth, and opportunities for life-long careers in large firms decline (Cooper, 1997). The rate of technological and economic change will also lead to individuals as well as employers having a greater variety of careers; thus, the concept of the portfolio career is likely to become much more common (Henderson & Robertson, 2000). Such trends imply that the world of work, which todays graduates are entering, is very different from that which their counterparts stepped into a decade ago. Todays resource-constrained small firm represents a fast changing, dynamic environment in need of adaptable, flexible and multitasking employees, who are able to contribute and add value to the organisation from a very early stage. The challenge for education is to develop future employees who not only have the right skills but also the ability to learn from experience and adapt to a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.