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This study presents a detailed investigation into the structural, thermal, and radiation shielding properties of a new glass composition, labeled as (50-x)B 2 O 3 + 30TeO 2 + 10Bi 2 O 3 + 10CdO + x Tm 2 O 3 (where x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 mol %). Various radiation shielding parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, linear attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number, and absorbed equivalent dose rates for neutrons were determined through experimental measurements. The study also employed theoretical calculations to assess the exposure buildup factor and effective removal cross-section for neutrons. Additionally, the SRIM program was utilized to investigate mass stopping power and projected range for proton and alpha particles. The structural characteristics of the glasses were analyzed using XRD and FT-IR, while thermal properties were examined through Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). FTIR analysis revealed distinctive bands corresponding to Bi—O, B—O—B, and Te—O bonds. Glass transition temperatures (T g) increased with Tm 2 O 3 content, ranging from 422 °C to 444 °C. The radiation shielding properties of bismuth boro-tellurite glasses showed that a dose of 1.2025 μSv/h emitted from a fast neutron source was absorbed by 35.1574 % in pure glass and 40.0391 % in glass doped with 5 mol% Tm 2 O 3. Incorporating Tm 2 O 3 into the glass matrix significantly improved the shielding and thermal properties, thus enhancing their potential for advanced high-energy radiation absorption. This investigation contributes to a deeper understanding of how Tm 2 O 3 enhances the structural and thermal attributes of these glasses, positioning them as promising materials for radiation shielding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borophosphate host glasses doped with zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO 2), tellurium dioxide (TeO 2), or cerium oxide (CeO 2) were synthesized using rapid quenching techniques. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, along with deconvoluted FTIR spectra, were recorded in the 400–4000 cm−1 range. Using the models of Tauc and Urbach, the optical energy band gaps of these glasses were found to be 3.212, 3.289, 3.262, 3.087, and 2.475 eV respectively. Due to the incorporation of different metal ions into the prepared glasses, the density increased and the molar volume decreased, making the glass structure highly compact. Since the elastic moduli are directly related to the average cross-link density, the shear and longitudinal moduli show a forward proportionality with the average cross-link density. Detailed reporting focused on the mass attenuation coefficients (μ m) and exposure build-up factors (EBF), crucial for evaluating the shielding properties of the material within the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV and penetration depth up to 40 mean free paths (mfp). Glass samples doped with tellurium dioxide exhibited the highest gamma attenuation due to their higher effective atomic number compared to the other samples. Compared to Portland concrete, the prepared glass composites showed higher mass attenuation coefficients across the entire investigated energy range. These results suggest that although Borophosphate glasses doped with cerium oxide have preferred mechanical properties compared with the other prepared glasses, Borophosphate glasses doped with tellurium dioxide could serve as transparent shielding material for medical applications due to their higher attenuation coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, a group of different concentrations of molybdenum trioxide-doped borate-germanate-telluride glasses have been synthesized. Four glasses with a composition formula of (35-x) B 2 O 3 -20TeO 2 -10GeO 2 -35MgO-xMoO 3 where x values vary between 5 and 20 mol % have been achieved using the melt-annealing process. X-ray diffraction for the current M1 sample was utilized to prove the glassy nature. FTIR has been measured to understand the glass structure. Many functional group and vibrational bonds were observed. The optical parameters for B 2 O 3 -TeO 2 -GeO 2 -MgO-MoO 3 glass samples were calculated based on absorption spectra recorded in the 200–1100 nm wavelength range. The optical electronegativity (χ) and optical basicity (Λ) were calculated as critical parameters that can be used to evaluate the glass structure. Physical parameters like density, molar volume (V m), packing density (V t), oxygen packing density (OPD), and oxygen molar volume (OMV) were measured and calculated. Hardness (H), Poisson ratio (σ), Fractal bond conductivity (d), and elastic moduli of M1, M2, M3, and M4 glass samples were calculated. Mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) for four synthesized glass samples were reported along with linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) as a function of photon energy. Based on the transmission factor TF %, it shows extremely low percentages at the lowest energy region, dropping to less than 1 % at 0.015 MeV up to 0.08 MeV in all samples. The radiation protection efficiency (RPE) was examined to measure the samples' capacity to attenuate ionizing radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation shielding glass is an interesting material in the field of radiation shielding due to its remarkable features. In the present paper, we investigated the physical properties of radiation-shielding glass materials that consist of sodium oxide (Na 2 O), cerium oxide (CeO 2), and iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3) incorporated into borosilicate glasses with the formula 90SiO 2 -(70-x)B 2 O 3 + 20Na 2 O–1Fe 2 O 3 -xCeO 2 (CeFeNaBS-glasses). One of the distinguishing characteristics of this glass system is its enhanced radiation shielding capabilities. The structural studies indicated a gradual rise in glass density from 1.954 to 2.658 g/cm with further CeO 2 doping. Optical studies showed that the optical band gaps went down from 3.41 eV to 3.33 eV as the amount of CeO 2 in the CeFeNaBS-glass matrix rose. The decrease in optical band gap has been correlated with the rising basicity. Also, the increased basicity behavior induces more conversion of Ce3+ to Ce4+ ions by losing a 4f electron. Moreover, with further CeO 2 additions, the glass color changed from light brown to dark brown. The presence of Ce4+ ions with further CeO 2 additions is responsible for this color transformation. The linear and non-linear refractive indices exhibit enhanced behaviors with higher CeO 2 concentrations. We used declining basicity and polarizability behaviors to describe this behavior. The incorporation of larger CeO 2 concentrations enhances the ability to improve radiation shielding properties, as demonstrated by the increased values of the mass attenuation coefficient and half-value layer, especially in the energy ranges of soft tissues X-ray and hard tissues X-ray. Hence, the investigated CeFeNaBS-glasses exhibit enhanced transparency and radiation shielding capabilities, rendering them highly suitable for implementation in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the structural, radiation, and optical properties of cyclosilicates minerals (CMs), providing comprehensive analyses of molar volumes, densities, band gap values, and effective atomic numbers. The structural properties were found to be dependent on the correlations with the interatomic interactions derived from the analysis of Hirshfeld topological surfaces (HTSs) and their voids. In examining a broad energy spectrum from 0.015 to 15 MeV, the study focuses on mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) and linear mass attenuation coefficient (LAC). Results show that MAC values are the highest for the BaTi(SiO3)3 crystal, highlighting its superior γ‐ray attenuation capabilities among other CMs. The study finds that Hirshfeld volume, and surface ranged between 344.21 and 2640.98 Å3 and 388.91 and 1326.97 Å2, reveals distinct electron density distribution characteristics in CM materials. The study probes the impact of HTSs on structural (113 < Vm < 686 cm3/mol), optical (1.95 < n < 2.38), and radiation shielding (13.0 < LAC < 102.0 1/cm at E = 15.0 keV) values, demonstrating that altering the O...A (A = atom in the CM crystal) interactions align with the charge density, potentially tuning other physical values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many oxide additives have historically been used to enhance the radiation shielding properties of glasses, yet the potential of high-entropy oxides (HEOs), which have gained popularity in material science for their unique properties, has not been explored in this context. This study is the first to investigate the radiation shielding capabilities of Zinc-Tellurite glass infused with High Entropy Oxide (HEO), specifically utilizing the novel attributes of a synthesized TiZrNbHfTa. In this study, the nuclear shielding properties of newly fabricated Zinc-Tellurite glasses doped with TiZrNbHfTaO x with a composition (25ZnO·75TeO 2)100-x. (TiZrNbHfTaO x)x (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 mol%) were studied. Through the synthesis of a TiZrNbHfTa HEA and its integration into glass structure, we have developed a series of novel materials with enhanced protective properties against both gamma-ray and neutron radiation. Experimental results demonstrate that the HEO-infused glass, particularly the HEC1-4 composition, significantly surpasses traditional shielding materials in neutron attenuation, evidenced by its superior effective neutron removal cross-section. Additionally, the HEC1-4 glass demonstrates improved gamma-ray shielding capabilities, with increased mass attenuation coefficients and decreased half-value layers, indicating a higher capacity for photon interaction and absorption. It can be concluded that the incorporation of High Entropy Alloys into glass matrices not only opens a new frontier in radiation shielding materials but also provides a versatile and effective solution with considerable potential for enhancing safety measures in radiation-prone environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel glass system was developed using the melt-quenching technique. The primary aim was to investigate molybdenum-rich compositions (MoO 3 > Li 2 O), with the general formula (69–2x) TeO 2 –(31+x)–MoO 3 –xLi 2 O (where x = 0, 5, 10, and 15 mol%). The physical, structural, thermal, mechanical and radiation shielding properties were evaluated. The synthesized glasses were characterized through their densities, molar volumes, and oxygen packing density, which revealed that the density and molar volume decreased as the amount of Li 2 O and MoO 3 increased in the glass structure, while the oxygen packing density increased as a function of both Li 2 O and MoO 3. Raman spectroscopy was used to analyze the glass structure, which showed a superimposed reduction of all Te units due to the formation of Te–O–Mo and a coordination change from MoO 4 to MoO 6. The interplay between Li 2 O and MoO 3 has a direct effect on the thermal stability of the glass and reveals that glasses with higher MoO 3 content and lower Li 2 O content exhibit enhanced thermal stability. The mass attenuation coefficient for the synthesized systems varied from 37.07 to 32.38 cm2 g−1 at 0.015 MeV. The fast neutrons removal cross-section exhibits a range from 0.090 to 0.096 cm−1 across all samples, while the thermal neutrons cross section values lie within the interval of 1.22–8.16 cm−1. The glass sample with the highest concentration of TeO 2 showed superior values of mass attenuation, and fast neutrons removal cross-section, along with the lowest values of half value layer and mean free path. Nevertheless, the addition of MoO 3 and Li 2 O improved thermal stability and led to adequate radiation protection levels. The results indicate the significant potential of MoO 3 -rich tellurite materials for shielding against gamma-ray and neutron radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Steatotic liver disease, characterized by a combination of metabolic dysfunction, alcohol use, or specific etiologies, is a leading cause of chronic liver disease. However, the role of metabolic dysfunction in chronic liver disease with harmful alcohol use remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with harmful alcohol use.Over a 2‐year period, we registered patients with harmful alcohol use, defined by an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score of 8 or higher. We retrospectively analyzed background information, blood test results, ultrasound‐guided attenuation parameter (attenuation coefficient), and liver stiffness measurement. Hepatic steatosis was defined as attenuation coefficient ≥0.65 dB/cm/MHz, and fibrosis as liver stiffness measurement ≥7.5 kPa.The study included 131 patients (82% men, median age 59 years). Linear regression analysis revealed significant associations with attenuation coefficient for body mass index ≥23 (0.08, p < 0.0001) and age (−0.002, p = 0.002). Liver stiffness measurement was associated with body mass index ≥23 (2.52, p = 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (0.02, p = 0.0189), gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (0.008, p < 0.0001), platelet count (−0.02, p = 0.001), and prothrombin international normalized ratio (26.40, p < 0.0001). Among the four groups classified by the presence or absence of steatosis and fibrosis, patients with fibrosis, but without steatosis, demonstrated the lowest liver reserve. In contrast, patients with both steatosis and fibrosis showed higher aspartate aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels.Body mass index is associated with both hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with harmful alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead borate glass is the best radiation shielding glass when lead is in high concentration. However, it has low transparency after radiation exposure. Radiation decreases transparency due to chemical and physical changes in the glass matrix, such as creating or healing defects in the glass network. The addition of rare earth elements like cerium and dysprosium oxides to lead borate glasses can improve their transparency and durability as radiation shielding barriers. The newly manufactured glasses' optical absorption, structural, and radiation shielding properties were measured. The optical characteristics of the generated samples were examined to determine the effect of the cerium/dysprosium ratio on the structural alterations, specifically in the presence of bridging oxygen (BO) and non-bridging oxygen (NBO). Incorporating Ce3+ results in peaks at 195 nm for borate units, 225 nm for Ce3+, and a broadened peak at 393 nm due to overlapping peaks for Ce3+ and Ce4+ in the UV region. By adding Dy, multiple peaks are observed at 825, 902, 1095, 1275, and 1684 nm, corresponding to the transition from 6H15/2 ground state to 6F5/2, 6F7/2, 6F9/2, 6F11/2, and 6H11/2. The samples were also tested before and after exposure to gamma irradiation from a 60Co source at a dose of 75 kGy to assess their stability against radiation. The energy gap value during irradiation shows decreased non-bridging oxygen. The energy gap difference before and after irradiation for the M4 sample shows higher NBO to BO conversion, reducing radiation damage and improving structural stability. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized to get insight into the coordination chemistry of the created glass samples. The half-value layer (HVL), radiation protection efficiency (RPE), neutron removal cross-section (FRNCS), mean free path (MFP), mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), and effective atomic numbers (Zef) of the glassy structure were calculated theoretically to assess its radiation shielding qualities. The linear attenuation coefficient order for the prepared samples was M1 > M2 > M3 > M4. The FRNCS values were 0.090, 0.083, 0.081, and 0.079 cm−1 for samples M1, M2, M3, and M4, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of germanium borosilicate glasses with chemical formula 50.5B2O3 + 0.5CeO2 + 10SiO2 + (20‐x) CaO + 19Na2O + XGeO2 with 0 (GeO0) ≤ X ≤ 5 (GeO5) mol% were fabricated by using the melt quenching technique. Structure, physical, and optical properties as well as radiation attenuation capacity was examined. XRD data confirmed that GeOX samples were in amorphous state. The density (ρ) of the prepared glass samples increased from 2.24 to 2.55 g/cm3, while the molar volume (Vm) slightly declined from 26.8 to 26.42 cm3/mol. The UV absorption edge shifted to a higher wavelength as the concentration of GeO2 increased. The values of direct band gap (EgDirect)$(\bm{E_g^{Direct}})$ ranged from 3.36 to 2.91 eV, and the indirect (EgIndirect)$(\bm{E_g^{Indirect}})$ ranged from 3.12 to 2.75 eV. Urbach energy (Eu) values fluctuated between 0.65 to 0.16 eV. As the Ge4+ ion increased, the glass sample's refractive index enhanced. Mass attenuation coefficients (MACs) of GeOX samples increased from 6.788 to 10.381 cm2/g at 0.015 MeV. The GeO5 sample possessed the lowest half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP). Effective atomic number (Zeff) of GeOX possessed the same trend of MAC. Results confirmed that the suggested GeOX glasses can be applied in different optical and radiation attenuation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of germanium borosilicate glasses with chemical formula 50.5B2O3 + 0.5CeO2 + 10SiO2 + (20‐x) CaO + 19Na2O + XGeO2 with 0 (GeO0) ≤ X ≤ 5 (GeO5) mol% were fabricated by using the melt quenching technique. Structure, physical, and optical properties as well as radiation attenuation capacity was examined. XRD data confirmed that GeOX samples were in amorphous state. The density (ρ) of the prepared glass samples increased from 2.24 to 2.55 g/cm3, while the molar volume (Vm) slightly declined from 26.8 to 26.42 cm3/mol. The UV absorption edge shifted to a higher wavelength as the concentration of GeO2 increased. The values of direct band gap (EgDirect)$(\bm{E_g^{Direct}})$ ranged from 3.36 to 2.91 eV, and the indirect (EgIndirect)$(\bm{E_g^{Indirect}})$ ranged from 3.12 to 2.75 eV. Urbach energy (Eu) values fluctuated between 0.65 to 0.16 eV. As the Ge4+ ion increased, the glass sample's refractive index enhanced. Mass attenuation coefficients (MACs) of GeOX samples increased from 6.788 to 10.381 cm2/g at 0.015 MeV. The GeO5 sample possessed the lowest half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP). Effective atomic number (Zeff) of GeOX possessed the same trend of MAC. Results confirmed that the suggested GeOX glasses can be applied in different optical and radiation attenuation applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to evaluate the ability of cathode-ray tube funnel waste glasses (CRT-F) to shield photons (gamma and X-ray) and other forms of radiation with rest masses (i.e., neutrons and charged particles) after their Pb content was reclaimed. The lead (Pb) content of cathode-ray tube funnel waste glasses (CRT-F) was reduced using Na 2 CO 3 as the reducing agent CRT-F(Na 2 CO 3). CRT-F and CRT-F(Na 2 CO 3) were produced using the melt and quench processes using the powder of pristine funnel glass from discarded cathode ray tube glass and the reduced glass powder, respectively, as the starting materials. The X-ray fluorescence technique was adopted for determining the chemical composition of CRT-F and CRT-F(Na 2 CO 3) glasses. The parameters relating to the gamma photon, fissile neutron, moderated neutron, slow neutron, and charged radiation (β, H+, He2+, and C6+) attenuation abilities of pristine CRT-F and CRT-F(Na 2 CO 3) were evaluated. The FLUKA simulation code and XCOM were used to estimate the mass attenuation coefficient of the glasses. The stopping power (S p) and range (R) of β, H+, and He2+ were evaluated by using the NIST data-based calculators (ESTAR for β, PSTAR for H+, and ASTAR for He2+) while S p and R data for C6+ was determined using SRIM. The cross section for fast, thermal (25 meV), and slow neutrons (0.1–10 meV) was also estimated. The Pb reclamation from the CRT-F drastically increased the half value layer of photons by at least a factor of 4 at 0.1 MeV and by more than 90 % at 10 MeV. The CRT-F interacts more with fissile and thermal neutrons compared to CRT-F(Na 2 CO 3). Although, CRT-F showed a better ability to attenuate all the radiation types considered, both glasses are better absorbers of radiation (especially photons) than some common shields. The reduction of Pb weight in CRT-F resulted in a drastic reduction in the ability of the glass to attenuate radiation; the resulting glass (CRT-F(Na 2 CO 3)) is however, an environmentally safer glass shield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the gamma-ray attenuation capabilities of ABS polymer reinforced with nano-sized yttrium particles. The analysis focuses on three key parameters: mass attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, and radiation protection efficiency. Utilizing a sol–gel process for polymer molding, various test samples were prepared and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface structure examination. Then, experimental, theoretical, and simulation approaches are used to obtain gamma-ray shielding parameters. The base and additive materials are chosen as ABS polymer and yttrium nanoparticles, respectively, and the results revealed a consistent enhancement in gamma-ray attenuation characteristics with the incorporation of yttrium nanoparticles. These findings offer valuable perspectives for advancing the development of sophisticated radiation shielding materials, presenting potential applications across diverse fields including medical imaging, industrial processes, and nuclear technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tb3+/Dy3+ co-doped Boro-Phosphate Glass (BPANZDyTb) was produced (40 B2O3 + 39P2O5 + 5 Al2O3 + 5 NaF + 10 ZnO + 0.5 Tb2O3 + 0.5 Dy2O3) using melt-quenching technique. X-ray diffraction measurements, Raman, and Fourier Transform Infrared were used to evaluate the structural behavior of the prepared glass. Powder-XRD spectra, in the 10–90° range showed that the prepared glass was amorphous. FTIR analysis reveals that the network contains a variety of structural groups, including B-O-B, BO4, BO, P-O, PO2, P-O-B, and PO4 units. The UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was used to record and study the optical linear properties of Tb3+/Dy3+ co-doped Boro-Phosphate Glass (BPANZDyTb). The photoluminescence excitation peak was obtained at 348 nm. The emission peaks were located at 484 nm (4F9/2 → 6H15/2 → blue), 576 nm (4F9/2 → 6H13/2 → yellow), and 662 nm (4F9/2 → 6H11/2 → red). Tb3+ ions are located at 412 nm (5D3 → 7F5), 441 nm (5D3 → 7F4), 546 nm (5D4 → 7F5), and 625 nm (5D4 → 7F3). The result of CIE 1931 chromaticity coordinates indicate that the prepared glass is suitable material for cold white light emitting diode applications due to its color coordinates x = 0.3106 and y = 0.3240 and correlated color temperature (CCT) values about 6768 K. The gamma-ray parameters such as half-value layer (HVL), mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ), mean free path (MFP), and effective atomic number (Zeff) of the BPANZDyTb glass were studied using Phy-X software. The results of the gamma-ray parameter show that the Dy3+ ions and Tb3+ ions co-doped BoroPhosphate glass is an appropriate material for radiation shielding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the electronic and optical properties of an asymmetric double delta doped quantum wells structure formed within GaAs. The electronic structure of system is obtained within effective mass and envelope wave function approximations. Optical responses are calculated in the framework of the compact density matrix approach. The roles of distance between wells, varying one well electron concentration, as well as length parameter of position-dependent mass, on the total optical absorption coefficients and the relative refractive index changes are investigated. The findings of this study indicate that prominence of optical coefficients occurs at higher energies for position-dependent mass, compared to constant mass case. Augmented right well electron concentrations lead to blue-shifts on the optical properties not only with constant mass but also with position-dependent mass. However, the increase in the wells' separation results the absorption peaks to move towards lower energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural, mechanical and radiation shielding properties of (69-x)B 2 O 3 -20TeO 2 -10Al 2 O 3 -1HfO 2 -xPr 6 O 11 (where x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 mol %) glass system were investigated. This study introduces a novel approach by incorporating Pr 6 O 11 into glass composition, highlighting its unique contributions to enhancing elastic properties, fracture toughness, hardness, and radiation shielding abilities. Experimental measurements were conducted within the energy range of 59.54–661.62 keV and theoretical calculations are made for MAC values. The presence of Pr 6 O 11 was noted to positively influence the gamma shielding capabilities. At 59.54 keV, the addition of 0.25 mol% Pr 6 O 11 increased the mass attenuation coefficient of the glass by 2.9 %, and the addition of 1 mol% Pr 6 O 11 increased it by 29.8 %. The addition of 0.25 mol% Pr 6 O 11 increased the fast neutron removal cross section of the glass by 4.4 %. Also, it is observed that the glass with 1 mol% Pr 6 O 11 is the best shielding material against alpha and proton particles. A significant enhancement of 24.36 % in the fracture toughness value was observed, increasing from 1.059 to 1.317 MPa m1/2 at 1 mol% Pr 6 O 11. Experimental hardness values increased from 3.374 to 3.985 GPa, resulting in an improvement of 18.11 % at 1 mol% Pr 6 O 11. The thermal stability (ΔT, °C) value demonstrated a notable increase from 85 to 106, indicating a significant 24.7 % improvement at 0.25 mol% Pr 6 O 11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass-based materials are renowned for their application prospects in neutron and gamma-ray shielding, focusing on their dual functionality of offering radiation protection while permitting visual monitoring. These materials stand out for their excellent chemical durability, resilience against radiation-induced deterioration, high refractive indices, and superior light transmission characteristics. In this paper, the initial sections are delved into the shielding mechanisms for neutron and gamma-ray radiation, employing Monte Carlo simulations to elucidate the design principles and development strategies of these shielding materials. It is complemented by a comprehensive review of the current state of research in glass-based shielding materials. Given the environmental and health concerns associated with lead-based glasses, lead glass is being abandoned. The paper highlights the predominance of silicate, borate, and borosilicate glasses in the industry. It is demonstrated that the addition of heavy metal oxides (such as Bi2O3 and BaO) and rare earth elements (like La and Gd) to the glass matrix can significantly increase the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), reduce the half-value layer (HLV), and thereby enhance shielding effectiveness. Notably, the integration of these dopants may negatively impact the mechanical properties of materials. This paper also includes a comparison of glass-based shielding materials with alternative shielding solutions. Enhancing the multifaceted performance of glass-based shielding materials, alongside the advancement of ecofriendly and smart shielding solutions, will constitute a pivotal area of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study investigates the radiation shielding properties of glass samples within the xGd2O3‐5SiO2‐40Na2O‐(54.5‐x) B2O3:0.5CeF3 composition, where x varies from 0 to 10 mol.%, which is coded as GSNBCX (X = 1, 2, 3, and 4). The assessment is done through comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation and Phy‐X/PSD software analyses. The primary objective of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the radiation shielding properties of glass compositions with varying Gd2O3 concentrations. This evaluation encompasses both the attenuation of gamma radiation within the broad energy range of 0.015 MeV to 15 MeV and the assessment of fast neutron removal cross sections, with a specific focus on simulations spanning energy levels from 0.5 to 10 MeV. By examining these parameters, we aim to elucidate the impact of Gd2O3 concentration on the material's overall effectiveness in radiation shielding applications. The results reveal a significant variation in the mass attenuation coefficient (μm) across the investigated glass samples. For instance, μm values range from 3.244 to 0.019 cm2·g−1 for GSNBC1, 20.471 to 0.025 cm2·g−1 for GSNBC2, 27.245 to 0.027 cm2·g−1 for GSNBC3, and 32.223 to 0.029 cm2·g−1 for GSNBC4. Notably, GSNBC4, characterized by a substantial Gd2O3 concentration (10 mol.%), exhibits the highest values of both μm and linear attenuation coefficient (μ). Furthermore, the investigation delves into the fast neutron removal cross section (FNRCS), which displays values of 0.97, 0.95, 0.094, and 0.93 cm−1, respectively. GSNBC1, marked by its elevated B2O3 content (54.5 mol.%), showcases the highest FNRCS. These findings underscore the efficacy of Gd2O3‐doped materials in shielding against gamma rays, holding promise for various applications in radiation protection, particularly in the medical and nuclear sectors. This study contributes valuable insights into developing effective radiation‐blocking materials for diverse industrial and scientific contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies, structurally analyzes, evaluates the morphology, and assesses the gamma-ray and neutron attenuation properties of a composite material composed of M-type hexaferrite BaFe 12 O 19 (BF) doped with three additional compounds: Bi 2 O 3 , V 2 O 5 , and Ce 2 O 3. X-ray diffraction revealed that the structure of BF can be indexed to a hexagonal structure, BF/Bi 2 O 3 to a tetragonal structure, BF/V 2 O 5 to a cubic structure, and BF/Ce 2 O 3 to a trigonal structure. These results were refined using PROFEX software. The Crystallite size of the nano-powders was determined by X-ray line broadening using the Williamson-Hall method. Morphology evaluations illustrated that HR-TEM images for BF, BF/Bi 2 O 3 , BF/V 2 O 5 , and BF/Ce 2 O 3 reveal high crystallinity with a polycrystalline nature. Various attenuation measurements, using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code, aimed to determine the efficacy of these dopants into m-type hexaferrite BF as potential materials for radiation shielding applications. Doping with Bi 2 O 3 into hexaferrite BF markedly enhances its attenuation properties, demonstrating superior Linear Attenuation Coefficient (LAC) values across a broad energy spectrum from 0.16 to 10 MeV. The Mass Attenuation Coefficient (MAC) analysis revealed a pivotal energy threshold at 0.3 MeV. Below this energy, BF presented the highest MAC values. Conversely, for energies equal to or greater than 0.3 MeV, BF exhibited the highest MAC values, affirming its superior gamma photon shielding efficacy. The study of the Half Value Layer (Δ 0.5) and Mean Free Path (MFP) provided additional evidence of the superior shielding performance of BF/Bi 2 O 3. The Δ 0.5 values ranged between 0.128 to 1.240 cm for BF, 0.162 to 1.430 cm for BF/V 2 O 5 , 0.163 to 1.390 cm for BF/Ce 2 O 3 , and 0.162 to 1.210 cm for BF/Bi 2 O 3 , indicating that BF/Bi 2 O 3 requires a thinner layer to halve the gamma-ray intensity, particularly at higher energies. The MFP values further support the improved shielding ability of BF/Bi 2 O 3 , with measurements showing that gamma photons travel the shortest distance before interacting with the material, thereby reducing the potential for radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of La 2 O 3 addition on the structural, physical, and radiation shielding properties of basalt-based glasses. Incorporating varying concentrations of La 2 O 3 (0, 10, 20, 30 wt%) into basalt glasses, we aimed to evaluate the potential of La 2 O 3 in enhancing the material's effectiveness against gamma radiation. Utilizing Ba-133 point radioactive source and Ultra Ge detector, we measured the attenuation parameters in different photon energies (81, 160, 223, 276, 302, 356, and 383 keV). The glasses exhibited an amorphous structure, as confirmed by XRD analysis, with density values ranging from 2.72 to 3.305 g/cm³, increasing with La 2 O 3 content. The microstructural analysis indicated that La3+ ions predominantly integrate into the glass matrix, enhancing the structural integrity without forming separate phase regions. Our findings demonstrate a significant improvement in radiation protection parameters, including mass attenuation coefficients and half-value layers, with higher La 2 O 3 concentrations. These outcomes were also supported by the data obtained for Z eff and EBF values of G1-G4 glasses. The mechanical properties of the glasses were also investigated with the Makishima-Mackenzie model and it was observed that the elastic moduli were also affected by the addition of La 2 O 3. The enhancements observed with La 2 O 3 additions suggest promising avenues for developing advanced shielding materials, combining the inherent advantages of basalt glasses with the high atomic weight and electron density of lanthanum compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study non-traditional glass materials, this investigation created four glass samples composed of (70-x)B 2 O 3 –20TeO 2 -10GeO 2 -xMgO, where x represents the percentage of MgO with values of 20, 25, 30, and 35 mol%. Glasses with high transparency were produced via the accepted melt quenching and annealing method. The samples underwent X-ray diffraction analysis to confirm their glassy structure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was utilized to examine the glass network's various structural groups. The measuring methodology and theoretical calculations were used to calculate a range of physical and mechanical parameters. The cut-off wavelength, as well as the direct and indirect bandgap, and other optical characteristics of the S1–S4 samples were observed using optical absorption. The work utilized Phy-X to acquire the ionizing absorption parameters. The paper demonstrates various glasses' radiation shielding properties, including the effective atomic number, half- and tenth-value layers, linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, and mean free path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to study the optical properties of ZnSe/ZnS non-concentric core–shell quantum dots (CSQDs). The numerical method used in this work is based on a combination of coordinate transformation and finite difference method (FDM) to solve the three dimensions of the Schrödinger equation. The optical properties are obtained using the compact density matrix formalism. The influence of different dimensions of the non-concentric CSQD, the position of a core material and the effect of different values of the incident optical intensity I on the optical properties of the CSQD are investigated. The results obtained indicate that the oscillator strength, absorption coefficient and refractive index changes are strongly dependent on the size of the CSQD. The magnitude of both the total absorption coefficient and the refractive index decreased as the incident optical intensity increased. In addition, the resonance peaks for the absorption coefficient and refractive index changes shift towards higher energies when we move from concentric to non-concentric core–shell quantum dots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examines the electronic and optical properties of Rosen-Morse quantum wells, which exhibit hyperbolic and exponential potential profiles, subjected to intense laser fields and electric fields. Calculations are performed within the framework of the effective mass and parabolic band approximations. To determine the eigenvalues of electrons confined in these potentials, the diagonalization method was employed, utilizing orthonormal base functions that are solutions of an infinite square quantum well. To calculate the total absorption coefficient, including linear and nonlinear terms for transitions between the lowest two energy levels, a combination of the standard density matrix formalism and the perturbation expansion method was employed. Our results indicate that intense laser field is a valuable tool for controlling the confinement potential of low-dimensional systems, enabling the appropriate tuning of these systems. While the electric field applied only to symmetrical structures breaks the symmetry and causes the peaks in the absorption spectrum to shift to red, a blue shift of the absorption peaks was achieved with the combined effect of the selected geometric shapes of the quantum wells and the electric field. Therefore, it is hoped that the obtained results will provide important improvements in device applications with a suitable choice of both fields and structure parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involves the investigation of the effect of the replacement of B2O3 with La2O3 on the properties of the multi-component lead Borovanadate glass. Five samples were prepared using the fast-quenching method according to the chemical formula (43-x) mole % B2O3 - x mole % La2O3- 10 mol % V2O5-12.5 mol % CaO-12.5 mol % Li2O -22 mol %PbO, where x = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 mol %. The amorphous character of the synthesized samples was confirmed via Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction. XRD patterns suggest a lack of long-range organized crystalline structure, but FTIR reveals various structural unit blocks. On the other side, the increment of La2O3 content caused a proportional increase in the glasses' bulk density and molar volume. UV analysis revealed that the sample with 5 mol % La2O3 had superior absorption properties compared to the other samples. All the samples were found to be effective in transmitting light within the energy range of 3.43–4.07 eV, with the La2O3-free sample demonstrating the highest level of light transmission among all the samples. The radiation shielding characteristics of the synthesized glasses were analyzed. The theoretical predictions for the mass attenuation coefficients using WinXCom agreed well with the measured values, providing validation for both the software and the experimental techniques used. This investigation found that La2O3 concentration influenced the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) at a defined energy level, with higher La2O3 resulting in higher LAC values. The study also showed that lower energy levels had better linear attenuation compared to higher ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While sustainable material systems have become paramount, recycling unused waste cathode ray tubes (CRTs) glass can possess great potential for radiation protection applications. With this motivation, the present study addressed the utilization of waste CRTs in combination with MoO3 towards a glass composition of xMoO3—(100-x)CRTs where x typifies 0, 1, 3, and 5 wt%. The glass samples coded Mo0 to Mo5 were synthesized using a traditional melting technique. After successfully preparing the glass series, some sets of characterization analyses were performed to understand physical, structural, optical, and radiation shielding properties. According to the findings, density increased from 2.92 to 2.96 g/cm3 as MoO3 was introduced into the glass network. Yet more, all glass samples exhibited an amorphous structure irrespective of varying MoO3 doping rates. On the other hand, FTIR measurements paved the way for highlighting possible vibrational modes, such as Si–O-Si and Si–O, in the structure. According to the optical properties via UV–Vis, the direct Eg values equaled 1.75, 1.69, 1.65, and 1.61 eV for Mo0 to Mo5, respectively, whereas R values ranged from 2.8534 to 2.9281. For investigating mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), the transmission measurements were performed for 30.9–383 keV photon energy ranges using radioactive source of 133-Ba and Ultra-Ge detector. The correctness of the experimental MAC values were checked with EpiXS program and MCNP codes. It is determined that the highest MAC values changing from 0.5951 cm2/g to 0.1022 cm2/g belong to Mo5 glass for 30.9–383 keV. It is also revealed that with the increasing MoO3 addition, EABF, EBF, HVL and MFP values of the Mo0-Mo5 glasses dropped and MAC, Zeff and Nel values enhanced. As a result, MoO3 substitution has improved the material characteristics of CRTs glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, gamma-ray attenuation properties as well as transmission factor values of high-density sodium metaphosphate-tungsten trioxide glasses with chemical composition of (40−x)NaPO3−xWO3-60Sb2O3: (x = 0 (S1), 5 (S2), 10 (S3), 15 (S4), 20 (S5), 30 (S6), and 40 (S7) mol%) have been investigated. MCNPX general purpose Monte Carlo code and Phy-X/PSD program were utilized for the calculation of transmission factor values and fundamental gamma-ray shielding parameters. Our findings suggest that the S7 sample (with the highest WO3 content mole%) has possessed the maximum mass attenuation coefficients (μm) at all gamma-ray energies investigated. In terms of half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP), the coded glass sample S7 has achieved the minimum values. The effective atomic number (Zeff) and equivalent atomic number (Zeq) of the investigated glasses have the same trend of mass attenuation coefficient. The raising of WO3 content in mole% in glasses leads to reducing both exposure and absorption buildup factor values for all mean free path values. The minimum transmission factor (maximum attenuation) quantities were verified at a thickness of 3 cm for all investigated glasses. It can be concluded that the S7 sample exhibits superior radiation shielding characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lead is a very good radiation shielding material, its toxicity has led researchers to find alternative materials instead of it. Moreover, as the use of Kapton polyimide (PI) film in nuclear power plants and space exploration increases, the need to reveal the radiation degradation properties of this material has come along. In this regard, in the present study, it is aimed to determine the mass and linear attenuation coefficients, half value layer, tenth value layer, mean free path and radiation protection efficiency attenuation parameters for this material, experimentally and theoretically, by using the gammas of the 133Ba radioisotope. Experimental gamma attenuation measurements were made by a spectrometer using a Hamamatsu multi pixel photon counter device with a silicon photomultiplier sensor. The constant fraction discrimination timing method was used to reduce the electronic noise of the spectrometer. The attenuation parameters determined experimentally by following two ways were compared with the theoretical ones obtained from the XCOM program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with fabricating and characterizing glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites with heavy mineral filler (magnetite particles) for potential low-energy radiation shielding applications. The composite materials were fabricated by the hand layup method. Glass/epoxy composite was used as control sample, and radiation shielding composites were manufactured by mixing 20 and 30% (by weight) magnetite particles with epoxy resin. It was revealed that the tensile properties of the magnetite-modified composites were increased, and the composites containing 30% filler exhibited maximum improvement than the control ones. Further assessment of the composite samples was performed by DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analysis), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), FTIR (Fourier-Transform Infrared) spectroscopy, water uptake (%), and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) testing. The radiation shielding ability of the control and filler-modified composites was assessed by using a gamma (γ) radiation source (60Co). Then, the shielding efficiency was characterized by radiation-reduced intensity (%), LAC (Linear Attenuation Coefficient), MAC (Mass Attenuation Coefficient), HVL (Half Value Layer), TVL (Tenth Value Layer), and SVL (Sixteenth Value Layer). It was revealed that the 30% magnetite filler content composite experienced relatively good attenuation performance against γ-ray than other studied composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-ray, charged particles and neutron-shielding properties of ternary alloy materials, (97.3 – x) Pb – x Cd – 2.7Ag (x = 10, 18 and 30) have been theoretically investigated. First, the effectiveness of gamma-ray shielding for the alloys was studied by using the Phy-X/PSD programme. Mass and linear attenuation coefficients (MAC and LAC), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic numbers (Zeff), effective electron densities (Neff) and effective conductivity (Ceff) were calculated for photon energy range 0.015–15 MeV. Second, the mass stopping powers (MSPs; dE/ρdx; MeVcm2/g) and ranges for electron, proton and alpha particle interactions were calculated at energy 0.01–20 MeV. Finally, the removal cross-section of fast neutron (FNRCS) for the alloys was calculated by the partial density method. Moreover, the neutrons and gamma-rays shielding effectiveness of ternary alloys were investigated using Monte Carlo (MCNP4b). The MCNP4b calculations were performed for neutrons in the energies 4 and 4.5 MeV. While the shielding parameters of gamma rays were done in the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV. The obtained results of radiation shielding showed that the P1 sample owns a good shielding effectiveness against neutrons and gamma rays compared to previously published studies. The comparison of the computed values has revealed a reasonable agreement between Phy-X/PSD and MCNP4b. This study gives essential data for potential applications of these materials in nuclear reactor core design and other industries for the evaluation of effective ionising radiation shielding materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the impact of substituting Nd 2 O 3 for Na 2 O in Barium–Boron-Phosphate glasses, aiming to enhance their mechanical strength, optical characteristics, and radiation shielding efficacy. Glasses with a composition of 50B 2 O 3 + 20P 2 O 5 + 20BaO + (10-x)Na 2 O + xNd 2 O 3 (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 mol%) were synthesized and characterized. The findings indicate that as the Nd/Na ratio increases, the density of the glass also rises within the range of 3.77–4.23 g/cm3. Moreover, the addition of Nd leads to notable alterations in the optical characteristics of the resulting glasses. Specifically, there is a shift observed in the UV absorption edges, coupled with a noticeable increase in absorption at visible wavelengths. Moreover, Nd 2 O 3 addition reduced the Urbach energy (from 0.6018 to 0.2239 eV for Nd0-Nd4) and the optical band gap indicating improved electronic structure and decreased disorder. The mechanical properties studied using the Makishima-Mackenzie model show As the replacement ratio of Nd 2 O 3 increases, there is a noticeable improvement in the glass's mechanical robustness. Importantly, Glasses with high Nd/Na ratio in their composition exhibit enhanced radiation shielding capabilities, evidenced by increased mass attenuation coefficients and effective removal cross-sections for photons and fast neutrons, respectively. These findings suggest that Nd 2 O 3 -doped glasses offer a promising pathway for developing superior radiation shielding materials with tailored properties for diverse applications in nuclear facilities, medical devices, and space exploration equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation shielding materials are essential for balancing the benefits and risks of ionizing radiation. In this prospective, we have prepared a series of glasses with composition (70-x)B 2 O 3 –15BaO–10PbO–5WO 3 -xBi 2 O 3 (where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mol %) for varying concentrations of Bi 2 O 3 using melt-quenching method. Their physical, thermal, structural, mechanical, optical, and radiation shielding properties were evaluated. XRD scans confirm the amorphous nature of prepared glasses. As Bi 2 O 3 content increases from 0 to 20 mol%, the density of the glasses rises from 3.155 to 4.578 g/cm3. Thermal studies show enhanced properties when substituting B 2 O 3 with Bi 2 O 3. FTIR studies reveal the presence of BO 3 , BO 4 , BiO 3 , and BiO 6 structural units in the glasses. Mechanical properties, evaluated by Makishima–Mackenzie model, decrease as Bi 2 O 3 concentration rises. Optical absorption studies suggest decreasing band gap energy (2.908–2.254 eV for indirect transitions), implying the possibility of the non-bridging oxygen formation. In the context of radiation shielding, mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) of the produced glasses were determined both experimentally and by using the Phy-X/PSD program, and their agreement validates the accuracy of the experimental findings. Additionally, various other shielding parameters such as linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), and effective atomic number (Z eff) have been evaluated and interpreted. The results indicate that the substitution of Bi 2 O 3 directly impacts the shielding ability of the glasses. The BBi-20 glass sample, containing 20 mol% of Bi 2 O 3 , emerges as the superior candidate for shielding, showing the highest MAC (0.1284 and 0.0986 cm2/g at the energies 0.511 MeV and 0.662 MeV respectively), LAC, and Z eff , along with minimum HVL, TVL, and MFP values. Comparison of MAC values with standard shielding materials confirms the potential of the produced glasses for gamma shielding applications, highlighting their promising structural and optical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–zinc–borosilicate glasses with different lead concentrations were made using the melt-quenching process to examine the effects of B2O3/PbO substitution on the structural term shielding and dielectric characteristics of glasses. The density increased and the molar volume decreased with increasing PbO mole percentages. The dielectric properties have been investigated for the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 MHz. Tangent loss (tan δ) and the dielectric constant (ε′) were reduced as the frequency increased. The dielectric constant (ε′) gradually increased with an increase in PbO content. The essential gamma radiation attenuation features of the glass samples under investigation were investigated using X-COM and Phy-X/PSD computer software programme over a broad energy range of 0.015–15 MeV. Following that, we evaluated the mean free path, effective atomic number, effective electron density, and effective conductivity over the same wide span of energy, and the results showed that the addition of PbO increased the effective atomic number and mass attenuation coefficient while decreasing the mean free path. Furthermore, the investigated glass's efficacy as a neutron shield was assessed using rapid neutron removal cross-sections. Generally, the shielding and dielectric properties of glasses gradually improve as the PbO level increases. PbO-25, which has 25 mol of PbO glass, has been shown to be more effective in preventing the penetration of gamma and neutron radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to comprehensively assess the radiation shielding efficacy of W-B2O3 composite material across varying ratios, contrasting its performance with glass and established literature data. The investigation involves comparing the radiation shielding capabilities of these materials using Geant4-based GATE simulation, XCOM, and EpiXS programs across energy levels ranging from 0.3–2.516 MeV. The research involved calculating and comparing the effective removal cross-section values of these materials with those commonly employed in neutron shielding. The findings indicate superior radiation shielding capabilities in the composite material compared to glass. Moreover, the mass attenuation coefficients were derived through GATE simulation at energy levels of 6 and 18 MV mono and spectrum energy. These values were then compared with theoretical methods; XCOM, XMuDat, and an innovative methodology outlined in the current literature. In the new approach, the effective atomic numbers of the materials were determined using the mass attenuation coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the analysis of an AlCuLi quasi‐crystal on an electron probe microanalyser equipped with spectrometers working both in the soft and ultra‐soft x‐ray ranges. This original combination enables obtaining the Li Kα and Al L2,3 emissions with a reflection plate spectrometer and the Al Kβ and Cu Lα emissions with a curved‐crystal spectrometer. All these emissions are emission bands, sensitive to the chemical state of the emitting element. From the observation of the valence band shapes, it is confirmed that the electronic structure of the quasi‐crystal is quite different from that of the corresponding pure metals. From the measured intensities, quantification is performed using the PAP model. The weight fractions calculated from the ultra‐soft x‐ray emission intensities are very dependent on the chosen database of mass attenuation coefficients. Comparison with fractions calculated with small uncertainty in the soft x‐ray range enables choosing which databases are the most relevant for the ultra‐soft x‐ray range. Both quantifications performed from ultra‐soft and soft x‐ray emissions are compatible, leading to the Al60Cu24Li16 weight concentration of the quasi‐crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice straw is considered an agricultural waste harmful to the environment, which is abundant in most parts of the world. From this point, the present study is devoted to preparing new composites of two types of glue based on rice straw as a plentiful, low-cost matrix. Straw glue samples were prepared by mixing 20% wt. of rice straw with 80% wt. of animal glue (RS-An) and polyvinyl acetate (RS-PVAC) at different thicknesses of 1, 2, and 3 cm. The chemical composition of the prepared samples was identified by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and their morphology was examined using a scanning electron microscope. The mechanical test explored that RS-An and RS-PVAC respectively required a stress of 25.2 and 25.5 MPa before reaching the breaking point. γ-ray shielding performance was analyzed and determined at numerous photon energies from 0.059 to 1.408 MeV emitted from five-point γ-rays sources using NaI (Tl). Linear attenuation coefficient was calculated by obtaining the area under the peak of the energy spectrum observed from Genie 2000 software in the presence and absence of the sample. The experimental results of mass attenuation coefficient were compared with theoretical data of XCOM software with relative deviation ranging from 0.10 to 2.99%. Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation code was also employed to validate the experimental results. The relative deviation of XCOM and Geant4 outcomes was 0.09–1.77%, which indicates a good agreement between them. Other radiation shielding parameters such as half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer, and mean free path were calculated in three ways: experimentally, theoretically from the XCOM database, and by simulation using Geant4 code. Additionally, effective atomic number (Zeff), effective atomic number (Neff), equivalent atomic number (Zeq), and buildup factors were evaluated. It was confirmed that the γ-ray shielding properties were further boosted by mixing rice straw with the animal glue compared to the synthetic one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melt quenching technique was used to create Bismuth Boro-Silicate nano glasses with compositions of 45SiO2-10CaO- 25Na2O- xBi2O3- (20-x) B2O3 (where x is 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mol %). Standard point sources AM-241, Ba-133, Co-60, Cs-137, and Eu-152 were used in the radiation experiment to evaluate the attenuation coefficients spanning the energy range of 59.51 keV to 1048.01 keV. The findings show that adding Bi2O3 in place of B2O3 increases the following: radiation protection efficiency (RPE%), transmission factor (TF%), absorption buildup factor values (ABF), exposure buildup factor values (EBF), mass attenuation coefficients (MACs), linear attenuation coefficients (LACs), and radiation protection efficiency (RPE%). In comparison to lead glass, these findings demonstrate the potential of nano Bismuth Boro-Silicate glass as a radiation shielding material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to determine and quantify the radiation shielding characteristics of high-density polyethylene/ tungsten oxide (HDPE/WO3) nanocomposites including the linear attenuation coefficient (µ), mass attenuation coefficient (µ/ρ), half-value layer (HVL) and tenth-value layer (TVL) for photons at various energies using Geant4, XCOM, and experiment. Thus, HDPE was chosen as the polymer matrix. Then, the samples at various concentrations of WO3 nanoparticles (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9.5 wt.%), different graphene oxide (GO) weight percentages (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 wt.%), and 10 and 20 wt.% linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) were fabricated. An NaI (Tl) scintillation detector was used to measure the shielding quantities using the 201Tl, and 99mTc sources at three energies of 135, 140, and 167 keV. The experimental results demonstrated that the addition of GO and LLDPE to the HDPE matrix resulted in a more uniform sample. Incorporating 20% LLDPE into the HDPE polymer matrix for the 99mTc resulted in an 18% rise in µ compared to pure HDPE. Finally, the experimental results revealed a comparatively good agreement with the Geant4 and XCOM simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study involved the preparation of natural rubber-based composites incorporating varying proportions of heavy metals and rare earth oxides (Sm2O3, Ta2O5, and Bi2O3). The investigation analyzed several parameters of the samples, including mass attenuation coefficients (general, photoelectric absorption, and scattering), linear attenuation coefficients (μ), half-value layers (HVLs), tenth-value layers (TVLs), mean free paths (MFPs), and radiation protection efficiencies (RPEs), utilizing the Monte Carlo simulation software Geant4 and the WinXCom database across a gamma-ray energy spectrum of 40–150 keV. The study also compared the computational discrepancies among these measurements. Compared to rubber composites doped with single-component fillers, multi-component mixed shielding materials significantly mitigate the shielding deficiencies observed with single-component materials, thereby broadening the γ-ray energy spectrum for which the composites provide effective shielding. Subsequently, the simulation outcomes were juxtaposed with experimental data derived from a 133Ba (80 keV) γ-source. The findings reveal that the simulated results align closely with the experimental observations. When compared to the WinXCom database, the Geant4 software demonstrates superior accuracy in deriving radiation shielding parameters and notably enhances experimental efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double perovskites are emergent materials because of their exciting characteristics, such as their stable crystal structure. Thermoelectric, optical, structural, elastic, electrical, magnetic, and perovskite Rb2FeCdO6 properties are explored within the framework of spin-polarized density functional theory, all computations were carried out using the full-potential linear augmented plane-wave approach. The potential was applied using GGA with an extra onsite Coulomb parameter (GGA + U), including the Hubbard parameter. The phase stability calculation shows that Rb2FeCdO6 should remain stable in a ferromagnetic state and a cubic geometry (space group Fm-3 m). This Rb2FeCdO6 compound is mechanically and chemically stable, as confirmed by the computed formation energy, tolerance factor, and elastic constants. Poisson and Pugh's ratios were used to study ductile and brittle behaviour. Using the GGA + U methods, the results reveal that double perovskite has a semiconductor nature with a magnetic moment of 5.5 µB, as determined by the magneto-electronic characteristics. The band structure calculations show the direct band gap of 2.2 eV (Up) and 1.8 eV (Dn) for Rb2FeCdO6 Double perovskites. The optical properties were also studied in detail, including complex dielectric constants, refractive indices, reflectivity, extinction coefficients, absorption coefficients, and optical conductivity functions up to 13.0 eV. Using the phy-x: PDS program, The mass attenuation coefficient (GMAC), linear attenuation coefficient (GLAC), half value (GHVL), mean free path (GMFP), effective, calculated atomic number (Zeff) were determined gamma radiation shielding properties of Rb2FeCdO6), and the effective electron density (Neff). The study shows that GMAC and GLAC values for Rb2FeCdO6 decrease with increasing photon energy, with a remarkable increase near K-edge absorption due to photoelectric effect dominance at low energy GHVL and GMFP increase with photon energy increases, indicating a decrease in photon interaction. We computed thermoelectric responses to evaluate potential and go into depth about the outcomes of the investigation. The Seebeck coefficient's positive and negative values classify double perovskites as exhibiting n and p-type semiconductors. These materials have high power factor values of 6.0 × 1011 Wm−1 K−2 s−1 and a figure of merit of 0.9, indicating good power conversion efficiency at high temperatures. Our results highlight the compound's potential for optoelectronic and thermoelectric devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study uses zinc oxide doping nanoparticles to investigate the radiation shielding properties of bismuth borate glass. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) examined the structural characteristics of the current samples. In contrast, the optical properties were determined based on the absorption spectrum for current samples. Appraisal studies are carried out depending on the simulation capabilities of Phy-X/PSD software in conjunction with MCNP5 to achieve this goal. In addition, the neutron and charged particle shielding properties were evaluated theoretically. All glasses are amorphous, as confirmed by the XRD data, and the FTIR data showed several vibration bands and functional groups. The density showed rising from 5.981 to 6.433 g/cm3 with adding ZnO. The band gap values reduced from 2.831 to 2.091 eV for direct and 3.024 to 2.218 eV for indirect with adding ZnO. The investigations' findings demonstrate a strong agreement between the theoretical and simulation-derived estimates of the mass attenuation coefficient. The relative difference of MAC results lie in the range 0.106–2.941% for BBZ0, 0.105–4.348% for BBZ1, 0.105–3.398% for BBZ2, and 0.105–2.032% for BBZ3. The study's findings are valuable insights from thoroughly examining these parameters, which can potentially improve the radiation protection abilities of Bi2O3–B2O3–ZnO glasses. This study represents a significant step in developing more efficient and safer materials for gamma radiation shielding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research meticulously explores the synthesis, structural, thermal and optical characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) infused strontium borate glasses (termed SZ glasses) and their applicability as radiation shielding. The glasses have been produced using the melt quenching process in the composition series of (60-x)B 2 O 3 : xZnO: 10SrO: 10Na 2 O: 10CaO: 10BaO, where x varied from 0 to 20 % mol. In order to dope ZnO into glasses, its structural and morphological characteristics were investigated after it was synthesized by solution combustion method. It was found that the inclusion of ZnO significantly impacted the glasses' density, molar volume, hardness, yield stress, and thermal stability. The optical properties of the produced glasses, such as transmittance, reflection, transparency, opacity and band gap energies, were examined and the effect of ZnO on the optical properties of the glasses was investigated. Crucially, the SZ glasses exhibited notable efficiency in shielding against gamma photons and fast neutrons. This is evidenced by the favourable change in the mass attenuation coefficients with increasing ZnO concentration. Parameters like the half-value layer, effective atomic number, and energy absorption buildup factors were calculated to gauge the radiation attenuation proficiency of the SZ glasses, demonstrating their potential utility in radiation protection. In conclusion, the developed SZ glasses display advantageous structural, thermal, and optical qualities, along with robust shielding capabilities against gamma photons and fast neutrons. This study contributes significant knowledge to the field of novel glass materials, paving the way for their application in various industrial and medical contexts requiring radiation shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiphase fluids are common in many industries, such as oil and petrochemical, and volume fraction measurement of their phases is a vital subject. Hence, there are lots of scientists and researchers who have introduced many methods and equipment in this regard, for example, photon attenuation sensors, capacitance-based sensors, and so on. These approaches are non-invasive and for this reason, are very popular and widely used. In addition, nowadays, artificial neural networks (ANN) are very attractive in a lot of fields and this is because of their accuracy. Therefore, in this paper, to estimate volume proportion of a three-phase homogeneous fluid, a new system is proposed that contains an MLP ANN, standing for multilayer perceptron artificial neural network, a capacitance-based sensor, and a photon attenuation sensor. Through computational methods, capacities and mass attenuation coefficients are obtained, which act as inputs for the proposed network. All of these inputs were divided randomly in two main groups to train and test the presented model. To opt for a suitable network with the lowest rate of mean absolute error (MAE), a number of architectures with different factors were tested in MATLAB software R2023b. After receiving MAEs equal to 0.29, 1.60, and 1.67 for the water, gas, and oil phases, respectively, the network was chosen to be presented in the paper. Hence, based on outcomes, the proposed approach's novelty is being able to predict all phases of a homogeneous flow with very low error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ternary gold alloys (TGAs) are highly regarded for their excellent electrical properties. Electrical resistivity is a crucial indicator for evaluating the electrical performance of TGAs. To explore new promising TGAs with lower resistivity, we developed a reverse design approach integrating machine learning techniques and proactive searching progress (PSP) method. Compared with other models, the support vector regression (SVR) was determined to be the most optimal model for resistivity prediction. The training and test sets yielded R2 values of 0.73 and 0.77, respectively. The model interpretation indicated that lower electrical resistivity was associated with the following conditions: a van der Waals Radius (Vrt) of 0, a Vr (another van der Waals Radius) of less than 217, and a mass attenuation coefficient of MoKα (Macm) greater than 77.5 cm2g−1. Applying the PSP method, we successfully identified eight candidates whose resistivity was lower than that of the sample with the lowest resistivity in the dataset by more than 53–60%, e.g., Au1.000Cu4.406Pt1.833 and Au1.000Pt2.232In1.502. Finally, the candidates were validated to possess low resistivity through the pattern recognition method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans benefit from nuclear technology, but it also generates nuclear radiation that is bad for both the environment and human health. The serious issue of radiation leakage affects many technological applications. Shielding is required to protect both users and the environment from negative side effects. This work describes the radioactive attenuation properties of some natural rocks, such as claystone, bentonitic claystone, bentonitic shale, sandstone, and basalt using a NaI(Tl) detector. The mass attenuation coefficients μ m of these rocks at various photon energies, half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), and mean free path (MFP) were determined. The validation of obtained values of μ m was carried out against the theoretical calculations from the XCOM program, and the correlation factor and relative deviation between the two methods were evaluated. It was noted that basalt samples exhibit superior shielding parameters when compared to other rock samples. Also, the concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive elements (238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) were measured, allowing for the calculation of environmental hazard indices and assessment of attenuation (%) efficiency for certain natural rocks, such as bentonite, sandstone, and basalt. The results revealed that increasing the thickness of Basalt-AZ from 1.5 cm to 2 cm results in an approximate 11% rise in attenuation percentage, with values reaching 77.12%, 67.2%, 67.65%, and 59.8% for NMA-U, IAEA-Th, IAEA-Ra, and IAEA-K, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal treatment procedures were employed, to generate hydroxyapatiteCa10(PO4)6(OH)2,(HAP) powder, from the femur and ribs of bovine bone samples. This investigation delves into the effect of gamma rays, from a Cs-137 activity equal to 220 µCi at integral doses of 20 kGy, on the surface structures, vibration properties, and attenuation coefficient of HAP, in the bovine femur bone and ribs. The mass attenuation coefficients for HAP powder were registered as E= 511 keV, with 1276 keV gamma energy released from the 22Na radioisotope, and 662 keV gamma energy released from the 137Cs radioactive isotope. We used the Nist XCom program to calculate the mass attenuation coefficient of HAP before and after radiation for photon energies ranging from 0 keV to 100 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studied the radiation shielding properties of new lead‐free telluride glass with different BaF2 content. The 65TeO2–15Bi2O3–(20 − x)ZnO–xBaF2 glass systems (where x = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 mol%) were tested through the X‐ray diffraction, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer, and differential scanning calorimetry. The glass system exhibited good thermal stability and a uniform surface without surface crystallization. The linear attenuation coefficient of the TBZBF series glass was tested using five different gamma radiation sources (241Am, 133Ba, 57Co, 137Cs, and 60Co). They were calculated to the mass attenuation coefficient, half‐value layer, mean free path, and effective atomic number through numerical simulations with XCOM software. The maximum mass attenuation coefficient for TBZBF‐9 was calculated to be 5.3577 cm2/g. Comparisons were made between this glass system and other tellurite and leaded glasses reported in the literature. The glass system exhibited superior radiation shielding capability compared to leaded tellurite glass under the same testing conditions. The gamma radiation shielding capacity increased with BaF2 content in the glass system. These results show that TBZBF‐9 exhibited the best gamma radiation shielding effectiveness while maintaining glass transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects on mechanical and γ-ray shielding competence of TiO2-based glasses of chemical composition: 30PbO⋅4MoO3⋅(66 − z)B2O3⋅zTiO2 (0.0 < z < 2.0 mol%) was calculated in this report. The glass density was found to increase in the range of 4.650–4.696 g/cm3 concurrent with a decline in the oxygen molar volume (OMV) from 10.633 to10.547 cm3/mol when [Ti4+] molar fraction is increased in the glass samples. The Gibbs free energy was found to be between 20.874 and 22.586 kJ/cm3 and was found to be influenced by TiO2 concentration in these glasses and on the valance states of Ti3+ and Mo5+. The affinity of mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) values (0.039 < MAC < 6.198 g/cm3) in the examined photon energy domain 0.015 < E < 15.0 MeV has the following chronological sorting: MACT0 < MACT2 < MACT4 < MACT6 < MACT8 < MACT10 < MACT15 < MACT20. The half-value-layer (HVL) trend of Mo-glasses was balanced against two standard RS-glass systems and discovered to possess a less γ-ray shielding competence as RS-(360, 520) or concrete. Also, we found that when the [Ti3+]/[Mo5+] ratio exceeds 0.8 mol%, then both ions participate in the studied properties via de-polymerization of the glass network. These outcomes revealed that the safety effectiveness against radiation and physic-mechano-properties can be synchronized for diverse purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]