Self-luminous microspheres: the next generation radioluminescent Source

Conventional, current generation, nuclear (tritium) lamps are employed in many DoD applications. The Armyuses these lamps in fire-control applications among others. DoD currently has over 1 million curies of tritium in use in these lamps. The Army has been under pressure from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for several years, due to the problems created when conventional lamp breakage occurs. Self-luminous microspheres would provide an answer to NRC's safety concerns and also provide a significant cost savings to DoD due to the reduced amount of tritium required for any given replacement lamp design incorporating self-luminous microspheres. Tritium is $3.19/curie. Many new DoD applications and possibilities will result from the envisioned safer, improved light source. Encapsulight, Inc. and Encapsulight's unique team propose to develop an innovative and unique new machine technology that will provide Encapsulight, Inc. with the capability to produce the envisioned safer, improved light source, radioluminescent microspheres.