Category Archive: Uncategorized
All About Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Methods and Neutron Radiography
Frontier Technology Corporation (FTC) is a premier manufacturer of californium-252 (Cf-252), an element capable of releasing 170 million neutrons per minute. This makes Cf-252 well-suited for use in neutron-based scanning and analysis processes, such as neutron radiography. Neutron radiography (NR) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method, meaning it is used to safely analyze the properties […]
Why Are NIST Standards Important for Neutron Sources?
At Frontier Technology Corporation (FTC), we are dedicated to providing safe and reliable californium-252 (Cf-252) neutron sources to customers around the world. For this reason, all of our neutron sources are NIST traceable. The following article discusses what NIST standards are and why they are important when searching for a neutron source supplier. What Is […]
All About Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA): What It Is & How it Works
Click to Expand At Frontier Technology Corporation (FTC), we are a leading supplier of californium-252 (Cf-252) neutron sources. Californium-252 is renowned in the nuclear, oil & petrochemical, military & defense, and research industries for its very strong neutron-emitting properties, and it is commonly used in nuclear reactors and materials scanning and analysis equipment. Neutron activation […]
Types of Radioactive Shipping Containers
Radioactive material releases harmful radioactive emissions that can be dangerous if not properly encapsulated and handled. Radioactive containers are used to safely contain these radioactive materials, shielding the surrounding environment (and personnel) from radiation exposure. At Frontier Technology Corporation, we design and create radioactive shipping containers that can hold californium-252 and other neutron sources (with […]
Californium-252 vs. Neutron Generators: What are the Differences?
Many industries require powerful neutron sources for fuel and data analysis. As its name suggests, a neutron source is any device that releases neutrons, including radioactive isotopes such as californium-252 (Cf-252), particle accelerators, and sealed-tube neutron generators. They are used for analytical and exploratory operations in physics, medicine, biology, chemistry, and nuclear power production, among […]
About the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
At Frontier Technology Corporation (FTC), we specialize in the supply of californium-252 (Cf-252) sources, which are strong neutron-emitters that play a critical role in nuclear power generation, neutron analysis techniques, and many other applications. The Cf-252 isotope is produced by the high flux isotope reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The facility serves […]
What You May Not Know About Californium-252
Discovered in 1950 at the University of California Radiation Laboratory in Berkeley, californium-252 (Cf-252) is a radioactive isotope that exhibits exceptionally high neutron emission properties – up to 170 million neutrons per minute. It is characterized by a silver-white and metallic appearance, a half-life of 2.645 years, a melting point of 900° C, and high […]
The Basics of Neutron Scattering
Founded in 1984, Frontier Technology Corporation (FTC) has since established itself as a premier provider of sealed neutron sources. Our core source specialty, californium-252 (Cf-252)—a strong neutron emitting element—has practical applications across industries. Neutron scattering is one of the key ways in which Cf-252 finds use. In this blog, we will provide an overview of […]
Detecting & Defeating IEDs With Californium-252 and the PINS System
Californium-252 is a very strong neutron emitter, giving off approximately 139 million neutrons per minute. This aspect, combined with Cf-252’s half-life of 2.645 years, melting point of 900°C, and easily-cut form makes this neutron source very useful in a variety of industrial applications. Cf-252 cannot be found in nature, so it is produced synthetically by […]
Choosing the Right Californium-252 Supplier
Discovered in 1950 by scientists in UC Berkeley’s Radiation Laboratory, Californium-252 (Cf-252) has the second-highest atomic mass of all produced elements and is very radioactive. It is the only isotope to spontaneously emit neutrons, and these neutrons can be used in nuclear reactor start-ups, material scanners, and oil well logging. The neutron-emitting qualities of Cf-252 […]