Methods, devices and systems for nuclear fusion using localized electric fields

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. The controlled fusion activities cover a spectrum of reactions from aneutronic, fusion reactions that produce essentially no neutrons, to neutronic, fusion reactions that produce substantial numbers of neutrons.

Description

[0001]The present application: (i) claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), the benefit of the filing date of Jun. 27, 2013 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 840,428; (ii) claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), the benefit of the filing date of Jan. 8, 2014 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 925,114; (iii) claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), the benefit of the filing date of Jan. 8, 2014 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 925,131; (iv) claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), the benefit of the filing date of Jan. 8, 2014 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 925,122; (v) claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), the benefit of the filing date of Jan. 8, 2014 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 925,148; (vi) claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), the benefit of the filing date of Jan. 8, 2014 of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 925,142; (vii) claims, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1), the benefit of the filing date of Jul. 1, 2013 of U.S. provisional appl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a device that efficiently converts energy from plasma to solid state using high-density lightly ionized plasmas. The device suppresses radiation losses caused by electron bremsstrahlung, which is a significant energy loss in conventional fusion reactors. The high-density plasma also increases the conductivity of the system, reducing resistive loss and input energy required. The device generates particles, which can enhance the fusion process and create additional ions without the need for additional energy. Diagnostics can be used to monitor and manage conditions within the fusion reaction zone, leading to an efficient design of the fusion system.

Problems solved by technology

The art's pursuit of the Lawson criterion, or substantially similar paradigms, has led to fusion devices and systems that are large, complex, difficult to manage, expensive, and economically unviable.

In particular, a major source of energy loss in conventional fusion systems is radiation due to electron bremsstrahlung and cyclotron motion as mobile electrons interact with ions in the hot plasma.

Because the conventional thinking holds that high temperatures and strongly ionized plasma are required, it was further believed in the art that inexpensive physical containment of the reaction was impossible.

Accordingly, methods being pursued in the art are directed to complex and expensive schemes to contain the reaction, such as those used in magnetic confinement systems (e.g., the ITER tokamak) and in inertial confinement systems (e.g., NIF laser).

Accordingly, there has been a long-standing and unfulfilled need for a controlled fusion reaction, and the clean energy and other benefits and beneficial uses that are associated with such a reaction.

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