Submicron fusion devices, methods and systems

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. In particular, the present inventions relate to, 5 among other things, fusion activities that are conducted individually or collectively on a very small scale, preferably on the nano-scale or smaller such as pico to femto scales, for the utilization of energy produced from these activities in smaller devices and for aggregation into larger devices.

Description

PRIORITY DATA[0001]An Application Data Sheet is filed concurrently with this specification as part of the present application. Each application that the present application claims benefit of or priority to as identified in the concurrently filed Application Data Sheet is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present inventions relate to methods, apparatuses, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. In particular, the present inventions relate to, among other things, fusion activities that are conducted individually or collectively on a very small scale, preferably on the nano-scale or smaller such as pico to femto scales, for the utilization of energy produced from these activities in smaller devices and for aggregation into larger devices.[0003]Controlled fusion devices, methods and systems are taught and disclosed in US Patent Ap...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0079]An advantage of the present inventions is that they effectively suppress radiation losses due to electron bremsstrahlung. Conventional fusion reactors such as Tokamaks employ hot, highly ionized plasma. Electron-ion interaction, resulting in bremsstrahlung and cyclotron radiation, is a significant source of energy loss and is one of the reasons such systems have not been able to satisfy the Lawson criterion. However, the high-density, lightly ionized, and colder plasma employed in embodiments of the present inventions suppresses electron mobility and greatly reduces radiative losses.

[0080]Hydrogen atoms under high pressure compression can become liquid or solid metals, depending on the compressional forces and their states of rotation. In either the liquid or solid states, the density is many orders of magnitude higher than that in the gaseous state. The total reaction rate will be correspondingly higher according to the product of the particle densities of the two reactants.

[0081]In addition, metallic hydrogen becomes highly conductive or even a superconductor with zero resistance. This increases the overall conductivity of the entire system, lowering the resistive loss and the input energy required. Thus, the overall efficiency of such a system is greater, making it easier to attain a large Q factor and the corresponding energy gain.Positive Feedback

[0082]The present invention may generate particles during operation. In some cases these particles may provide benefit to the device's function. In embodiments utilizing ionized particles, the creation of ionizing radiation may further enhance additional fusion by increasing, modifying, maintaining, or improving the ionization or a working material or plasma.

[0083]The key feature of this new fusion concept depends on the screening effect of electrons around the neutrals. It is expected that the fusion process will release more electrons through heating or collisions with fusion products. These processes could cause larger electron density fluctuations, including Langmuir collapses [1, 12]. This type of positive feedback generates stronger screening effects and could create sustainable fusion process for energy production.EXAMPLES

[0084]The following examples are provided to illustrate various embodiments of controlled submicron fusion methods, devices and systems of the present inventions. These examples are for illustrative purposes, and should not be viewed as, and do not otherwise limit, the scope of the present inventions.

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.

While battery technologies and other power sources have been rapidly evolving and becoming smaller, and smaller, in many instances they have failed to keep up with the needs of smaller and smaller devices, and the need for having power supplies that do not readily become depleted.

Unfortunately, in many cases, battery technology may be becoming the limiting factor to the further advancement of these small electronic technologies.

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