Neutron Generation via Electron Capture and Magnetic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing and capturing neutrons are costly and energy-intensive, with significant energy consumption and high costs due to the need for complex and expensive devices, and often result in neutron losses when produced outside the device.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the alignment of magnetic moments of nuclei and electrons using electric and magnetic fields to induce neutron production within a target, allowing for in-situ neutron capture and reducing energy costs by controlling the orientation of magnetic moments to optimize neutron generation and capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nuclear fission reaction is used to produce neutrons, then neutron production is achieved, but strict controls are required due to risks and significant energy consumption is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental reaction parameters from nuclear fission to electron capture by protons/deuterons/tritons. This parameter change transforms the process from high-energy nuclear fission to a lower-energy electron capture reaction, reducing energy consumption while maintaining neutron production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/nuclear fission system with an electrochemical system where electrons are captured by nuclei in a controlled environment. This substitution eliminates the need for complex nuclear reactor controls and reduces energy requirements
2Quantity of substance
If spallation technology is used to produce neutrons, then neutron production is achieved, but complex setup and considerable investment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential neutron production mechanism from the complex spallation system. By isolating the electron capture reaction and removing the need for particle accelerators and heavy target systems, it achieves neutron production with minimal equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive materials such as metal foils with free electrons as targets, replacing the expensive, complex spallation targets and accelerator systems. These simple targets can be easily replaced if needed
3Quantity of substance
If electron beam collision with nuclei is used to produce neutrons, then neutron production is achieved, but significant energy is consumed by the incident particle beam
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accelerating electrons to high energies to collide with nuclei (as in conventional electron beam methods), the invention inverts the approach: low-energy electrons from a metal target are captured by accelerated protons/deuterons/tritons. This reversal dramatically reduces the energy required for electron preparation
4Quantity of substance
If neutrons are produced outside the device, then neutron production is achieved, but significant neutron losses occur when used outside the device
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the neutron production site with the neutron utilization site by conducting the electron capture reaction directly within the target material. This eliminates the separation between production and use, preventing neutron losses during transport
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient and cost-effective neutron production with low energy expenditure, allowing for the generation of neutrons in situ within the target, reducing losses and enhancing yield, while also enabling the production of neutrons across a range of energies from thermal to fast neutrons.
Implementation Method 1
Subjecting nuclei chosen from among protons (hydrogen nuclei), deuterons (deuterium nuclei) and/or tritons (tritium nuclei) to an electric field in order to extract said nuclei and direct the nuclei thus extracted towards a target containing free electrons
Implementation Method 2
Subjecting said nuclei to a spatial and/or temporal gradient of a first magnetic field so as to give a predefined orientation to the magnetic moments of the nuclei
Implementation Method 3
Subjecting the target to a second magnetic field so as to give a predefined orientation to the magnetic moments of the free electrons of the target
Implementation Method 4
Electron capture by incident nuclei is induced by the orientation of the magnetic moments of the interacting particles. This then allows the generation of cold, thermal, slow, or fast neutrons, depending on the intensity of the potential applied to extract and accelerate the incident nuclei
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing and/or capturing neutrons, including the following steps: a) exposing nuclei selected among protons, deuterons and/or tritons to an electric field in order to extract said nuclei and to direct said nuclei thus extracted towards a target (20) containing free electrons; b) for example, exposing said nuclei to a spatial and/or temporal gradient of a first magnetic field so as to give a predefined orientation to the magnetic moments of the nuclei; c) either exposing the target to a second magnetic field so as to give a predefined orientation to the magnetic moments of the free electrons of the target; d) or using an electron-donor superparamagnetic material so that the electrons of the free layers of these materials are oriented in preferred directions generated by the orientation of the resulting magnetic moment of the superparamagnetic material; e) for example, in the case of using a superparamagnetic material, not exposing the proton beam and/or the target to the external magnetic fields. A heating device and/or a device for generating magnetic fields may be required in order to activate the superparamagnetic properties of the material.