A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.

A system and method for containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology are described in which plasma ions are contained magnetically in stable, non-adiabatic orbits in the FRC. Further, the electrons are contained electrostatically in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. The simultaneous electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions avoids anomalous transport and facilitates classical containment of both electrons and ions. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions ions are fused together by nuclear force, thus releasing fusion energy. Moreover, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement system and method are not limited to neutronic fuels only, but also advantageously include advanced fuels.

Cosmic ray and muon-catalyzed micro-fusion electrical generation provides electrical power for mining operations, including any asteroid habitats and mining equipment. The micro-fusion generator systems deploy deuterium-containing fuel material as a localized cloud interacting with incoming ambient cosmic rays to generate energetic fusion products. Dust or other particulate matter in the fuel material, in the localized cloud, and in the space surrounding the asteroid being mined converts some cosmic rays into muons that also catalyze fusion. The fusion products drive turbines to facilitate the electrical generation.

Cosmic ray and muon-catalyzed micro-fusion electrical generation provides electrical power for mining operations, including any asteroid habitats and mining equipment. The micro-fusion generator systems deploy deuterium-containing fuel material as a localized cloud interacting with incoming ambient cosmic rays to generate energetic fusion products. Dust or other particulate matter in the fuel material, in the localized cloud, and in the space surrounding the asteroid being mined converts some cosmic rays into muons that also catalyze fusion. The fusion products drive turbines to facilitate the electrical generation.

Systems and methods for providing and using molten salt reactors are described. While the systems can include any suitable component, in some cases, they include a graphite reactor core defining an internal space that houses one or more fuel wedges, where each wedge defines one or more fuel channels that extend from a first end to a second end of the wedge. In some cases, one or more of the fuel wedges comprise multiple wedge sections that are coupled together end to end and/or in any other suitable manner. In some cases, one or more alignment pins also extend between two sections of a fuel wedge to align the sections. In some cases, one or more seals are also disposed between two sections of a fuel wedge. Thus, in some cases, the reactor core can be relatively long (e.g., to be a pipeline reactor). Other implementations are also described.

A method of containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology. A magnetic guide field is created within a cylindrical chamber. The guide field has field lines axially extending within the chamber parallel to the longitudinal axis. A plasma of charged electron and ion particles is injected into the chamber. The plasma is caused to rotate, which forms a magnetic poloidal self-field surrounding the rotating plasma due to the current carried by the rotating plasma. The rotational energy of the plasma is increased to increase the magnitude of the self-field to a level that overcomes the magnetic guide field axially extending within the chamber, which causes the formation of a magnetic field within the chamber with FRC topology.

A method of containing plasma and forming a Field Reversed Configuration (FRC) magnetic topology. A magnetic guide field is created within a cylindrical chamber. The guide field has field lines axially extending within the chamber parallel to the longitudinal axis. A plasma of charged electron and ion particles is injected into the chamber. The plasma is caused to rotate, which forms a magnetic poloidal self-field surrounding the rotating plasma due to the current carried by the rotating plasma. The rotational energy of the plasma is increased to increase the magnitude of the self-field to a level that overcomes the magnetic guide field axially extending within the chamber, which causes the formation of a magnetic field within the chamber with FRC topology.

The present invention provides an apparatus for generating energy suitable for use in an electrical power station. The apparatus comprises a quench chamber, the chamber quench chamber containing a quench fluid, the quench chamber having a fuel inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with at least one turbine of the power station, a target located within the quench chamber, and a propulsion means operable to propel a projectile towards the target. The projectile comprises a shaped charge comprising a charge liner having a front portion and a rear portion, an explosive material located adjacent to at least the rear portion of the charge liner and a detonator operable to detonate the explosive material. In use, the propulsion means propels the projectile through the fuel inlet towards the target and, before the projectile reaches the target, the detonator detonates the explosive material generating a jet of particles which impacts the target, thereby releasing energy, which heats the quench fluid causing a gas to be released through the outlet, which gas then drives the at least one turbine.

The present invention provides an apparatus for generating energy suitable for use in an electrical power station. The apparatus comprises a quench chamber, the chamber quench chamber containing a quench fluid, the quench chamber having a fuel inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with at least one turbine of the power station, a target located within the quench chamber, and a propulsion means operable to propel a projectile towards the target. The projectile comprises a shaped charge comprising a charge liner having a front portion and a rear portion, an explosive material located adjacent to at least the rear portion of the charge liner and a detonator operable to detonate the explosive material. In use, the propulsion means propels the projectile through the fuel inlet towards the target and, before the projectile reaches the target, the detonator detonates the explosive material generating a jet of particles which impacts the target, thereby releasing energy, which heats the quench fluid causing a gas to be released through the outlet, which gas then drives the at least one turbine.

An Electron-coupled transformer for generating a high voltage output pulse as an amplified version of an input pulse includes a cylindrical triode electron tube with a central anode along main axis and a grid and cathode radially spaced from the anode. The anode has a first end directly grounded and a second end insulated from a direction connection to ground. The cathode and the grid form a traveling wave electron gun that produces, when the grid is grounded through a phase matching network, a radially symmetrical collapsing traveling wave of ground potential in the Transverse Electromagnetic mode. The foregoing wave of ground potential causes a beam of electrons to flow from the cathode to the anode and causes a voltage output pulse to be produced on the second end of the anode, whose magnitude is an amplified version of the input pulse that is injected into the cathode.