A nuclear fuel includes a net neutron-producing material, a neutron-consuming material, and a neutron-moderating material. Upon exposure of the net-producing material, the neutron-moderating material, and the neutron-consuming material to a neutron source, a ratio of the net neutron-producing material to the neutron-consuming material and a ratio of the net neutron-producing material to the neutron moderating material are operable to convert neutrons into charged particles without producing net neutrons.

A nuclear fuel includes a net neutron-producing material, a neutron-consuming material, and a neutron-moderating material. Upon exposure of the net-producing material, the neutron-moderating material, and the neutron-consuming material to a neutron source, a ratio of the net neutron-producing material to the neutron-consuming material and a ratio of the net neutron-producing material to the neutron moderating material are operable to convert neutrons into charged particles without producing net neutrons.

The reactor core includes at least one module, a solid neutron moderator, and a liquid neutron moderators. Each module contains a casing, at least one heat pipe, one fuel element and thermal insulation. The heat pipe comprises a casing, a wick, and a coolant. The fuel element is made of nuclear fuel, arranged along an evaporation area of the heat pipe, around the heat pipe casing, in thermal contact with the heat pipe casing, and enclosed in a can. Liquid metals are used as the coolant of the heat pipe. Thermal insulation is arranged between the can and the module casing. At least one hole is made in the solid neutron moderator. Each module is arranged within a respective hole of the solid neutron moderator. The space between the module casing and the solid neutron moderator is filled with a liquid neutron moderator.

A nuclear reactor core includes at least one module, a solid neutron moderator, and liquid neutron moderator. Each module comprises a housing, at least one heat pipe, at least one fuel element, casing, and thermal insulation. The heat pipe comprises a housing, wick, and evaporating coolant. The fuel element includes a shell and nuclear fuel. An evaporation zone of the heat pipe and the fuel elements are enclosed by the casing. The casing is filled with a liquid coolant. Liquid metal, for example, lithium, calcium, lead, and/or silver, is used as the heat pipe coolant and the liquid coolant. The thermal insulation is arranged in a space between the casing and module housing. The solid neutron moderator has at least one hole, wherein at least one module is located. A space between the solid neutron moderator and module is filled with the liquid neutron moderator.

A nuclear fuel cell includes a net neutron-producing material, a neutron-consuming material, and a neutron-moderating material. Upon exposure of the net-producing material, the neutron-moderating material, and the neutron-consuming material to a neutron source, a ratio of the net neutron-producing material to (i) the neutron-consuming material and (ii) the neutron-moderating material is operable to convert neutrons into charged particles without producing net neutrons.

A nuclear fuel cell includes a net neutron-producing material, a neutron-consuming material, and a neutron-moderating material. Upon exposure of the net-producing material, the neutron-moderating material, and the neutron-consuming material to a neutron source, a ratio of the net neutron-producing material to (i) the neutron-consuming material and (ii) the neutron-moderating material is operable to convert neutrons into charged particles without producing net neutrons.

A structured plasma cell includes a first electrode including a first plurality of micro-cavities and a first plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the first plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes a second electrode including a second plurality of micro-cavities and a second plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the second plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes an inter-electrode gap disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

A structured plasma cell includes a first electrode including a first plurality of micro-cavities and a first plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the first plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes a second electrode including a second plurality of micro-cavities and a second plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the second plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes an inter-electrode gap disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

A panel that uses the gamma radiation emitted by fission to produce electrical power. The panel includes layers of a metal with a relatively high atomic number (Z), that form an emitter, a high temperature electrical resistor, and an electrical conductor with a relatively low Z value, that forms a collector. The gamma radiation emitted during the fission process produces Compton and photoelectrical electrons in the layer of the Emitter located between the reactor Baffle and the fuel assemblies. The electrons that have sufficient energy to penetrate the resistor layer between the emitter layer and the collector layer will be stopped in the collector. This creates a substantial voltage difference between the emitter and the collector. This voltage difference may be used to produce significant electric power both during reactor operations and with the reactor shutdown to meaningfully augment the electricity produced by the turbine generators.

A panel that uses the gamma radiation emitted by fission to produce electrical power. The panel includes layers of a metal with a relatively high atomic number (Z), that form an emitter, a high temperature electrical resistor, and an electrical conductor with a relatively low Z value, that forms a collector. The gamma radiation emitted during the fission process produces Compton and photoelectrical electrons in the layer of the Emitter located between the reactor Baffle and the fuel assemblies. The electrons that have sufficient energy to penetrate the resistor layer between the emitter layer and the collector layer will be stopped in the collector. This creates a substantial voltage difference between the emitter and the collector. This voltage difference may be used to produce significant electric power both during reactor operations and with the reactor shutdown to meaningfully augment the electricity produced by the turbine generators.