NETS-2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space - Sponsored by ANS Aerospace Nuclear Science and Technology Division, Universities Space Research Association, NASA
Progress in Development of an LENR Power Cell for Space
George H Miley, Kyu-Jung Kim, Erik Ziehm, Tapan Patel and Bert Stunkard, Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, U of Illinois
Abstract. Since originally reported at NETS 2013, considerable progress has been achieved in development of a revolutionary new nuclear power unit using [lexicon]Low Energy Nuclear Reactions[/lexicon] (LENRs). Test units now produce power densities equivalent to fission power plants, but work still needs to be done to insure the long lifetimes required for space applications. If successful, LENR reactors will allow small power units that could provide a vital new power supply for both space station power and propulsion. Due to the low energy of reactants, the compound nucleus formed in LENRs has little excess energy, thus the resulting breakout products are mainly channeled into stable or near-stable products, avoiding significant radioactivity or nuclear waste problems. Such a power source enables a tremendous advantage in energy density, lifetime, and tolerance to wide differences in environmental conditions (temperature, pressure).
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