The Trek BBS - View Single Post - Lockheed-Martin Skunkworks

Asbo Zaprudder · February 17 2013, 10:09 AM

So using a lithium blanket to absorb the fast neutrons, which as a byproduct would produce tritium to be used as fuel?

I assume that the Skunkworks reactor uses liquid nitrogen-cooled superconducting magnets or have they developed a high-temperature superconductor and not told anyone? I believe the highest known Tc is 138K for copper-oxide based superconductors -- 57K below the sublimation point of dry ice.

ETA: For direct energy conversion that removes the need for a conventional, rotating shaft heat engine, there are thermoelectric, thermionic, and thermophotovoltaic conversion methods, but none are applicable to fast neutrons AFAIK.

http://gcep.stanford.edu/pdfs/UVaodf...P-Workshop.pdf

February 17 2013, 10:09 AM	#15
Asbo Zaprudder Rear Admiral Location: Chairman of the bored	Re: Lockheed-Martin Skunkworks - game changing fusion project! So using a lithium blanket to absorb the fast neutrons, which as a byproduct would produce tritium to be used as fuel? I assume that the Skunkworks reactor uses liquid nitrogen-cooled superconducting magnets or have they developed a high-temperature superconductor and not told anyone? I believe the highest known Tc is 138K for copper-oxide based superconductors -- 57K below the sublimation point of dry ice. ETA: For direct energy conversion that removes the need for a conventional, rotating shaft heat engine, there are thermoelectric, thermionic, and thermophotovoltaic conversion methods, but none are applicable to fast neutrons AFAIK. http://gcep.stanford.edu/pdfs/UVaodf...P-Workshop.pdf __________________ "It is a lonely life, the way of the necromancer... oh, yes. Lacrimae Mundi - the tears of the world." Last edited by Asbo Zaprudder; February 17 2013 at 10:29 AM.