Thorium reactor, and what nobody might tell you before.

Thorium (Th) is a good nuclear fuel. That weakly radioactive element is easier to handle than uranium (U). Its waste remains for a shorter time than U-235 waste. If we want to use Thorium as the fuel in conventional nuclear reactors, that is ok. Th.232 turns into U-233 when nuclear fission neutrons impact it. Thorium acts in the same way Uranium 238 turns into Plutonium, Pu-239 in neutron bombardment.

Th-232 catches free neutrons and turns into U-233. That chain is a little bit more complicated. But finally, the Th-232 turns into the Uranium 233. It's possible to make the Thorium-based fast breeder reactor. Normally fast breeder reactor turns U-238 into Pu-239. The fast breeder reactor should have the capacity to handle Th-232, as it handles U-238.

"Experimental Breeder Reactor II, which served as the prototype for the Integral Fast Reactor" (Wikipedia, Breeder reactor)

So Thorium can make it possible to create new types of nuclear weapons. The U-233 is suitable for nukes, as well as Plutonium. The small, subcritical fission weapon can send neutrons into the Thorium stage. That thing changes the Thorium into U-233 immediately, and it starts nuclear fission. In that model the natural Uranium shell. That used to boost fission bombs is replaced with Thorium. The reaction should be similar to when the fission booster sends fast neutrons into the U-238 shell.

Above: Liquid Metal cooled Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR) (Wikipedia, Breeder reactor)

Of course, it's possible to create Uranium 233 using nuclear reactors. This system requires a hard radiation shield. The reason is that the Uranium 232 is a very strong gamma source. The centrifugal systems can separate the U-232 from the U-233.

But it's possible that the Uranium 233 bites are far away from each other, and they are cut into smaller pieces. In those weapons, the system uses the shield that is used in plutonium bombs. U-233 sends more neutrons than U-235. And that makes it suitable to work as a neutron source. That means it can used as triggers. Thorium opens new and interesting paths to nuclear power. But it can also be a tool of destruction.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breeder_reactor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fissile_material

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_metal_cooled_reactor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutonium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorium

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium

Comments

The hydrogen-burning supernovas are interesting models.

"Researchers discovered a significant magnesium anomaly in a meteorite’s dust particle, challenging current astrophysical models and suggesting new insights into hydrogen-burning supernovas. (Artist’s concept.)Credit: SciTechDaily.com" (ScitechDaily, Rare Dust Particle From Ancient Extraterrestrial Meteorite Challenges Astrophysical Models) If the star is too heavy when its fusion reaction starts, it can detonate just at that moment, when its fusion starts. If the collapsing nebula is heavy enough, it can form a black hole straight from the nebula. But if the nebula's gravity is too heavy to form the blue giant or too small it can collapse straight into a black hole . If the forming star is a little bit larger than the blue supergiants. It can explode immediately when the fusion starts. The theory of hydrogen-burning supernovas consists model of the giant stars that explode immediately after their fusion starts. When the interstellar nebula falls it can form

Transcendence, or the ability to transcendent thinking may grow in teen's brains.

"New research has discovered that transcendent thinking, which involves analyzing the broader implications of situations, can foster brain growth in adolescents. This form of thinking enhances brain network coordination, impacting developmental milestones and future life satisfaction. The study emphasizes the need for education that encourages deep, reflective thought, underscoring the critical role of adolescents in their own brain development". (ScitechDaily, Scientists Discover That “Transcendent” Thinking May Grow Teens’ Brains) "Scientists at USC Rossier School of Education’s Center for Affective Neuroscience, Development, Learning and Education (CANDLE) have discovered that adolescents who grapple with the bigger meaning of social situations experience greater brain growth, which predicts stronger identity development and life satisfaction years later". (ScitechDaily, Scientists Discover That “Transcendent” Thinking May Grow Teens’ Brains) The transcendenc

The future of supercomputing can be molecular.

"Researchers have developed new molecular designs that mimic brain processes to boost computing power and efficiency. This novel approach supports robust AI applications and represents a significant advance in sustainable computing. Credit: SciTechDaily.com" (ScitechDaily, Unlocking AI’s Future With a New Molecular Computing Breakthrough) The future of computing can be molecular, says an article in ScitechDaily.com. The fact is that helix molecules like DNA can be key to room-temperature quantum computing. The idea is this. There are two DNA molecules side-by-side. Then, the system drives data into the first molecule. After that, the data packet jumps into another DNA. That means the DNA transforms the row-type data into linear data. In that case, the DNA pair acts as a qubit. The qubit is the tool that turns row-form data into linear data. And it's possible to use a quantum computer as multiple simultaneously operating binary computers. Or it can operate as the fastest

Mysteries of the world

Search This Blog