Submicron fusion devices, methods and systems

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, devices, and systems for creating, controlling, conducting, and optimizing fusion activities of nuclei. In particular, the present inventions relate to, 5 among other things, fusion activities that are conducted individually or collectively on a very small scale, preferably on the nano-scale or smaller such as pico to femto scales, for the utilization of energy produced from these activities in smaller devices and for aggregation into larger devices.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device configured to conduct controlled fusion reactions on a micron and submicron sized scale, comprising:
 a. a base structure, the base structure comprising a substructure, the substructure defining a lattice;   b. the substructure including a discontinuity, the discontinuity defining a discontinuity region in the substructure;   c. a fusion fuel material provided in the discontinuity region, the fusion fuel material having a particle density within a range of 10 12 /cm 3  to 10 23 /cm 3 ;   d. the discontinuity comprising a nanotip at an end of an electrode, the nanotip having a surface area of less than about 500 nm 2 ;   e. an oscillating dipole antenna, optionally coated with a getter material for hydrogen or low molecular weight gasses, comprising a lattice that absorbs and is imbedded with fusion fuel material; and   f. whereby upon excitation of the dipole antenna a fusion reaction is initiated in the discontinuity region of the base structure.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion fuel materials comprises nuclei, the nuclei selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to hydrogen-1, boron-11, lithium-6, lithium-7, deuterium, helium-3, nitrogen-15, carbon-12, and tritium. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the substructure comprises getter materials for hydrogen or low molecular weight gasses, and materials capable of supporting and carrying the fusion fuel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the getter material for hydrogen or low molecular weight gasses comprises palladium, copper, or gold. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion reaction produces products, comprising a fusion produced energy, a fusion produced substance, or both. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the device is configured to power a device selected from the group consisting of a computer, a circuit, a micro circuit, Google glasses, a smart phone, a cell phone, a tablet computer, a hearing aid, a pacemaker, a sensor, and a device that is in situ in a human being. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion produced substance is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, high energy neutrons, beta particles and alpha particles. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the dipole antenna is excited by an excitation source selected from the group consisting of a laser, a laser diode, an RF generator, and a microwave generator or cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fusion reaction is aneutronic. 
     
     
         10 . A device configured to conduct a controller fusion reaction, comprising
 a porous electrode having a tip with a discontinuity, the tip comprising a lattice structure optionally coated with a getter material for hydrogen or low molecular weight gasses, the lattice structure being embedded with fusion fuel material, the discontinuity defining the boundary of the lattice structure containing a source of fusion fuel material, wherein a flow of electrons is induced at said discontinuity with one of a RF generator device, a microwave generator device or a laser, whereby surface plasmons are excited;   wherein an oscillating flow of electrons primarily along a surface of the electrode is induced in a forward direction toward the tip and in a reverse direction away from the tip, the forward and reverse direction electron flows oscillating at a frequency of at least about 1 GHz; and   wherein, the oscillating flow of electrons creates an electric field greater than about 10 V/m at said tip, providing localized compression by ponderomotive forces, thereby lowering the Coulomb barrier between two fusing atoms thereby inducing a fusion reaction in said fusion fuel material in a region at or adjacent to the tip.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , the electrode comprising a discontinuity and a fusion fuel material, the fusion fuel material having a particle density within a range of 10 12 /cm 3  to 10 23 /cm 3 . 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the fusion fuel material comprises nuclei, the nuclei selected from the group consisting of hydrogen-1, boron-11, lithium-6, lithium-7, deuterium, helium-3, nitrogen-15, carbon-12, and tritium. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the base structure comprises getter materials for hydrogen or low molecular weight gasses, and other material I can support and carry the fusion fuel. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the getter material for hydrogen or low molecular weight gasses comprises palladium, copper, or gold. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the porous electrode contains an interstitial region to absorb fusion fuel material. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the discontinuity is a sharp tip or annular knife edge, for enhancing electric field. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the fusion reaction occurs in the presence of a magnetic field. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the fusion reaction is aneutronic.