Silverside Detectors Inc.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC

Zachary S Hartwig

Andrew Inglis

Philip C Taber

Timothy Teal

Brandon N Sorbom

John D Wright

Philip Michael

Rui Vieira

William Beck

Martin Greenwald

Brian Labombard

Robert Mumgaard

Daniel Brunner

James Irby

Robert S Granetz

Lihua Zhou

Jeffrey Doody

Alison Forsyth

Alexey L Radovinsky

Hidefumi Tomita

Syun'ichi Shiraiwa

Shunichi Shiraiwa

Alexey Radovinsky

Dennis G Whyte

Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly—which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways—is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.

Grooved, stacked-plate superconducting magnets and electrically conductive terminal blocks and related construction techniques

A fissile neutron detection system includes an ionizing thermal neutron detector arrangement including an inner peripheral shape that at least substantially surrounds a moderator region for detecting thermal neutrons that exit the moderator region but is at least generally transparent to the incident fissile neutrons. A moderator is disposed within the moderator region having lateral extents such that any given dimension that bisects the lateral extents includes a length that is greater than any thickness of the moderator arrangement transverse to the lateral extents. The moderator can include major widthwise and major lengthwise lateral extents such that any given dimension across the lengthwise and widthwise lateral extents includes a length that is greater than any thickness of the moderator arrangement transverse to the lateral extents.

Advanced fissile neutron detection system and method

Described herein are concepts, system and techniques which provide a means to construct robust high-field superconducting magnets using simple fabrication techniques and modular components that scale well toward commercialization. The resulting magnet assembly&#x2014;which utilizes non-insulated, high temperature superconducting tapes (HTS) and provides for optimized coolant pathways&#x2014;is inherently strong structurally, which enables maximum utilization of the high magnetic fields available with HTS technology. In addition, the concepts described herein provide for control of quench-induced current distributions within the tape stack and surrounding superstructure to safely dissipate quench energy, while at the same time obtaining acceptable magnet charge time. The net result is a structurally and thermally robust, high-field magnet assembly that is passively protected against quench fault conditions.

Disclosed are a superconductor having improved critical current density when exposed to high-energy neutron radiation and high magnetic fields, such as found in a compact nuclear fusion reactor, and a method of making the same. The method includes, prior to deployment in the exposure environment, irradiating a polycrystalline (e.g. cuprate) superconductor with ionic matter or neutrons at a cryogenic temperature to create 'weak' magnetic flux pinning sites, such as point defects or small defect clusters. Irradiation temperature is chosen, for example as a function of the superconducting material, so that irradiation creates the beneficial flux pinning sites while avoiding detrimental widening of the boundaries of the crystalline grains caused by diffusion of the displaced atoms. Such a superconductor in a coated-conductor tape is expected to be beneficial when used, for example, as a toroidal field coil in a fusion reactor when cooled well below its critical temperature.

Cryogenic radiation enhancement of superconductors

A fissile neutron detection system includes a neutron moderator and a neutron detector disposed proximate such that a majority of the surface area of the neutron moderator is disposed proximate the neutron detector. Fissile neutrons impinge upon and enter the neutron moderator where the energy level of the fissile neutron is reduced to that of a thermal neutron. The thermal neutron may exit the moderator in any direction. Maximizing the surface area of the neutron moderator that is proximate the neutron detector beneficially improves the reliability and accuracy of the fissile neutron detection system by increasing the percentage of thermal neutrons that exit the neutron moderator and enter the neutron detector.

Fissile neutron detector

Grooved, stacked-plate superconducting magnets and electrically conductive terminal blocks

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Roslindale, MA, United States of America

Zachary S Hartwig