Absolute Neutron Rate Measurement and Non-thermal/Thermonuclear Fusion Differentiation

Default ARPA-E Project Image


Program:
Exploratory Topics
Award:
$1,326,530
Location:
Livermore, California
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
11/01/2019 - 08/30/2022
Website:

Critical Need:

This topic would enable state-of-the-art diagnostic measurements to be made on potentially transformative, ARPA-E-supported fusion-energy concepts in order to validate their performance, uncover problems, and guide research priorities. The selections seek to develop plasma diagnostic systems that can be transported to and shared among different fusion experiments, leveraging the diagnostic expertise of the entire fusion R&D community, and to develop the teams and experience necessary to support an expanding role for public/private partnerships in fusion. Fusion technology has been pursued for decades as an ideal power source with abundant fuel, effectively zero emissions, no long-lived radioactive waste, and minimal proliferation risk. Early-stage fusion experiments like those supported by ARPA-E can broadly benefit from state-of-the-art diagnostic systems and measurements, which often cost as much as or more than the experiment itself, and thus typically such experiments and projects teams do not have access to the types of measurements this program will enable.

Project Innovation + Advantages:

Design, build and operate a robust, portable neutron detection system that will serve as a powerful diagnostic tool in support of efforts to transform fusion energy. The tool’s design will allow for flexible, portable experimental setup, enabling it to provide effective diagnostic measurements at multiple fusion facilities.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Ahmed Diallo
Project Contact:
Dr. Drew Higginson
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
higginson2@llnl.gov

Partners

University of California, Berkeley

Related Projects


Release Date:
07/03/2019