Lattice Confinement Fusion & Fast Fission for Space

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This presentation details the development, reaction mechanisms, and space applications of Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF) and LCF Fast-Fission hybrid reactor technologies. It outlines how triggered fusion in electron-screened deuterated metal lattices eliminates the need for massive magnets or lasers, enabling compact, high-efficiency nuclear electric propulsion, deep space power, planetary surface power, and sub-surface exploration on icy moons like Enceladus.

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Lattice Confinement Fusion & Fast Fission for Space US Disruptive Deeptech, Energy and Space Virtual Conference Sponsored by the Small Business Administration Presented as a NASA Podcast | Ecosystemic Futures January 17, 2025 Washington, D.C. Lawrence P. Forsley¹ CTO, Global Energy Corporation, Annandale, VA; San Diego, CA PI, Lattice Confinement Fusion Fast-Fission Project, NASA GRC, Cleveland, OH Research Fellow, University of Texas, Austin, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory, Austin, TX Dr. Pam A. Mosier-Boss Chief Scientist, Global Energy Corporation, San Diego, CA Dr. Theresa L. Benyo PI, Lattice Confinement Fusion Project, NASA GRC Cleveland, OH Dr. Rodger W. Dyson Chief, Thermal Energy Conversion Branch Lattice Confinement Fusion Project, NASA GRC Cleveland, OH 1. [email protected] [email protected] Overview • Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF)¹ • Fusion of hydrogen isotopes into helium isotopes • No tokamak magnets or laser power supplies • Nuclear fuel is confined and triggered within lattice • Nuclear reactions enhanced by electron screening • Extended Electrodynamics (EED) role • NASA published results in Physical Review C ²,³ • Locally hot but globally cold • Commercialized in 2025 to produce medical radioisotopes⁴ • Lattice Confinement Fusion Fast-Fission Hybrid Reactor • Fusion neutrons fission uranium, spent fuel rods or thorium • No enriched uranium, cleaner fission! • Demonstrated with US Navy and GEC • Supported by NASA STMD (NIAC) and NSF • Application • LEO, Deep Space Power and High Isp Propulsion • (Terrestrial) Diagrams: - Lattice Confinement Fusion: Green: electron screened lattice, Red: deuterium nuclear fuel - Fast Fission: with 2.5 MeV neutrons, avg 6.4 MeV⁵; d + T -> α + 14.1 MeV neutron -> target nucleus -> fission products + neutrons Footnotes: 1. US Patent 8,419,919, “System and Method to Generate Particles” 2. V. Pines, et al, “Nuclear Fusion Reactions in Deuterated Metals”, Phys Rev C, 101, (20Apr2020) 044609. 3. B. M. Steinetz, et al, “Novel Nuclear Reactions Observed in Bremsstrahlung-Irradiated Deuterated Metals”, Phys Rev C, 101, (20Apr2020) 044610. 4. Astral Systems, Ltd. 5. P.A. Mosier-Boss, L.P.G. Forsley, P.K. McDaniel, 'Investigation of Nano-Nuclear Reactions in Condensed Matter: Final Report”, DTRA, (June 2016) p 44. Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF)¹ Products Measured Nuclear Reactions²,³: - D(d,n)³He fusion - D(d,p)T fusion - D(T,n)α secondary fusion - D(³He,p)α secondary fusion - ⁶Li(d,)2α 3-body nuclear reaction - Neutrons and neutron capture reactions Protons and Alpha Particles Spectrum / Reactions Identified: - d(d,p)t - ⁷Li(d,n)2α - d(³He,p)α - Pd(d,n)p - Pd(p,γ)Ag Replicated in two SRI experiments² Application: - Neutrons: medical radioisotopes⁴ - 6.4 MeV average neutron energy > fast fission⁵ - Charged Particles: high Isp propulsion: - D(³He,p)α > 14.8 MeV proton, 3.4 MeV α - ⁷Li(p,α)α > two >6 MeV α LCF: Triggered fusion in electron-screened, high-density deuterated metal lattices. Footnotes: 1. Baramsai, et. al., “NASA’s New Shortcut to Fusion Power: Lattice Confinement Fusion Eliminates Massive Magnets and Powerful Lasers”, IEEE Spectrum (March 2022). https://spectrum.ieee.org/lattice-confinement-fusion 2. P.A. Mosier-Boss, et al., ”Detection of high energy particles using CR-39 detectors part 1: Results of microscopic examination, scanning, and LET analysis”, Int. J. of Hydrogen Energy, 42, 1(2017) pp 416-428. 3. US Patent #8,419,919, “System and Method for Generating Particles”, (2013). 4. Astral Systems, Ltd. 5. P.A. Mosier-Boss, L.P.G.Forsley, P.K. McDaniel, 'Investigation of Nano-Nuclear Reactions in Condensed Matter: Final Report”, DTRA, (June 2016) p 44. Space Applications • LEO and beyond • Power • Untended operation 5+ years • Advanced Acoustic Stirling Power conversion • Nuclear Electric Propulsion • Save years crossing outer solar system • Fast transit to Mars • LCF propulsion (1,000 times NTP² efficiency) • LCF 6 MeV alphas >1.5 x 10⁴ km/s • Chemical Ve < 5km/s or Nuclear Ve < 10km/s ³ • Planetary Surface Power • 10 – 100 kWe Lunar and Martian Power • Living off the land: fabricate U or Th fuel rods in situ • Past and Present Partners and Programs • US Navy SPAWAR/NSWC, DTRA/DoE/LANL, DoE/NNSA • NASA SMD/RPS: Advanced Energy Conversion • NASA SMD/PSD/PESTO: Lattice Confinement Fusion • NASA STMD/NIAC: LANL MCNP Modeling for Icy Worlds LCF Fast Fission Power • NSF SBIR: Fusion-Fast-Fission Scaling Exploration Application: - Melt through 45 km of Icy shell on Enceladus seeking extraterrestrial life!¹ Size & Scale Comparison: - 300 kW NEP (33.7 m) vs 300 kW SEP (68.6 m) - Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) heat dissipation panels as compared to Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP)⁴ solar panels. - Mass, volume, lifetime matter! Tagline: If It's safe enough to launch from Florida, its safe enough to use in Florida! tm Footnotes: 1. T. L. Benyo, L P. Forsley, R. Dyson, M. Becks, “Accessing Icy Worlds using Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF) Fast Fission”, NIAC 2023 2. NTP: Nuclear Thermal Propulsion 3. Ve is the propellant escape velocity 4. L. Mason, “High Power NEP Power Concepts”, NASA GRC, (2017) where the 300 kW NEP was for JIMO/Project Prometheus.

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