I propose an aneutronic fusion reaction (Q>1) that uses D-T fusion to generate neutrons for the irradiation of Th230 so that U232 is produced.
230Th(n,y) -> 231Th(-B) -> 231Pa(n,y) -> 232Pa(-B) -> 232U
U232 is the most radio productive among all the uranium isotopes. When a U232 alpha emission commences, it is followed in short order by 5 other alpha emissions from its daughter products. When coupled with “High-Powered Radiovoltaics” and “direct heat to electric conversion” a high powered nuclear power source is possible.
A fusion neutron source need not be highly available; U232 will save the power and dispense in uninterrupted fashion.
Such a power source would act like a battery and have a useful lifespan of over a hundred years, and when new such a battery would increase its power until 10.17 years of age and level out retaining power production for 100 or more years.
Since 80% of the energy in D-T fusion results in neutron production, U232 can be used as a converter to turn that neutron energy into alpha and gamma radiation.
This uranium isotope can then produce electric power directly using aneutronic nuclear reactions from its alpha and gamma radiation production at high efficiency without the need for turboelectric generators.
Large turbine and generator equipment is sufficiently expensive so that about 80% of the capital cost of a typical fossil-fuel or nuclear electric power generating station is in this thermal conversion equipment.
Using U232, a small fusion source of D-T neutrons can thus be transformed into a small, highly efficient, and compact generator of electric power with few if any moving parts.
Many proposed direct conversion techniques are based on mature technology derived from other fields, such as microwave technology, and some involve equipment that is more compact and potentially cheaper than that involved in conventional thermal production of electricity.
Direct conversion techniques can either be inductive, based on changes in magnetic fields, or electrostatic, based on making charged particles working against an electric field.
A sizable fraction of the energy released by U232 would not produce neutrons but would instead be radiated as alpha and as gamma (G-rays). This energy would be converted directly to electricity.
Because of the photoelectric effect, G-rays passing through an array of conducting foils would transfer some of their energy to electrons, which can then be captured electrostatically. Since G-rays can go through far greater thickness of material than electrons can, many hundreds or even thousands of layers would be needed to absorb most of the G-rays.
Alpha radiation can be directly converted to electric power by similar electrostatic and inductive techniques.
An efferent design would convert all the G-rays and alpha radiation to power and contain all the gamma radiation within the reactor itself.
Furthermore, such a design would be almost proliferation proof.
Lithium 6 would also be irradiated by neutrons to supply tritium for self sustaining D-T fusion reactor operation.
The heat output of the reactor would use direct heat to electric conversion.
