Brief Overview of Program Goals
The Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) lab at the University of Wisconsin (UW) is approaching the fusion energy problem from a unique angle. This approach is to develop short-term non-electric applications of nuclear fusion by leveraging the extensive scientific knowledge already available. Depending on the fuel, fusion produces several unique and potentially useful products; high energy neutrons (2-14 MeV), thermal neutrons, high energy protons (3-15 MeV), and electromagnetic radiation (microwave to x-ray to gamma- rays). These fusion products have many potential commercial applications, including but not limited to:
- production of radioisotopes for medical applications and research, including isotopes for positron emission tomography (PET)
- detection of specific elements or isotopes in complex environments, including explosives in the form of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), landmines, fissile material, and concealed nuclear weapons
- radiotherapy
- alteration of the electrical, optical, or mechanical properties of solids
- destruction of long-lived radioactive waste
- destruction of fissile material from nuclear warheads
- production of tritium for military and civilian applications
- food and equipment sterilization
- pulsed x-ray sources
