IP Library Granted Patent US 12,476,014
Granted Patent B1
US 12,476,014 · App. 18/792,371 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Reduced neutron emission target for fusion energy generation

Inventors: Atsushi Sunahara (Palo Alto, CA); Shuji Nakamura (Palo Alto, CA)
Assignee: Blue Laser Fusion, Inc.
G21B1/19G21B1/05
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,476,014
App. No.
18/792,371
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A fuel target device for an inertial confinement fusion process. The device comprises a center region is comprising a first fuel layer of deuterium-tritium-lithium ((DT) (1-x) Li x , 0<x<0.5) fuel characterized by a higher or equal ignition temperature in comparison with a lowest ignition temperature of deuterium-tritium (DT). The device comprises a second fuel layer of deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel characterized by the lowest ignition temperature is surrounding the center region, and a third fuel layer comprising an outer region of a pure hydrogen (H 2 ) or a proton rich boron (p y B (1-y) 11 , 1>y>0.5) material is surrounding the deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel such that the deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel is sandwiched between the deuterium-tritium-lithium ((DT) (1-x) Li x , 0<x<0.5) fuel and the pure hydrogen or proton rich boron (p y B (1-y) 11 , 1>y>0.5) material.

Claims (13)

1 . A fuel target device for an inertial confinement fusion process, the device comprising:

a center region is comprising a first fuel layer of deuterium-tritium-lithium ((DT) (1-x) Li x , 0≤x<0.5) fuel characterized by a higher or equal ignition temperature in comparison with a lowest ignition temperature of deuterium-tritium (DT);

a second fuel layer of deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel-characterized by the lowest ignition temperature is surrounding the center-region; and

a third fuel layer comprising an outer region of a pure hydrogen (H 2 ) or a proton rich boron (p y B (1-y) 11 , 1≥y>0.5) material is surrounding the deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel such that the deuterium-tritium (DT) fuel is sandwiched between the deuterium-tritium-lithium ((DT) (1-x) Li x , 0≤x<0.5) fuel and the pure hydrogen or proton rich boron (p y B (1-y) 11 , 1≥y>0.5) material.

2 . The device of claim 1 further comprising a void region configured within a center of the deuterium-tritium-lithium ((DT) (1-x) Li x , 0≤x<0.5) fuel.

3 . The device of claim 1 wherein the pure hydrogen (H 2 ) or proton rich boron (p y B (1-y) 11 , 1≥y>0.5) is surrounded by an ablation material.

4 . The device of claim 1 wherein the outer region comprises the pure hydrogen and wherein the pure hydrogen (H2) is a solid at room temperature.

5 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least some of the center region of DT fuel can be in a state of either a gas, a liquid, or a solid phase.

6 . The device of claim 1 wherein the deuterium-tritium-lithium ((DT) (1-x) Li x , 0≤x<0.5) fuel is in a solid state at a room temperature before increasing a temperature in a nuclear fusion reaction.

7 . The device of claim 1 wherein the pure hydrogen H 2 or the proton rich boron material can be a liquid or a solid phase at a cryogenic temperature of lower than 20K before increasing a temperature in a nuclear fusion reaction.

8 . The device of claim 1 wherein the outer region comprises the proton rich boron; and wherein the proton rich boron (p y B (1-y) 11 , 1≥y>0.5) material is a solid at room temperature.

9 . The device of claim 1 wherein the outer region comprises the proton boron; and wherein the proton boron (p y B (1-y) 11 , 1≥y>0.5) has a proton to boron mole ratio of more than 50% fabricated by an ion implantation or an ion diffusion of at least D or T under an applied pressure and a temperature.

10 . The device of claim 1 wherein at least some of the DT material is in a liquid phase or a solid phase before increasing a temperature in a nuclear fusion reaction.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 2, 2024
From: SUNAHARA, ATSUSHI; NAKAMURA, SHUJI
To: BLUE LASER FUSION, INC.
Reel/Frame 068165/0767 →
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