Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applications
Emerging studies are geared toward exploring new methods of nuclear rocket propulsion to provide more efficient space transit beyond Earth's orbit. One method is to employ a Fission Fragment Rocket Engine utilizing fissionable layers embedded in a low-density aerogel. A quantitative understandi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573324004054 |
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| author | Sandeep Puri Andrew K. Gillespie Ian Jones Cuikun Lin Ryan Weed Robert V. Duncan |
| author_facet | Sandeep Puri Andrew K. Gillespie Ian Jones Cuikun Lin Ryan Weed Robert V. Duncan |
| author_sort | Sandeep Puri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Emerging studies are geared toward exploring new methods of nuclear rocket propulsion to provide more efficient space transit beyond Earth's orbit. One method is to employ a Fission Fragment Rocket Engine utilizing fissionable layers embedded in a low-density aerogel. A quantitative understanding of particle attenuation is essential for developing a functional prototype that permits fission fragments to escape the layers and contribute to specific impulse rather than being attenuated and generating waste heat. In this investigation, the MCNP code was used to theoretically analyze the attenuation of alpha particles from 241Am sources within aerogel materials. Simulations were conducted on aerogels with various densities and compositions. These simulations aimed to predict the expected intensity of alpha particles reaching a detector. CR-39 was employed as a Plastic Nuclear Track Detector to assess particle attenuation by the aerogels. The experimental and simulation results show that the threshold areal density of atoms was found to be high 1020 atoms/cm2 for the three materials studied in this project. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54381e77ceaf48bab446cd8ab4c42d5f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1738-5733 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-54381e77ceaf48bab446cd8ab4c42d5f2025-01-12T05:24:39ZengElsevierNuclear Engineering and Technology1738-57332025-01-01571103157Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applicationsSandeep Puri0Andrew K. Gillespie1Ian Jones2Cuikun Lin3Ryan Weed4Robert V. Duncan5Center for Emerging Energy Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA; Corresponding author.Center for Emerging Energy Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USACenter for Emerging Energy Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USACenter for Emerging Energy Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USAPositron Dynamics, Livermore, CA, USACenter for Emerging Energy Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USAEmerging studies are geared toward exploring new methods of nuclear rocket propulsion to provide more efficient space transit beyond Earth's orbit. One method is to employ a Fission Fragment Rocket Engine utilizing fissionable layers embedded in a low-density aerogel. A quantitative understanding of particle attenuation is essential for developing a functional prototype that permits fission fragments to escape the layers and contribute to specific impulse rather than being attenuated and generating waste heat. In this investigation, the MCNP code was used to theoretically analyze the attenuation of alpha particles from 241Am sources within aerogel materials. Simulations were conducted on aerogels with various densities and compositions. These simulations aimed to predict the expected intensity of alpha particles reaching a detector. CR-39 was employed as a Plastic Nuclear Track Detector to assess particle attenuation by the aerogels. The experimental and simulation results show that the threshold areal density of atoms was found to be high 1020 atoms/cm2 for the three materials studied in this project.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573324004054AerogelHigh energy alpha particleNuclear rocketPropulsionPlastic nuclear track detector |
| spellingShingle | Sandeep Puri Andrew K. Gillespie Ian Jones Cuikun Lin Ryan Weed Robert V. Duncan Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applications Nuclear Engineering and Technology Aerogel High energy alpha particle Nuclear rocket Propulsion Plastic nuclear track detector |
| title | Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applications |
| title_full | Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applications |
| title_fullStr | Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applications |
| title_short | Simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel's attenuation for high-energy alpha particles in fission-fusion fragment rocket applications |
| title_sort | simulation and experimental analysis of aerogel s attenuation for high energy alpha particles in fission fusion fragment rocket applications |
| topic | Aerogel High energy alpha particle Nuclear rocket Propulsion Plastic nuclear track detector |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573324004054 |
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