Signal and power transfer from remote

• Main Authors: Vesely, S. L., Dolci, S. R., Vesely, A. A., Vesely, M. E., Dolci, C. A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chain reactions (nuclear physics); Cyclotrons; Depletion; Design modifications; Energy conversion; Energy sources; Materials science; Miniaturization; Moderators; Nuclear energy; Nuclear engineering; Nuclear fission; Nuclear fuel elements; Nuclear fuels; Nuclear reactors; Periodic table; Power transfer; Radioactive decay; Radioactive wastes; Radioactivity; Signal processing; Taxonomy; Waste management
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0023669

The expectation that the materials science-based nanotechnologies can enable breakthroughs in the area of civil nuclear energy is spurred jointly by environmental degradation and potential depletion of traditional energy resources. Besides nuclear waste management, design of better moderators and of modified materials from which to build less damageable fuel-element casings, there is the prospect of miniaturizing the nuclear energy sources, whatever that is supposed to mean. In fact, as long as power is defined as the time rate of energy, the power yield is deduced from thermodynamics regardless of size. In the nuclear domain, though, downscaling often requires to extract power from the radioactive decay rather than from nuclear fission, and poses anew the question of nuclear energy conversion. If it is wished to enhance a power process, control must possibly be exploited at the nanoscale level. Rather than addressing nuclear power issues, Bohr's model of the atom acknowledges the taxonomy of the elements complying with Mendeleev's periodic table. In it the transmutations experienced by naturally radioactive elements are ascribed to an unalterable radioactive decay, and Pauli goes so far as to identify the radioactive clock with the archetype of time. With the advent of nuclear reactors and cyclotrons some control of the intermediate chain reactions was proven feasible. In order to control power, it is more useful to link the power process under test to a signal, and to try to model/interpret it starting from the signal only after the step by step control of power production has been achieved. It is also important to differentiate between signal and power in the pursuit of less impressive phenomena than radioactivity to supply utilizable power.