![]() Results show that whereas nanometer-scale tendrils (fuzz) would grow on planar tungsten surfaces, the fuzz formation on micro-engineered surfaces was greatly reduced due to backscattering of ions and the increased surface area. The samples were exposed to helium plasma at 30 - 100 eV ion energy, 823 - 1123 K temperature, and 5 x 10^25 - 2 x 10^26 m^-2 ion fluence. Additionally, two samples with reticulated open-cell foam geometry, one at 45 pores per inch (PPI), and the other at 80 PPI were fabricated with Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). These samples included two surfaces covered with uniform micro-pillars one with cylindrical pillars 1 micron in diameter and 25 micron in height, and one with dendritic conical pillars 4 - 10 micron in diameter and 20 micron in height. We investigate here the formation mechanisms of helium bubbles in tungsten that has been micro-engineered utilizing both theory and experiments.Įxperiments on four different micro-engineered surfaces were conducted at the PISCES facility at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), where they were exposed to various fluences of low-energy helium plasma, with planar surface as control. Helium plasma exposure of tungsten in fusion devices causes extensive damage due to the creation of nanometer-scale subsurface bubbles. Since the penetration of low-energy helium is very shallow, it may be advantageous to manipulate the surface of the solid by micro-engineering techniques so as to provide a degree of control over the resulting plasma-induced damage. Our propulsion system is going to make this future possible and it comes with the complicated name of – 4He Based Closed Cycle Non-combustion Electrical Powered Space Propulsion, let’s break it down:Understanding the interaction mechanisms between low-energy helium plasma and solid materials has significant implications in several advanced technologies primary amongst them are fusion energy and space electric propulsion. It is significantly lighter which allows several times more useful cargo as we don’t burn fuel which is ~85% of the rocket mass.It is safer as doesn’t involve controlled micro explosions and mixing super-hot chemicals.The rockets can run just for a few minutes, our propulsion can run for longer, years longer in-fact.Let’s see why this propulsion will be such a game changer and how it compares with the existing rocket propulsion systems: Propellant-less means that it doesn’t use propellant.Space propulsion means that it is specifically designed for space traveling.4He based means that we are utilizing the super-fluidity phase transition of Helium to release the excessive momentum into space as heat.Electrical powered means that this propulsion system runs purely on electricity and by using nuclear power source it can run for years with no need of refueling.Non-combustion means that we are not burning anything, so it is significantly safer to operate.It is closed cycle meaning that except heat we are not releasing anything into space, no burned fuel, no exhaust, nothing.Our propulsion system is going to make this future possible and it comes with the complicated name of – 4He Based Closed Cycle Non-combustion Electrical Powered Space Propellant-less Propulsion, let’s break it down: The normal rockets can run just for a few minutes, with our propulsion they can run for longer, years longer in-fact with no need of refueling.Ĭan you imagine a future in which the humanity is mining asteroids and you can visit Saturn in matter of weeks? Delivering this project on time is the main focus of the company.
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