Paul M. Brown: Resonant Nuclear Battery (Nucell) ~ Beta
Voltaic Effect ~ Collected papers & US Patent # 4,835,433


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**Paul BROWN**

**Resonant
Nuclear Battery**

**( The
Alpha-Beta Voltaic Effect NuCell )**

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**[Company
Literature (Peripheral Systems, 1980s)](#colit)**   
 **[Letter from Paul Brown (excerpt)](#letter)**
  
 **[Technical Explanation (excerpt)](#techexplan)**
  
 ***[International Product News](#ipnews)***
  
 ***[Raum & Zeit](#raum)***   
 **[Status Report (1991)](#status)**   
 **[Presentation Paper (American Nuclear
Society, 1991)](#greenh)**   
 **[US Patent # # 4,835,433](#usp)**   
 **[USP Application # 2002169351](#nukwast)**

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![](0pbrown.jpg)  
**Dr. Paul M. Brown**
  
(Died April 7, 2001) ~ **[Obituary](#obit)**

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**Company Literature: Peripheral Systems**
  
(1980s)

A radioisotope
electric power system developed by inventor Paul Brown is a
scientific breakthrough in nuclear power. The battery utilizes
the energy given off by decaying radioactive material,
converting it directly into a continuous AC electrical current.
Unlike conventional nuclear generating devices, the power cell
does not rely on a nuclear reaction or chemical process and does
not produce radioactive waste products.

Brown's first prototype
power cell produced 100,000 times as much energy per gram of
strontium-90 (the energy source) than the most powerful
thermal nuclear battery yet in existence. The Nucell battery
yielded 7500 watts per gram of strontium-90. Compare this to
an advanced device recently developed by the US Dept. of
Energy Byproducts Utilization Program. Their state-of-the-art
thermal nuclear battery produced 0.063 watts per gram of
strontium-90.

The key to the Nucell
battery is Brown's discovery of a method to harness the
magnetic energy given off by the alpha and beta particles
inherent in nuclear material. Alpha and beta particles are
produced by the radioactive decay of certain naturally
occurring and man-made nuclear material (radionuclides).

The electric charges of the
alpha and beta particles have been captured and converted to
electricity for existing nuclear batteries, but the amount of
power generated from such batteries has been very small. Alpha
and beta particles also possess kinetic energy by successive
collisions of the particles with air molecules or other
molecules. The bulk of the R&D of nuclear batteries in the
past has been concerned with this heat energy which is readily
observable and measurable.

The magnetic energy given
off by alpha and beta particles is several orders of magnitude
greater than either the kinetic energy or the direct electric
energy produced by these same particles. However, the myriads
of tiny magnetic fields existing at any tie cannot be
individually recognized or measured. This energy is not
captured locally in nature to produce heat or mechanical
effects, but instead the energy escapes undetected. Brown has
invented a way to "organize" these magnetic fields so the
great amounts of otherwise unobservable energy could be
harnessed.

The weight of the
strontium-90 used to generate 75 watts of power in the Nucell
prototype is approximately the same as the weight of 2
millimeters of wire cut off the end of a small paper clip.
Projected sizes of the Nucell battery will range from the size
of a soup can to the size of a small barrel or waste can for a
50 kilowatt model.

The alpha and beta particles
utilized in the Nucell battery have a limited ability to
penetrate matter; alpha particles can be contained by a piece
of paper; beta particles require 0.03" of aluminum. The Nucell
battery is housed in a stainless steel, high-vacuum container,
making it a safe, impermeable source of power.

---



**Letter from Paul Brown (March 5, 1987)**
  
(Excerpt)

In summary, alpha and beta
decay are electrically charged particles expelled from the
nucleus at near-light velocities. Any moving charged particle
yields a magnetic field, in which energy is stored, that is
carried along with it. The absorption of this charged particle
causes the magnetic field to collapse and this produces an
emf. The energy yielded from this field collapse is enormous
and is called the alpha or beta voltaic effect.

The resonant nuclear battery
is an LCR resonant tank circuit oscillating at its
self-resonant frequency with energy contributed by the beta
voltaic effect. The energy contributed to the tank, in excess
of the circuit losses, must be removed through a high Q
transformer impedance matched to the circuit. The result is a
means for converting alpha and/or beta decay energy directly
and efficiently into electricity, with a life expectancy
determined by the half-life of the radioactive fuel used.

---

**"Technical Explanation of the Power Cell
Invention"** (Excerpt)

**Useful Fuels**

Any radioisotope in the form
of a solid that gives off alpha or beta particles can be
utilized in the new power cell. The first cell constructed
(that melted the wire components) employed the most powerful
source known, radium-226, as the energy source. However,
radium 226 gives rise through decay to the daughter product
bismuth-214, which gives off strong gamma radiation that
requires shielding for safety. This adds a weight penalty in
mobile applications.

Radium-226 is a naturally
occurring isotope which is formed very slowly by the decay of
uranim-238. Radium-226 in equilibrium is present at about 1
gram per 3 million grams of uranium in the earth's crust.
Uranium mill wastes are a readily available source of
radium-226 in very abundant quantities.

Uranium mill wastes contain
far more energy in the radium-226 than is represented by the
fission energy derived from the produced uranium.

Strontium-90 gives off no
gamma radiation so it does not necessitate the use of thick
lead shielding for safety. Strontium-90 does not exist in
nature, but it is one of the several radioactive waste
products resulting from nuclear fission. The utilizable energy
from strontium-90 substantially exceeds the energy derived
from the nuclear fission which gave rise to this isotope.

Once the present stores of
nuclear wastes have been mined, the future supplies of
strontium-90 will depend on the amount of nuclear electricity
generated. Hence strontium-90 decay may ultimately become a
premium fuel for such special uses as for perpetually powered
wheel chairs and portable computers.

The most difficult problems
in managing nuclear wastes are handling the great amount of
heat generated by alpha and beta emitters and isolating the
alpha and beta emmitters' biosphere. Virtually all other alpha
and beta emitters in nuclear fission wastes can be employed in
the new power cells. Hence these no longer constitute wastes
but have become valuable energy assets.

---

*International Product
News* (May/June 1990)

**"Multiple Uses Seen for Improved Battery"**

Peripheral Systems Inc., a
diversified technology firm based in Portland OR, has begun
developing a production model of an extremely compact and
highly efficient nuclear "battery" --- actually a
radioisotopic generator --- that could help meet the
military's need for a long-lasting power source in remote
locations.

Unlike existing
radioactivity-powered generators, the patented Nucell resonant
nuclear battery (RNB) converts decaying radioactive material
directly into electricity without first converting it to heat.
A prototype about the size of a soup can generated up to 70
watts of power.

Production of Nucell
batteries, the size of a D-cell battery and producing one to
five watts with a 3 to 5 year lifespan. Could begin by year's
end, according to Paul Brown, vice president of R&D and
inventor of the device.

The small-scale dynamos
could be used for powering underwater listening devices used
in tracking submarine, and in generating electricity for
satellites dedicated to command, control, communications and
intelligence. They also would be ideal for other types of
space duty, such as remote-sensing satellites widely used by
NASA and various foreign governments.

For these and similar
applications, the Nucell battery will be capable of providing
continuous electric power for 5 to 10 years.

Chemical-type batteries,
with their relatively short lifespan, and the less efficient
radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG) are now used in
such applications. In these ordinary nuclear batteries, the
nuclei of the radioisotopes normally used (like plutonium)
emit their radiation in the form of alpha or beta particles.
As the particles fly from the nuclei, they crash into other
particles and nuclei, creating heat in the process.

Most nuclear batteries
exploit this heat by using materials  --- thermocouples
--- that generate electrical currents from differences in
temperature. Such "thermoelectric generators" are reliable,
but their efficiency leaves much to be desired.

The best RTGs in use manage
to turn only about 5% of the available heat into electricity.
Their output is usually less than 100 watts --- just enough to
energize a light bulb.

The Nucell RNB, on the other
hand, is much more efficient because it exploits the particles
themselves, not the heat they shed. "Independent and
peripheral-sponsored tests indicate we are getting more than
25% conversion efficiency", says Brown.

An earlier generation of
nuclear batteries much larger than the Nucell was used aboard
the Apollo spacecraft and produced 70 watts of power from the
heat given off by more than 8 pounds of plutonium. Brown says
the Nucell produces the same power using substantially less
radioactive material.

"As a potential fuel for the
Nucell battery, strontium-90, which is abundantly available,
would provide huge quantities of useful energy while decaying
into harmless, non-radioactive zirconium", says Brown.

---

*Raum & Zeit* 1(5):
56-57 (1989/90)

**"The Beta Voltaic Effect Energy Conversion
Mechanism"**

**by Paul M. Brown**
  
(Jan. 18, 1990)

The Beta Voltaic Effect may
simply be defined as the conversion of ionizing radiation to
electrical energy by a material or combination of materials.
Radiation that is absorbed in the vicinity of any potential
barrier, say a p-n junction, a metal-semiconductor contact or
an electric field will generate separate electron-hole pairs
which in turn flow in an electric circuit due to the voltaic
effect. Of course, this occurs to a varying degree in
different materials and geometries.

A cartoon representation of
a basic beta voltaic conversion is shown in Figure 1.
Electrode A has a positive potential while electrode B is
negative with the potential difference provided by any
conventional means. An electric field exists between the
electrodes, and we shall call this zone the junction.

**Figure 1**   
![](0raum1.jpg)

The junction between the two
electrodes is comprised of a suitably ionizable medium exposed
to decay particles emitted from a radioactive source.

To explain the energy
conversion mechanism for this arrangement, we will look at the
energy flow in stages:

**Figure 2**   
![](0raum2.jpg)

*Stage 1* ~ Before we
introduce the radioactive source, we have a difference in
potential between two electrodes provided by any means. An
electric load RL is connected across the electrodes
A and B. Although a potential difference exists, no current
flows through the load RL because the electrical
forces are in equilibrium and no energy comes out of the
system. We shall call this the ground state Eo.

*Stage 2* ~ Next, we
introduce the radioactive source, say a beta emitter, to the
system. Now, the energy of the beat particle EB
generates electron-hole pairs in the junction by imparting
kinetic energy to the generated ions through collisions.
Energy is required to strip an electron from a neutral atom.
We shall call this amount of energy the ionization potential
of the junction E1. So a small portion of the beta
particle's energy EB goes to generate ions firstly.

*Stage 3* ~ Secondly,
the beta particle imparts an amount of energy in excess of the
ionization potential. This additional energy raises the
electron energy to an elevated level E2. Of course
the beta particle does not impart its energy to a single ion
pair, but rather a single beta particle will generate many
thousands of electron-hole pairs. The total number of ions per
unit volume of the junction is dependent upon the junction
material.

*Stage 4* ~ Next, the
electric field present in the junction acts on the ions and
drives the electrons into electrode A. the electrodes
collected in electrode A together with the electron deficiency
of electrode B establishes a Fermi Voltage between the
electrodes. Naturally, the electrons in electrode A seek to
give up their energy and go back to their ground state (Law of
Entropy).

*Stage 5* ~ The Fermi
Voltage drives electrons from the electrode A through the load
where they give up their energy in accordance with
conventional electrical theory. A voltage drop occurs across
the load as the electrons give up an amount of energy E3.
Then the amount of energy available to be removed from the
system is:

E3 = EB
- E1 - L1 - L2

Where L1 is the
converter losses and L2 is the losses in the
electrical circuit.

*Stage 6* ~ The
electrons, after passing through the load have an amount of
energy E4. From the load, the electron is then
driven into the electrode B where it is allowed to recombine
with a junction ion, releasing the recombination energy E4
in the form of heat. This completes the circuit and the
electron has returned to its original ground state.

The end result is that the
potential difference provides no net input; it only provides a
constant voltage, while the radioactive source acts as a
constant current generator. The ground state E0 is
a constant and the energy out E3 is equal to the
energy in less the ionization energy E1 and the
losses, L1 and L2. Then the energy
balance is:

E0 = EB
- E1 - E3 - L1 -L2

This suggests that the
junction has as low an ionization potential as possible.

The end result is that the
potential difference provides no net input; it only provides a
constant voltage, while the radioactive source acts as a
constant current generator. The ground state E0 is
a constant and the energy out E3 is equal to the
energy in less the ionization energy E1 and the
losses, L1 and L2. Then the energy
balance is:

E0 = EB
- E1 - E3 - L1 -L2

This suggests that the
junction has as low an ionization potential as possible.

In conclusion, it can be
shown that the introduction of ions from any source into an
electric field will generate electricity in accordance with
well known physical and chemical principles and may be
satisfactorily explained in terms commonly used in describing
a Voltaic cell The energy does not come from the ions
themselves, but rather from the work done to generate ions.

Neither the electric field,
the electrode or the medium between the electrodes contribute
any energy in the Voltaic Effect. The energy is contributed by
the ion generator; whether this mechanism is chemical,
electromagnetic or nuclear is irrelevant.

**References ~**

(1) Brown, Paul: "Resonant
Nuclear Battery Supply", *Raum & Zeit*, 1(3)
(August-September, 1989).   
(2) American Nuclear Society
1989 Winter Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 26-20, 1989;
"Resonant Nuclear Battery"

---

**"Current Status & Future Research with
Resonant Nuclear Batteries"**

**by Paul M. Brown**

Paper presented at the 26th
International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
(Boston, MA, August 4-9, 1991) [Graphics not available]

**Abstract** ~

Nucell, Inc., a subsidiary
of Peripheral Systems, Inc., is developing alternative energy
technologies for generating electrical power by employing
radioisotopes as the prime power source. A phenomenon known as
the "Beta Voltaic Effect" is used to directly convert
radioactive decay energy into electricity without going
through a thermal cycle. The great attraction of isotopic
power supplies is that radioactive decay energy is several
orders of magnitude greater than chemical energy.

**Work Description ~**

Simply put, a resonant
nuclear generator is an AC beta voltaic isotope electric
generator. The energy conversion mechanism is the same as in
DC secondary emission isotope electric cells; namely, ions,
generated by the absorption of alpha or beta decay, in the
region of an electric field potential results in charge
separation with an accumulation of electrons at an elevated
Fermi potential and these electrons, in turn, give up their
energy through an external circuit and load in a conventional
manner (See Figure 1)

The efficiency limitations
of the DC secondary emission cell, such as polarization and
space charge effects, may be overcome by suitable application
of an alternating electric field. To limit the system losses
to only the ohmic heating inherent to the device is must be
tuned to resonance. That is to say, the capacitive resistance
must just counteract the inductive reactance bringing the
power factor to unity.

Many design variations
(Figure 2) are available while maintaining the general spirit
of resonant nuclear generators. An oscillation transformer is
necessary for the transfer of energy from the primary tank to
an output circuit and load. Also required are an inductance,
the tuning capacitor and a means for introducing the decay
energy into a region provided with an ionizable medium and a
potential gradient. Some form of regenerative or positive
feedback is usually required but not absolutely necessary.
Also, these components do not physically have to be separate.

I prefer to use an
open-ended flux-composite oscillation transformer (Figure 3)
due to its low damping characteristics, high quality factor,
and good transformer efficiency. This transformer actually
consists of a central powdered iron core wound with a primary
winding, encircled by 8 other powdered iron cores, each with a
primary and secondary winding. The primary of this transformer
is also the primary inductance for the tank circuit. Figure 4
shows the magnetic flux path of this composite transformer. In
one design, a custom capacitor is assembled utilizing an
isotope such as tritium, krypton-85 or strontium-90 deposited
in the dielectric or semiconductor material. Design parameters
for optimum performance are still being pursued.

Once assembled and properly
tuned, the device requires an electrical impulse to initiate
the oscillation in the tank circuit. We have utilized two
methods for this purpose (Figure 5): the first is simply a
capacitive discharge device where an external capacitor is
charged by an external source and discharged into the
secondary (the output circuit) while the second method (Figure
6) utilizes a Class C amplifier with a charging source
attached to the high side of the primary capacitor and the
Class C amp is used to discharge the primary capacitor to
ground at a rate equal to the fundamental frequency of the
device. Figure 7 is the actual schematic of one successful
design. Note the resemblance to a cold cathode oscillator, as
this device also operates in a vacuum. Figure 8 is the
component layout for the vacuum cell.

**Figure 5/6**   
![](0a23.jpg)

Figure 9 is another
promising design which utilizes the custom capacitor I
mentioned earlier, along with the composite transformer. The
feedback coil is actually wound directly on the composite
transformer exterior.

Experiments have shown that
conversion efficiencies on the order of 50% are achievable.
This technology promises low weight, long life, compact, solid
state isotopic power supplies. However, material degradation,
frequency stability and reliable performance remain as our
primary deficiencies.

Nucell has focused its
research since 1985 on the development of this resonant
nuclear technology. Although recently we have turned our
attention to product development of DC contact potential
isotope electric generators in the range of 10 to 5000
milliwatts with a working life of 10 years. Patents are
currently pending on this technology; consequently I am not
yet at liberty to disclose many details, but we expect to be
production-ready on these devices this year.

Once we have completed the
development phase for the contact potential cells, we shall
resume our nuclear resonant research program in an aggressive
manner utilizing new information gained from our current
efforts. Material preparation techniques, geometric
configuration and design alternatives will be our principal
interest.

---

**Resonant Nuclear Battery May Aid In Mitigating
The Greenhouse Effect**

**by Paul M. Brown**
  
(Presentation to the
American Nuclear Society, November 17, 1989)

A new process for the direct
conversion of radioactive decay energy directly into
electricity of usable form is currently being developed by
peripheral Systems, Inc. United States Patent # 4,835,433 was
issued May 30, 1989 to protect this Resonant Nuclear Power
Supply. When developed, this system promises cheap, reliable
power from a package small and light enough to be mobile with
an energy density great enough for use as a space-based power
supply. One of the potential domestic applications could be to
power electric automobiles. Such use in highly populated areas
would have a tremendous beneficial effect on the ecology.

We call the device a Nuclear
Powered Oscillator and several variations of the device have
been built and tested (Figure 1). Basically, the device is an
LCR tank circuit oscillating at its self-resonant frequency.
The oscillator is driven by radioisotope decay energy
utilizing a phenomenon known as the Beta Voltaic Effect.
Energy in excess of the oscillator's requirements is delivered
to a load through an impedance matched transformer.

**Figure 1**   
![](0a1.jpg)

Consider a charged particle
with a radius *a*, carrying a charge of electricity *e*,
first at rest and then moving with velocity *v*. The
stationary charged particle has an electrostatic field with
lines of force directed radially outwards (Figure 2A); in
consequence of its motion the moving charged particle has, in
addition, a magnetic field with circular lines of force around
the axis of motion, which is carried with it (Figure 2B), all
in accordance with the Laws of Maxwell.

**Figure 2A/2B**
  
![](0a2.jpg)

The presence of a magnetic
field around the moving body implies that magnetic energy is
stored up in the medium surrounding it. In a magnetic field of
strength H the magnetic energy stored up in a unit of volume
of the medium of unit permeability is given by H2/8pi.
Integrating the value of this expression over the region 
exterior to a sphere of radius a, the total magnetic energy
due to the motion of the charged body is given by:

E2v2/3a

**Figure 3**   
![](0a3.jpg)

This means that the moving
charged particle has an amount of energy equal to its kinetic
energy plus the energy of the magnetic field. The absorption
of the charged particle is such that the velocity goes to zero
causing the magnetic field to collapse. This in turn produces
an emf which may be utilized by means of induction. The entire
process is the reverse of a particle accelerator. In a
particle accelerator, a great deal of energy is pumped into a
slow moving charge to accelerate it to high velocities and a
portion of this energy goes to increase the magnetic field
strength. However, our device is a particle decelerator,
utilizing high speed particles emitted from natural
radioactive decay which we bring to a stop, releasing the
stored energy. With this in mind, the Nuclear Powered
Oscillator is more precisely an oscillating particle
decelerator.

Devices for converting
natural radioactive decay directly into electricity are
nothing new. The Beta Cell was first demonstrated by Mosely in
1913 (Ref. 1) and over the years many types and methods have
been developed (Ref. 2). This technology has been made
possible due to the electrical nature of alpha and beta
disintegrations.

**Figure 4**   
![](0a4.jpg)

**Figure 5**   
![](0a5.jpg)

The simplest form of nuclear
battery is the Burke Cell (US Patent # 3,939,366, Ref. 4).
This method consists of a conventional battery and a
conventional load connected by means of a radioactive
conductor. If we inspect this arrangement we find that all of
the power dissipated in the load is not drawn from the
battery. And upon closer examination we find that a current
amplification occurs within the radioactive conductor (Ref.
3).

**Figure 6**   
![](0a6.jpg)

This phenomenon is known as
the Beta Voltaic Effect, and it may be explained by referring
to Figure 6. For the simple case of this example, we will set
the radioactive source (any alpha or beta emitter) external
and separate from a silver wire. Now the battery from Figure 5
provides an electromotive force (emf) across the wire and
consequently, conduction electrons within the wire are set in
uniform motion. By definition, electricity is measured in
terms of the number of charged particles (electrons) moving
past a point in a unit of time and we call this amperes.

The process by which a beta
p[article is absorbed, is such that the beta particle collides
with the molecular structure of the copper, knocking electrons
free. This electron avalanche occurs until the beta particle
(electron) effectively comes to rest. A single beta particle
emitted from strontium-90 that is absorbed in copper will
generate 80,000 ions in a distance of 0.030 inches. Now, as
soon as these electrons are knocked loose, they effectively
become free electrons in the wire, and as such these
additional electrons are acted upon by the emf applied across
the wire to give the avalanche electrons a uniform direction
of flow, regardless of their incident angle. This increase in
the number of moving charged carriers is measured in the real
world as increased current. We also measure a reduction in the
resistance of the wire (Ref. 6), an increase in its
conductivity (Ref. 7), while the current is directly
proportional to the voltage (Ref. 8). In other words, the
current goes up with an increase in voltage (Ref. 5). This is
basically attributed to the increased emf acting on a greater
number of avalanche electrons.

Additionally, flux cutting
also occurs as the beta particle approaches the current
carrying wire which yields an emf to help drive electrons
(Ref. 9).

**Figure 7**   
![](0a7.jpg)

Now we will look at how we
apply this phenomenon to our device. Figure 7 depicts a basic
LC tank circuit comprised of an inductor and a capacitor.
Theoretically, if this LC circuit were superconductive, then
an externally applied electric impulse would yield an LC
oscillation that would continue to oscillate forever due to no
losses in the system.

However, our LC circuit is
not superconductive, and the oscillation damps out due to the
losses inherent to the LC tank. To minimize these inherent
losses, we tune the circuit into resonance at the
self-resonant frequency of the inductor. This causes the
inductive and capacitive reactances to cancel, leaving only
ohmic losses (resistance).

**Figure 8**   
![](0a8.jpg)

If we apply a radioactive
source as part of the LC tank, then through every cycle of the
oscillation of which current is flowing, that current gets
amplified by an amount proportional to the activity of the
source. All we need is an input of an amount of energy equal
to the system losses to achieve a sustained oscillation. At
this point, we have a self-driven oscillator that we call a
Nuclear Powered Oscillator.

**Figure 9**   
![](0a9.jpg)

Any energy contributed to
this oscillating LC tank must be removed and we accomplish
this by simply impedance-matching a transformer which yields
high-frequency AC current to drive a load. In a nutshell, that
is the principle of operation for the Resonant Nuclear Power
Supply: an LC tank circuit oscillating at its self-resonant
frequency, driven by natural radioactive decay energy. Energy
in excess of the operational requirements is removed through a
transformer to yield electrical energy in usable form to drive
a load.

**Figure 10**   
![](0a10.jpg)

Figure 10 depicts the
starting method which involves the use of a high voltage
source to charge the capacitor of the tank circuit, which is
then discharged to ground through a Class C amplifier at a
rate equal to the resonant frequency of the tank circuit. A
spectrum analyzer is used to monitor the activity within the
tank and once a clean oscillation is started, the high voltage
power supply and Class C amplifier are removed, a process that
takes a few seconds. Then the power removed from the tank
circuit is determined by measuring the voltage drop across a
resistor of known value and double-checked by directly
measuring the current delivered to the load.

In 1985, a feasibility study
was performed including a search of the published literature.
This revealed a significant amount of supportive data.
Experiments followed on the effects of alpha and beta
radiation absorbed in a current-carrying inductor. The results
demonstrated (1) a reduction in the resistance of the coil,
(2) an increase of the quality factor (Q) of the circuit, and
(3) an increased conductivity of the inductor.

A proof of feasibility
prototype was built in early 1987, which yielded 75 watts of
power. Although the device generated electricity, it also
demonstrated a frequency stability problem and showed signs of
material degradation.

In mid-1988 a co-development
venture was initiated with Atomic Energy of Canada's
Radiochemical Company for the purpose of exploring source
configuration possibilities in regard to performance and
safety parameters.

Our efforts in 1989
primarily centered around optimization of the oscillator,
which must be of a design with a high Q, tight coupling, and
low loss.

The next 12 slides depict
the assembly of the feasibility prototype. Here (Figure 11) we
see the strontium-90 foil in the form of an annular cylinder
on the right. In the center we see the drum which the foil is
to be mounted on, and the cups on the left fit over the ends
to hold the coil in place (Figure 12).

**Figure 11**   
![](0a11.jpg)

**Figure 12**   
![](0a12.jpg)

 Now, the foil is
placed on the drum (Figure 13) and the drum with foil is
placed in one of the cups (Figure 14) and then the second cup
is held in place by a screw (Figure 15).

**Figure 13**   
![](0a13.jpg)

**Figure 14**   
![](0a14.jpg)

**Figure 15**   
![](0a15.jpg)

Next, the source assembly is
mounted at the end of a kovar rod electrically insulated from
the end housing plate (Figure 16). Here we see the components
wired and ready for assembly (Figure 17).

**Figure 16**   
![](0a16.jpg)

**Figure 17**   
![](0a17.jpg)

A beryllium-copper foil is
mounted on a kovar rod electrically insulated from the other
end plate that on assembly is located about the source to slow
the primary beta particles and to emit secondary electrons
(Figure 18).

**Figure 18**   
![](0a18.jpg)

Next, the two-layer bare
silver ribbon inductor is places about the beryllium-copper to
collect the primary beat on the secondary electrons. This is
necessary to collect the charges in the high-voltage,
high-frequency skin-effect region of the conductor (Figure
19).

**Figure 19**   
![](0a19.jpg)

Now the composite
transformer is placed about the silver inductor which is wired
in series with the transformer primary. The transformer is an
open-ended flux design of low-damping, high-Q properties,
i.e., an oscillation transformer (Figure 20).

**Figure 20**   
![](0a20.jpg)

Then, with a bit of vacuum
grease and an O-ring, the central body is placed over the
assembly (Figure 21).

**Figure 21**   
![](0a21.jpg)

And again, with an O-ring,
the other end plate is slid into place (Figure 22). Nuts and
bolts keep the assembly together, which is then purged with an
inert gas and put on a vacuum pump. We then sweep the spectrum
to find the self-resonant frequency and choose an appropriate
capacitor to tune the circuit (Figure 23)

**Figure 22**   
![](0a22.jpg)

**Figure 23**   
![](0a23.jpg)

This is the actual wiring of
the feasibility prototype which operated for a period of time
up to 3 weeks.

Some technical problems
remain to be solved, like frequency stability and power
regulation, while the first commercial application is probably
3 to 5 years away. However, we are continuing the development
of the project with increasing support and assistance from
both the academic community and the professional commercial
community.

Clean air is now a national
priority mandating electric vehicle development for use in
highly populated areas. By employing suitable radioisotopes,
this technology potentially offers a safe, economical
alternative to fossil fuel and its related problems.

[References not available]

---

**US Patent # 4,835,433**   
**Apparatus
for Direct Conversion of Radioactive Decay Energy to
Electrical Energy**   
(May 30, 1989)

**Paul M. Brown**

**Abstract ~** A nuclear
battery in which the energy imparted to radioactive decay
products during the spontaneous disintegrations of radioactive
material is utilized to sustain and amplify the oscillations
in a high-Q LC tank circuit is provided. The circuit
inductance comprises a coil wound on a core composed of
radioactive nuclides connected in series with the primary
winding of a power transformer. The core is fabricated from a
mixture of three radioactive materials which decay primarily
by alpha emission and provides a greater flux of radioactive
decay products than the equivalent amount of a single
radioactive nuclide.

Inventors:  Brown; Paul
M. (Boise, ID)   
Assignee:  Nucell, Inc.
(Portland, OR)   
Appl. No.:  153070
  
Filed:  February 8, 1988
  
Current U.S. Class: 310/305;
136/202; 376/320; 976/DIG412   
Intern'l Class:  G21H
001/00   
Field of Search: 
376/320,321 310/301,304,305 136/202

**References Cited**

*U.S. Patent Documents:*

2,548,225, Apr., 1951,
Linder (310/304)   
2,712,097, Jun., 1955,
Auwarter (310/305)   
2,739,283, Mar., 1956,
Roehrig (310/301)   
3,290,522, Dec., 1966, Ginell
(310/305)   
3,409,820, Nov., 1968, Burke
(310/305)   
3,530,316, Sep., 1970, Burke
(310/301)   
3,562,613, Feb., 1971, Adler
(310/304)   
3,939,366, Feb., 1976, Ato,
et al. (310/301)   
3,944,438, Mar., 1976,
Hursen, et al. (136/202)   
4,489,269, Dec., 1984,
Edling, et al. (376/320)

Primary Examiner: Kyle;
Deborah L.; Assistant Examiner: Wasil; Daniel   
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Murray; Leslie G.

This is a continuation of
application Ser. No. 06/855,607, filed Apr. 23, 1986, now
abandoned.

**Description**

**Background of the
Invention**

The present invention
relates generally to apparatus for the direct conversion of
the energy of radioactive decay products to electrical energy
and, more particularly, to the utilization of an alpha source
to sustain and amplify oscillations in an LC oscillator
circuit.

A growing need exists today
for small, compact, reliable, lightweight and self-contained
rugged power supplies to provide electrical power in such
applications as electric automobiles, homes, industrial,
agricultural, recreational, remote monitoring systems and
satellites. The majority of today's satellites are powered by
solar cells and conventional chemical batteries and require
only a small amount of power to operate. Radar, advanced
communications satellites and, especially, high-technology
weapons platforms will require much larger power sources than
today's space power systems can deliver. For the very high
power applications, nuclear reactors appear to be the answer.
However, for the intermediate power range, 10 to 100 kilowatts
(kw), the nuclear reactor presents formidable technical
problems. Given today's efficiencies, it would require many
acres of solar panels to provide 100 kw. Similarly, enough
chemical fuel to provide 100 kw for any significant period of
time would be too heavy and bulky for practical use.

Heretofore, there have been
known several methods for conversion of radioactive energy
released during the decay of natural radioactive elements into
electrical energy. A grapefruit-sized radioisotope
thermo-electric generator that utilized the heat produced from
alpha particles emitted as plutonium-238 decays was developed
during the early 1950's. However, the power output was limited
to a few hundred watts. Other methods converting the energy of
radioactive decay directly into electrical energy are
disclosed in US Patent # 3,290,522, # 3,409,820, and #
3,939,366.

US Patent # 3,290,522
entitled "Nuclear Emission Electrical Generator" issued to
Robert Ginell on Dec. 6, 1966, discloses apparatus which
provides electrical power by modulating the density of a cloud
of charged particles confined within an enclosed space by a
magnetic field. A radioactive material is positioned at the
center of an enclosing hollow sphere having its inner surface
coated with silver. The sphere is centrally positioned between
the poles of a permanent magnet. The variation in the density
of the cloud of charged particles causes a variation in the
magnetic field created by the cloud. This variation in the
magnetic field cuts an electrically conductive means to create
an electrical potential and current therein. The density of
the cloud of charged particles may be varied by applying a
periodically varying electrostatic or electromagnetic field to
the confined cloud of charged particles. The electrical energy
is derived from the kinetic energy imparted to the charged
particles (decay products) on the occurrence of a spontaneous
disintegration event during the decay of the radioactive
material. However, with this system, the conversion efficiency
is very low and the amount of electrical power provided too
small for most applications.

US Patent # 3,409,820
entitled "Electric Power Apparatus" issued to James O. Burke
on Nov. 5, 1968, discloses an amplification of an electric
current by the conduction of electric current through a
radioactive material. While providing some current
amplification, the system requires an external power source,
such as a conventional battery, and thus, cannot provide
sufficient power for most applications.

US Patent # 3,939,366
entitled "Method of Converting Radioactive Energy to Electric
Energy and Device for Performing the Same" issued to Yasuro
Ato, et al., on Feb. 17, 1976, discloses an apparatus in which
radioactive energy is converted to electric energy by
irradiating a semiconductor material with radioactive decay
products to produce a number of electron-hole pairs in the
material. A magnetic field is applied across the semiconductor
material in a direction perpendicular to the direction of
diffusion of the electron-hole pairs and to the direction of
the applied magnetic field thus collecting the electrons and
the holes at electrodes provided on the respective end faces
of the semiconductor material to produce an electric potential
across the semiconductor material. While the conversion
efficiency of the system disclosed by Ato, et al., is
considerably higher than that disclosed by either Burke or
Ginell, the power output of the system is not great enough for
applications such as electric automobiles or satellites.

**Summary of the Invention**

The primary object of the
present invention is to provide an apparatus for the direct
conversion of the energy of radioactive decay to electric
energy.

Another object is to provide
an electric power source which is small, compact, reliable,
lightweight, self-contained and rugged and therefore adaptable
for use in automobiles, homes, industrial, agricultural and
recreational applications and satellites.   
Still another object is to
provide an electric power source capable of providing large
amounts of power for long periods of time with little or no
maintenance or refueling required.

In accordance with the
principles of the present invention, a nuclear battery in
which the energy imparted to radioactive decay products during
the spontaneous disintegrations of radioactive material is
utilized to sustain and amplify the oscillations in a high-Q
LC tank circuit is provided. The inductance in the tank
circuit comprises the primary of a power transformer and is
wound about a core composed of a mixture of radioactive
materials. A mixture of radioactive materials produces a
greater flux of radioactive decay products than the use of a
single radioactive material by itself produces thereby
providing the necessary flux for large power output from a
small core volume. Use of long-lived isotopes, such as radium,
ensures that the nuclear battery will have a constant output
for at least ten years.

**Brief Description of the
Drawings**

Other and further objects
and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from
the following detailed description with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 is a schematic
diagram of an LC equivalent resonant circuit according to the
principles of the present invention;

![](00usp1.jpg)

Figure 2 is a wiring diagram
of a nuclear battery constructed according to the principles
of the present invention;

![](00usp2.jpg)

Figure 3 is a plan view of
the top of the radioactive core of the nuclear battery shown
in Figure 2.

![](00usp3.jpg)

Figure 4 is a plan view of
the top of the nuclear battery shown in Figure 2; and

![](00usp4.jpg)

Figure 5 is a side view
taken along the line A--A of the nuclear battery shown in
Figure 3.

![](00usp5.jpg)

**Detailed Description of
the Preferred Embodiment**

Referring now to Figure 1,
an equivalent electrical circuit of a nuclear battery
constructed according to the principles of the present
invention is shown. An LCR circuit 1 is comprised of a
capacitor 3, inductor 5, transformer T primary winding 9 and
resistance 11 connected in series. It is assumed that the
electrical conductors connecting the various circuit elements
and forming the inductor 5 and primary winding 9 are perfect
conductors; i.e., no DC resistance. Resistor 11 is a lump
resistance equivalent to the total DC resistance of the actual
circuit components and conductors. The inductor 5 is wound on
a core 7 which is composed of a mixture of radioactive
elements decaying primarily by alpha particle emission.

When current flows in an
electrical circuit energy is dissipated or lost in the form of
heat. Thus, when oscillations are induced in an LCR circuit,
the oscillations will gradually damp out due to the loss of
energy in the circuit unless energy is continuously added to
the circuit to sustain the oscillations. In the LCR circuit
shown in Figure 1, a portion of the energy imparted to the
decay products, such as alpha particles, during the
radioactive decay of the materials making up inductor core 7
is introduced into the circuit 1 when the decay products are
absorbed by the conductor which forms inductor 5. Once
oscillations have been induced in the LCR circuit 1, the
energy absorbed by inductor 5 from the radioactive decay of
the core 7 materials will sustain the oscillations as long as
the amount of energy absorbed is equal to the amount of energy
dissipated in the ohmic resistance of the circuit 1. If the
absorbed is greater than the amount of energy lost through
ohmic heating, the oscillations will be amplified. This excess
energy can be delivered to a load 17 connected across the
transformer T secondary winding 13.

The processes involved in
the conversion of the energy released by the spontaneous
disintegration of a radioactive material into electrical
energy are numerous and complex. Materials that are naturally
radioactive decay by the emission of either an alpha particle
or a beta particle, and gamma rays may accompany either
process. Radioactive materials that decay primarily by alpha
particle emission are preferred as the inductor core 7
material. Alpha particles are emitted with very high speeds,
on the order of 1.6.times.10.sup.7 meters per second (m/s),
and, consequently, have very high kinetic energy. Alpha
particles emitted when radium, for example, decays are found
to consist of two groups, those with a kinetic energy of
48.79.times.10.sup.5 electron volts (ev) and those having an
energy of 46.95.times.10.sup.5 ev. This kinetic energy must be
dissipated when the alpha particles are absorbed by the
conductor forming inductor 5. During the absorption process,
each alpha particle will collide with one or more atoms in the
conductor knocking electrons from their orbits and imparting
some kinetic energy to the electrons. This results in
increased numbers of conduction electrons in the conductor
thereby increasing its conductivity.

Since the alpha particle is
a positively charged ion, while the alpha particle is moving
it will have an associated magnetic field. When the alpha
particle is stopped by the conductor, the magnetic field will
collapse thereby inducing a pulse of current in the conductor
producing a net increase in the current flowing in the circuit
1. Also, there will be additional electrons stripped from
orbit due to ionization produced by the positively charged
alpha particles.

Referring now to Figure 2,
the nuclear battery 20 is constructed in a cylindrical
configuration. Inductor 5 is constructed of copper wire wound
in a single layer around the radioactive core 7. Decay
products, such as alpha particles, are emitted radially
outward from the core 7 as indicated by arrows 2 to be
absorbed by the copper conductor forming inductor 5. Eight
transformers 15 are arranged in a circular pattern to form a
cylinder concentric with and surrounding inductor 5. The
transformers 15 have primary windings 9a-9h connected in
series which are then connected in series with inductor 5 and
capacitor 3 to form an LCR circuit. The central core 7,
inductor 5 and the eight transformers 15 are positioned within
a cylindrical-shaped container 19. Copper wire is wound in a
single layer on the outside wall and the inside wall of
cylinder 19 to form windings 23 and 21 respectively. The
transformers 15 secondary windings 13a-13h and windings 21 and
23 are connected in series to output terminals 25 and 27. The
configuration of inductor 5 is designed to insure maximum
irradiation of the copper conductor by the radioactive core
source 7. The cylindrical configuration of the power
transformer insures maximum transformer efficiency with
minimum magnetic flux leakage.

Referring now to Figure 3,
the radioactive core 7 comprises a radium needle 39 surrounded
by a cylinder of powdered thorium 31 having a plurality of
uranium rods 33 positioned within the thorium 31. The powdered
thorium 31 is contained by concentric cylinder walls 35 and
37. The use of a mixture of these radioactive materials for
the core 7 produces a synergistic effect in that a greater
flux of alpha particles is produced than by any one of the
materials above due to additional induced disintegration
events occurring.

Referring now to Figures 4
and 5, top and side views of a nuclear battery constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention is
shown. The inductor core 7 consists of radium needle 39
positioned longitudinally in the center of a cylinder of
powdered thorium 31. The powdered thorium 31 is contained by
concentric cylinder walls 35 and 37 (a material such as light
cardboard may be utilized for this purpose). Inductor 5 is
formed from two layers of American Wire Gage (AWG) #8 copper
wire, one layer 41 wound on the inward facing wall 37
surrounding the radium needle 39 and the other layer 43 wound
on the outside of wall 35 thereby surrounding the powdered
thorium 31 and uranium rods 33. The inductor core 7 is 11/4
inches in diameter and 6 inches long, with an overall diameter
of 15/8 inches for inductor 5. The eight transformers 15 each
have a core 45 of laminated silicon steel 3/4 inches square by
6 inches in length. The primary windings 9a-9h each consist of
four layers of AWG #18 copper wire and the secondary windings
13a-13h each consist of two layers of AWG #12 copper wire. The
transformers 15 have an overall outside diameter of 11/4
inches. The outer cylinder 19 is laminated silicon steel and
an inner winding 21 of AWG #12 copper wire and an outer
winding 23 of AWG #12 copper wire. End plates 47 and 49
consisting of 1/2 inch thick annular rings of laminated
silicon steel having an inner diameter of 23/4 inches and
outer diameter of 43/4 inches are utilized to provide a low
reluctance path to complete the magnetic circuit as shown by
dashed line 51.

When assembled, the nuclear
battery is immersed in an oil-filled can (not shown) equipped
with heat sinks (not shown) to provide the necessary cooling
for the power transformer. The capacitor 3 used in the LCR
circuit is a high Q energy discharge resonant capacitor of the
oil filled type.

Using a one millicurie
radium needle 39, 200 grams of uranium 33 and 100 grams of
powdered thorium 31 in the configuration shown in Figures 2
and 3, at 86 kiloHz, a continuous output of 23 amperes at 400
volts into a resistance load has been achieved. A
configuration utilizing additional radium needles 53, as shown
in FIG. 4, may be used to achieve higher power outputs.

While I have shown and
described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is
not limited to the specific structure described herein and
that numerous changes and variations may be made therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention or
exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

**Claims**

I claim:

1. Apparatus for converting
radioactive energy to electrical energy, said apparatus
comprising:   
an electrical conductor wound
on a core to form an inductor having a first inductance, said
core being of radioactive material;

a capacitor having a
predetermined capacitance C;

a transformer having a
primary winding, a secondary winding and a transformer core,
said primary winding and said secondary winding wound on said
transformer core, said primary winding having a second
inductance, said secondary winding for coupling electrical
energy to a workload; and

electrical conductor means
for connecting said inductor, said capacitor and said primary
winding in series fashion to form a series LCR circuit wherein
electrical oscillations are induced, said electrical
oscillations being sustained and amplified by the energy
transferred to said electrical conductor by the radioactive
decay of said radioactive material, wherein L is the sum of
said first inductance and said second inductance and R is a
predetermined resistance.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1
wherein said core is comprised of at least two different
radioactive materials.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2
wherein said radioactive materials decay primarily by alpha
particle emission.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3
wherein said core is comprised of three radioactive materials.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4
wherein said three radioactive materials comprise radium,
uranium and thorium.

6. Apparatus for converting
the energy of radioactive decay products to electrical energy,
said apparatus comprising:

an electrical conductor
wound on a core to form an inductor having a first inductance,
said core being fabricated of radioactive material;

a capacitor having a
predetermined capacitance C;

a plurality of transformers
disposed in a generally circular configuration to form a
cylinder, said core being disposed within said cylinder, the
longitudinal axis of said core being coincident with the
longitudinal axis of said cylinder, each of said plurality of
transformers having a primary winding and a secondary winding,
each of said plurality of primary windings connected in series
fashion with the remaining primary windings, each of said
plurality of secondary windings connected in series fashion
with the remaining secondary windings, said series-connected
secondary windings for coupling electrical energy to a
workload; and

electrical conductor means
for connecting said inductor, said capacitor, said
series-connected primary windings and a predetermined
resistance R in a series fashion to form a series LCR circuit
wherein electrical oscillations are induced, said electrical
oscillations being sustained and amplified by the energy
transferred to said electrical conductor by the radioactive
decay of said radioactive material.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6
wherein said core is comprised of at least two different
radioactive materials.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7
wherein said series LCR circuit comprises an inductance L
equivalent to the sum of the inductances of said inductor and
said series-connected primary windings, capacitance C and a
resistance R equal to the total distributed DC resistance of
said LCR circuit.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8
further including an outer cylinder enclosing said cylinder
and having its longitudinal axis coincident with the
longitudinal axis of said core, an inner winding disposed
adjacent the inner surface of said outer cylinder, an outer
winding wound on the outer surface of said outer cylinder,
said inner and outer windings connected in series fashion with
said series-connected secondary windings for coupling
electrical energy to a workload.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9
wherein said core is comprised of a mixture of radium,
uranium, and thorium.

---

**Obituary**

Nuclear Solutions, Inc. regretfully announces the death of Dr. Paul M. Brown.

Dr. Brown was killed on April 7, 2002 in an automobile accident in Boise, Idaho. He developed the idea for the Company's patented photoremediation technology for the remediation of nuclear waste that will now be his legacy. He is survived by his wife and two children.

``Our team is saddened by this tragic loss, however, we remain fully committed to realizing the vision that Dr. Brown inspired us with. His vision holds the promise of safe and economical treatment of nuclear waste and the potential for a new generation of power reactors,'' said John Dempsey, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

``We have assembled a management and scientific team that is competent and fully capable of implementing the technology that Dr. Brown invented as well as our newer acquisitions such as our GHR tritium removal technology,'' he concluded.

John Dempsey and Patrick Herda, co-founder and Vice President of Business Development will direct the company's activities until a new CEO is appointed by the company's board of directors. Their efforts will be supported by Dr. Qi Ao, Vice President of Research and Development and Adrian Joseph, PhD., Vice President of Special Projects.

1. The application of photonuclear physics to nuclear waste is called Photodeactivation. Photodeactivation involves the irradiation of specific radioactive isotopes to force the emission of a neutron, thereby producing an isotope of reduced atomic mass. These resultant isotopes can be characteristically either not radioactive or radioactive with a short half-life.

The fundamental mechanism works on the laboratory scale, and preliminary research suggests that this technology will also work on the industrial scale. NSOL is taking the steps necessary for commercialization of the technology. As for most of the advanced nuclear technologies developed today, computer simulation is one of the most important and necessary steps. NSOL will use and improve a series of nuclear simulation codes.

The new set of simulation codes will allow the NSOL research and development team to design, test, improve, and develop experiments and commercial facilities through computer modeling.

NSOL plans to capitalize on its patent and patent-pending technology by forming strategic alliances and joint ventures with well-established leaders in the nuclear industry. Continued revenue streams are expected through licensing of the technology with both upfront fees and ongoing royalties.

2. NSOL's technology, the HYPERCON(TM) ADS process, is an X-ray based photodisintegration process. The technology could be developed into new applications for remediation of nuclear waste. The proposed process would operate at a sub-critical level, and be inherently safe. Any excess heat produced by the process could also be recovered to generate electricity.

3. NSOL holds a licencefor the exclusive worldwide rights to a proprietary technology for the removal of radioactive isotopes from contaminated wastewater called GHR. Water containing ritium and deuterium is currently stored in several locations worldwide due to the expense of available methods of treatment. Severe health problems for humans and animals are linked to these contaminants and pose a worldwide environmental threat.

Several methods for the
extraction of tritium from water are currently available.
However these methods such as chemical, electrolytic, ion
exchange, or distillation systems have high costs associated
with their operation. As a result significant quantities of
tritium-contaminated water are being stored rather than
treated due to cost concerns. The storage of
tritium-contaminated water poses a risk to the environment due
to the high mobility of water after a containment failure.

---

  
**[USP Application #
2002169351](us2002169351.pdf)**

**Remediation of Radioactive Waste by
Stimulated Radioactive Decay**

**( 11-14-2002 )**

**Paul M. Brown**

Classification: - international: G21F9/00; G21G1/12; G21F9/00;
G21G1/00; (IPC1-7): G21F9/00; - european: G21G1/12   
Application number: US20010877624 20010608   
Priority number(s): US20010877624 20010608; US19980105313
19980626

**Abstract ~** Disclosed is a radioactive waste treatment
process for transmuting long-lived radioisotopes into
short-lived radioisotopes through applied nuclear physics.
Nuclear reactions, specifically of the (gamma, n) type, also
known as photodisintegration, are utilized to accomplish this
transmutation from troublesome, long-lived radioactive waste
isotope(s) of given atomic mass to shorter-lived or stable
materials of lower atomic mass, by exposing the troublesome
isotopes to a high energy photon flux for a sustained time.
Generally speaking, the target nucleus of the radioisotope(s) to
be treated is irradiated by gamma photons of an energy greater
than the binding energy of the neutron in the target nucleus.
This causes the irradiated nucleus to absorb the gamma rays,
thereby placing the nucleus in an excited state. Upon
relaxation, the nucleus ejects a neutron through the (gamma, n)
reaction, thereby transmuting the element to an isotope of lower
atomic mass and shorter half-life.

---