Huddersfield prof's nuclear power world first bid

Feb 14 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

But first the neutrons have to be produced – either by nuclear reactor or by a process called spallation, which uses acceleration technology to aim a high energy beam of protons at a heavy metal target from which the neutrons are chipped.

The advantage to the idea is that it would be less costly and much smaller than conventional accelerators.

The professor added: “My vision is that it would do away with plutonium altogether.

“It will also not build up a nuclear legacy which will survive for tens of thousands of years like we have.

“The public are generally wary of nuclear power – I don’t subscribe to that wariness myself.

“But this is about providing an alternative way of producing low carbon energy.”

With 20% of the UK’s electricity nuclear-produced, it will mean that a new one gig watt power station would have to be built every day to keep up with the modern demand for electricity.

Medically, the accelerator could make sure the energy is deposited right in the tumour.

The benefit is that the protons used would be less destructive than gamma and X-rays used in radiation therapy and can directly target delicate organs near the spine or brain.

If the prototype works, it could be five to 10 years before they commit to building a facility in Europe.

His work will continue after Huddersfield University secured a share (£500,000) of Euros5.5million to carry out preparatory work on the project.