At the IEEE Symposium in Chicago this week, Nasa physicist John J. Chapman suggested that boron could be used as an "aneutronic" fuel, a fusion power source where neutrons carry no more than 1% of the total released energy (Wiki). What he implied was a new type of fusion thruster.
Using an off the shelf laser directed on to a thick metal foil, the energy is used to accelerate protons. The then rush of electrons leaved behind an overly positive charge. Which creates an imbalance with the protons left behind, resulting in a micro explosion. The explosion will send protons from the metal sheet to a second sheet made up of thin sliced Boron-11.
When the protons interact with the Boron-11, carbon nuclei are formed, but then decays to Helium-4 & beryllium nucleuses. All this would then decay to a pair of alpha particles, which is two protons and two neutrons bound together into a particle identical to a helium nucleus (alpha particles are incredibly dangerous to living cells). Each reaction creates 3 alpha particle, and according to Chapman the process is "very efficient." Electromagnetic force would then channel the alpha particles and all matter they touch through a nozzle. Chapman believe that this fusion thruster would be more efficient that current ion propulsion, but does not see his idea emerging for at least another 10 years.
Where would be we if we all did not speculate from time to time?
Eavesdropper
