Current Uses & Applications for The Future of Energy:

Accelerator-Driven Nuclear Reactors

In subcritical thorium reactors, accelerators generate neutrons that breed uranium-233, promoting fission for power generation. The fission process can be quickly stopped by turning off the accelerator, enhancing reactor safety.

Nuclear Waste Transmutation

Accelerator-driven transmutation uses a high-power proton accelerator to produce neutrons, which then transmute long-lived radioisotopes in spent nuclear fuel into shorter-lived, more manageable ones. A more widespread adoption would improve nuclear waste management.

Neutron Generator Geo-Mapping

Neutron generators aid in mapping and identifying oil and gas deposits by emitting neutrons that interact with geological formations.

Material Analysis With Synchrotron Light Sources

Synchrotron light sources analyze molecular structures to understand asphaltene formation in pipelines and optimize CO2-enhanced oil recovery.

Fuel Modifications via Electron Beams

Electron accelerators are applied in biofuel production to increase fuel efficiency and reduce harmful by-products by using high-energy beams to modify the fuel’s molecular structure.

Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs)

Energy Recovery Linacs (ERLs) improve accelerator efficiency by recycling particle beam energy, making them ideal for applications requiring sustained high power, such as advanced materials processing, medical isotope production and potential future energy applications. ERLs significantly reduce operational energy costs while maintaining high beam currents.

Plasma Dynamics in Nuclear Fusion

Accelerators help us study plasma dynamics, which is central to nuclear fusion research. By probing plasma behaviour and material resilience under extreme conditions, accelerators bring us closer to sustainable, clean energy.

Direct Applications in Fusion

ITER (the international nuclear fusion research and engineering megaproject) uses an accelerator to inject helium/deuterium into the reactor. This involves using a massive H- or D- ion source, with a beam that is then neutralized and injected to support fusion.

Advanced Energy Storage Materials

Particle accelerators enable the discovery of new material properties by probing atomic structures. This research may help develop advanced energy storage systems, such as next-generation batteries.