Experiments on the Fission-Fusion Nuclear Cycle in Lithium Deuteride and Particle Detection with CR-39

A new solid state light element fission-fusion cycle making use of the well-known ⁶Li-neutron nuclear reaction will be studied, and technology relating to the cycle will be developed to harness the power generated by the nuclear reactions. Solid state LiD fusion allows for deuterium to be packed roughly 7 orders of magnitude more closely than modern magnetically-confined fusion, meaning the potential for power generation in this realm is not only untapped, but vast. My research will include the creation of deuterated metals, the synthesis of nuclear-grade CR-39 and many innovations to CR-39 that enhance its abilities as a nuclear detection device, and the potential design of a nuclear reactor prototype for the extraction of useful energy from the lithium fission-fusion cycle. The viability of a plan to boost triton energy between subsequent interactions with fertile nuclear material to increase nuclear reaction probability will be tested through simulation and experiment. If successful, this would lead to an energy source more efficient than modern nuclear power plants with no nuclear waste.