"My head hurts," ...

Quote- Derek Larson after conducting the interview for the following piece. I've never claimed to be an expert on nuclear (pronounced noo-clee-ur) technology, and I'm sure anyone with knowledge of the subject could point out numerous errors in the story. I enjoyed writing the Simpsons reference, though... If there's one way to deter potential journalists from pursuing that degree, it may be having them read this story...



Homer Simpson, the nuclear safety inspector of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, lies back in his chair and drifts off to sleep. Suddenly, lights in his workstation begin flashing and an alarm sounds. Simpson simply mumbles that someone should turn off the television. A meltdown seems imminent.
While this may be the image many Kansas State University have in their heads when they hear “nuclear reactor,” they don’t need to worry about incompetence of this sort. While K-State does have a nuclear reactor, it is used solely for experiments and research, said Douglas McGregor, associate professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering.
A nuclear reactor produces and controls the release of energy from atoms by splitting the atomic nuclei in a process called nuclear fission.
While not generating power, one of McGregor’s current projects is definitely generating a lot of interest.
For the past nine years he has been working on producing thin-film neutron detectors, and he says he has seen some great improvement.
Simply put, neutron detectors detect neutrons, which are outputs of nuclear reactions.
The thin-film neutron detectors use a semi-conducting material to help create reactions that allow the neutrons to be detected. McGregor currently has three patents filed for the innovation.
McGregor said that his research has definitely gained more interest over time. “When I was making devices that were one percent to four percent efficient, it didn’t seem to interest people, but when I crossed 10 percent, then it became serious.”
One reason for this interest is the possibility of the detectors being used to detect nuclear weapons, McGregor said. With the threat of terrorism among us, and the constant struggles with the Middle East, many feel this could be a definite advantage in the conflict with Saddam Hussein and Iraq.
While McGregor admitted this is a possibility, he said that’s not their sole purpose. “They are not bomb detectors. They are neutron detectors, and some weapons emit neutrons.”
McGregor said there are many other practical uses besides detecting nuclear weapons, including neutron beam monitors in nuclear reactors, and neutron film badges, which those working around the reactor wear to measure the neutron levels. “I make them as neutron detectors, and they’re use for a whole variety of things, not just (detecting weapons).”
Each detector is 5 mm – 6 mm in diameter, and no thicker than a dime. The detectors are built onto wafers, with 50 – 100 on each wafer.
At first glance the wafers look somewhat like a tiny pepperoni pizza. Although it may be hard to convince college students, they are much more useful than any size of pizza.
When he first began working on the detectors, they were only 0.5 percent efficient. This means that if 200 neutrons flowed through, it would detect just on of them. McGregor said that his latest designs would allow up to 20 percent efficiency. “To my knowledge, we have the highest efficiency detectors of this type.”
While there are other types of detectors, using gas tubes, which can reach up to 100 percent efficiency, McGregor said that they are much larger, usually a foot long and several inches thick. “What I lose in efficiency, I gain in the compact size.”
McGregor said his designs also have advantages in cost and energy used.
While the larger detectors usually cost around $1,000 each, McGregor said his compact models can sell for $10 - $40 each, with bulk sales allowing them to be a cheaper price.
The power needed to operate is another advantage the thin-film neutron detectors hold. The detectors using gas tubes generally require 2,000 volts – 5,000 volts, McGregor said. On the other hand, McGregor’s detectors use no more than 50 volts, and some of his designs can even create their own voltage.
With all of the advantages that the thin-film neutron detectors exhibit, one thing is for certain: McGregor has gained national attention for his work with K-State’s nuclear reactor, and unlike Homer Simpson, it’s for a positive accomplishment.