Method of containing radiation using fullerene molecules

• US 5,640,705 A
• Filed: 01/16/1996
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Djuro L. Koruga
• Original Assignee: Djuro L. Koruga
• Inventors: Koruga, Djuro L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, NGOCLAN THI
• Application Number:
  US08/585,890
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 588/2, 588/16, 252/625, 976/DIG. 385
• US Class Current: 588/16
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 9/00 Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/736 having atoms interior to the carbon cage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/903 for conversion, containment, or destruction of hazardous material

Abstract

This specification presents methods of containing/absorbing alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray, and neutron radiation using Fullerene molecules employing the resonant relativistic absorption phenomena based on a frequency dependant Doppler effect. Radioactive atoms, ions, and molecules (X_rad) are encapsulated in a variety of Fullerene molecules (C₆₀, onions, nanotubes, and capsules). The resulting radioactive material-holding Fullerene complexes (X_rad @C_n) will either decrease the intensity of escaping internally-generated radioactive emissions or, in certain optimal cases, absorb and/or contain all such internally-generated radioactive emissions which occur as the radioactive material decays.

Claims

1. A radiation absorbing storage molecule comprising:

a Buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ molecule; and

a radioactive material encapsulated within the Buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ molecule;

wherein the C₆₀ molecule has an electronically closed shell and is controlled to rotate at a minimum speed of 3×

10¹⁰ s^-1 to trap harmful radiation emitted by the encapsulated radioactive material.

2. A radiation absorbing storage molecule comprising:

a Fullerene onion having a Buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ molecule as an inner carbon cluster layer; and

a radioactive material encapsulated within the Buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ molecules;

wherein the C₆₀ molecule has an electronically closed shell and rotates at a speed sufficient to trap harmful radiation emitted by the encapsuled radioactive material.

3. A radiation-absorbing molecule as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Fullerene onion has a perfect icosahedral symmetry.

4. A radiation-absorbing storage molecule as claimed in claim 2, wherein the C₆₀ molecule rotates at a minimum speed of 3×

10¹⁰ s^-1.

5. A radiation-absorbing storage molecule as claimed in claim 2, wherein an outer shell of the Fullerene onion is a C₁₈₀ molecule.

6. A radiation-absorbing storage molecule as claimed in claim 2, wherein an outer shell of the Fullerene onion is a C₂₄₀ molecule.

7. A radiation-absorbing storage molecule as claimed in claim 2, wherein an outer shell of the Fullerene onion is a C₅₄₀ molecule.

8. A radiation-absorbing molecule as claimed in claim 2, wherein an intermediate shell of the Fullerene onion is a C₂₄₀ molecule and an outer shell of the Fullerene onion is a C₅₄₀ molecule.

9. A high energy, ionizing radiation decreasing molecule comprising:

an energetically closed storage cell having at least three carbon layers, said three carbon layers being an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer; and

a radioactive material encapsulated within the inner carbon layer.

10. A molecule as claimed in claim 9 wherein, the carbon layers are formed by spherical Fullerene onion layers.

11. A molecule as claimed in claim 9, wherein the carbon layers are formed by Fullerene capsules having two closed ends.

12. A high energy, ionizing radiation directing and absorbing molecule comprising:

an energetically closed storage cell having at least three carbon layers, said three carbon layers being an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer; and

a radioactive material encapsulated within the inner carbon layer;

wherein each of said three carbon layers is formed by a Fullerene nanotube having one closed end.

13. A method of creating an energetically closed Fullerene structure comprising the steps of:

forming a first carbon layer using a Fullerene molecule having a first configuration,

encapsulating a radioactive material within the first carbon layer;

forming a second carbon layer around the first carbon layer using a Fullerene molecule having a configuration which is the same as the first configuration; and

forming a third carbon layer around the second carbon layer using a Fullerene molecule having a configuration which is the same as the first configuration.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first, second, and third carbon layers are formed using Fullerene onions.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first, second, and third carbon layers are formed using Fullerene nanotubes.

16. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first, second, and third carbon layers are formed using Fullerene capsules.

17. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first carbon layer is formed using a Fullerene capsule, and the second and third carbon layers are formed using Fullerene nanotubes.

18. A method of absorbing radiation comprising the steps of:

selecting a Buckminsterfullerene C₆₀ molecule as a storage molecule;

encapsulating a radioactive material within the C₆₀ storage molecule; and

controlling environmental conditions surrounding the storage molecule such that the C₆₀ storage molecule rotates at a minimum speed of 3×

10¹⁰ s^-1.

19. A method of optimizing the production of C₆₀ Fullerene molecules encapsulating radioactive materials comprising the step of using a tetravalent Fullerene to initiate the formation of C₆₀ shells.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the tetravalent Fullerene is U@C₂₈.