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William Cacheris
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Advisor: Joshua Rovey
Abstract
Modern X-ray devices are far too large for portability today due to high energy requirements and thermal output. These devices require a concentrated electron beam to be fired upon a material with extremely high heat conductivity which requires a massive amount of current and produces extreme amounts of heat energy. The amount of exothermic heat produced requires a large cooling system to maintain efficiency and reduce the risk of overheating. The more intense x-ray production needed for a scan, the larger the machine; accounting for the large size of modern devices. A new energy source such as a pseudospark induced plasma system can emit an electron beam in pulses that last for microseconds reducing target bombardment and thereby minimizing heat released. The components needed to produce this type of plasma can be compact enough to fit within a handheld device yet powerful enough to deliver a reliable and accurate x-ray. A pseudospark plasma device consists of anode and cathode rings connected to a capacitor and power supply which can be compacted to within tens of centimeters. The device is triggered at high voltage, and emits a short lived plasma concentrated electron beam that when fired upon a conductive material will act in the same way conventional methods behave. A circuit timer can be placed inside the device forcing it to fired several thousands of times per second effectively producing the 'pulse' that will be intensively studied for specific characteristics. Hopefully this technology can be refined and put to use to save lives.
Billy Cacheris is an undergraduate student at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
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