Part 3:
Other Practical Applications for IEC Technology
Experimentation with fusion at university laboratories Analysis of mineral quality in
the coal, cement and similar industries Exploration for minerals and oil Detection of
non-metallic antipersonnel mines (land mines) Combustion and gasification
Generation of electrical energy Detection of contraband at airports, bus stops, train
stations and similar areas
Until now neutrons have been extremely dangerous and difficult to generate and
required the use of a nuclear reactor or a high powered particle accelerator to do the
job and neutron analysis could only take place by utilizing the expert facilities of a very
few specialised laboratories. The IEC unit produces neutrons more cheaply and safely
than existing methods.
Through Rhombic's wholly owned subsidiary, Rockford Technology Associates, the
University of Illinois has licensed the technology to Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA)
of Trauen, Germany, for which Daimler-Benz will pay a 3.2% royalty to Rhombic
Corp. For the rights to develop, manufacture, and market the IEC technology to the
world. This agreement provides Rhombic with a long-term royalty on all IEC sales in
Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Australia, and New Zealand in the amount of
3.2% for each unit sold. Rhombic is estimating that they will receive $5 million in
royalties over the next 12 months (which does not include the much larger prospective
income from Rhombic's marketing rights in North America). The first units are
expected to ship from Trauen in June 1998. The IEC units will be sold, depending on
size and use, for between $60,000 and $150,000 each - a mere fraction of the cost of
the nuclear reactors or particle accelerators now being used to produce neutron
beams. Rhombic Corp. will retain all rights throughout North America and will be
actively pursuing the sale of those rights.
According to John Sved, an engineer with Daimler-Benz Aerospace, the IEC units are
safe and easy to use which gives them an edge over other well established neutron
sources. The neutron generating sources in use now contain radioactive gases such as
Californium and have a risk of contamination from radioactive isotopes. With the IEC
unit customers can avoid these risks because they are fueled by harmless deuterium,
and the only waste is helium-3 gas, a hint of hydrogen and negligible traces of
radioactive tritium. "A small IEC neutron generator could run for decades without
creating enough radioactive waste to exceed minimum regulated levels," Sved says.
"The machine could be completely consumed in a fire and there would be virtually no
concern about escaping radiation." Daimler-Benz plans to remove the tritium from the
spheres safely each time they are recharged with fresh deuterium. |
