10/21/2015 What is theory/concept behind the "Miniature Arc Reactor" built by Tony Stark? Quora https://www.quora.com/WhatistheoryconceptbehindtheMiniatureArcReactorbuiltbyTonyStark 1/10 403,365 412 412 FOLLOWERS Last asked: 23 Aug QUESTION TOPICS QUESTION STATS Views Followers Edits What is theory/concept behind the "Miniature Arc Reactor" built by Tony Stark? How did it work? Or rather, how would it work as per you? 11 Answers RELATED QUESTIONS What would be the most possible physics behind the Arc Reactor of Iron Man? What is an arc reactor? Does a safe energy storage medium similar to Tony Stark's (Iron Man's) arc reactor currently exist. (Similar in size and e... Could an arc reactor be made? In the 1st Iron man movie (2008), how does Tony stark build the Arc reactor using missile parts while being held captive b... Is it possible to build the miniature arc reactor that Tony Stark did? Is it possible to build an Arc Reactor (the one shown in Iron Man) or a similar technology? Why does Tony Stark have an arc reactor in his stomach? When did it get there? What is the history of the arc reactor? What happened from the time that Howard Stark and Anton Vanko developed it to the ... How does the next generation arc reactor in Iron Man (2008 movie) work? Tony Stark (Marvel character) Iron Man (Marvel character) Movies FAQ The Stark Arc Reactor is most likely a MultiIsotope RadioDecay Cell. Since this is a fictitious device, and it has no "official" scientific explanation in the Iron Man canon that I'm aware of, I'm going to make something up. I'm mixing real science and fake science here. Physics nerds and comicbook nerds, deal with it. Let's look at what we know about the arc reactor from movies 1 and 2: Mk 1 Arc Reactor.jpg The fullsized arc reactor looks a lot like a toroidal "Tokomak" plasma containment system for standard "hot fusion": Tony Stark (L) and Obadiah Stane (R) in front of Stark Industries' arc reactor Real world equivalent: ITER fusion reactor Ryan Carlyle, BSChE, Subsea hydraulics engineer 337.9k Views • Upvoted by Marc Bodnick, seen 2000+ movies • David Mullich, Game Production Instructor at The Los Angeles Film School • Zach Davidson, Professional Actor, Stage & Screen Answer featured in Gizmodo and 1 more.
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10/21/2015 What is theory/concept behind the "Miniature Arc Reactor" built by Tony Stark? Quora
What is theory/concept behind the "Miniature ArcReactor" built by Tony Stark?How did it work? Or rather, how would it work as per you?
11 Answers
RELATED QUESTIONS
What would be the most possiblephysics behind the Arc Reactor of IronMan?
What is an arc reactor?
Does a safe energy storage mediumsimilar to Tony Stark's (Iron Man's) arcreactor currently exist. (Similar in sizeand e...
Could an arc reactor be made?
In the 1st Iron man movie (2008), howdoes Tony stark build the Arc reactorusing missile parts while being heldcaptive b...
Is it possible to build the miniature arcreactor that Tony Stark did?
Is it possible to build an Arc Reactor (theone shown in Iron Man) or a similartechnology?
Why does Tony Stark have an arcreactor in his stomach? When did it getthere?
What is the history of the arc reactor?What happened from the time thatHoward Stark and Anton Vankodeveloped it to the ...
How does the next generation arc reactorin Iron Man (2008 movie) work?
Tony Stark (Marvelcharacter)
Iron Man (Marvelcharacter)
Movies
FAQ
The Stark Arc Reactor is most likely a MultiIsotope RadioDecayCell.
Since this is a fictitious device, and it has no "official" scientific explanation inthe Iron Man canon that I'm aware of, I'm going to make something up. I'mmixing real science and fake science here. Physics nerds and comicbook nerds,deal with it.
Let's look at what we know about the arc reactor from movies 1 and 2:
Mk 1 Arc Reactor.jpg
The fullsized arc reactor looks a lot like a toroidal "Tokomak"plasma containment system for standard "hot fusion":
Tony Stark (L) and Obadiah Stane (R) in front of Stark Industries' arcreactorReal world equivalent: ITER fusion reactor
Ryan Carlyle, BSChE, Subsea hydraulics engineer337.9k Views • Upvoted by Marc Bodnick, seen 2000+ movies • David Mullich,Game Production Instructor at The Los Angeles Film School • Zach Davidson,Professional Actor, Stage & ScreenAnswer featured in Gizmodo and 1 more.
Fusion Energy DivisionThis type of fusion reactor exists today at research pilot scale. The reactorpictured, ITER, is under construction and is planned to be the first fusionreactor large enough to produce a net gain of energy. Basically it mashes twoisotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium, together at such high energiesthat they combine into one atom. When they fuse, the reaction produceshelium and a free neutron. Critically, helium+neutron has less mass thandeuterium+tritium, and the missing mass is converted to energy. That energycan be captured as heat to run a traditional steamdriven turbine (like anyother power plant).
So what does the arc reactor's torus (donut) shape tell us? It means there arecharged particles moving in a circle, contained by a magnetic field. Highenergy particles usually have high energy because they're moving very fast, andmagnetic fields can curve the motion of charged particles. Curving theparticles' motion into a circle keeps them in one place long enough to get themto collide.
You may notice that current fusion reactor designs have a lot of magnet coilson the outside of the torus, whereas the Stark Industries arc reactor has aviewing window. Plasma containment is the single biggest challenge for hotfusion, but the arc reactor makes it look effortless. From this we can concludethat a key technology in the fullscale arc reactor is a way to containthe reaction in a selfsustaining ring. This line of reasoning is definitelybacked up by the toroidal field lines drawn in the Stark Industries arc reactorblueprints:
There is also a remarkable lack of cooling loops, turbines, or anything that atraditional thermal reactor would require. Which means the arc reactorproduces electricity directly, rather than by first generating heat.This observation jives with the fact that the megawattscale reactor in Tony'schest does not roast him alive. So it cannot be a hotfusion reactor, or atraditional thermalfission reactor. Back to the drawing board!
What else do we know about the miniature arc reactor?
Contains a palladium core
The palladium is damaged by neutrons, so the specific isotope is important
Has electromagnetic coils in a torus
Emits bluewhite light
Can be built in a cave with tools of moderate complexity
Requires no exotic materials outside what you could scavenge fromdismantled conventional weapons systems
Runs low on power at inconvenient times, meaning it must have some sortof fuel or consumed charge
Palladium has been proposed as a substrate for "cold" fusion that does notrequire hot plasmas and containment toroids, but this concept is pretty widelydiscredited in the real world. Palladium does, however, have some interestingcapture and decay properties. Wikipedia: Isotopes of palladium
Palladium isotope Pd103 produces Rh103 (rhodium) via electron capture.This means an inner electron is absorbed by the nucleus, merging with aproton to produce a neutron and an energetic photon a gamma ray.
Another isotope, Pd107, produces Ag107 (silver) via beta decay, releasingan electron when a neutron turns into a proton. (This is kind of the oppositereaction as the above.) Now, in realworld physics, the electrons balance theresulting atomic nuclei silver and rhodium have different numbers ofprotons from palladium, and the produced/consumed electrons just balanceout the proton count so there is no net flow of electricity.
I propose that Howard Stark found a way (using comicbookphysics) to utilize the beta decay of Pd107 ions as an electronsource for the electron capture of Pd103, thereby producing anelectric circuit between two different radioactive isotopes. Pd103 isvery radioactive (17 day halflife) compared to Pd107 (6.5 million year halflife) so there would need to be dramatically more of the heavier isotope tocompensate for the disparity in decay rates.
The palladium core of the device would most likely be Pd107, which emitshighenergy electrons as it decays into silver. This is a pretty stable isotopethat we would expect to be present in the normal (nonseparated) palladiumthat Tony might salvage from a conventional weapon.
Since we know the device uses charged particles travelling within a ring ofelectromagnets, I surmise that a tiny amount of Pd103 is ionized by an electricarc (thus the reactor's name, and startup power requirement), which thenallows Pd103+ to be circulated at high velocity within the outer ring of thedevice. The ionization acts to delay the electron capture step until the atomencounters a free electron, and the high kinetic energy due to velocity increasesthe chances of electron capture occurring once an electron is encountered. Ineffect, the radioactive decay of Pd103 can be started, stopped, and throttled bythe device simply by controlling the ionization and circulation of the Pd103.
The device's geometry and electromagnetic fields route the highenergyelectrons from the Pd107 core towards the outer ring. There the electrons arecaptured by highenergy Pd103 ions. This electron capture process emitsgamma rays, which are deflected inward to catalyze the beta decay of the Pd107 core. We have some good evidence for this gamma ray emission, becausethe suit's chestpiece unibeam weapon is clearly an emission of a large numberof highenergy photons directly from the arc reactor. Normally, the gammarays are directed inward to catalyze the device's operation, but they can bedirected outward in a concentrated energy beam weapon:
So to summarize: electrons project outward from the inner core, and gammarays project inward from the outer ring. Because this electron/photoncounterflow creates a deficit of electrons (relative to protons) in the core, amassive electrostatic potential is developed and the palladium core attractslowerenergy electrons from the suit's wiring. The ejection of electronsfrom the core towards the rim of the device produces an electricalcell capable of generating enormous voltage and current.
Here's the full proposed reactor startup process:
Using external power, Pd103 is ionized by an electric arc, and acceleratedto high velocity in the outer ring. There may also be some externallypowered gamma ray production to jumpstart the inner core.
Pd107 in the inner core starts to emit highenergy electrons as it decays toAg107. The electrons escape the core and are directed by magnetic fieldsinto the outer ring. Lack of electrons creates a net positive charge in thecore, which slows further emission (preventing runaway decay) until theelectrons can be externally replenished.
In the outer ring, the highenergy free electrons collide with highenergyPd103+ ions. This causes instantaneous electron capture and gamma rayemission. The gamma rays are deflected inward towards the core, thuscatalyzing further electron emission and producing a selfsustainingreaction. Note that the reaction is selfsustaining, but very slow while thereactor is idle.
The electron flow from the inner core to the outer core creates an electricpotential difference. When a circuit is created through the suit's electricalloads, the outer ring has an excess of electrons and the inner core has ashortage of electrons. This creates current.
The electrical current through an external load relieves the electrostaticcharge accumulations that initially slowed the reactions. So the less powerthe suit draws, the slower the reactor produces radioactive decay, and themore power the suit draws, the faster the reactions are catalyzed. Thatway, the power output automatically throttles according to demand.
The palladium slowly converts to Rh103 and Ag107, and the reactor runsout of power when the palladium is fully consumed.
Miniature Arc Reactor Concept:
Top view of my concept vs the Stark Industries blueprint, with cutaway sideview below.
I can't speak for the nextgen "new element" arc reactor, but presumably itreplaces the palladium isotopes with a hypothetical element that alsoundergoes gammaraymediated beta decay, but in a lesstoxic and higheroutput fashion.
10/21/2015 What is theory/concept behind the "Miniature Arc Reactor" built by Tony Stark? Quora
Several other lines of evidence also support this type of nuclear decay / electronflux reaction being the mechanism for the arc reactor. First, the reactor'sglow:
Iron Man Arc Reactor
It could be caused by the ionization arc, but I think Cherenkov radiation is amuch better explanation. This is a special type of light emission that occurswhen an energetic particle (such as electron) enters a medium (like water orair) at a speed faster than the speed of light in that medium. The highenergyelectron flux within the arc reactor would be a natural fit to generate thiseffect. This is a picture of an actual nuclear reactor producing Cherenkovradiation:
Wikipedia
Notice the similarities? Unlike electrical arcs, the light from Cherenkovradiation is quiet, coolblue, and fricken' awesome. This is a nobrainer thearc reactor's glow is definitely being produced by highenergy electron flux.
Another aspect of the original model palladium arc reactor was poisoningdue to "palladium toxicity". It's very possible that palladium is simply beingejected from the device into Tony's blood by all the highenergy collisions goingon, but this doesn't explain the freaky circuitlooking lines on his chest, and itdoesn't explain why doctors can't help him.
What would be the most possible physics behind the Arc Reactor of Iron Man?
What is an arc reactor?
Does a safe energy storage medium similar to Tony Stark's (Iron Man's) arcreactor currently exist. (Similar in size and energy available). Is...
Could an arc reactor be made?
In the 1st Iron man movie (2008), how does Tony stark build the Arc reactorusing missile parts while being held captive by terrorists? Is it ...
Palladium.jpg
I have a theory that fits the symptoms better. Remember, the proposedpalladium decay reactions produce rhodium and silver. Excess internalsilver is known to stain skin blue:
Discovery Health "Why can colloidal silver turn your skin blue?"
Rhodium compounds also stain skin, and are highly toxic. (Chemicalproperties, Health and Environmental effects ) In fact, because most peoplehave essentially zero exposure to rhodium, the toxicity of rhodium is verypoorlyunderstood. This perfectly explains why Tony didn't seek help from themedical establishment for his accumulated heavy metal toxicity because heknew the doctors wouldn't know how to deal with rhodium poisoning. TonyStark didn't have simple palladium poisoning, he had "palladiumdecayproduct" poisoning!
So you see, everything fits together perfectly. The evidence all pointstowards the arc reactor relying on a Pd103/Pd107 radioisotopicdecay cell to produce electrical current. I will start working on my ownarc reactor prototype and will post updates when I produce a working replica.
Updated 9 Jun 2013 • View Upvotes
I always thought that the Arc in Arc Reactor actually refers to the trajectorytaken by ionized nuclei as two beams of nuclei (protons) are accelerated
around the periphery of the reactor in opposite directions to collide, fuse, andthe resultant energy captured in the form of electricity and light.
The innovations would be in the conversion of the reaction products intophoton beams used to accelerate the protons around the arc and the highefficiency conversion of photons to electricity.
The reaction creates monochromatic light which is formed into two beams withalmost 180° phase offsets. (Yeah, I don't know how Tony manages that either.)The two light beams create an interference pattern which allows energy to becoupled into the proton beams with almost 100% efficiency. A small amount istapped off to ionize the fuel.
Since protons are recycled until fused, only a small amount of hydrogen needsto be ionized.
The residual glow is from the small amount of inefficiency which manifests aslight leakage.
See: Particle accelerator that can fit on a tabletop opens new chapter forscience research and Turning heat to electricity .
Of course, being Tony Stark, he's figured out order of magnitude improvementsto these basic processes.
H
Updated 20 Jul • View Upvotes
I think it was inspired around the nuclear pacemaker which usespromethium147 as a source of radioactive energy. Unlike stark however thisdoesn't produce explosions or cause someone to levitate. However scientists areworking on another try of nuclear reactor known as LFTR and they hope theycan make it small enough to power cars and mobile devices. This reactors canproduce a lot of energy from very little amount of Thorium, a commonradioactive metal found everywhere. One day we may make one small enoughto carry around yet strong enough to produce an electromagnetic field thatcause us to levitate. No explosions tho cause well you know what nuclearexplosions do to anything at close range
Updated 27 May • View Upvotes
Samuel Gisita • Request Bio8.1k Views
Interesting note: Before we 'nerds deal with it', pay a little homage. Much ofwhat we have today is in fact due to Tony Stark, a fictional character. Soundodd? When Iron Man first blasted on the scene we had bulky tubes andtransistor radios. Iron Man introduced miniature transistors (fake science),there became a secret race to build iron man style armor (ala Iron Man 2,and/or the Armor Wars), and thus they had to in fact build micro transistors.They failed in building the suits, but Japan won in the micro transistor raceand modern electronics sprung from that Cold War era style of thought "wegot to build this or someone else will and there will be a gap" arms race.
Written 27 Mar 2014 • View Upvotes
Will Black • Request Bio20.2k Views • Upvoted by Marc Bodnick, seen 2000+ movies
I agree that the "arc reactor" comic book gadget looks vaguely like a tinytokamak fusion reactor, except for the transparent walls, the white glow, andthe conveniently compact size. Unfortunately, real tokamaks like the ITER are
Is it possible to build the miniature arc reactor that Tony Stark did?
Is it possible to build an Arc Reactor (the one shown in Iron Man) or a similartechnology?
Why does Tony Stark have an arc reactor in his stomach? When did it get there?
What is the history of the arc reactor? What happened from the time that HowardStark and Anton Vanko developed it to the beginning of Iron Ma...
How does the next generation arc reactor in Iron Man (2008 movie) work?
How can I make an arc reactor (replica)?
In Ironman 2, the mini arc reactor keeping the shrapnel from entering TonyStark's heart was producing a toxic substances that was poisoning h...
Can technology like Iron Man or Arc Reactor help a country achieve worlddomination?
Iron Man (Marvel character): What laws of physics does the arc reactor break?
If the arc reactor can be removed, why doesn't Stark remove it in Iron Man 2 tocircumvent the palladium poisoning?
With no arc reactor and suits left, what is next for Tony Stark? How is Iron Man 4going to be?
In Iron Man 2, how is it possible for Rhodes to operate Tony Stark's Mark IIarmor when he doesn't have the power reactor in his chest?
Is the suit and miniaturized arc reactor shown in iron man are possible in futureor just it is just for entertainment?
Iron Man 2 (2010 movie): Who really invented the arc reactor?
Iron Man 3 (2013 movie): [Spoiler alert] Why does Stark need a truck battery torecharge the Mk. 42 while, for the previous armors, the Arc reactor did the job?
as big as a barn and made mostly of metal. Physics does not have Iron Man onthe menu.
There is research ongoing on a different kind of thermonuclear reactor, wherethe reaction takes place in a space too small to see with the unaided eye, andthe "core" of a practical device might be small enough and light enough to holdin your hands. Cool science, but definitely not something anyone would wantstrapped their chest while it was operating. Check out Lawrenceville PlasmaPhysics .for more details.
