how do you convert neutrons into power ? (voltage)?

Question

right been reading stuff on fusors and wondered if there is an easy way of converting high energy neutrons directly into electrical charge and what would be the side effects if any. I must admit i`m a complete amature so please make it simple. these guys recon they can do hot fusion in a vacum tube using duetrium as a fuel. worth a look as the original invetor(of the fusor) built the first crt television that we use today.

cheers guys look forward to your suggestions

Answer 1

Isolated neutrons are unstable, and decay via beta decay, emitting an electron and an antineutrino to become a proton. But if you're thinking power generation, have them collide with shielding, where their energy will be absorbed as heat and can be used to generate electricity, just as in a fission reactor.

Answer 2

Well there is no direct method to convert neutrons into electrical charge (that I know of).

The method would probably involve using the heat generated by the fusion to heat up water and create steam. This steam would then move turbines which could create electricity using a dynamo.

I would be impressed if they found a way to make sustained fusion possible or if they found a better way to capture the energy released.

Answer 3

By definition, NEUTRONS have NO electrical charge! So, no, you can't make electricity from neutrons, sorry.
The article you read talks of "DEUTERIUM" and FUSION.
This is another matter...
Deuterium is "heavy hydrogen", with 1 electron, 1 proton and ONE neutron. It is "fused" in reactors (or bombs!) to release energy. The fusion of deuterium produce helium and releases a lot of energy. This is the nuclear reaction that occurs naturally in our Sun. However, if we can fuse hydrogen (or deuterium), we are not (yet) able to control the reaction.
This fusion of hydrogen/deuterium occurs at extremely high temperature/pressure, and it is impractical to use industrially.
There was, a few years ago, some excitation about a scientist who pretended having realised COLD fusion (at room temperature), but it was unfortunately just a lab mistake...
Wait...