Nasa Summer Program

The AMTECH Thermonuclear Converter uses radiation from a nuclear source to heat liquid sodium and generate a potential across a composite ceramic doped with metal ions. This converts the radiation from nuclear isotopes into electrical energy that is used to power satellites of the planet from outer space. The prototype and two successive models to increase the efficiency of AMTECH where created by Daniel Nase Laboratory at NASA's Jet Propulsion July 1997. Successive designs were drafted, which recycle the waste radiation that escaped from the first layer of the device. The initial device was only 40% effective. However, the third device increased the efficiency to 75%. Since there are no moving parts in the AMTECH and nuclear material has a decay rate very long, the power should AMTECH satellites in deep space for over 600 years.

Reference: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

October 7, 2008

To whom it may:

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Daniel Nase. I am the former program director of the Minority Science and Engineering Program (msep), University of Washington and has been involved in selecting and supervising the program of Daniel during his stay in our program. . Daniel won and participated in our most coveted and competitive internship program in summer 1997. Daniel internship was funded by NASA and held in the laboratory at NASA Jet Propulsion Pasadena, California. This course has been in partnership with the University of Washington MSEP. Daniel was assigned to work on the AMTECH Thermonuclear Converter at the direction of several eminent scientists and Nobel laureates from the Pathfinder mission Mar. supported the work of Daniel AMTECH increases the device efficiency significantly, which leads to the AMTECH be used to power satellites in deep space that are now in operation today. Daniel has electronic drafting, electroplated various parts, has worked on X-ray tubes, made of silicon carbide crystals, has worked with lasers to scan 3D images in silicon and has developed and manufactured NPP of the Pathfinder mission. Daniel has also taken advanced courses in mathematics, chemistry and physics at Caltech as part of his summer internship.

Best wishes,

Scott Minnix, Director

Seattle

Fleets and Facilities Department

Facility Operations Division

(206) 684-0142

(206) 684-0525 Fax

Note: Although my internship was shorter than usual, I had to write, design and build the AMTECH under the supervision of a Nobel Prize. I had a great time and learned a lot from this experience. If you want to check this course, you can contact Scott Pinkham at the University of Washington. He is currently director of the MSEP.