STARBEAM: Low-Cost, MeV-Scale DC Linear Accelerators For E-Beam & X-Ray Production

The goal of SaFE is to develop practical; low-cost; small size, weight, and power; non-isotopic sources for food irradiation and other applications requiring pathogen sterilization, supporting ubiquitous treatment at points of production and points of distribution, particularly in austere or compromised environments (e.g., expeditionary operations, humanitarian relief, or disaster response). The opportunity is to leverage advances in high-voltage/high-gradient materials, electron accelerator dynamics, efficient power coupling/delivery, and x-ray converter design to enable novel approaches for IAEA-accepted 5 MeV bremsstrahlung photon or straight-up e-beam sources for food irradiation for phytosanitary and pathogen reduction.  The goal is generate small-enough systems to fit through doors, can be air lifted to austere locations, and can retrofit existing Co-60 facilities and accelerator irradiation facilities disrupted by global supply chain.  Small size/power/cost enables distributed point-of-packaging irradiation, add-on to existing cold-storage/container facilities, and industrial non-destructive testing.  This SBIR proposal addresses immediate national security risks for food security and helps develop the domestic accelerator/ manufacturing base—which is a national priority according to the Department of Energy Accelerator Stewardship Program.