Richard Handl
Born (1980-05-23) May 23, 1980
Known forNuclear experimentation at home

Richard Handl (born May 23, 1980) is a Swedish man who experimented with tritium, americium, aluminium, beryllium, thorium, radium, and uranium, with the intention to create a nuclear reaction. He acquired most of the radioactive materials from foreign companies, while assembling a collection of periodic elements.[1] For six months in 2011, he allegedly attempted to build a breeder reactor in his apartment in Ängelholm, Sweden.[2][3]

Background

Handl became unemployed after working in a factory for four years,[4][5] and decided to start a collection of the elements in the periodic table.[6] Out of curiosity Handl began experimenting with the elements in his collection, to see if he could create a nuclear reaction.[7] Handl's experiments included the acquisition of fissile material from outside the country,[8] a radiator suitable for transmutation, and instruments to measure the reaction, including a Geiger counter.[9] He spent about 5,000~6,000 kronor in materials and equipment.[10] One stage of the process involved cooking americium, radium, and beryllium in 96% sulfuric acid on a stove, in order to more easily mix the ingredients; doing so resulted in an explosion.[11]

Handl kept a blog called "Richard's Reactor" in which he documented the progress of the reactor.[10][12]

Handl was detained by the police on 22 July 2011, after having contacted the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) to inquire as to whether his project was legal or not.[13][14] His apartment was searched, and the radioactive materials as well as his computer were taken by the police.[7]

He was released,[15][16] then convicted in July 2014 on the violation of the Radiation Safety Act, and the violation of Swedish Environmental Code. He was fined 13,600 kronor.[17]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tänkte bygga kärnreaktor i köket" [I was thinking of building a nuclear reactor in the kitchen]. DN.SE (in Swedish).
  2. ↑ "Man tries to build nuke reactor in kitchen". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. 5 August 2011.
  3. ↑ Nylander, Johan. "Swede tried to build nuke reactor in kitchen". swedishwire.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
    see alternate source
    Lannin, Patrick (4 October 2011) [4 Aug 2011]. Lawrence, Janet (ed.). "Swede tried to build nuclear reactor in his kitchen". Huffington Post. Reuters News Service. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  4. ↑ Ronson, Jon (30 October 2012). Lost at Sea. The Jon Ronson Mysteries. Penguin Group US. pp. 205 ff. ISBN 978-1-101-61242-2.
  5. ↑ "Swedish man arrested after trying to split atoms in his kitchen". The Daily Telegraph. London, UK. 3 August 2011.
  6. ↑ Ronson, Jon (3 February 2012). "DIY science: Should you try this at home?". The Guardian. London, UK.
  7. 1 2 "Swede admits home-made atom experiment was 'crazy'". London, UK: British Broadcasting Corporation. BBC News. 4 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "[no title cited]". Science News Daily. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "Swedish man detained for building nuclear reactor in kitchen". The Australian.
  10. 1 2 "The weird story of the Swedish man who tried to build a nuclear reactor in his kitchen". Business Insider. 2 August 2011.
  11. ↑ Winter, Michael (August 2011). "Swedish man arrested over kitchen nuclear 'reactor'". USA Today.
  12. ↑ "Swede detained for building nuclear reactor in kitchen". Wired UK. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 13 May 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2017.
  13. ↑ Shepherd, Chuck (18 December 2012). News of the Weird: Ironies. Andrews McMeel Publishing. pp. 16 ff. ISBN 978-1-4494-3779-4.
  14. ↑ "Atom splitting in my kitchen was a hobby, man tells Swedish police". The Guardian. 3 August 2011.
  15. ↑ Wilson, Charles. "Nuclear reactor in kitchen". Hobbies from Hell. Abacus News. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  16. ↑ "Swede speaks out about kitchen nuclear reactor". The Local. 5 August 2011.
  17. ↑ "Court decision". Retrieved 23 May 2015 – via Google Docs.
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