Richard Handl

Richard Handl
Known for Nuclear experimentation at home

Richard Handl (born 23 May 1980) is a Swedish man who experimented with building a breeder reactor in his apartment in Ängelholm, Sweden for 6 months in 2011 with the intention to create a nuclear reaction.[1][2]

After working in a factory for four years,[3][4] Handl became unemployed and decided to start a collection of the elements on the periodic table.[5] Out of curiosity he began experimenting with his collected elements to see if he could create a nuclear reaction.[6]

Handl's experiment included the acquisition of fissile material from outside the country,[7] a radiator suitable for transmutation, and instruments to measure the reaction, including a Geiger counter.[8] He spent about 5000 to 6,000 Swedish kronor in materials and equipment.[9] Experiments were done with tritium, americium, aluminium, beryllium, thorium, radium, and uranium, most of which he acquired from foreign companies.[10] One step involved cooking americium, radium and beryllium in 96% sulfuric acid on a stove in order to more easily mix the ingredients; this resulted in an explosion.[11] He kept a blog called "Richard's Reactor" in which he documented the progress of the reactor.[9][12]

On 22 July 2011 he was detained by the police[13] after having contacted the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) to inquire as to whether his project was legal or not.[14][15] His apartment was searched, and the radioactive materials as well as his computer were taken by the police.[6] He was released,[16][17] but is currently suspected for being in violation of the radiation safety act (Strålskyddslagen).[18] He was convicted in July 2014 on the violation of the radiation safety act and the violation of Swedish Environmental Code. A fine of 13,600 kronor was imposed.[19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Man tries to build nuke reactor in kitchen". ABC News.
  2. ↑ Johan Nylander. "Swede tried to build nuke reactor in kitchen".
  3. ↑ Jon Ronson (30 October 2012). Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries. Penguin Group US. pp. 205–. ISBN 978-1-101-61242-2.
  4. ↑ "Swedish man arrested after trying to split atoms in his kitchen". Telegraph.co.uk. 3 August 2011.
  5. ↑ Jon Ronson. "DIY science: should you try this at home?". the Guardian.
  6. 1 2 "BBC News - Swede admits home-made atom experiment was 'crazy'". BBC News.
  7. ↑ "Science News Daily".
  8. ↑ "Swedish man detained for building nuclear reactor in kitchen,". The Australian News.
  9. 1 2 "The Weird Story Of The Swedish Man Who Tried To Build A Nuclear Reactor In His Kitchen". Business Insider. 2 August 2011.
  10. ↑ "Tänkte bygga kärnreaktor i köket". DN.SE.
  11. ↑ "Swedish man arrested over kitchen nuclear 'reactor'". USATODAY.COM.
  12. ↑ "Swede detained for building nuclear reactor in kitchen". Wired UK.
  13. ↑ "Richard Handl arrested for home-made nuclear reactor | Daily Mail Online". Mail Online.
  14. ↑ Chuck Shepherd (18 December 2012). News of the Weird: Ironies. Andrews McMeel Publishing. pp. 16–. ISBN 978-1-4494-3779-4.
  15. ↑ "Atom splitting in my kitchen was a hobby, man tells Swedish police". the Guardian.
  16. ↑ "Kitchen nuclear reactor leaves Swede handcuffed". RT News.
  17. ↑ Charles Wilson. "Hobbies from Hell | Nuclear Reactor in Kitchen".
  18. ↑ "Swede speaks out about kitchen nuclear reactor ". The Local.
  19. ↑ "Court decision". Retrieved May 23, 2015.
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