K-Horn's PCM

Prepared by Peter Lichang Kuo

The 28th United Nations Climate Summit (COP 28) was held in Dubai. 22 world leaders signed a declaration: "To make efforts to triple nuclear energy by 2050----" This is a consensus view of about 200 countries. On December 2, 2023, “If you want to reconcile jobs creation, strategic autonomy and sovereignty, and low carbon emissions, there is nothing more sustainable and reliable than nuclear energy,” said French President Emmanuel Macron during his address at the Tripling Nuclear Energy by 2050 ceremony. The COP28 climate conference which resulted in nearly every country in the world agreeing to transition away from fossil fuels, determining the trend of energy development in the next 20 years; unfortunately, the only outsider in this very conference still clings to “fossil”.

Fig 1: The UN Climate Summit COP 28

Looking at the discussion of "Energy Transition" throughout the conference, it is still limited to radioactive materials -- uranium/plutonium/zirconium/thorium and etc. In fact, there is an alternative way to achieve the goal of "NZE2050" (net-zero emissions in 2050) - -that is My "PCM Initiative". PCM is the abbreviation of "Power Chip Module", and PCM is the heart of the "Micro-generator". As I write this, I can’t help but think of Mr. Yao Jing-Bo, Professor of the Department of Electrical Engineering at National Cheng Kung University.

Following to assist the Taiwan Authority to accomplish "APEC Technomart II" on January 25, 1998; then, the "Service Train for Small and Medium Enterprise" arrived in Tainan on January 29. After the meeting, I rushed to the dormitory of Cheng Kung University to see Professor Yao, who was eighty years old at that time. When I picked up the sample of "Power Chip" as thin as a stamp and showed it to him, Professor Yao was shocked; and then responded: "Wow! This is already beyond the scope of my understanding----"

Fig 2: Professor Jing-Bo Yao and Author

Professor Yao was from Harbin. In 1948, he was ordered to move the Shenyang Arsenal to the opposite side of Sun Yat-sen Park in Tainan. We all called it the "Arsenal 504". Afterwards, He began to teach electrical engineering at Tainan Institute of Technology, the predecessor of National Cheng Kung University, and wrote "Basic Electricity" and those related textbooks, there were his students all over the world. Because my cousin aunt was married with Professor Yao, so I should call him as "uncle"— but we all called him “Professor Yao.” In November 1965, my father wanted me to accompany him running away from Tainan to avoid the jail to Kaohsiung. When we went to say goodbye to him, he said: "If you need anything in the future, don't be hesitate, just come to me ---" showing the generous and magnanimity of Northeastern people.

Later, my father was maliciously arrested and imprisoned because of the ‘White Terror’, I had to take on the responsibility of feeding a family of nine, so I started my own business and founded "Cheng Kuang Metal Works" in early 1966; and I was able to use the precision components I made by myself to do business with American Electronic Company (AVNET, NYSE listed company), Professor Yao played a very important role in composing my "Story of Turnover". Especially, he introduced his colleague Professor Ma Chen-Chiu to me. And Mr. Ma gave me his book "Introduction to Mechanical Engineering" which inspired me from a craftsman "to use theory into practice" as an scientist, and then created Taiwan's Precision Industry.

In 1969, it was determined that vacuum tubes would be eliminated, and everyone was facing a crisis of transformation; however, our group of industrial people persevered, and our old friend Mr. Chen Yongtian successfully developed a "Portable Transistor Recorder"—brand “LUCKY” and received a large number of purchasing orders from American Jewish buyers. But the supply of the required insulating material—like "Bakelite Plate" was extremely unstable came from Japan. Therefore, in 1972, we built a factory at Lane 360, Chong-Cheng South Road, Yong Kang in Tainan County to produce "Bakelite Plate".

Fig 3: Lucky’s Portable Transistor Recorder

Unexpectedly, the "Bakelite Plate" made of laminated papers that was actually able to leak electricity, and became a "conductor". After debugging hard for no solution, I had to go to Cheng Kung University to ask Professor Yao for help. Mr. Ma Chen-Chiu smiled and said: "You have made a major discovery!----" After their help and in-depth analysis, the problem lied in the ratio of "graphite", and we soon found the solution to fix the defect. Later, our Social Responsibility Investment (SRI) planned to develop "Walkable Robots", I discussed with Mr. Ma as for the power part, the results that Mr. Ma mentioned about the incident of "Leakage of Bakelite Plate", also talked of "Botany"; later on, I finally made the proto type of "Power Chip". Unfortunately, on January 29, 1998, Professor Yao could not contact Mr. Ma, and the hitchhiker, a professor surnamed Chen from Chi Nan University, was in a hurry to return to Puli, Nantou, and was unable to let Mr. Ma see the sample of "Power Chip".

Fig 4: Power Chip from the technologies of Materials and Lamination

In 2008, when Mr. Ma was 94 years old, he published the book "Notes on Fuel Cells" (Ma Chen-Chiu, 2008), which put forward many good concepts and is worthy of careful reading by those who study energy transition. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) theory we had discussed before was also included in it, which is considered the theoretical basis of Power Chip; the accuracy of the proton is 10 to the power of minus 15, but Power Chip uses "pico-tech" (1 x 10^-12m) which is the next generation technology of the precision industry.

Fig 5: "Notes on Fuel Cells" (Ma Chen-Chiu, 2008)

The sample of "Power Chip" is as thin as a stamp, but it has a lifespan of 2 to 3 years during the endurance test. The biggest problem is "expansion due to oxidation"; the test found that samples that by means of blowing winds and vibrating waves to generate energy will expand. Consequently, we must invest in qualified laboratories and conduct material experiments, just like Thomas Edison found the material of tungsten filament to make light bulbs, to find suitable materials to improve the defects of oxidation expansion.

Fig 6: Expansion occured after 2-3 years of use

● Originally planned to invest NT$ 300 billion for the advanced development of PCM

Therefore, we accelerated our efforts to promote the plan of "Steering the E-commerce" on the stage of APEC 1998, hoping to make our "the e-commerce system" (referred to as TES, or The eStore System) commercially available as soon as possible – with an expected output of "US$12.5 billion". The profits will allow NT$300 billion to be invested in the "PCM Initiative", creating 100,000 new job opportunities for achieving the mission goal of SRI (social responsibility investment). Unfortunately, due to a trip to Beijing for signing a working contract in August 2002, those entities of corruption took advantage of it. Under the bombardment by the corrupt, we encountered difficulties that ordinary people could not imagine, causing delays in the advanced research and development of PCM; therefore, I’ve been continuously promoting the "Importance of Anti-Corruption" through international exchange platforms.

Fig 7: TES expected to earn USD 12.5 billion for SRI

Nowadays, under the global consensus of "NZE2050", "nuclear energy" has become an important option for electricity. The world has a strong interest in small nuclear power generation module reactors (Small Module Reactor) -- referred to as "SMR". French President Emmanuel Macron said that "Investment in this area helps create new job opportunities," which is in line with K-Horn's initiative of “Social Responsibility Investment” (SRI). In contrast, the issue of a "Non-nuclear Homeland" appears to be too fragile and untenable.

Social responsibility investment (SRI) began in the 1980s. After successfully obtaining a sample of "Power Chip" as thin as a stamp, I hoped to invest in improving the defect of power chip through the profits obtained from the commercial use of "TES", and then in modularizing it -- called "PCM" (Power Chip Module) ; that is to connect them in series and parallel, combine them into a special module, put it in a compact container, and connect external sensors with collector wires (withstand mechanical energy such as "wind, sun, rain" etc. to convert into electrical energy), to combine into a PCM Micro-generator. The target is to generate about 10 kilowatt- hour of electricity a day. (Note: Each kilowatt-hour of electricity is 'kWh'—the energy consumed by using an electrical appliance with a rated power of one kilowatt for 1 hour)

After theoretical research, the "PCM Micro-generator" has a target volume of 10 kilowatt-hour in an A3 carton, to be able to assist the traditional form of electricity production. It is estimated that the cost of a PCM Micro-generator is about USD two thousand, and the equipment has a durable life of more than three years. It will be possible to achieve the ideal of "Generating Electricity At Home" in order to achieve the mission goal of reducing carbon emissions. Unfortunately, the action of SRI was attacked continuously by the island's corruption group, and resources continued to be lost. In the end, it was classified as "Confidential" by the public sector until August 16, 2017, completely hindering this research and development that will possibly have unlimited contributions to the human world.

As the matter of fact, the World Nuclear Energy Association's "SMR" did not include "NUCLEAR", but emphasizes "MODULE", which showed that the developing space is flexible. Micro-generator is a feasible tool to resolve future power problems. Its basic component is a power chip—an invention that everyone who attended the "Science & Future Forum" in the 1990s had seen demonstrated. Everyone who saw the power chip as thin as a stamp turning on the LED lights up exclaimed that "Wow! That's too amazing----" When it is modularized into "PCM", it can form a micro-generator to benefit mankind.

Fig 8: Power Chip shown at "Science & Future Forum"

The new tech-economic system "TES" we invented is also known as "The eStore System", where "eStore" is an electronic store and also an "Energy Storage". The electronic store is an invention that combined ATM and vending machine for creating employment opportunities. When it is placed in remote areas or polar regions, it also has its own energy (power) supply -- hence to gain the name "Small Cell Site". On the stage of APEC 2003, we proclaimed that "One eStore One Business One Job" which triggered a warm feed back. The conclusion of the said conference was: "This is the best guidance to help 240 million people start their own businesses." In fact, "eStore" is also a "micro-generator" that can modular duplication around the world. It can be applied to every corner of human life in the future, and was widely recognized during the APEC initiatives.

I still remember that Mr. Ma Chen-Chiu mentioned the conclusion of high-energy physical batteries: "We can't just spin the circle around chemical batteries!" Therefore, solid-state power chip samples are produced in lumber mill, not battery factories. It has the following features: "1. Miniaturization: the volume of the micro-generator is scheduled to be the size of an A3 carton; 2. Air-cooling: clean and pollution-free; 3. Raw materials: traditional metals plus insulating materials -- and containing the plant ingredients; 4. Capacity: the electric capacity can be adjusted according to needs; 5. Safety: it’s safer than others -- because the working temperature is around normal temperature." The disadvantage is that it requires the intensiveness of capital and technology, but the mission goal of "NZE2050" will be achieved when the supply chain is established. In addition, the development of "PCM" will determine the strength of national power, and of course it also falls within the scope of "National Security".

It is a pity that social responsibility investment, which is progressing step by step, has been stalled by those corruption attacks; however, we still do not forget to promote the "PCM Initiative" at APEC and various international conferences. Moreover, the global electricity demand is about 300GW a year, and PCM Micro-generators are products that may resolve the problems of nuclear, hydropower, thermal power, and in addition to solar power generation. The rough market value is about USD 3.8 trillion in APEC, and about USD 6.0 trillion in the G20—this Innovative industries will create countless new job opportunities and derivative value chain for new era.

The UN COP 28 summarized the methods to achieve the future "NZE2050". The energy transition to reduce fossil fuels year by year--called "phase out" is a major trend. Meanwhile, due to small module reactors (SMR) do not require many safety devices as in large reactors -- including cooling and heat removal, they are imagined as better alternatives to replace fossil fuel power plants, the required emergency planning area design radius does not exceed approximately 300 meters. The ministries of energy of various countries have proposed the specifications of the “Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation” (MARVEL) for SMR constructions. The World Nuclear Association lists the features as follows:

1. Small power and compact architecture and usually (at least for nuclear steam supply system and associated safety systems) employment of passive concepts. Therefore there is less reliance on active safety systems and additional pumps, as well as AC power for accident mitigation.

2. The compact architecture enables modularity of fabrication (in-factory), which can also facilitate implementation of higher quality standards.

3. Lower power leading to reduction of the source term as well as smaller radioactive inventory in a reactor (smaller reactors).

4. Potential for sub-grade (underground or underwater) location of the reactor unit providing more protection from natural (e.g. seismic or tsunami according to the location) or man-made (e.g. aircraft impact) hazards.

5. The modular design and small size lends itself to having multiple units on the same site.

6. Lower requirement for access to cooling water – therefore suitable for remote regions and for specific applications such as mining or desalination.

7. Ability to remove reactor module or in-situ decommissioning at the end of the lifetime.

In May 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the “Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program” (ARDP) offering funds, initially $160 million, on a cost-share basis for the construction of two advanced reactors that could be operational within seven years. The ARDP will concentrate resources on designs that are "affordable" to build and operate. The program would also extend to risk reduction for future demonstrations, and include support under the “Advanced Reactor Concepts 2020” pathway for innovative and diverse designs with the potential to be commercial in the mid-2030s. Testing and assessing advanced technologies would be carried out at the Idaho National Laboratory's “National Reactor Innovation Center” (NRIC). The NRIC started up in August 2019 as part of the DOE's “Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear” (GAIN) initiative, which aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies.

At the same time, countries are gradually “phasing out coal burning” to achieve their goals of reducing carbon emissions. For example, the heating market in northern China is very large and is now almost entirely provided by “coal”, causing serious pollution—especially dust, particulates, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides. So far, China is building a project of "the most advanced SMR" consists of two 250 MWt “high-temperature gas-cooled reactors” (HTRs); it is also developing "small district heating reactors" with a capacity of 100 to 200 MWt, which may have a strong potential evaluated at around 400 units. Other countries in the G20 have also invested in SMR plans, hoping to implement the goals of NZE2050.

Another significant line of development is in very “small fast reactors” of under 50 MWe. Some are conceived for areas away from transmission grids and with small loads; others are designed to “operate in clusters” in competition with large units.

"Light Water Reactors" is another trend for development. These are moderated and cooled by ordinary water and have the lowest technological risk, being similar to most operating power and naval reactors today. They mostly use fuel enriched to less than 5% “U-235” (Uranium-235) with no more than a six-year refuelling interval, and regulatory hurdles are likely least of any small reactors.

"Energy Transition" is determined to be a consensus view of the UN Climate Summit COP 28. APEC CEO Summit 2023 in San Francisco built on APEC's "Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular-Green Economy", the goal established the goal of progressing sustainable and inclusive economic policies while ensuring they also address environmental challenges, revealed that "the Non-Binding Just Energy Transition Principles" for encouraging regional economies to cooperate in developing emerging energy sources. Regardless of the development of small modular reactors (SMR) or power chip module micro-generators (PCM), huge funds are required. Under this megatrend, innovative technologies and derivative products will surely bear the fruits; and of course, just as the achievements of social responsibility investment (SRI) for new "Tech-Economic System" (TES) encountered that the intellectual property rights had been infringed, it is more likely that evildoers will commit theft, and it is more possibly that the tycoon will link public authorities to persecute the vulnerable innovators. The above is defined as all acts of "CORRUPTION" require the attention of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) for “Anti-Corruption”, which strengthens sanctions against intellectual property thieves and infringers, so that the expected mission goals can be achieved.

In summary, increasing the use of nuclear energy is globally recognized as an important means to achieve net-zero emissions in 2050, and countries have invested heavily in the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), hoping to meet the requirements of the World Nuclear Association. However, the megatrend is at the United Nations’ "Green Transition", and it is not limited to radioactive materials. (refer to Paris Agreement) On the contrary, there are many unknown but already existed treasures that need to be dug out urgently. K-Horn's "PCM Initiative" is an important option -- tremendous sophisticated innovations will be developed, creating demand for new jobs, and if successful, reducing the use of radioactive materials and preserving a clean and beautiful tomorrow for the next generation.

Fig 9: Paris Agreement at UN Climate Summit

The author Li-Chang Kuo (aka Peter Lichang Kuo) created Taiwan's Precision Industry in his early years, and advocated those initiatives at APEC to gain the policies of "Anti-corruption/Cashless/E-Com/ICT/IPR/IIA-TES/MB..." in the past 2 decades; and also known as an expert of the third sector.