Richard Handl Explained

Richard Handl
Birth Date:23 May 1980
Known For:Nuclear 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 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]

Legal repercussions

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

Notes and References

  1. News: Tänkte bygga kärnreaktor i köket . Swedish . I was thinking of building a nuclear reactor in the kitchen . DN.SE .
  2. News: Man tries to build nuke reactor in kitchen . 2011-08-05 . ABC News . .
  3. News: Johan . Nylander . Swede tried to build nuke reactor in kitchen . swedishwire.com . dead . 2022-10-14 . 1 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043330/http://www.swedishwire.com/science/10855-swede-tried-to-build-nuke-reactor-in-kitchen .

    see alternate sourceNews: Lannin, Patrick . Lawrence, Janet . 4 Oct 2011 . 4 Aug 2011 . Swede tried to build nuclear reactor in his kitchen . . . 2022-10-14 .

  4. Book: Ronson, Jon . 30 October 2012 . Lost at Sea . The Jon Ronson Mysteries . Penguin Group US . 978-1-101-61242-2 . 205 ff .
  5. News: Swedish man arrested after trying to split atoms in his kitchen . 3 August 2011 . . London, UK .
  6. News: Jon . Ronson . 3 Feb 2012 . DIY science: Should you try this at home? . . London, UK .
  7. News: Swede admits home-made atom experiment was 'crazy' . 4 August 2011 . . . London, UK .
  8. News: [no title cited] ]. Science News Daily . dead . 2022-10-14 . 26 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180926065713/http://www.sciencenewsdaily.org/internet-news/cluster108635190/ .
  9. News: Swedish man detained for building nuclear reactor in kitchen . .
  10. The weird story of the Swedish man who tried to build a nuclear reactor in his kitchen . 2 August 2011 . .
  11. News: Winter, Michael . August 2011 . Swedish man arrested over kitchen nuclear 'reactor' . .
  12. Swede detained for building nuclear reactor in kitchen . 2011-08-03 . Wired UK . 10 September 2017 . 13 May 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160513045832/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-08/03/sweden-nuclear-reactor . dead .
  13. Book: Shepherd, Chuck . 18 December 2012 . News of the Weird: Ironies . Andrews McMeel Publishing . 978-1-4494-3779-4 . 16 ff .
  14. News: Atom splitting in my kitchen was a hobby, man tells Swedish police . 3 Aug 2011 . .
  15. News: Charles . Wilson . Nuclear reactor in kitchen . Abacus News . Hobbies from Hell . dead . 2022-10-14 . 3 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171203224518/http://www.abacusnews.com/news/11/016-hobby-from-hell.php .
  16. News: Swede speaks out about kitchen nuclear reactor . 2011-08-05 . The Local .
  17. Web site: Court decision . Google Docs . May 23, 2015 . registration.

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