[Cobra Scott]

If they succeed in running one of the higher energy aneutronic fusion cycles (PB11), then they can design the electrostatic confining fields to "leak" ions at a specific point and do magnetohydrodynamic conversion by "slowing down" the high energy particles, which can be up to 80% efficient. Thanks, I wondered how you eventually turned it into shaft work, I didn't realize they could funnel the neutrons. Then you have a standard moderator-to-heat solution. You are saying the neutrons can be funneled, right? Or am I missing something? I looked up MHD from your post, and now I think I understand the debate over whether it is Maxwellian and for how long. Thanks for that! Incidentally I did read some speculation on trapping alpha in the chamber and using it as an additional source of current, like a giant pacemaker battery I guess. Just speculation I know.

[ASOC]

Here is a link to a neutron trap.
http://www.aip.org/png/html/neutrap.html

magnetic trap for neutrons
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v403/n6765/full/403062a0.html

So-called cold neutrons are used for cancer treatment. Cool use of N physics.

[Rifleman]

The proton/Boron 11 reaction (PB11) produces almost no neutrons. Instead alpha particles are generated. These are charged particles and so can be steered out of the reactor and can directly generate a very high voltage dc current. So you don’t need a steam plant(20 to 30% efficiency and expensive), just a tall stack of high voltage semiconductor switches and some transformers (85 to 95% efficiency and MUCH cheaper) to make 60Hz electrical power for the grid.

Assuming no show stoppers of course.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Thanks, I wondered how you eventually turned it into shaft work, I didn't realize they could funnel the neutrons. Then you have a standard moderator-to-heat solution. You are saying the neutrons can be funneled, right? Or am I missing something?"

Not really. They need to use the "moderator" approach with neutrons because they CAN'T "be funneled". They have to be "slowed down" and lose energy by collisions with a light nucleus (like the protons in water).

But with the PB11 reaction, the products are two high energy alpha particles, which can most definitely be funneled and slowed either by electric or magnetic fields.