User:Electron9/Richard Handl

Richard Handl (born May 23, 1980) is a Swedish man that 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. According to himself, he wanted "[...] to see if it's possible to split atoms at home." He kept a blog called "Richard's Reactor" in which he documented the progress of the reactor.

The project included the acquisition of fissile material, a radiator suitable for transmutation, and instruments to measure the reaction. Experiments were done with tritium, americium, aluminum, beryllium, thorium, radium, and uranium, most of which he acquired from foreign companies. 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 a explosion.

On 22 July, 2011 he was detained by the police after having contacted the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) to inquire as to whether his project was legal or not. His apartment was searched, and the radioactive materials as well as his computer were taken by the police. He is currently suspected for being in violation of the radiation safety law (strålskyddslagen). If convicted, he may be charged with a fine or sentenced to up to two years in prison.