fusor

Stand-by For Fusion

Richard Hull gets ready to demonstrate his home-made nuclear fusion reactor, Fusor IV.

Fun With Electricity

Van deGraaf generator demo at Richard Hull's High Energy Amateur Science gathering in Richmond, VA Oct 4 2008

Nobel Laureates Endorse Barack Obama

Not that I want to get political or anything on a site dedicated to science, but 61 Nobel Laureates speaking in unison warrants some attention:

An Open Letter to the American People

This year's presidential election is among the most significant in our nation's history. The country urgently needs a visionary leader who can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our greatest problems: energy, disease, climate change, security, and economic competitiveness.

    We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting him.

Not that I needed any persuading.

Maybe National Exposure...

...in a publication like the Wall Street Journal isn't such a good thing after all, since it seems to give some people in positions of authority who nevertheless have little idea what they're talking about something to be afraid of, like this editor and publisher of the Emporia Gazette.

I don’t know much about nuclear reactors, but the idea of having amateur scientists attempt to fuse atoms sounds as if it could be dangerous. I called Emporia’s city attorney to make sure there was a law prohibiting home nuclear reactors.

What I found is that in Emporia, it is illegal to have couches on your front porch, it’s illegal to have grass in your yard that is taller than 12 inches and it’s illegal to have roosters living within the city limits.

But if you want to have nuclear reactor in your basement, that is perfectly OK.

Maybe National Exposure...

...in a publication like the Wall Street Journal isn't such a good thing after all, since it seems to give some people in positions of authority who nevertheless have little idea what they're talking about something to be afraid of, like this editor and publisher of theLink: Friday Thoughts | emporiagazette.com.

I don’t know much about nuclear reactors, but the idea of having amateur scientists attempt to fuse atoms sounds as if it could be dangerous. I called Emporia’s city attorney to make sure there was a law prohibiting home nuclear reactors.

What I found is that in Emporia, it is illegal to have couches on your front porch, it’s illegal to have grass in your yard that is taller than 12 inches and it’s illegal to have roosters living within the city limits.

But if you want to have nuclear reactor in your basement, that is perfectly OK.

Tesla's Spirit Lives On

One of the lasting legacies of Nikola Tesla is his quest to deliver electrical power wirelessly.  Now Intel says they've achieved just that, although without giant tower on Long Island...

Intel on Thursday showed off a wireless electric power system that analysts say could revolutionize modern life by freeing devices from transformers and wall outlets.

Intel chief technology officer Justin Rattner demonstrated a Wireless Energy Resonant Link as he spoke at the California firm's annual developers forum in San Francisco.

Electricity was sent wirelessly to a lamp on stage, lighting a 60 watt bulb that uses more power than a typical laptop computer.

"Amateur Fusion" makes the Wall Street Journal

After months in the making, this morning's Wall Street Journal offers a front page story featuring the "amateur fusion" community hosted here at fusor.net:

Many of these hobbyists call themselves "fusioneers," and have formed a loosely knit community that numbers more than 100 world-wide. Getting into their elite "Neutron Club" requires building a tabletop reactor that successfully fuses hydrogen isotopes and glows like a miniature star. Only 42 have qualified; some have T-shirts that read "Fusion -- been there...done that."

Link: Nuclear Ambitions: Amateur Scientists Get a Reaction From Fusion - WSJ.com.

Life with a Nuclear Fusor

Our own Richard Hull is featured in this video feature by Wall Street Journal reporter Sam Schechner:

It's Official

Fusion is now cool with the Geek-o-scenti.  You can get a t-shirt:

One day it's gonna happen. One day the sun will turn the last of the hydrogen in its core into helium, and voila. No more fusion. No more sunshine. Now you have a funny shirt to wear should it happen (and if the human race still comes equipped with a standard package of a torso and two arms in their respective locations).

Now Here's....

... a really bad idea.  Back-yard fission reactors:

Hyperion’s “cartridge” reactor or “nuclear battery” is small, portable and self-contained, which could make it a good fit for remote, rural locations that are disconnected from the power grid. The company says the device can be delivered where it is needed and then sent back to the factory for refueling every five years.

The modular aspect of the device is supposed to bring down the cost of nuclear power — “30 percent” over traditional nuclear in capital costs and a 50 percent reduction in operating costs. The company says the device is also safer than traditional nuclear because: 1). it is sealed and only opened when refueled back at the factory, and 2). because it is buried at the generation site, which cuts down on tampering. We’re not sure about the company’s claims, but the image above looks slightly terrifying.