polywell fusion progresses

arxiv.org...

for those that did not know: polywell fusion technology is directly evolved from Farnsworth Fusor research. it looks like they think that the plasma instability problem smooths itself out at higher temperatures and densities. that was a theory and the research seems to be bearing out that theory. at this rate why do we need ITER or NIF?

I wonder how many polys died making that reactor? anyway because the paper is a bit dry here is an older article on polywell fusion complete with neat sci-fi looking glowing thingies:

nextbigfuture.com...

I thought I might add this vid a reply to: stormbringer1701

thanks!

originally posted by: stormbringer1701
arxiv.org...

for those that did not know: polywell fusion technology is directly evolved from Farnsworth Fusor research. it looks like they think that the plasma instability problem smooths itself out at higher temperatures and densities. that was a theory and the research seems to be bearing out that theory. at this rate why do we need ITER or NIF?

The experiments have to bear out the theory. The history of fusion is littered with unexpected instabilities and complexities which arise in each new regime of scale-up, and they have always made the problem worse. If scale-up makes things better, that would be fabulous, but there's also the problem of capital cost similar to fission plants. If the minimum size means really expensive, then it just won't be built even if it works. If you can make a 50MWe 1st plant that's profitable and successful then you'll get investors and later scale-up as a real business.

For fusion energy we don't need the NIF at all. It's a nuclear weapons program, and I don't think we should be spending more than the basic minimum on that.

ITER would turn out to be useful even if a different configuration becomes preferred to a tokamak. There are intense problems in materials engineering & controls which would occur in any practical fusion power source.

It's like saying whether to scrap the apollo program if somebody found a better rocket engine design than the F-1. There's still plenty of work.

well polywells do do better when larger but the size where the math makes sense is fairly compact, (like would almost fit in the back of a pick up truck) compact. that is about the size Dr Bussard thought would both break even and be stable.

still you could never use a polywell design to power a car or jet fighter because there is a minimum size for one of these. but you could use it to power a train or a space ship or a town or a city.

speaking of spaaaaaaace ships:

Lotsa links to Fusion and fusion powered spaceship papers and articles

www.askmar.com...

Oh Noes! More Polys are making the ultimate sacrifice!

www.nbcnews.com...

well the navy is phasing out funding but on the bright side we can now see their results and they are going commercial. there could be a polywell fusion reactor with break even in seven years but they need investors.