Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Middle Schooler Becomes Youngest Person to Achieve Nuclear Fusion
https://interestingengineering.com ^ | October 08, 2020 | By Derya Ozdemir

Posted on 10/09/2020 11:54:06 AM PDT by RomanSoldier19

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-51 last
To: Fiddlstix

“Industrial might is not required to build a fusor however, and small demonstration fusors that achieve fusion (but not break-even!) can and have been constructed by amateurs, including high-school students for science projects. Each electrode is spot-welded from hoops of stainless-steel wire (often welding rod) at right angles. The fusor’s electrode dimensions are not very critical. The outer electrode can range from beach-ball to baseball size, and the inner from baseball to ping-pong ball size. Usually such projects use the high-voltage transformer from a neon sign, and high voltage rectifier from a hobby shop. Spark plug wires carry the power, with spark plugs to pass it into the vacuum chamber. Deuterium is available in lecturer bottles and is not a controlled nuclear material. Neutrons can be sensed by measuring induced radioactivity in aluminium foil after moderating the neutrons with wax or plastic, or a plastic neutron luminescent material can be used with a photodetector. The major expense is the vacuum pump. Note that the voltages are dangerous (though less dangerous than a TV), and neutron emissions do present some hazard. The X-ray emissions are less than those of a color TV since the voltages are less. “


41 posted on 10/09/2020 4:06:57 PM PDT by catnipman (Cat Nipman: Vote Republican in 2012 and only be called racist one more time!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: backwoods-engineer
We might be the only people on this thread who even know about the Farnsworth Hirsch Fusor.....
based on reading certain replies....

42 posted on 10/09/2020 4:07:22 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: catnipman

“Neutrons can be sensed by measuring induced radioactivity in aluminium foil after moderating the neutrons with wax or plastic, or a plastic neutron luminescent material can be used with a photodetector”

LOL!


43 posted on 10/09/2020 5:02:24 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1z)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: catnipman

” Note that the voltages are dangerous (though less dangerous than a TV), “

My 75” TV uses 3.1 volts to. light the LED’s.


44 posted on 10/09/2020 5:05:11 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1z)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: SmokingJoe
"Great genes. Can we clone him?"

But, but, he's white.....

45 posted on 10/09/2020 5:05:53 PM PDT by unread (A REPUBLIC..! If you can keep it....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: roadcat
"David Charles Hahn, sometimes called the "Radioactive Boy Scout" or the "Nuclear Boy Scout", was an American man who built a homemade neutron source at the age of seventeen."
46 posted on 10/09/2020 5:09:22 PM PDT by unread (A REPUBLIC..! If you can keep it....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Fiddlstix
So it seems. People just aren't taught science any more.

I always wanted to build a fusor myself.

47 posted on 10/09/2020 7:00:19 PM PDT by backwoods-engineer (But what do I know? I'm just a backwoods engineer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: catnipman

Yep. Not that hard to build one. People are so ignorant, thinking this is some big feat of SCIENCE!


48 posted on 10/09/2020 7:02:41 PM PDT by backwoods-engineer (But what do I know? I'm just a backwoods engineer.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: backwoods-engineer

Compared to other 15 year old kids—of any generation—I think it’s an impressive thing. For a third year research fellow at MIT? Not so much. Context is everything.


49 posted on 10/09/2020 7:10:04 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

https://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/0_0_0/cold_fusion_science


50 posted on 12/25/2020 9:08:07 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]


Sun in a Bottle: The Strange History of Fusion and the Science of Wishful Thinking
Sun in a Bottle:
The Strange History of Fusion
and the Science of Wishful Thinking

by Charles Seife


51 posted on 03/04/2021 6:55:18 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-51 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson