ok, i take sci-fi with a grain of salt, especially sci-fi TV shows. but an "off-hand" comment in the pilot episode of Warehouse 13 got my attention. somebody mentioned that "Farnsworth's fusion experiment" was in the "Farsworth aisle". of the warehouse. i got curious and did a google search....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farnsworth_fusor
http://49chevy.blogs.com/fusor/
and
http://www.rtftechnologies.org/
got my attention. the "garage" projects based on this use high voltage, and with relatively simple equipment CAN produce neutrons as a result of fusion reactions (so if you intend to take the extra step between "demo" model and fully working model, make sure you have the device shielded and have a way of measuring the neutron output of the device). homebuilt and even the best funded and best built fusors have not reached "break-even", but they do work. and they require high voltages at relatively high currents (10kV@30mA or more). they also require being able to produce a very high vacuum and the ability to meter minute quantities of certain gases into that vacuum.
i've been a "science geek" all my life, but never knew this type of research was going on, or that it was simple enough to do without tons of cash and specialized equipment. as a demo model using air or an inert gas, there is no fusion reaction, but the other operational characteristics of a working fusor can be demonstrated. it looks like it would make an excellent science fair project, or for somebody my age something really new and different to tinker with.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farnsworth_fusor
http://49chevy.blogs.com/fusor/
and
http://www.rtftechnologies.org/
got my attention. the "garage" projects based on this use high voltage, and with relatively simple equipment CAN produce neutrons as a result of fusion reactions (so if you intend to take the extra step between "demo" model and fully working model, make sure you have the device shielded and have a way of measuring the neutron output of the device). homebuilt and even the best funded and best built fusors have not reached "break-even", but they do work. and they require high voltages at relatively high currents (10kV@30mA or more). they also require being able to produce a very high vacuum and the ability to meter minute quantities of certain gases into that vacuum.
i've been a "science geek" all my life, but never knew this type of research was going on, or that it was simple enough to do without tons of cash and specialized equipment. as a demo model using air or an inert gas, there is no fusion reaction, but the other operational characteristics of a working fusor can be demonstrated. it looks like it would make an excellent science fair project, or for somebody my age something really new and different to tinker with.
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