The researchers at Polywell Fusion have issued a report on their progress.
Project Status More than 50% Completed
Final Project Report Submitted No
Project Activities Description Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Quarterly Activities/Project Description As of 3Q/2011, the WB-8 device has generated over 500 high power plasma shots. EMC2 is conducting tests on Wiffle-Ball plasma scaling law on plasma heating and confinement.
Jobs Created 12.00
Description of Jobs Created two full time plasma physicists and one full time microwave engineer. In addition, one full time equivalent electrical engineer.
It is not much of a report but it is all we have.
H/T The Boys and Girls at Talk Polywell where you can find a discussion of the nuances.
Cross Posted at Power and Control
Comments
4 responses to “Polywell Report – 3 Nov 2011”
Pretty frustrating. The promise, as I recall, was that we would know one way or the other in about 2 years if this had potential. Instead, the project seems to be petering out after more than two years without a statement either way. Well, that’s my opinion as a casual observer anyway.
Steve,
The project is not petering out. It has just gone mostly dark. I take it as a sign that things are going well and they hope to get a 4 or 5 year head start on the rest of the world. Just speculation of course. We shall see.
Simon- I hope you are right. I am skeptical, but you are much closer to this than I am. What is the status of their funding? Is public financing running out? Do they have private financing in the works?
Steve,
If the results look good they have the funding to continue.
As soon as I have something to report I will. In the mean time, like you I am biting my nails.