Fusor Update and Science Fairs
Sorry I haven't written for a while, but the science fair and school have completely consumed my life. This is just a quick update on the fusor.I am currently upgrading my vacuum system and and adding in a diffusion pump, which is a type of high vacuum pump used in series with a mechanical pump, this pump should allow me to reach pressures of less than 1 millitorr. I am also going to build a 50kV/5mA power supply, which should allow me to do fusion. I am also building a 6", spherical stainless steel chamber, complete with conflat high vacuum flanges, a nice high voltage feedthrough, an ion source operating off the magnetron principle, and a nice viewport.Recently, I also entered my fusor in the science fair as part of a project titled "Effects of an Outer Grid on an Inertial Electrostatically Confined Fusion Reactor", and I received many awards!I received the following awards:
- Mars Society Grand Prize
- 1st Place in Physics at the District Science Fair
- District Fair Grand Prize
- Superior Rating at Districts
- Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Societies Grand Prize
- Bridgestone America Best Physics Project
- 2nd in Physics at NEOSEF
- Superior Rating at NEOSEF
- The Office of Naval Research Naval Science Award
- International Society of Automation Grand Prize
- Superior Rating and Perfect Score at Ohio State Science Fair (no prizes like 1st 2nd or 3rd were given out)