The relationship of FFS and LPP

Posted by Rezwan on Nov 09, 2009 at 03:10 PM
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Quick answer: 

• ”Focus Fusion” is the name for research with pB¹¹ fuel and the Dense Plasma Focus (DPF). 
• LPP is a for-profit, private technology company conducting specific proof of concept experiments (aka “LPPX”) to test the feasibility of “Focus Fusion”. 
• The Focus Fusion Society (FFS) is a 501(c)(3) non profit charity and membership organization whose mission is to support the bold pursuit of aneutronic fusion via focus fusion technology.  It pursues this mission through education, advocacy and creating a social space to explore the issues.

As Eric Lerner says,

Focus fusion—the combination of pB11 and DPF—is not intrinsically an LPP monopoly. Right now we are the only ones doing research on it, but we expect that to change. Our patent covers our innovations, not focus fusion as an approach, which can’t be patented. (DPF is public domain since the 1980’s and so is pB11 as a fuel)

More FAQs & Info

Is FFS conducting experiments in fusion?

No, FFS is not currently conducting experiments in fusion, LPP (Lawrenceville Plasma Physics, Inc., a private research corporation) is.  This is why we call it the LPP Experiment, or “LPPX” for short.

But your name is “Focus Fusion Society” and the technology is “Focus Fusion”

That is correct.  Is there a question here?  If it helps, read about our history below. 

So what does FFS have to do with the experiments?

The Focus Fusion Society (FFS) has the privilege of documenting the experiments.  Like embedded journalists, we have the best seat in the house for watching the LPP experiment unfold and reporting in accordance with LPP’s policy on releasing research results.

As we document the experiment, we are developing educational materials on the theory and mechanics of focus fusion and related topics.  In the event that Focus Fusion works to generate net energy, these materials will help explain things to the general public and pave the way for quicker acceptance of Focus Fusion.  In the event that Focus Fusion is falsified, the materials still have rich educational value as they will teach basic principles of fusion and electricity, and the joy and agony of research and experimentation.

Non profit and for profit:  Financing

Another important distinction between the two is for those who want to contribute financially:

• LPP is a for profit corporation and can only accept money from accredited investors.  Accredited investors should go to LPP’s website for more info. Note:  This applies to US taxpayers.  Foreign investors have different rules.
• FFS is a tax-exempt charity.  Anyone can donate and donations are tax deductible for US taxpayers.  Donate now!  

The difference between donating and investing?  Investors stand to gain money should the venture succeed.   Donors give their money away with no expectation of financial return.  Their interest is in social or environmental return.  Thus donations to 501(c)(3) corporations (such as FFS) are tax deductible. (Note:  This applies to the US only.  This does not constitute legal advice.  Consult your own tax attorney.)

You can donate money to FFS at any time.  Your money will fund the work of the Focus Fusion Society, which is educational, cultural and advocacy related.  It will not fund research directly.

As for LPP, if you are not an accredited investor, you can certainly give LPP money to fund their experiment, but it will not count as an investment or as a tax deductible donation.  It can be a gift, consult your tax attorney.

FYI, we think it would be a good idea to allow for micro-investment in fusion ventures.  Many Americans want to fund research directly, as investors, but do not count as accredited investors.  The SEC rules are there to protect people, but they seem patronizing, and in these days of the “Long Tail” and the internet, it seems that micro-investing could be a viable source of additional revenue for fusion research.  Explore issues of micro-investment in the Finance section.

A brief history of FFS and LPP

Initially, FFS was a basic membership organization, and its goal was to raise funds for LPP’s focus fusion research directly.

While FFS never directly raised the kind of money needed for research, it has had a positive impact on LPP’s success by creating awareness of focus fusion. One of our site visitors worked at Google and secured an invitation for Eric to speak there, resulting in a Google tech video.  A number of FFS site visitors have turned out to be investors. As Eric Lerner stated: 

[we got] a trickle of income, not much, from FFS.  This in no way reflects the real impact of the site on our operations, since nearly all of the money LPP has received to support our research came from investors who first learned of focus fusion through the FFS website. So in a real sense, FFS is indeed fulfilling its goal of funding the research, although not directly.

All told, the attempt to raise funds for research directly is no longer being pursued.  We continue developing as an aneutronic fusion advocacy and education organization, with social-media experiments.

Officially, FFS became a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity nonprofit as of October, 2005. 

Eric Lerner, president of LPP, was also the executive director of FFS, until September 22, 2009. 

On September 22, 2009, Eric resigned as FFS’s executive director to work full time on the experiments with LPP.  He is still involved as the science advisor for FFS.  Rezwan Razani, long time volunteer and occasionally paid webmaster, was voted in as the new executive director of FFS.  She held the position until September 2011.  The organization is presently in transition, seeking a new executive director.  Unfortunately, we have not had sufficient funds for a director since September of 2010.  Please donate to enable the organization to flourish!

In December, 2008, LPP announced that they had raised sufficient funds to initiate a two year long experimental project to test the feasibility of Focus Fusion (proof-of-concept).  [Note:  for information on completion funds and to invest in LPP’s research, you need to contact LPP directly.  Accredited investors only.]

What does the future hold?  Uncertainty, that’s for sure!  If LPP proves its concept, FFS may be reconnected to LPP as its foundation arm (much like the Google Foundation is connected to the Google Corporation).  If LPP falsifies the concept, then FFS will dissolve or reinvent itself.

It’s dynamic.

More Questions?

We hope this clears things up!  Let us know if you have any more questions.  And check out Focus Fusion Society’s extended mission information here.