Half-Axed Fusion Program
Sep 15, 2011An article in the September issue of Physics Today highlights the continuing erosion of the US fusion program. (”The US narrows fusion research focus, joins German Stellarator.)
Financing Fusion
Fusion research is underfunded. The mission of the Financing Fusion Research Campaign is to bring stakeholders together to provide fusion researchers with the broadest possible funding base; to make the case for funding a diversified, “multi-target” approach to fusion; and to provide a broader range of people and organizations the opportunity to make a difference in creating our fusion future.
Your involvement makes a big difference!
Join online, or send checks payable to
Focus Fusion Society, PO Box 232, South Bound Brook, NJ 08880.
Recent posts in this category
Senate Slashes Fusion Budget
Sep 12, 2011On September 9, 2011, the full Senate Committee on Appropriations approved its version of the FY12 Energy and Water Development funding bill.
Focus Fusion Consumer Products
Jun 17, 2011The Focus Fusion Society encourages members to develop, license and market Focus Fusion-Themed Consumer Products (FFTCP’s).
Secretary Chu’s FY 2012 Budget Briefing
Feb 14, 2011The Department of Energy FY12 Budget Requests $3Billion more than the previous budget.
The good news is, it asks for reductions in subsidies for oil, coal and gas ($3.6 Billion). It also asks for an increase in Renewable Energy funding of $1Billion.
The bad news? Fusion, of course. It’s listed under “Science” on slide # 24, and it gets cut by $18Million - coincidentally that’s roughly the amount allocated for “innovative concepts.”
The worst news: This could all be moot as a fiscally conservative congress seeks to cut everything.
ASP White Paper: Fusion as an opportunity for American Leadership and Security
Feb 07, 2011The American Security Project released a new white paper titled “Fusion Energy: An Opportunity for American Leadership and Security” (pdf file) explaining the potential significant gains of American investment in fusion energy. It recommends a total government investment of $35 billion over a period of 15 years.
Older whiskey, younger women, faster cars, more money.
Jan 17, 2011In a country song, a youth once asked an old cowboy about the secret to life. The response was “Older whiskey, younger women, faster cars, more money.”
This line captures the essence of the ideal fusion program.
Making a Case for Diversified Fusion Funding
Oct 21, 2010It’s been a sad yet hopeful month for fusion. Sad due to university funding cuts. Hopeful due to the publication of the “Post-Partisan Power” report.
ICC recap and Bill Gates TED talk review
Feb 22, 2010On February 16-19, PPPL hosted the ICC Workshop (Innovative Confinement Concepts). This coincided with Bill Gates’ TED talk, in which he proposed nuclear fission innovations as a solution to the world energy+CO2 crisis. These two events can be juxtaposed with proactive implications for Fusion research strategy.
House hearing on fusion
Oct 30, 2009The House (of Reps) Subcommittee on Energy & Environment Hearing on “The Next Generation of Fusion Energy Research” was held Thursday, Oct. 29 from 10-12. This event can be seen here (RealPlayer required).
ARPA-E Says No
Aug 03, 2009Unfortunately, LPP’s concept paper for ARPA-E was not chosen as one of those to be elaborated into a full application.
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