Ivy Matt wrote: I think FF-1 is the most promising fusion experiment that’s in operation right now.

I completely agree (perhaps not too surprising from folks who post here). And what I find most frustrating about FF funding is that it is the approach that requires the least funds to do conclusive research on its viability. As I understand it, it would take relatively little money (compared to the other major players) to fully fund the research that would tell us if there are any major showstoppers, or alternatively to get to indisputable breakeven.

More generally, I’m surprised that Popular Mechanics is not covering aneutronic approaches period, as this is clearly the most interesting, and potentially most game-changing, approach to fusion. It’s also the approach that is most advanced of the various “indie” companies — EMC2 has a big ongoing research project with a functioning device and funding from the government, Tri Alpha has a big investor, and FF is shaking out their device. By comparison, as far as I know General Fusion and Helion have yet to bend metal to any significant degree, and even if fully successful their final product will just be a radioactive heat source.