Reply To: FOCUS FUSION REACTOR

[Aeronaut]

Pete,

You’re already implicated by showing solid evidence of visualizing the machine and mass producing it. The more of our members who do that, the better off we all are.

I’d design all parts for maximum reliability, with a rapid drop-off in performance when servicing is required rather than “low price”, since it will cost thousands (at least) even for routine servicing, which would make a $5 savings meaningless. I’d also design for the likelihood that all 12 switches would need replacing within an hour or so of each other (run time). Replacing all 12 as a set could also be written into the regulatory requirements to keep FF from getting a poor reliability rap from those who try to run it too cheaply.

I doubt the electrodes would be a problem other than testing enough berylium-copper alloys and getting the dimensions worked out . An outfit like Brush-Wellman (I did some floors in their plant) could cast electrodes by the thousands, including threads, using the lost foam technique.

If I had your materials properties background, I’d be focusing on the capacitors and X-ray converter construction. Smaller, lighter cap banks and shielding as well as higher onion yields are going to fuel an ongoing manufacturing duel about who can make the smallest, lightest FF in a given power range.