Reply To: Look at this

[Ivy Matt]

MSimon at the Talk Polywell forums, who apparently has some inside knowledge, has confirmed that the WB-8 project is behind schedule, and has given the reason as procurement difficulties.

I’m not sure how being a political football is a problem, except for our ability to receive detailed reports from the folks at EMC2. I don’t doubt that, if anything comes of the Polywell, there will eventually be scholarly papers and patents for everyone to read. I guess the big question is what happens when EMC2’s current source of funding runs out. If the results are promising enough, however, I expect the Navy will fight hard for more funding, even if they have to go toe-to-toe with the DOE. They’re not funding the Polywell just because it makes them look good. They’re looking to put the things in their ships. The DPF might be a possible alternative, but ITER certainly won’t fit that bill.