BCCYBER Michigander, Step Inside - GoFuckYourself.com

Barefootsies · 05-10-2010, 05:16 PM

Build a Homemade Nuclear Reactor

Cost: $3,500

Time: 2 Years

Itching for a challenging science project, two years ago Thiago Olson decided to build a small nuclear reactor. He had limited funds, limited space in his garage, and little engineering know-how. After all, he was only 15.

With a year of research and another of building, Olson pulled it off, joining a club of fewer than 20 amateurs in the world who are known to have created â?fusors,â? tabletop machines that fuse atoms to produce energy. There´s no risk of a mushroom cloud-the machine creates barely enough energy to heat a cup of coffee, and radiation officials in Michigan (where Olson lives) have already deemed it safe.

How did he do it? Olson pored over graduate-level physics textbooks, studied vacuum-pump manufacturers´ manuals, and scoured the Web for cheap parts. Though mostly self-taught, he occasionally solicited advice on a fusion Web site. Once, he posted photos of a cheap photomultiplier tube he´d bought online because he had no idea how to rig it up. Another fusioneer on the site who had the same model promptly told him which wires went where. Amateur nuclear engineers are, it seems, a helpful bunch.

Now, his reactor up and running, Olson has turned to an even bigger challenge: college applications.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Two vacuum pumps suck air out of the central chamber, leaving a near-total vacuum. Loose atoms in here interfere with fusion and lower yield.
2. The chamber is filled with deuterium and jolted with about 45,000 volts of electricity. A negatively charged grid of thin steel wires attracts the now-positive particles, sometimes causing them to collide.
3. Colliding particles fuse to form helium-3. The resulting neutron emission is measured, proving that fusion occurred.

http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/20...uclear-reactor

CIVMatt · 05-10-2010, 06:20 PM

wtf I'm from Michigan and we usually just threw sticks in the river

Phoenix · 05-10-2010, 09:15 PM

i wonder if he has time to fill out the applications...why not just skip to his masters

assuming of course he has mastered his level of schooling already

LoveSandra · 05-11-2010, 04:02 AM

mmmmmmmmmmmm

05-10-2010, 05:16 PM	#1
Barefootsies Choice is an Illusion Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Land of Obama Posts: 42,635	BCCYBER Michigander, Step Inside Build a Homemade Nuclear Reactor Cost: $3,500 Time: 2 Years Itching for a challenging science project, two years ago Thiago Olson decided to build a small nuclear reactor. He had limited funds, limited space in his garage, and little engineering know-how. After all, he was only 15. With a year of research and another of building, Olson pulled it off, joining a club of fewer than 20 amateurs in the world who are known to have created â?fusors,â? tabletop machines that fuse atoms to produce energy. There´s no risk of a mushroom cloud-the machine creates barely enough energy to heat a cup of coffee, and radiation officials in Michigan (where Olson lives) have already deemed it safe. How did he do it? Olson pored over graduate-level physics textbooks, studied vacuum-pump manufacturers´ manuals, and scoured the Web for cheap parts. Though mostly self-taught, he occasionally solicited advice on a fusion Web site. Once, he posted photos of a cheap photomultiplier tube he´d bought online because he had no idea how to rig it up. Another fusioneer on the site who had the same model promptly told him which wires went where. Amateur nuclear engineers are, it seems, a helpful bunch. Now, his reactor up and running, Olson has turned to an even bigger challenge: college applications. HOW IT WORKS 1. Two vacuum pumps suck air out of the central chamber, leaving a near-total vacuum. Loose atoms in here interfere with fusion and lower yield. 2. The chamber is filled with deuterium and jolted with about 45,000 volts of electricity. A negatively charged grid of thin steel wires attracts the now-positive particles, sometimes causing them to collide. 3. Colliding particles fuse to form helium-3. The resulting neutron emission is measured, proving that fusion occurred. http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/20...uclear-reactor __________________ Should You Email Your Members? Link1 \| Link2 \| Link3 Enough Said. "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

05-10-2010, 06:20 PM	#2
CIVMatt Amateur Pimpin Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 13,075	wtf I'm from Michigan and we usually just threw sticks in the river __________________ Make easy money with Webcams

05-10-2010, 09:15 PM	#3
Phoenix BACON BACON BACON Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poems everybody, the laddie fancies himself a poet Posts: 35,457	i wonder if he has time to fill out the applications...why not just skip to his masters assuming of course he has mastered his level of schooling already __________________ Skype Phoenixskype1 Telegram PhoenixBrad https://quantads.io

05-11-2010, 04:02 AM	#4
LoveSandra So Fucking Banned Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Just Blow Me Posts: 10,551	mmmmmmmmmmmm