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Prometheus Is Overhauling His Polywell Fusion
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 12:59 pm
by MSimon
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:21 pm
by Skytreker
Very interesting indeed. At last some polywell related news! Although not from the lab we all are awaiting, but anyways. I wasn't aware of Prometheus development, so thanks for the heads up too.
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:54 pm
by ladajo
Famulus has been busy with his intern. Be interesting to see how fast he turns this step from ideas to live test. He has been making some good jumps of late.
I wonder how his funding is holding up. Would hate to see him hit another dry spell and go back to a real job to raise cash.
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:11 pm
by necoras
I think it takes 2-3 weeks to get a ceramic print from Shapeways. That's why he built the makerbot for less critical components and rapid prototyping. I suspect it will be at least a month before he has another major update. Hopefully the materials upgrade will be a productive step.
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:45 pm
by JoeP
This is an encouraging step. I imagine the rigid ceramic will reduce many variables involving movement and heat. How about outgassing? The printing process will trap a lot of gas molecules, y?
I'd like to see an angel investor would infuse Prometheus with some serious funds. The Navy project seems to have morphed into an information black hole.
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2012 11:29 pm
by Skipjack
Thanks for sharing Msimon!
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 1:56 am
by MSimon
Skipjack wrote:Thanks for sharing Msimon!
As always - honored to be of service or an annoyance depending.
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 12:56 pm
by ladajo
JoeP wrote:This is an encouraging step. I imagine the rigid ceramic will reduce many variables involving movement and heat. How about outgassing? The printing process will trap a lot of gas molecules, y?
I'd like to see an angel investor would infuse Prometheus with some serious funds. The Navy project seems to have morphed into an information black hole.
He may run into an issue with the ceramic failing due to high intensity spot heating. Some ceramics do not do well with flash heating and mechanical stress. That said I am eager to see if this change will improve and stabilize his results.
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 3:44 pm
by necoras
The printing process will trap a lot of gas molecules
It shouldn't. Air trapped in ceramics tends to shatter the piece. Granted that's air bubbles as opposed to at the molecular level. I'm more worried about the zip ties, even if they are supposed to be a higher quality. I would have gone with some sort of metal strip with a bolt/nut holding everything together. But I'm not an engineer.