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Tabletop fusors only need energies in excess of 20keV. I'm sure that's no big deal at all.

Agreed. There are at least 25 people who've done it, maybe a lot more. Here's a guide to the whole process if you want to do it yourself: http://brian-mcdermott.com/fusion_is_easy.htm

My god, you're a genius. TFS even states he's the 38th and according to the article one of them was a janitor.

Agreed. There are at least 25 people who've done it, maybe a lot more. Here's a guide to the whole process if you want to do it yourself: http://brian-mcdermott.com/fusion_is_easy.htm

Because of course most of the arable land on the planet isn't currently needed to feed people. And even the current minuscule production of biofuels hasn't caused price hikes in food products that have left people starving to death.

If you hadn't been paying attention in the last couple of years there have been tremendous food shortages throughout the world (leading to numerous food riots) mostly caused by loss of food production due to the spread of the fungus UG99 http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19726474.400-killer-wheat-fungus-threatens-starvation-for-millions.html do we really want to produce even less food just so you can pump even more CO2 into the atmosphere???

As for Fission vs Fusion fusion is the very clean option fission is more geared to producing weapons grade plutonium and produces an awful lot of nuclear waste. Fusion on the other hand is extremely clean in comparison the only waste will be the reaction chamber when it is decommissioned.

For those who are interested you can build a fusion reactor in your garage http://www.brian-mcdermott.com/fusion_is_easy.htm

Cheers

By absolutely NO means is this anything new. This is being done world wide all over the place. In fact, with 2,000 dollars and a couple hundred collective hours, anybody could make them easily.

Before I switched majors from physics to CIS, I was planning on building one just as an experience buffer. It's extremely, extremely friggin' simple.

http://brian-mcdermott.com/fusion_is_easy.htm

Making a fusion reactor is relatively easy, albeit somewhat dangerous, like you said.

From here:

As with any nuclear-related project, safety must be taken into consideration.

[...]

* Radiation; this should be the least of your worries until about 15,000 volts of acceleration potential. At this point, x-rays start to emanate from viewports due to electron and ion bombardment of metals in the chamber. Always use a camera or mirror to peer into the viewport. X-rays can cause burns and lead to cancer. Above 40,000 volts, x-rays will start to come through the stainless steel chamber walls. At this point, you will need to use lead shielding. Neutron radiation is the most dangerous form of radiation known to man, but the fusor does not put out enough of it to be dangerous until about 45,000 volts. It can easily be shielded with water, wax or plastic. You can also minimize your exposure by standing well away from the fusor, or by operating it for only 20 minutes per week.

More safety info.

Really, it's that pesky part where we try to actually make it produce energy and break even that is stumping us right now.

Making a fusion reactor is relatively easy, albeit somewhat dangerous, like you said.

From here:

As with any nuclear-related project, safety must be taken into consideration.

[...]

* Radiation; this should be the least of your worries until about 15,000 volts of acceleration potential. At this point, x-rays start to emanate from viewports due to electron and ion bombardment of metals in the chamber. Always use a camera or mirror to peer into the viewport. X-rays can cause burns and lead to cancer. Above 40,000 volts, x-rays will start to come through the stainless steel chamber walls. At this point, you will need to use lead shielding. Neutron radiation is the most dangerous form of radiation known to man, but the fusor does not put out enough of it to be dangerous until about 45,000 volts. It can easily be shielded with water, wax or plastic. You can also minimize your exposure by standing well away from the fusor, or by operating it for only 20 minutes per week.

More safety info.

Really, it's that pesky part where we try to actually make it produce energy and break even that is stumping us right now.

"Tritium requires a $40,000 dollar license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with secure facilities and weekly medical exams because of its radioactivity. Don't even think about trying to get Tritium. It is dangerous and illegal." (And this from people doing home-built fusion reactors!)

There was that kid, but if you want to go fusion, you might look at these people.