Bubba Bob Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2169170/...-fusion-reactorIain Thomson, vnunet.com 21 Nov 2006An American teenager has built a working nuclear fusion reactor in the basement of his parents' home.Thiago Olson, 17, spent over 1,000 hours and two years getting the reactor to work, scavenging old equipment, buying components on eBay and persuading manufacturers to give him large discounts.The reactor works by sucking the air from a reaction chamber and injecting in deuterium, a form of hydrogen. A charge of 40,000 volts is then applied, using equipment from a gutted mammogram scanner, forming a small ball of plasma."Originally, he wanted to build a hyperbolic chamber," Olson's mother Natalice told the Detroit Free Press, adding that she promptly said "no". But, when he asked about the nuclear fusion machine, she relented."I think it was pretty brave that he could think that he was capable to do something so amazing," she said.The process itself is safe since the reaction ends as the power drops. It emits very low levels of X-rays which are not at harmful levels.Olson, who is nicknamed 'Mad Scientist' by his friends, intends to pursue a career in physics research."I thought he was going to be a cook, because he liked to mix things," said Natalice Olson. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jsbowen Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Olson, who is nicknamed 'Mad Scientist' by his friends, intends to pursue a career in physics research."I thought he was going to be a cook, because he liked to mix things," said Natalice Olson.I hope he doesn't adopt the catchphrase "Bam!". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Honda_Boy Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Is this an old story about macmarauder? Holy crap that kid is wicked smart. I bet he hasn't seen a score on a test lower 95. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jsbowen Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Holy crap that kid is wicked smart. I bet he hasn't seen a score on a test lower 95.I bet he also hasn't seen a girl's bra Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Carnevil Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Holy crap that kid is wicked smart. I bet he hasn't seen a score on a test lower 95.I bet he also hasn't seen a girl's bra That is so wrong, chicks dig the brainy dudes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blim Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Holy crap that kid is wicked smart. I bet he hasn't seen a score on a test lower 95.I bet he also hasn't seen a girl's bra That is so wrong, chicks dig the brainy dudes.ESPECIALLY when they get to College! Geeks are the most popular kids in school! I, too thought of Macmaruader! Suppose I should check out the Cafe Basement....Liz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
robroy Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Mac now what did you do Actually the theory behind fusion is fairly simple. I knew what was needed to build one while still young. I was a deprived child though, couldn't build anything in the basement. No basement, not even a crawl space, house was slab on grade. This explains why I am now a building inspector and not a nuclear physicist. Seriously though the kid did great Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Naming is hard Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Holy crap that kid is wicked smart. I bet he hasn't seen a score on a test lower 95.I bet he also hasn't seen a girl's bra I think thats a given.But cool story. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.