Search found 2245 matches

by DeltaV
Mon Oct 19, 2009 6:14 am
Forum: Theory
Topic: Spheroidal Foci and POPS?
Replies: 197
Views: 66633

"Shed-yool", "Sked-jool", whatever... Another possible application for spheroidal Polywell fields: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=13020.630 Star-Drive, Reply #637 (Paul March, Mach-Lorentz Thruster investigator): "...Seriously, using a WB-XX reactor as our starting point, we have t...
by DeltaV
Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:31 am
Forum: Theory
Topic: Spheroidal Foci and POPS?
Replies: 197
Views: 66633

To sum up, spheroids have interesting, purely geometrical, focal properties (wavefront/particle-path concentration via internal reflections) and maybe they might have some practical physics value for future variations of the Polywell concept. I'm glad this was all in writing, because I don't know ho...
by DeltaV
Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:24 am
Forum: Theory
Topic: Spheroidal Foci and POPS?
Replies: 197
Views: 66633

ladajo Maybe you're referring to the test plasma picture at www.emc2fusion.org . Regarding the wiffleball, as I understand it, not only do the inwardly-convex magnetic fields compress the electrons, but the confined electrons also push back and tend to sphericize and seal the surrounding magnetic fi...
by DeltaV
Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:22 pm
Forum: Theory
Topic: Spheroidal Foci and POPS?
Replies: 197
Views: 66633

Correct, stars tend to be oblate due to rotation. They also have very complex dynamics... maybe solar oscillations (ringing) were an inspiration for POPS, I don't know. In any event, I have to treat plasma physics as a black (or at least, very dark gray) box due to ignorance on my part. Even very si...
by DeltaV
Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:56 pm
Forum: Theory
Topic: Spheroidal Foci and POPS?
Replies: 197
Views: 66633

Spheroidal Foci and POPS?

This is about some nice geometrical properties of spheroids which may, or may not, have application to offshoots of the baseline Polywell concept. I don't know enough plasma physics to do more than speculate, but I can always hope that some physicist might get inspired... First, some background for ...
by DeltaV
Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:01 am
Forum: News
Topic: Record high superconductivity near 254 Kelvin, -19C, -2F
Replies: 14
Views: 12435

I'd guess the current density might be comparable to existing cuprate superconductors, but that's only a guess. Re Lithium Hydride: "The calculations also predict that LiH6 could be a metal at normal pressures. However, under these conditions it is not stable and would decompose to form LiH and H2. ...
by DeltaV
Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:20 am
Forum: General
Topic: Fusion propulsion papers - ZaP and STX
Replies: 8
Views: 5089

The ZaP paper refers to a 50 m long, p-B11 z-pinch device producing 680,000 N or 152,320 lb of thrust (about 30% of the thrust of one SSME near full throttle). Both of the above concepts are intended for interplanetary (orbit-to-orbit) operation, given the high Isp and exhaust velocity, but that's s...
by DeltaV
Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:49 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Record high superconductivity near 254 Kelvin, -19C, -2F
Replies: 14
Views: 12435

Record high superconductivity near 254 Kelvin, -19C, -2F

10 October 2009 Superconductors.ORG "Superconductors.ORG herein reports the observation of record high superconductivity near 254 Kelvin (-19C, -2F). This temperature critical (Tc) is believed accurate +/- 2 degrees, making this the first material to enter a superconductive state at temperatures com...