Talk-Polywell.org

While this dataset provides solid evidence supporting the expected scaling, it does not give a direct measure of the associated efficiency of the process, as yield is plotted as a function of the total plasma current rather than the pinch current itself. (Note further that taking into account the heuristic scaling described above with respect to plasma vs pinch currents, that the expected maximum pinch current associated with this plot would be ≈ 600 kA.) Thus, this plot does not make a statement on Q. Quantitative assessment of progress toward fusion breakeven will be based on measurement of local plasma temperature, density, and flow speed, with the measured yield rate providing corroborating data.

I might be misinterpreting some of the graphs, but scaling seems to depend on injected fuel mass. The more mass, the more the gain curve is shifted to higher input currents.

The new FuZE-Q 1 MJ class power bank, for example, was designed, built, assembled, commissioned, and generated first plasma, all within eight months.

The sheared-flow-stabilized (SFS) Z-pinch concept is on a path to commercialization at Zap Energy. Recent experiments on the Fusion Z-pinch Experiment (FuZE) and newly commissioned FuZE-Q devices are advancing the state of the art in pinch current, stable plasma duration, and deuterium–deuterium fusion neutron production. The SFS Z-pinch configuration offers the promise of a compact fusion device owing to its simple geometry, unity beta, and absence of external magnetic field coils. In addition to a robust experimental program pushing plasma performance toward breakeven conditions, Zap Energy has parallel programs developing power handling systems suitable for future power plants. Technologies under development include high-repetition-rate pulsed power, high-duty-cycle electrodes, and liquid metal wall systems. The issue of electrode durability in future SFS Z-pinch power plants is elaborated on and compared with plasma material interaction regimes in other industrial processes and fusion energy systems.

Fortunately, several classes of solutions are available to reduce the cathode erosion problem to manageable levels.

mvanwink5 wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 20, 2023 1:47 pm

Fortunately, several classes of solutions are available to reduce the cathode erosion problem to manageable levels.

III. ELECTRODE DAMAGE MITIGATION STRATEGIES

The company has yet to generate fusion reactions with its device

In order to generate electricity, Zap Energy plans to use tritium, which is great for fusion but happens to be wildly expensive costing about $30,000 per gram in 2022, according to Science.

"We have not and we will not hit break-even this year," a Zap Energy spokesperson said.