This is a project among Peninsula College undergraduates to build a working nuclear fusion reactor. OK, maybe not on the scale of ITER, but more along the lines of a tabletop fusion reactor, or fusor.
I got the idea for this special project from an article in Popular Science about a kid in Michigan who built on in his parents basement/garage over the course of two years. His parents helped financially, but this high school kid did the work and all of the math to put this thing together, learning a lot about modern and nuclear physics along the way. After reading this, I thought "Hmm..., why couldn't some of my students do the same thing as a special project? It would involve research, learning about nuclear energy, hands-on building and testing of equipment, design and safety practical knowledge, and the gathering and analyzing of data. " Sounds like the perfect project for the motivated students.
So, I called a meeting of the physics department staff (consisting of, well, me), and I decided to pitch the idea among some of my algebra-based physics students who would be returning for the inaugural offering of calculus-based physics this fall. The response was very positive. I then pitched the idea to the administration. I applied for and received a grant to undertake this special project. Cutting to the chase, we have $3,000 to buy all of the components to build this beast, and my time is donated to the project. You do what you have to do.
As part of this project, here is where we will be posting about the trials and tribulations, the small victories, the crushing disappointments, all of the stuff that goes into this thing called undergraduate research. The other players (my students) will be doing most of the posting, and should have their initial posts up soon. I encourage you, the reader, to follow our progress, and offer any insights or comments as you see fit.
I am Professor Zirul, and welcome to our project!
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