LPP Fusion's research team began reassembling their experimental fusion device, FF-1, in December 2016 to conduct new experiments using pure tungsten and a shorter electrode, including coating the tungsten anode with indium and upgrading their instruments.
Researchers at the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Krakow plan to initiate hydrogen-boron fusion experiments using a plasma focus device, with experiments expected to begin as early as 2018, following discussions with LPP Fusion.
LPPFusion revised its experimental plans after new insights, deciding to use a tungsten cathode with a shorter tungsten anode in late November to improve plasma purity and fusion yield, instead of combining beryllium anodes and tungsten cathodes as previously considered.
LPP Fusion is preparing to install a beryllium anode in their plasma focus device, which is expected to reduce impurity impact on the plasma and is covered by their patents. The team has addressed safety concerns related to handling beryllium dust within the sealed vacuum chamber.
LPP Fusion's research team has been preparing for a second series of experiments with tungsten electrodes, exploring a microwave method to remove tungsten oxide layers that increase plasma impurities, with tests planned for September.
A new analysis of LPPFusion’s FF-1 device shows that 20% of the input energy was concentrated into the pinch region, with up to 12 kJ out of 60 kJ compressed into it; increasing the current could raise this to 80 kJ, but requires additional 3D modeling help.
Researchers reported advances in hydrogen-boron (pB11) fusion, including experiments that achieved a billion reactions at the Prague Asterix Laser System and plans for closer international collaboration, such as joint experiments and workshops.
LPP Fusion reported new ion energy records of over 260 keV, a 50% increase over previous results, achieved with their FF-1 device in New Jersey, indicating progress toward ignition of hydrogen-boron fuel.
Funding for LPPFusion's Focus Fusion research increased in the last month, with over $15,700 in donations and $240,000 in new investments, as the organization resumed firing its FF-1 device after a seven-month hiatus.
LPP Fusion's FF-1 device resumed firing in April 2016, and after improvements, its fusion yield increased by nearly 50% to 0.25 joules on May 23, surpassing previous records and providing evidence that impurity reduction enhances fusion output.
LPP Fusion conducted preionization tests to improve plasma conditions for fusion shots, adjusting current and timing to achieve symmetrical preionization and reduce impurities, while replacing electrical components to handle higher voltages.
LPP Fusion's research team successfully completed a bake-out of the FF-1 experimental fusion device in March, reducing oxygen levels in the device by about a thousand-fold to improve plasma purity for fusion reactions.
LPP Fusion scientists are preparing FF-1 for a bake-out process to remove oxygen impurities, aiming to find a temperature between 120°C and 130°C that effectively eliminates oxygen without damaging the device's plastic insulators. An initial attempt at 150°C was unsuccessful due to plastic damage.
LPPFusion and the Focus Fusion Society announced new fundraising efforts to support their fusion research, including funding for additional shots with their FF-1 device and the production of explanatory videos, with contributions starting at $75.
In January 2016, cylinders of nearly pure beryllium were delivered to LPPFusion's lab to be machined into electrodes for fusion experiments, with plans to switch from tungsten to beryllium due to its transparency to x-rays and safety considerations.
LPPFusion has received titanium nitride-coated vacuum chamber parts to reduce oxygen and prevent tungsten oxide formation, which aims to increase plasma density and fusion energy production; a new quartz window will also be installed for x-ray measurements, with experiments scheduled before the end of December.
LPPFusion's team is working to eliminate oxygen sources in the vacuum chamber of their Focus Fusion-1 experiment by removing steel surface cracks and applying a titanium nitride coating, with plans to perform a vacuum bake-out at 150°C to reduce oxygen levels.
On November 3, 2015, LPPFusion announced the launch of its sixth stock offering, aiming to raise $2.5 million to fund Phase I research and develop a working prototype of its Focus Fusion generator.
LPPFusion plans to line its vacuum chamber with titanium or a titanium compound to reduce oxidation and impurities during fusion experiments, following tests that showed high oxygen release from stainless steel chambers at high temperatures.
LPPFusion completed its fourth stock offering in late August 2015, raising a total of $2 million since the offering began in June 2011, including additional crowdfunding and special offerings.
JobsNewsEventsArticlesAboutAffiliate ProgramOrganizationsSupply ChainProjectsJobsNewsEventsArticlesAboutAffiliate Program© 2019-2025 Triple Product Inc. Content available under CC BY-NC 4.0. Terms of Use
LPP Fusion 
Institute of Plasma Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences 
Jozef Stefan Institute 
General Fusion