DrSadana

The SS chamber where the reactions actually happen isn't very large -- only about 6 inches in diameter. If you're including the vacuum system, the pumps, the power supply, etc., then it's much larger (mostly because I want to operate it from a distance for safety). If I had a space limitation, I could probably fit everything within 15 sq feet.

As for power- it produces almost nothing. The reason we have billion dollar fusion facilities such as ITER is because achieving more power than we put in is very, very hard. I put in about 1.5 kilowatts into the fusor (instruments, vacuum pumps, power supply), and get out probably less than a microwatt. Most of the power goes to accelerating the ions, heating up the chamber, and maintaining the vacuum.

Sarvesh

The logical part of me says that, because the transporter precisely replicates you down to the quantum level, you are the same person. The logical side of me would also say that sense of self isn't a meaningful construct, so it doesn't matter anyhow.

But then, I wouldn't exactly volunteer for transport. I suppose my faith in science only goes so far. Also, the thought of being beamed into space, molecule by molecule, is rather off-putting.

Sarvesh

It's legal, yes. It doesn't have to be registered with the NRC because it's so small.

I'm sure that I'm on a list. I have a foreign sounding name, I'm building crazy nuclear stuff in my garage, I use Tor, and I'm a student pilot. I suppose it's a good thing I'm not Muslim. As a matter of fact, a few of the other members on the forum (fusor.net/board) were visited by the FBI.

It does produce radiation, yes. The only things that leave the chamber are neutrons (D+D --> 3He + N), x-rays, and the odd gamma ray. It's very hard to use it for nefarious purposes, because unlike fission, there's no risks of an overload or an explosion. I suppose one could use the neutrons to breed tritium with lithium 7, and use that in an improvised nuclear weapon. That would be highly dangerous and illegal though. Also, a fusor wouldn't be ideal for that purpose. Something like a PoBe neutron source would be far more consistent.

Hope that answers your question,

Sarvesh

I'm a guy, so I sure hope not!

Great question!

Everyone I've spoken to and interacted with at Berkeley has treated me with nothing but respect and courtesy. They're all incredibly smart and nice people. (Though, I suppose I don't know what they say when I'm not there)

I was recently helping to train some Master students in the use of a certain machine. I also helped them with their research. They were exceptionally courteous and didn't even mention my age. I think they think that (somewhat undeservedly, to be honest) I'm some sort of wunderkind.

Although, because I'm under 18 and not actually enrolled in the university, I have little autonomy. I'm not supposed to operate any machine unsupervised, nor am I qualified to work in an experimental lab. It does restrict my research, as I'm not able to use any hazardous materials (nanoparticles, toxic solvents), but I try to make the best of it.

Sarvesh