Dr. Robert Bussard has been experimenting with variations on the Farnsworth Fusor for at least two decades. His recent lecture to employees at Google was presented here. Now we learn that Dr. Bussard’s latest effort has been recognized with the International Academy of Science “Outstanding Technology of the Year” award for 2006. The latest incarnation of his approach to fusion combines Farnsworth’s concept of Inertial Electrostatic Fusion (IEC) with a cooled magnetic grid at the core. His approach really looks quite promising, and is a LOT less costly to build than that tokamak dinosaur they’re building in France.
Note 221201: They’re STILL BUILDING IT!