Alan Boyle posts a survey of the status of several alternative fusion power projects: Rays of Hope: Fringe Fusion Ventures Take Small Steps Toward Energy Leap – NBC News.
He includes a pointer to a new paper with interesting results on the Polywell approach invented by the late Robert Bussard: [1406.0133] High Energy Electron Confinement in a Magnetic Cusp Configuration.
The MIT robotic Cheetah gets more and more agile: Watch MIT’s Robot Cheetah Leap Over Walls With Ease – Popular Mechanics –
Some items regarding projects involved in alternative approaches to fusion power:
* Dr. Matthew Moynihan will be on The Space Show today to discuss the Polywell system for producing fusion energy: 7-8:30 pm PDT (10-11:30 pm EST, 9-10:30 pm CDT).
* Here’s some news about three fusion projects – General Fusion in Canada, Helion Energy in Seattle, Washington, and LPP Fusion in Middlesex, New Jersey – Three Small Fusion Companies Approaching a Critical Funding Mass – The Commercial Space Blog
* A longer update on LPP: LPP Focus Fusion Report May 21, 2015 (pdf)
Here’s a recent drone view of Tesla Motors‘ giant Gigafactory battery plant under construction in Nevada.
[ Update: Elon says this is just a fraction of the ultimate size of the facility – Elon Musk on Twitter:
This is not the full Gigafactory, it is just the pilot plant (1/4 size)
]
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Another of Elon Musk’s concepts is being moved forward by Hyperloop Technologies Inc, which will begin building a five mile (8 km) long Hyperloop test track in 2016: Hyperloop Glides toward Reality in California – Navigant Research.
Elon has also proposed a test track in Texas.
My friend Joan Horvath, The 3D Printing Evangelist, has a new book out co-authored with Rich Cameron titled, The New Shop Class: Getting Started with 3D Printing, Arduino, and Wearable Tech
The New Shop Class connects the worlds of the maker and hacker with that of the scientist and engineer. If you are a parent or educator or a budding maker yourself, and you feel overwhelmed with all of the possible technologies, this book will get you started with clear discussions of what open source technologies like 3D printers, Arduinos, robots and wearable tech can really do in the right hands. Written by real “rocket scientist” Joan Horvath, author of Mastering 3D Printing, and 3D printing expert Rich Cameron (AKA whosawhatsis), The New Shop Class is a friendly, down-to-earth chat about how hands-on making things can lead to a science career.
More about Joan’s earlier book Mastering 3D Printing
Mastering 3D Printing shows you how to get the most out of your printer, including how to design models, choose materials, work with different printers, and integrate 3D printing with traditional prototyping to make techniques like sand casting more efficient.
You’ve printed key chains. You’ve printed simple toys. Now you’re ready to innovate with your 3D printer to start a business or teach and inspire others.
Joan Horvath has been an educator, engineer, author, and startup 3D printing company team member. She shows you all of the technical details you need to know to go beyond simple model printing to make your 3D printer work for you as a prototyping device, a teaching tool, or a business machine.
Follow the latest news from Joan at