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Fusor Project Presented to Local Community Group Meeting

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 7:00 am
by Jim Kovalchick
On 2/29/12, Mike Kovalchick, at the request of his principal, gave a short presentation about his fusor project to a group of local citizens and the the Dallastown (PA) Area School district board. I don't know the exact number of people there, but it was probably around a 100. The group was there for the school board meeting itself, but one older gentleman told Mike that he came because he heard Mike's project would be discussed, and after having read about Taylor Wilson in Popular Science he wanted to learn more. He told Mike that that in his day, Mike's project would be described as radiochemistry, not nuclear physics.

Mike answered questions while standing by his display board, and gave a short powerpoint presentation to the entire group. Everyone was very polite and seemed amazed that fusion could happen in a tabletop device. There were no paranoid challenges or ignorant cracks about bombs or meltdowns.

Mike represented the rest of you fusors as bright and innovative with a drive for discovery. I was proud of him, and I think you guys would have been as well.

Jim K

Re: Fusor Project Presented to Local Community Group Meeting

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:15 pm
by Richard Hull
Great! Glad to hear of community interest and involvement.

I do fail to understand the guy's comment about radiochemistry???

The fusor, itself, is a pure physics endeavor. His prime objective is not making and chemically reducing or handling radioisotopes. Oh well.

Again, good work on the part of Mike and good work on your part for supporting him all the way through this project. Not all dads are so supportive or as deeply engaged.

Richard Hull

Re: Fusor Project Presented to Local Community Group Meeting

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:13 pm
by jcs78227
Jim,

As a fellow Pennsylvanian, I'm glad to hear it went so well! I am especially surprised there were no jokes or overreactions as to the nuclear aspect. That kind of thing is only "funny" for so long.

Speaking from chemist's point of view, I don't get the connection to radiochemistry. Perhaps he was thinking of the activation of elements by neutrons? Maybe he was trying to continue the dialogue and pulled some terminology out, albeit wrong.

Mike has had some amazing progress and it's heartening to see his first public unveiling went so well.

-Jonathan

Re: Fusor Project Presented to Local Community Group Meeting

Posted: Thu Mar 01, 2012 11:57 pm
by Carl Willis
Good job, that's how to build community support.

There are aspects of the project that are nuclear physics, and aspects that might be more the domain of radiochemistry in Mike's case. Of course there is electrical engineering, vacuum technique, some bits of thermal analysis here and there...it's a multidisciplinary project, and can go in whatever direction the builder wants to take it.

Congratulations!

-Carl