Other Activities and Interests

Apart from Spectrometry and making the GS range of gamma spectroscopy instruments, my interests are diverse, I like to keep myself busy, so in addition to my normal family commitments I try to spend as much time as I can working on these other projects.

Steven

Theoretical Physics

Working with radiation and particle colliders, one can't help thinking about how it all works, and intuitively there are a few things that don't seem quite right to me, so I like to share my thoughts on paper and let others be the judge. Some of my ideas are somewhat radical and definitely not mainstream, but I look at things the way they are and love simplicity. The following link takes you to ResearchGate, where I publish my thoughts on theoretical physics.

Researchgate.net

Fusion Research

The promise of an unlimited source of cheap energy was too good to pass, so I invested a significant amount of time and funds experimenting with Fusors and various novel fusion reactor designs. I lost count of how many variations I made, but it was certainly double digits. Some worked better than others and I even applied for two fusion related patents. It may come as no surprise, but I learned a lot about how difficult this cheap and easy source of energy was going to be.

Starfire Ion Source

The StarFire ion source was designed by myself and the late John Hendron to supply the STAR fusion reactor with a high flux source of ions, it is a hot tungsten filament type source, relatively easy to build and very powerful. In all 5 ion sources were built and used with great success, but once again new and better ideas popped into my head and the StarFire ion source was discarded in favour of F.I.C.S. the fusion reactor to end all fusion reactors..!

Another Fusion Reactor

The FICS fusion reactor was a further improvement on the original STAR reactor, with the main difference being, intra cathode injection and ionisation of the fusion reactive fuel, further, the FICS principle takes advantage of the electrical charge separation which takes place during operation. Fusion powered charge separation could lead to self sustained fusion in a reactor of larger diameter. This design too was scrapped in favour of another even better idea (starting to see a pattern here?). The latest iteration of FICS is working quite well, but I already have a new design in my head which for sure is going to be the holy grail of fusion, its called Slingshot Unidirectional Neutron emitter abbreviated to "SUN" , so stay posted !!

Report on fusor.net http://www.fusor.net/board/

Report on gammaspectacular.com https://www.gammaspectacular.com

Gamma Spectroscopy and Coding

In recent times the business of designing and making affordable gamma spectroscopy kits and associated software has kept me out of trouble, it is extremely rewarding and enjoyable to work with scientists and to learn all about the physics of the atom.

Steven Sesselmann