Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Fusion

This type of fusion device is based on a concept from Philo T. Farnsworth, the inventor of the TV. The basic idea is that ion guns on the periphery of the device inject high-energy ions toward a common point, called the core of the device. These ions fall into a potential well formed by a series of negatively charged wire grids, which look a lot like those Hoberman sphere toys. In the core of the device, the ions collide and fuse, releasing energy. If ions do not collide, they recirculate through the device, and are given another chance to fuse.

Devices like the one described above have been constructed in garages, and fusion has been successfully achieved. These devices are also currently being studied at many research universities, including MIT, as energy sources for long-term spaceflight missions because they are small and potentially efficient energy sources

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