Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
Thanks for the reference, Jay Thanks for downloading the documents, Horace - I kept getting the busy signal from the site. I do not know why consistency of experimental results is a show-stopper for the examiner. Shouldn't all cancer therapies be ruled unpatentable by that standard? The application itself may show that some formerly public skeptics have become closet believers. Wow. Yes, indeed, this should be read. Whatever the intent of the nonsensically broad claims, it did not work out very well! The PTO examiner, John Richardson, did a great job on the rejection. He cites Pons, Miley, etc. Unfortunately, I could only download a page at a time. The server was also overloaded periodically. I uploaded to: http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/Keeney/ and I will leave it there briefly for those who want to see it. On Dec 28, 2011, at 6:51 PM, Jay Caplan wrote: This was abandoned in 2004 after a non-final rejection by USPTO 1/21/2004. Click Public PAIR link on http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/status/ Choose Application Number and insert 09/514,202 Choose Image File Wrapper tab when this application opens, then the correspondence and actions can be read. I couldn't copy from the Non-Final Rejection, but it should be read - Original Message - From: Horace Heffner hheff...@mtaonline.net To: vortex-l@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 4:21 PM Subject: Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application Say, if CF breaks as conventional, and this patent is issued, maybe this is intended to provide an excuse for the patent office to reject all subsequent cold fusion patent application claims based on infringement of prior art, until this patent is successfully challenged. On Dec 28, 2011, at 11:11 AM, pagnu...@htdconnect.com wrote: Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application -- http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion- promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion- promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs. --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless
Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
At 10:57 PM 12/28/2011, Horace Heffner wrote: Wow. Rossi had better hope he doesn't get the same examiner. (Particularly failure to disclose best mode -- which doesn't even have to be active concealment). All the prior art stuff is well done. A couple of quibbles ... rather fatal to pre-Rossi CF. Paper 9 Page 16 : absence of whole body radiation -- which doesn't seem to happen in Pd-D (At least Rossi needs shielding) Page 19 : identical testing apparatus must give exact result data per settled case law'. -- still too much material-variation in CF. (Surely SOME experimental error / equipment variation is allowed? ) Says there is no reputable evidence of record supporting CF ... but leaves the door open with evidence to indicate appellant has so succeeded where others have failed. In short, I think Rossi COULD pass the technical stuff IF he discloses best mode.
Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
On Dec 29, 2011, at 8:22 AM, Alan J Fletcher wrote: At 10:57 PM 12/28/2011, Horace Heffner wrote: Wow. Rossi had better hope he doesn't get the same examiner. (Particularly failure to disclose best mode -- which doesn't even have to be active concealment). All the prior art stuff is well done. A couple of quibbles ... rather fatal to pre-Rossi CF. Paper 9 Page 16 : absence of whole body radiation -- which doesn't seem to happen in Pd-D (At least Rossi needs shielding) Page 19 : identical testing apparatus must give exact result data per settled case law'. -- still too much material-variation in CF. (Surely SOME experimental error / equipment variation is allowed? ) I think it means within reasonable error bars, as opposed to sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Says there is no reputable evidence of record supporting CF ... but leaves the door open with evidence to indicate appellant has so succeeded where others have failed. In short, I think Rossi COULD pass the technical stuff IF he discloses best mode. Yes, if it works as advertised. Best regards, Horace Heffner http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
[Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application -- http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs. --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless this is a different Steven Jones, did he become a believer 14-years after the 1989 CF-brouhaha? Any insights? Lou Pagnucco
Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
What a surprise to me! If cold fusion patents are suddenly allowed, I can not imagine this kind of patent holding up in general upon challenging in court in infringement proceedings. The application was made in 2000. Most everything was invented, published or publicly discussed in sci.physics.fusion well before that. Maybe the intent is to end up with just some part enforceable? Maybe this was just intended to test the waters in general, to obtain some kind of ruling useful to justify consideration of other patent applications? Perhaps I should apply for a patent on a propulsion means comprised of (1) a construct suitable for passenger occupancy, supported by (2) low energy locomotion devices, such as wheels etc., and (3) a motive device, such as a gasoline engine which propels said locomotion devices, and then include 100 subordinate claims hinting at the nature a car. I think this kind of thing can only be of use to a deep pockets organization with a legal staff. On Dec 28, 2011, at 11:11 AM, pagnu...@htdconnect.com wrote: Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application -- http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion- promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs. --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless this is a different Steven Jones, did he become a believer 14-years after the 1989 CF-brouhaha? Any insights? Lou Pagnucco Best regards, Horace Heffner http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
Say, if CF breaks as conventional, and this patent is issued, maybe this is intended to provide an excuse for the patent office to reject all subsequent cold fusion patent application claims based on infringement of prior art, until this patent is successfully challenged. On Dec 28, 2011, at 11:11 AM, pagnu...@htdconnect.com wrote: Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application -- http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion- promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs. --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless this is a different Steven Jones, did he become a believer 14-years after the 1989 CF-brouhaha? Any insights? Lou Pagnucco Best regards, Horace Heffner http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
This was abandoned in 2004 after a non-final rejection by USPTO 1/21/2004. Click Public PAIR link on http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/status/ Choose Application Number and insert 09/514,202 Choose Image File Wrapper tab when this application opens, then the correspondence and actions can be read. I couldn't copy from the Non-Final Rejection, but it should be read - Original Message - From: Horace Heffner hheff...@mtaonline.net To: vortex-l@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 4:21 PM Subject: Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application Say, if CF breaks as conventional, and this patent is issued, maybe this is intended to provide an excuse for the patent office to reject all subsequent cold fusion patent application claims based on infringement of prior art, until this patent is successfully challenged. On Dec 28, 2011, at 11:11 AM, pagnu...@htdconnect.com wrote: Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application -- http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion- promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs. --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless this is a different Steven Jones, did he become a believer 14-years after the 1989 CF-brouhaha? Any insights? Lou Pagnucco Best regards, Horace Heffner http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
This patent application seems like one Fleischmann and Pons would have written as well. Sad that Jones and F-P didn't cooperate and avoid a lot of wasted time. Horace Heffner wrote: Say, if CF breaks as conventional, and this patent is issued, maybe this is intended to provide an excuse for the patent office to reject all subsequent cold fusion patent application claims based on infringement of prior art, until this patent is successfully challenged. On Dec 28, 2011, at 11:11 AM, pagnu...@htdconnect.com wrote: Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application -- http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion- promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs. --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless this is a different Steven Jones, did he become a believer 14-years after the 1989 CF-brouhaha? Any insights? Lou Pagnucco Best regards, Horace Heffner http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application
Wow. Yes, indeed, this should be read. Whatever the intent of the nonsensically broad claims, it did not work out very well! The PTO examiner, John Richardson, did a great job on the rejection. He cites Pons, Miley, etc. Unfortunately, I could only download a page at a time. The server was also overloaded periodically. I uploaded to: http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/Keeney/ and I will leave it there briefly for those who want to see it. On Dec 28, 2011, at 6:51 PM, Jay Caplan wrote: This was abandoned in 2004 after a non-final rejection by USPTO 1/21/2004. Click Public PAIR link on http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/status/ Choose Application Number and insert 09/514,202 Choose Image File Wrapper tab when this application opens, then the correspondence and actions can be read. I couldn't copy from the Non-Final Rejection, but it should be read - Original Message - From: Horace Heffner hheff...@mtaonline.net To: vortex-l@eskimo.com Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 4:21 PM Subject: Re: [Vo]:A Curious 2003 Cold Fusion Patent Application Say, if CF breaks as conventional, and this patent is issued, maybe this is intended to provide an excuse for the patent office to reject all subsequent cold fusion patent application claims based on infringement of prior art, until this patent is successfully challenged. On Dec 28, 2011, at 11:11 AM, pagnu...@htdconnect.com wrote: Pardon if this is old news on Vortex, but I was surprised to find this 2003 USPTO patent application -- http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2003/0112916.html Cold nuclear fusion under non-equilibrium conditions United States Patent Application 20030112916 Kind Code: A1 Inventors: Keeney, Franklin W. (US) Jones, Steven E. (US) Johnson, Alben C. (US) ABSTRACT: A method of producing cold nuclear fusion and a method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion are disclosed. The method of producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material, hydriding the fusion-promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen, and establishing a non-equilibrium condition in the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion includes selecting a fusion-promoting material and hydriding the fusion- promoting material with a source of isotopic hydrogen. The method of preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing fusion may include cleaning the fusion-promoting material. The method of preparing a fusion- promoting material for producing fusion may also include heat-treating the fusion-promoting material. -- which includes Steven E. Jones as an inventor. Further down is -- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to fusion energy. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for producing cold nuclear fusion and a method for preparing a fusion-promoting material for producing cold nuclear fusion. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Mankind employs many energy sources. Oil, coal, natural gas, water (hydroelectric), and nuclear fission number among the most prominent of these sources. However, most of these sources exists in a limited supply, produces a relatively small quantity of energy per unit of the given source, or raises environmental concerns. Thus, because earth's population and energy needs continue to climb dramatically, researchers continue to seek more plentiful, efficient, and environmentally-friendly energy sources. [0005] These needs have led researchers to consider nuclear fusion, the process that powers the sun. First, the raw materials for nuclear fusion abound on our planet. For example, deuterium is plentiful in seawater. Second, fusion of atomic particles and/or light nuclei produces more energy for a given amount of material than virtually any other known energy source. Finally, nuclear fusion holds strong promise as an environmentally-safe process. For these reasons, and based on major technological advances in the latter half of the twentieth century, many knowledgeable individuals now anticipate that nuclear fusion may provide a long-term answer to mankind's energy needs. --- The patent application seems to cover quite a wide range of implementations. Unless this is a different Steven Jones, did he become a believer 14-years after the 1989 CF-brouhaha? Any insights? Lou Pagnucco Best regards, Horace Heffner http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/ Best regards, Horace Heffner http://www.mtaonline.net/~hheffner/
