Proof of Concept

Will it work?  In LPP’s case, can the Dense Plasma Focus, with modifications, get more energy out than it puts in with pB¹¹ fuel?  To answer this, LPP needs to conduct proof of concept research.

From Wikipedia:

A proof of concept is a short and/or incomplete realization (or synopsis) of a certain method or idea(s) to demonstrate its feasibility, or a demonstration in principle, whose purpose is to verify that some concept or theory is probably capable of exploitation in a useful manner.

The proof of concept is usually considered a milestone on the way of a fully functioning prototype.

As you can see from LPP’s research plan, proof-of-concept takes place in the confirming the theoretical model and net energy phase of research.  Net energy is the holy grail of fusion research.  If LPP can demonstrate that, then they can move on to designing a functional reactor in the engineering phase.

Other fusion projects are also at the proof of concept stage.  None has gone past it yet.  NIF hopes to achieve ignition this 2011. 

What if a concept isn’t proven?  We’ve still learned something.  As Ed Moses of NiF says,

Either it will work, or we’ll learn some interesting physics

And that’s where fusion is at right now.  We need to plow through proof of concept and succeed directly, or learn something that informs the other attempts, and subsequent attempts.