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nasa-compact-fusion-reactor-patent-analysis

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Executive Summary

This document is a formal research summary for a NASA-funded project at the University of Maryland investigating a specialized form of nuclear fusion for space propulsion. It describes using dynamic electric and magnetic fields to trap and compress ions more effectively than previous methods to generate high-efficiency power.
Analysis Confidence: High
ST_CODE: 19B0A5

System Metadata

Source ID

DOC-UMD_IEC_

Process Date

2/3/2026

Integrity Hash

SHA256-eorgpqkc7lw...

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COMPLETE

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INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS

Layman's Executive Summary

This document is a formal research summary for a NASA-funded project at the University of Maryland investigating a specialized form of nuclear fusion for space propulsion. It describes using dynamic electric and magnetic fields to trap and compress ions more effectively than previous methods to generate high-efficiency power.

Document Origin

The document was authored by Raymond J. Sedwick at the University of Maryland (College Park) as a 'Summary of Research' report for NASA Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number NNX17AJ72G.

Research Purpose

The research aimed to overcome the 'thermalization' limit in Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC) fusion, where ions lose the energy needed for fusion; the project sought to increase ion density through optimized radial potential distributions and time-varying fields.

Relevancy Analysis

" This document is highly relevant to the study of advanced aerospace propulsion and 'black program' technologies as it details the transition of theoretical fusion confinement into a patented aerospace system. It connects existing Knowledge Graph nodes like the University of Maryland to advanced NASA-funded fusion research (NIAC), specifically mentioning the Polywell approach and high-efficiency power conversion for low-mass space applications. "

Extracted Verifiable Claims

  • › NASA Grant / Cooperative Agreement Number: NNX17AJ72G
  • › Patent Application No. 20180033496, 'Systems Methods and Devices for Inertial Electrostatic Confinement'
  • › Principal Investigator: Raymond J. Sedwick, University of Maryland
  • › Research results were presented at the 2018 American Astronautical Society Guidance & Control Conference in Breckenridge, CO
  • › Student Andrew Chap's research was funded by NIAC from Fall 2014 through Summer 2017

Technical Contribution

This document explicitly links NASA NIAC Phase I and Phase II funding to the development of 'Continuous Electrode' IEC fusion and references a specific patent application (20180033496) for these systems.

FORENSIC_TRANSCRIPT_LOG

Transcript

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INTRODUCTION

Title of Grant / Cooperative Agreement: Type of Report: Name of Principal Investigator: Period Covered by Report: Name and Address of recipient’s institution: NASA Grant / Cooperative Agreement Number: Reference CFR §RU&)5†Patent Rights DVDSSOLFDEOH abbreviated below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́ Have any Subject Inventions / New Technology Items resulted from work performed under this Grant / Cooperative Agreement? No Yes If yes a complete listing should be provided here: Details can be provided in the body of the Summary of Research report. Reference CFR §7RU&)5†Equipment and Other Property DVDSSOLFDEOH(abbreviated below) A Final Inventory Report of Federally Owned Property, including equipment where title was taken by the Government, will be submitted by the Recipient no later than 60 days after the expiration date of the grant. Negative responses for Final Inventory Reports are required. Is there any Federally Owned Property, either Government Furnished or Grantee Acquired, in the custody of the Recipient? No Yes If yes please attach a complete listing including information as set forth at § 1260.134(f)(1). Attach the Summary of Research text behind this cover sheet. Reference CFR §.2RU&)5†Technical publications and reports DVDSSOLFDEOH DEEUHYLDWHGEHORZ Reports shall be in the English language, informal in nature, and ordinarily not exceed three pages (not counting bibliographies,