[citation][nom]elitemarksman[/nom]You dont need uranium to make a fission reaction, there are plenty of other elements that will do the trick. Smoke detectors commonly contain an isotope of Americium, and other fissionable elements are not difficult to find, the hard part comes in making them pure and efficient enough to be useful.[/citation]
Which basically means the guy was really, really far from making electricity, and his reactor was questionable. Obviously, he could not have made a bomb, so I find it rather disturbing the "authorities" would take his science project away from him. They probably did that because the "authorities" were clueless.
[citation][nom]plznote[/nom]They should reward him. We need more creative people.[/citation]
I agree. In Darwin's days, there was a lot of good science that went on in the homes of "ordinary" people. Darwin's lab was in his home. These days, though, with the extreme paranoia that exists, it is difficult for the scientifically inclined to get chemicals from legitimate sources since the assumption is that you are either a terrorist, or do not know sufficiently what you are doing so that even if you are not a terrorist, you are likely to blow up your neighborhood. Its a real PITA, and it almost certainly stifles creativity. I would really like to know when everyone will get over the shock of a few deranged people and let the truly creative types do what they do best - create!!