Fusors perform nuclear fusion, Hahn was experimenting with nuclear fission. The important differences are: - The fuels used. Fusion uses the lightest elements

Fusors perform nuclear fusion, Hahn was experimenting with nuclear fission. The important differences are: - The fuels used. Fusion uses the lightest elements like hydrogen and helium, which can be non-toxic and non-radioactive (although it depends on the exact process being used). Fission uses the heaviest elements like uranium, which are very toxic and very radioactive. - Control of the reaction. Fusion reactions typically fizzle out if the device isn't powered up and controlled very precisely (this is what makes fusion difficult); they're nothing like hydrogen bombs. Fission reactions are typically spontaneous, caused by the radioactivity and arrangement of the materials in the reactor; control systems regulate this reaction, which would otherwise be pretty similar to an atom bomb.