Arc Reactor

History
The arc reactor is a type of fusion power generating device initially designed by Howard Stark, and later adapted by his son, Tony. A massive arc reactor provided power for the sprawling complex of Stark Industries until its destruction. This design was miniaturised by Tony to power a life-saving electromagnet in his chest.

Further upgrades to the design allowed Stark to employ successive generations of arc reactors, most notably in powering his crowning achievement, the Iron Man armor. Early generations of Iron Man armor were powered by much the same arc reactor technology as had powered Stark's electromagnet device, however poisoning from the palladium within the reactors were having an adverse effect on his health. This forced a radical redesign whereby Tony created a new element previously only theorized by his father years earlier. This new arc reactor had a massive power output advantage over previous arc reactors and was the first to power the formidable Iron Man MKVI armor

Since their inception, mini arc reactors have powered successive generations of the Iron Man armor as a force for good. They have also fallen into the hands of far less savoury individuals and used to power further battlesuits for criminal operations, and a fleet of robotic battle drones.