[en] This paper will consist of four parts. First, I will describe the basic EBT machine and its operation. Second, I will discuss the experimental results obtained on the present machine and how they relate to neoclassical transport theory. This will include a discussion of the chronology of the estimates of the confinement time and why they have changed. Third, I will briefly discuss some preliminary proposals on how to improve the confinement and operation of EBTs, and fourth, I will review some of the potential advantages of EBTs as fusion reactors and the calculations indicating the critical issues