Fusion of neutron-rich nuclei around the N$=$20 and N$=$28 shell closure.*

Fusion in neutron-rich environments is presently a topic of considerable interest. Experiments for an isotopic chain allow systematic exploration of the dependence of fusion on neutron number. To study fusion away from the closed N$=$20 and N$=$28 shells and explore the role of the unpaired proton, experiments were conducted at NSCL's ReA3 facility for $^{\mathrm{39,45,47}}$K$+^{\mathrm{16}}$O, $^{\mathrm{28}}$Si and $^{\mathrm{36,44}}$Ar$+^{\mathrm{16}}$O, $^{\mathrm{28}}$Si at near-barrier energies. Details of the E-TOF experimental technique utilized will be discussed. Preliminary results yielding the experimental fusion excitation functions and comparison to theoretical models will also be presented.