Scientists Say Their Giant Laser Has Produced Nuclear Fusion

[DocM]

we already have successful test of H-Bomb, but it wasn't "portable"/miniaturized, yet.

The W80 physics package is pretty portable, as are others. The NIF's unspoken second function is to develop tiny pure fusion device, meaning no fission device as the trigger.

W80

[seta-san]

Does anyone believe the end result will be cheap power??

 

 

whether or not it's cheap. it'll be nearly limitless for our purposes and with almost no pollution.

[seta-san]

we already have successful test of H-Bomb, but it wasn't "portable"/miniaturized, yet.

 

 

the fusion bomb uses a normal plutonium explosion to produce the necessary heat and compression normally needed for fusion. What they are attempting to do is to create a device that uses fusion to produce more energy than is put into it.

 

 

this kid created a simple fusion reactor

 

the thing is, is that it uses more energy than it creates.

[XerXis]

Nice. So maybe in a decade Fusion Plant will be available and get rid of Nuclear power plants.

No, even if you are optimistic, commercial fusion plants are something you could expect to see in 2050 (and that is really optimistic).

 

The current goal for example is to start testing ITER for real by 2030. It will take about a decade just to do base testing (plasma injection en containing it)

 

edit: of course all that could change if we really really need it and start pouring money into it

[DocM]

With fusion power yous still need fission reactors to produce deuterium, tritium and possibly other fuels, and it's quite possible that fission power used alone will still be more economical.

[Skyfrog]

whether or not it's cheap. it'll be nearly limitless for our purposes and with almost no pollution.

 

With bonus helium thrown into the deal.

[XerXis]

With fusion power yous still need fission reactors to produce deuterium, tritium and possibly other fuels, and it's quite possible that fission power used alone will still be more economical.

 

I disagree; deuterium is available in abundance and can easily be "harvested". Tritium (while very scarce at the moment) could be created inside the tokamak generator using Lithium. No need for fusion reactors there. of course, they will probably be more economical (at least, untill it get's harder to find radioactive fuel)