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New Advances Bring Fusion Closer to Reality
An anonymous reader writes "The Christian Science Monitor reports on new advances in nuclear fusion research. For years we've been waiting for the technical breakthroughs that would make cost-effective fusion energy a reality. Are we getting close, or are the problems insurmountable?"
"Nuclear Fusion has always been 15 years away, and always will be"
This glib statement seriously underestimates the achievements in this area in the past few years. We have gone from doubts as to whether controlled fusion could ever be achieved to a point where we are working on stabilising the reaction to the level where it produces commercial results.
And by the way, the classic quote was '50' years, not 15!
What is the failure mode for a collapsed fusuion capable magnetic field?
The reaction stops. No, seriously, current fusion reactor designs require the magentic field to cause the fusion to happen. Thats why its currently so expensive, most of the time it takes more electricity to power the magnet than you can get from the fusion.
Current nuclear reactors have a GREAT track record, by any other industry standard. However, those who worked on the years of clean up at three mile island
Guess what, the reactor there wasn't a current design. In fact, I believe none of the reactors in operation in the US is a current design, since instead of replacing them with better designs that have been in use for almost a decade now, little "know it alls" like you complain and prevent new plants from being built to replace the old.
The situation with nuclear power has not changed just becuase we are looking at 'new and improved' fusion.
The situation with nuclear power changed decades ago with the invention of reactors that could burn fuel that would have otherwise been considered "spent", reducing the need for disposal. It changed years ago with the invention of better fission reactors that are resistant to meltdown in emergency situations, and it will change yet again with the invention of fusion reactors that operate by converting small atoms (Helium) into slightly larger ones, rather than using heavy metals like uranium and plutonium.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
I refer you to "Exploration of Space by Means of Reactive Apparatus" by Konstantin Eduardovich Tsiolkovsky, written in 1896. That was 108 years ago...
"I do not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
CSM is actually a surprisingly good paper. Don't denigrate it because of the name.
The human body can be drained of blood in 8.6 seconds given adequate vacuuming systems.