More Evidence for Tabletop Fusion

heptapod writes "Researchers at Purdue University have statistically significant evidence that their tabletop fusion experiments were successful. Yiban Xu's experiment different from an earlier Oak Ridge experiment using a different and cheaper source of neutrons than Oak Ridge's pulse neutron generator. Surpassing break-even point still eludes the grasp of science."

Comments

But then again...

[$RANDOMLUSER]

As a geek, I'd love to see a hydrogen/fusion based economy, as I know it would be unlimited and clean-burning.

However, as a geek, I know that the Dark Ages were as much caused by the change in the fuel economy from wood to coal as the retreat of the Roman Empire.

Likewise, I believe that the Great Depression was caused by the shift from a coal-based fuel econmy to an oil-based econmy.

Let's face it - General Motors, Exxon, the Edisons, and all thier suppliers, rely on the current fuel econmy. We can pretend that our economy is based on bricks of shiny yellow metal, but it's really based on BTUs.

A shift to what would, essentially, be a free energy economy (picture a non-polluting, low-maintenance power plant supplying your house or your block) would have a greater impact than a return of the Black Death.

The Third World is probably in a far better position to take advantage of a fusion/hydrogen economy than the US and Europe, as they don't have the existing oil-based infrastructure.

I welcome the change, but I hope that I don't have to live to see the fallout.