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China Claims Successful Fusion Power Test

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bang-'em-together-hard dept.

SeaDour writes, "China claims to have carried out a successful test of its experimental thermonuclear fusion reactor. But what exactly made this test 'successful' is not clear. From the article: 'Xinhua cited the scientists as saying that deuterium and tritium atoms had been fused together at a temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius for nearly three seconds. The report did not specify whether the device... had succeeded at producing more energy than it consumed, the main obstacle to making fusion commercially viable.'" China is a participant in the 10-nation ITER project to build a fusion reactor in the south of France by 2015. The article quotes the research head of ITER as saying, "It was important for China to show that it is part of the club. Here are English language versions of the Chinese news release: announcement, background.

11 of 247 comments (clear)

  1. China's definition of success by davidwr · · Score: 5, Funny

    "We're pleased to announce we are still here to report the results."

    --
    Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
    1. Re:China's definition of success by LoudMusic · · Score: 3, Funny

      "We're pleased to announce we are still here to report the results."

      Hey, nothing wrong with that. I've said it plenty of times myself.

      (:

      --
      No sig for you. YOU GET NO SIG!
    2. Re:China's definition of success by steveo777 · · Score: 4, Funny

      It reminds me of the typical physics student's t-shirts and lab coats. On the back is something printed to the effect of, "[some school] Physics. If you see us running, try to keep up."

      --
      This sig isn't original enough, it's time to come up with something witty...
    3. Re:China's definition of success by CthulhuDreamer · · Score: 5, Funny

      With the bomb squad, you can usually stop running after the first couple of blocks. If it involves the physics department, keep going.

    4. Re:China's definition of success by otis+wildflower · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Do not look into laser with remaining eye".

  2. Oh... by ackthpt · · Score: 4, Funny

    100 million degrees Celsius for nearly three seconds.

    I think someone needs a CoolerMaster for that one!

    bad news, the coolermaster consumed all the net energy

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  3. Re:Net gain not the obstacle! by Howserx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Journalists should all be required to read the relevant wikipedia articles before publishing something about science Or they should at least edit the relevant wiki articles to make sure it matches their article.

    --
    I support the troops. I pay f'ing taxes.
  4. In Communist China.. by ch-chuck · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... do they call it The US Syndrome

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
  5. Re:Everyone will be doing it soon... by swarsron · · Score: 4, Funny

    somehow i can't help but be sceptical of a scientist named Farnsworth

  6. Re:This answers that old question by RsG · · Score: 3, Funny
    This finally answers that old question, "What happens when everyone in China jumps onto the same pair of hydrogen atoms simultaneously?"
    They collapse into a quantum singularity, obviously. All that mass in such a small place?

    A better question would be how they managed to cram everyone in China into the same place at the same time. Methinks someone used a "noclip" cheat :-P
    --
    Erotic is when you use a feather. Exotic is when you use the whole chicken.
  7. Re:Containment? by l0b0 · · Score: 4, Funny
    You can extract and use it in places where the sun doesn't shine.

    You, Sir, have just invented another way of telling people where to "stick it". I salute thee.