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Laser Fusion Passes Major Hurdle
chill writes "The National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has performed their first controlled fusion experiments using all 192 lasers. While still not ramped up to full power, the first experiments proved very fruitful. The lasers create a lot of plasma in the target container and researchers worried that the plasma would interfere with the ability of the target to absorb enough energy to ignite. These experiments show that not only does enough energy make it through, the plasma can be manipulated to increase the uniformity of compression. Ramping up of power is due to start in May." The project lead, Dr. Sigfried Glenzer, is "confident that with everything in place, ignition is on the horizon. He added, quite simply, 'It's going to happen this year.'"
In 5 years I can have Mr. Fusion where I can put junk to power my flying car...
Sweet.
I just hope that fax machines don't come back into style and have multiple for every house.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Now fusion energy is only 10 years away!
The project lead, Dr. Sigfried Glenzer, is "confident that with everything in place, ignition is on the horizon. He added, quite simply, 'It's going to happen this year.'
Huh. I had always thought that some international police force like "The International Fusion Gestapo" would be dispatched upon hearing this news and show up at your lab and start smashing mirrors and urinating on lasers until you revised your statement to be "15 to 20 years away" so that all their dues paying members would have time to reach tenure before you ruined the party.
I mean, there was no other logical explanation why so many seemingly brilliant scientists continually gave us incorrect estimates of achieving milestones in fusion research. Is this just being overly optimistic or was he carefully picking his words so that they will know if this method is viable (above break even energy production) or not within a year? And if so, where will he get his funding given the if not scenario?
My work here is dung.
No boom today, boom tomorrow.
1) May: ramping up power
2) June 1st: Flick the switch
3) ???
4) June 2nd: They are now the proud owners of a 2mile wide smoking crater...
5) Tourist industry profits...
Laters Sol "Have you found the secrets of the universe? Asked Zebade "I'm sure I left them here somewhere"
Why aren't they using an array of neural-network-controlled, articulated metal arms to control the fusion chamber?
Dewey, you fool! Your decimal system has played right into my hands!
Are you sure it's wise to ignite your nation?
I'm glad that there's plenty of water between me and the nation in question.
Everyone knows fusion power doesn't become available until 2050, and microwave power comes first.
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
...your 300mW pocket laser pointer popping balloons & burning wood.
You're supposed to take it out of your pocket before using it.
Blank until
Just a minor point - the Death Star had more than three lasers. I think it was more like 12 or so. Just didn't want you to provoke the dark side of the force by underestimating the power of the 'Star.
"Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish"
Albert Einstein
since it was perfect