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National Ignition Facility Takes First Steps Towards Fusion Energy

sciencehabit writes "As it approaches its fifth birthday, the National Ignition Facility (NIF), a troubled laser fusion facility in California, has finally produced some results that fusion scientists can get enthusiastic about. In a series of experiments late last year (abstract 1, abstract 2), NIF researchers managed to produce energy yields 10 times greater than produced before and to demonstrate the phenomenon of self-heating that will be crucial if fusion is to reach its ultimate goal of 'ignition'—a self-sustaining burning reaction that produces more energy than it consumes."

3 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Temporal Control Circuits by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Temporal control circuits are being used to superimpose our world views against a finite set of realities that are not congruent with excursions created in regards to the 4th and nth gates of the NWO.

  2. Now that the Voodoo is swept away by icebike · · Score: 5, Funny

    I love this bit from TFA:

    In 2013, NIF researchers began to explore the problems more scientifically; there was also a change of leadership at the lab and new researchers joined the team.

    Apparently casting those chicken bones under the reactor had no effect and they had to switch to SCIENCE!

    Sigh. Journalism majors.

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    Sig Battery depleted. Reverting to safe mode.
  3. Still this old school apporach? by Identita · · Score: 1, Funny

    Why not just ask the Taelons?