Z Machine Makes Progress Toward Nuclear Fusion

sciencehabit writes Scientists are reporting a significant advance in the quest to develop an alternative approach to nuclear fusion. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, using the lab's Z machine, a colossal electric pulse generator capable of producing currents of tens of millions of amperes, say they have detected significant numbers of neutrons — byproducts of fusion reactions — coming from the experiment. This, they say, demonstrates the viability of their approach and marks progress toward the ultimate goal of producing more energy than the fusion device takes in.

Comments

Re: I just hope

[Anonymous Coward]

Exactly in fission you are trying to hold the reaction back. That's why it can run away. Think of it like holding a dog against a leash. It the leash breaks the dog is gone.

Fusion is the opposite. It's like trying pull a mule. You can barely get the thing moving.

Re:More information:

[swb]

Can you imagine if we put the war on drugs budget against fusion power instead? If we had started 40 years ago we might already have it.