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Lockheed Claims Breakthrough On Fusion Energy Project

Posted by Soulskill on from the you-don't-have-long-to-invent-Mr.-Fusion dept.

Lockheed Martin claims it has made a significant breakthrough in the creation of nuclear fusion reactors. The company says it has proved the feasibility of building a 100MW reactor measuring only 7 feet by 10 feet. They say the design can be built and tested within a year, and they expect an operational reactor within a decade. The project is coming out of stealth mode now to seek partners within academia, government, and industry. "Lockheed sees the project as part of a comprehensive approach to solving global energy and climate change problems. Compact nuclear fusion would also produce far less waste than coal-powered plants, and future reactors could eliminate radioactive waste completely, the company said."

11 of 571 comments (clear)

  1. Of course! by ArcadeMan · · Score: 5, Funny

    The company says it has proved the feasibility of building a 100MW reactor measuring only 7 feet by 10 feet.

    That's why it never worked before! Nobody thought about building a two-dimensional reactor!

    --
    Get free satoshi (Bitcoin) and Dogecoins
    1. Re:Of course! by rwv · · Score: 5, Funny

      What the article fails to mention is that the new reactor has to be 800 feet tall or buried 400 feet in the ground. Or 400 feet tall and 200 feet buried. It's pretty complicated figuring out the math here.

    2. Re:Of course! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      It is a design on paper only. Of course it is two-dimensional right now.

    3. Re:Of course! by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

      Not exactly. Its section is 7 feet by 10 feet. To achieve 100MW the length must be infinite. Any reduction in length implies a proportional reduction in power.

    4. Re:Of course! by bobbied · · Score: 3, Funny

      The company says it has proved the feasibility of building a 100MW reactor measuring only 7 feet by 10 feet.

      That's why it never worked before! Nobody thought about building a two-dimensional reactor!

      Hey, at least it looks good on paper!

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    5. Re:Of course! by Bodhammer · · Score: 3, Funny

      "they expect an operational reactor within a decade" - by that time solar will be infinitely efficiency and this will obsolete.

      --
      "I say we take off, nuke the site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
    6. Re:Of course! by painandgreed · · Score: 4, Funny

      "they expect an operational reactor within a decade" - by that time solar will be infinitely efficiency and this will obsolete.

      Yay! Fusion power has moved to just being ten years away instead of the twenty years it has been for the last fifty.

    7. Re:Of course! by budgenator · · Score: 3, Funny

      Dude you not only have room for a Beowolf cluster, but enough space for a 100 MWs to power it!

      --
      Apocalypse Cancelled, Sorry, No Ticket Refunds
  2. journalizm is dead by Thud457 · · Score: 4, Funny

    U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers run on nuclear power, but they have large fusion reactors on board that have to be replaced on a regular cycle.

    OMGWTFROFLOLBBQ! Reuters doesn't have a science correspondent. I didn't know they were headquartered in Texas.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  3. Two global problems solved in my lifetime! by Okian+Warrior · · Score: 5, Funny

    With this and the new ebola infections coming out, it looks like we're on the verge of solving both the energy crisis and overpopulation

    I never thought I'd see so much progress in my lifetime. We live in the future!(*)

    (*) ...of a Stephen King novel, apparently.

  4. Re:wow by tomhath · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nah. Just build some really big air conditioners and put them outside. That'll work.