3 ms·
> But to me it doesn't look appreciably closer to practicality than cold fusion The figure of merit is Q, the fusion gain per input energy. For cold fusion, th
by drjesusphd 11y ago
> But to me it doesn't look appreciably closer to practicality than cold fusion
The figure of merit is Q, the fusion gain per input energy. For cold fusion, this figure is infintessimal; for lasers I think it's about 0.001; Tokamaks have reached Q=0.7. Not to mention, theoretical break-even ("effective Q">1) was achieved in Japan, but they do not have access to Tritium, which is the only reason it wasn't "real" breakeven.
Since your dad was a teenager, fusion efficiency has outpaced Moore's law for microelectronics. Real progress is being made.
- brudgers 11y agoDad is pushing 80. Entire scientific careers have come and gone funded by many billions in public money. My definition of success is fusion powering my toaster. That's the one that was putched all those years ago and when he and then I were kids. Not getting funded or a paper accepted. Moore's law lives behind a touch screen in my pocket doing useful work...or less useful work such as this comment.