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This is an idealized view of fusion energy. Doing it on Earth in a practical manner most likely has tradeoffs, if it is reasonably possible at all in a timefr

This is an idealized view of fusion energy. Doing it on Earth in a practical manner most likely has tradeoffs, if it is reasonably possible at all in a timeframe that would make it useful. We should research multiple avenues of energy independence (including fusion, and including how to increase conservation/efficiency of use) so that we can make real progress now and not hang our hat on a single magic solution.

M_Grey 10y ago
I've found that fusion is one of those topics that's exceedingly difficult to discuss with most people. Most people I've met in the tech world know what they've read in popsci articles here and there, and a lot of science fiction. It's rare to run into someone you can sit down and talk about resonances with, the challenges neutron bombardment, why aneutronic pathways are so difficult to achieve, etc... If you know a little about fusion, it's very exciting and seems very real and very close. If you know a lot about fusion, it's exciting, but you realize that the odds of practical fusion power plants in our lifetimes are extremely low. The problem is that to get someone from one state of knowledge to the other requires their active participation, and most people see that as "pissing on their enthusiasm".
- noir_lord 10y ago
  I don't know a huge amount about fusion beyond following some of the projects and reading what they are up to. What did you make of the German (mainly) Stellarator[1]? [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendelstein_7-X https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendelstein_7-X
  - M_Grey 10y ago
    It's one of the most inspiring bits of practical experimental science in our lifetimes I think, but I'm a big fan. That's not to say that it's putting us on the cusp of fusion reactors, but it's definitely going to help the understanding of how plasma at high temps and under strong magnetic fields acts. The best analogy I've heard is "Like trying to squeeze a balloon into a given shape with your bare hands." There is a strong tendency for constriction in one part of the plasma to cause it to flare in another region, which lowers the temperature of the plasma (bad) and can touch the reactor chamber (terrible!). The ideal would be a total understanding of just how and where to "squeeze" the plasma with magnetic fields, so that the least possible input of energy is required and the plasma would essentially stabilize itself. The problem is that the ability to model that on a computer is only just coming along, and the W7-X is a big step forward in uniting those new models with a practical experiment. Does it solve issues of breeding Tritium, diverting plasma, resisting atomic sputtering? No, but it does hopefully move forward the understanding of the underlying plasma physics.
- greenhatman 10y ago
  As someone with very little knowledge or understanding of fusion, I'm aware that it's very unlikely to become practical in my life time, if ever. This is a nice video explaining fusion power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZsaaturR6E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZsaaturR6E The interesting thing to me is the need for Helium-3, which we'll need to harvest from the moon.

M_Grey 10y ago

I've found that fusion is one of those topics that's exceedingly difficult to discuss with most people. Most people I've met in the tech world know what they've read in popsci articles here and there, and a lot of science fiction. It's rare to run into someone you can sit down and talk about resonances with, the challenges neutron bombardment, why aneutronic pathways are so difficult to achieve, etc... If you know a little about fusion, it's very exciting and seems very real and very close. If you know a lot about fusion, it's exciting, but you realize that the odds of practical fusion power plants in our lifetimes are extremely low. The problem is that to get someone from one state of knowledge to the other requires their active participation, and most people see that as "pissing on their enthusiasm".

noir_lord 10y ago
I don't know a huge amount about fusion beyond following some of the projects and reading what they are up to. What did you make of the German (mainly) Stellarator[1]? [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendelstein_7-X https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendelstein_7-X
- M_Grey 10y ago
  It's one of the most inspiring bits of practical experimental science in our lifetimes I think, but I'm a big fan. That's not to say that it's putting us on the cusp of fusion reactors, but it's definitely going to help the understanding of how plasma at high temps and under strong magnetic fields acts. The best analogy I've heard is "Like trying to squeeze a balloon into a given shape with your bare hands." There is a strong tendency for constriction in one part of the plasma to cause it to flare in another region, which lowers the temperature of the plasma (bad) and can touch the reactor chamber (terrible!). The ideal would be a total understanding of just how and where to "squeeze" the plasma with magnetic fields, so that the least possible input of energy is required and the plasma would essentially stabilize itself. The problem is that the ability to model that on a computer is only just coming along, and the W7-X is a big step forward in uniting those new models with a practical experiment. Does it solve issues of breeding Tritium, diverting plasma, resisting atomic sputtering? No, but it does hopefully move forward the understanding of the underlying plasma physics.
greenhatman 10y ago
As someone with very little knowledge or understanding of fusion, I'm aware that it's very unlikely to become practical in my life time, if ever. This is a nice video explaining fusion power: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZsaaturR6E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZsaaturR6E The interesting thing to me is the need for Helium-3, which we'll need to harvest from the moon.