4 ms·
Well yes, because it’s not designed as a power plant but a demonstration device to demonstrate ignition, which can be developed to allow the 25-50 energy gain n
by Robotbeat 4y ago
Well yes, because it’s not designed as a power plant but a demonstration device to demonstrate ignition, which can be developed to allow the 25-50 energy gain needed for useful fusion electricity. This is how you WOULD design a demonstration power plant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_Inertial_Fusion_Energy#Mercury https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_Inertial_Fusion_Energy#M...
- SiempreViernes 4y agoThe NIF exists mainly to validate nuclear weapon designs by providing input to models, the ICF thing is more a side gig the nuclear weapons side of the DoE runs to attract talent for the real job.
- Robotbeat 4y agoI’m aware, and yeah this was funded in part because underground nuclear weapons testing was stopped. You could also think of it as fusion researchers figuring out how to use military-scientific-complex funding to pursue fusion energy.