3 ms·

>will And there’s the problem right there. Inertial confinement will never lead to electricity generation.

• dkjaudyeqooe 4y ago
  Is that relevant? I think the point is that ignition has been demonstrated. That gives people confidence that it is possible and can only accelerate research.
  • mannykannot 4y ago
    That thermonuclear ignition can be technologically achieved has, unfortunately, already been demonstrated. It has not yet been demonstrated in a way that seems to be leading to practical power production, and that goes for this result, too. Lawrence Livermore director Kim Budil is being misleading in saying that this is necessary first step. Ignition will be a necessary step along the path to practical fusion power generation (if it can be achieved), but it is far from clear that inertial fusion is on that path.
• elihu 4y ago
  It might. I think most people expect tokomaks to be more practical, but generating power from inertial confinement is at least theoretically possible. It might even be reasonably cost-effective if someone can figure out how to manufacture the hohlraums/fuel capsules cheaply.
  • smaudet 4y ago
    Big if. Chemical problems seem harder than nuclear ones. Less absolute science, more a matter of getting lucky.
    • chemmail 4y ago
      This is ACTUALLY what science is. Discovery.