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This specific marker is a breakthrough. We did not know until three weeks ago if laser ignited fusion reactions could be created that released more energy than
by subradios 4y ago
This specific marker is a breakthrough. We did not know until three weeks ago if laser ignited fusion reactions could be created that released more energy than was transmitted into the fuel.
Now we know it is possible, it has been done.
The next question is, can we create enough industrial efficiency to create a working motor generator set.
A hard problem to be sure, but proving that it is a problem that we have is itself a breakthrough.
- russdill 4y agoI'm confused why it matters. If I heat something with 2J of energy and it released 1J of energy, it's like the matter has been heated with 3J of energy. If I can extract heat energy with 80% efficiency, I can extract 2.4J, more energy than was put in.
- LatteLazy 4y agoThat is very small though, for a "breakthrough". That's my issue. We already knew that laser ignited fusion worked (that it triggers fusion). And we still don't know it can produce more energy than it consumes overall (one of the big questions for this sort of fusion). Really, we have gone from being 0.5% efficient to 1% efficient (I believe). One way to describe that is doubling the output. And that is technically true. But it's quite misleading as it will have no actual impact in the real world. Add to that that this was quite predictable. And that we will need at least 3 very big breakthroughs before this is viable (much more efficient lasers, a continuous method and either replacement of the fuel or a very easy supply of deuterium). I just don't see this as a big deal. That's why I called it a milestone. It's progress. But it isn't huge, unexpected, change-in-the-real-world progress.