7 ms·

What is misleading is that nowhere in the press release do they say: 1) this research is weapons research (much less primarily weapons over power research) 2)

What is misleading is that nowhere in the press release do they say: 1) this research is weapons research (much less primarily weapons over power research) 2) this research does not currently contend a viable avenue towards breakeven power generation

itishappy 3y ago
> DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby said in achieving ignition, LLNL researchers have “opened a new chapter in NNSA’s science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program,” one that enables scientists to modernize nuclear weapons and explore new avenues of research in nuclear science. > Following Hruby, NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Marvin “Marv” Adams showed a NIF target capsule and explained the science behind fusion reactions. Adams said ignition will enhance national security by helping NNSA maintain confidence in the nuclear deterrent, advance the country’s non-proliferation goals and increase national security. > “The science and technology challenges on the path to fusion energy are daunting but making the seemingly impossible possible is when we're at our very best,” Budil explained. “Ignition is a first step — a truly monumental one that sets the stage for a transformational decade in high energy density science and fusion research — and I cannot wait to see where it takes us.” > While optimism reigned for the event, Budil cautioned there are still “significant hurdles” and engineering challenges to solve before the commercialization of fusion energy becomes a reality, such as the ability to reproduce ignition many times per minute and making fusion reactions simpler and more efficient. > “I think it's moving into the foreground and, probably with concerted effort and investment, a few decades of research on the underlying technologies could put us in a position to build a power plant,” Budil said.
- throwawaymaths 3y ago
  > the seemingly impossible possible Did anyone seriously believe it was impossible to get "q" > 1 fusion by blasting a pellet of hydrogen hard enough? --- Significant hurdles != "There is not currently a/no known path" I'm still toning down from "a path is impossible" which ought to be the consensus. > a few decades of research on the underlying technologies could put us in a position to build a power plant No.

itishappy 3y ago

> DOE Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby said in achieving ignition, LLNL researchers have “opened a new chapter in NNSA’s science-based Stockpile Stewardship Program,” one that enables scientists to modernize nuclear weapons and explore new avenues of research in nuclear science. > Following Hruby, NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Marvin “Marv” Adams showed a NIF target capsule and explained the science behind fusion reactions. Adams said ignition will enhance national security by helping NNSA maintain confidence in the nuclear deterrent, advance the country’s non-proliferation goals and increase national security. > “The science and technology challenges on the path to fusion energy are daunting but making the seemingly impossible possible is when we're at our very best,” Budil explained. “Ignition is a first step — a truly monumental one that sets the stage for a transformational decade in high energy density science and fusion research — and I cannot wait to see where it takes us.” > While optimism reigned for the event, Budil cautioned there are still “significant hurdles” and engineering challenges to solve before the commercialization of fusion energy becomes a reality, such as the ability to reproduce ignition many times per minute and making fusion reactions simpler and more efficient. > “I think it's moving into the foreground and, probably with concerted effort and investment, a few decades of research on the underlying technologies could put us in a position to build a power plant,” Budil said.

throwawaymaths 3y ago
> the seemingly impossible possible Did anyone seriously believe it was impossible to get "q" > 1 fusion by blasting a pellet of hydrogen hard enough? --- Significant hurdles != "There is not currently a/no known path" I'm still toning down from "a path is impossible" which ought to be the consensus. > a few decades of research on the underlying technologies could put us in a position to build a power plant No.