Fun & Games > Random

Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Scientists announced Tuesday that they have for the first time produced more energy in a fusion reaction than was used to ignite it

😲

https://apnews.com/article/science-business-california-climate-and-environment-d6cb7b048ce916e04be809482fd9cbe6

Top | Newest First | Oldest First

WonderGirl · 36-40

I want a fusion vibrator.

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

@WonderGirl The 5-billion-year orgasm.

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@WonderGirl I might actually last longer than you :P

NerdyPotato · M

Sadly that report left an important detail out...

[quote][The hydrogen] was exposed to 2.05 megajoules of energy (...) and it resulted in 3.15 mega joules of energy being released. However, it was still a net loss, as it took 300 megajoules of energy to heat up the lasers.[/quote]

So this experiment took about 300 times more energy than it produces, like any experiment before, and it's still not a viable source of power. Maybe on a larger scale where they can keep the reaction going for much longer, it will be worth the initial input, but this wasn't nearly as big as a step towards infinite energy as the vast majority of media outlets made it appear.

https://nltimes.nl/2022/12/13/take-claims-nuclear-fusion-breakthroughs-grain-salt-dutch-expert-says

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

Pretty amazing , the holy grail of that kind of physics!

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

@JimboSaturn It will still be "Fusion is just 20 years away."

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@DunningKruger Ya they have to make it a practical application still.

SomeMichGuy · M

@DunningKruger Actually, the progress at LLNL since 2018 is amazing.

The early December event is another energy milestone. If you poke around the site, you'll see that they've been working from real measurements and simulations to improve the targets and how they use the lasers.

It's clear that NIF has brought together the right people with the right tools and the right motivation to finally make some bigger advances close in time to each other.

Morvoren · F

Waiting for anti science banjo crowd to show up. It can’t be long now…

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@Morvoren YEp big lies and conspiracy by communists.

JimboSaturn · 51-55, M

@Morvoren Actually fusion can't exist for them because that would throw off the 6,000 year old age of stars.

Convivial · 26-30, F

@Morvoren 👋

😜

Quetzalcoatlus · 46-50, M

How long until I get a fusion car?

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

@Quetzalcoatlus Yes, I want a box containing a plasma hotter than the core of the sun in a metal box hurling down a road with other similar boxes hurling down the road in the opposite direction centimeters from each other.

Next Tuesday.

Quetzalcoatlus · 46-50, M

@DunningKruger That’s what people said about jet propulsion engines 80 years ago. Now we all hop on planes with snacks, neck pillows and headphones to watch the movie..

SomeMichGuy · M

@DunningKruger Unlikely, but fusion isn't fission.

And it would provide the energy to recharge your electric vehicle.

DiegoWolfe · 36-40

So cool, that means fusion could actually be useable

Convivial · 26-30, F

While true, and a great breakthrough... It's still a loooong way off

View 3 more replies »

Convivial · 26-30, F

@DunningKruger true... Still, is another step on the way... Each building on the other

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

@Convivial I can't wait until people start protesting the extraction of deuterium and tritium out of sea water!

Convivial · 26-30, F

@DunningKruger all those big holes the miners will leave behind ;)

Add a comment...